The RV 'resort' was on a lake and had several docks and boat ramps. Most of the RVs seemed to have made this park a summer (if not longer) home with permanent steps and decks as well as patios and gardens. The water front sites had access to several docks where boats, jet skies and other water toys could be launched and tied up overnight.
Once again only electric connection was hooked up, as water was not functional due to the Saggy Bottom leak, and sewer was not being used in a limited fashion l because of the leak, and soggy bottom.
The team slept well knowing it would be a short drive in the morning. It as an easy exit from the resort at about 9:30am, destination Kimbrough RV service in Tuscumbia, AL in 127 miles, just 30 miles from the final destination of Red Bay. A call was made to the RV service center to let them know to expect the Smitanic around noon, a day earlier than the appointment. “Good”, they replied, “ We might right just get you in for your wet bay repair this afternoon!” Whoa! that was unexpected good news!
The repair place was a very small and rustic service shop with 8 or so bays, a rundown office area and a fairly nice customer lounge. The mechanic, Chris, instructed Kevin to drive around to the back so that all the holding tanks including the fresh water can be drained prior to the new Wet Bay installation. Kevin showed Chris the issue with fresh water drain being plugged. His reply was “I know how to take care of that”. Chris quickly took a hack saw and sawed the pipe to let the fresh water flow! Kevin also discussed the issue of the city water connection leak. The Chris replied, “I have to take the tank out so I will look at that as well. It will all look clean and pretty when I am done”. With the fresh water tank still draining, Kevin drove the Smitanic around to the assigned bay and parked it just outside as instructed. It would take 2-3 hours to replace the Wet Bay, this would allow Kevin and Theresa to drive the 30 miles to Red Bay and check in at the Tiffin Campground.
The Town of Red Bay is not much more than a small exit off a 4 lane state HWY 24. The downtown
had maybe 2 stop lights and active railroad tracks passed one block off the main drag thru town. Small signs guided visitors to the Tiffin Campground on the NE side of town. The check in was busy and the white board out front said “No sites available”.
Theresa approached the front desk looking quite overwhelmed. The receptionist recognizing the dismayed look, took control and handed Theresa a registration form to complete for the Smitanic to be put in the repair queue. Theresa filled out all the required info and returned it to the lady. To Theresa's, dismay the well practiced clerk then returned a copy of the form with a assigned camp site # and more blank forms for what repairs are needed to be completed and returned by 7mp tonight! Wow, they have got this down to a science!
Kevin and Theresa then returned to Kimbrough to see how that repair was progressing. The Smitanic was still in the bay and the mechanics where just finishing up the last few items to call the job done. The rotten 'saggy bottom' was now laying in pieces on either side of the RV. Man there was really not much holding it together, it is a wonder that it did not just fall apart during one of the previous journeys.
Kevin inspected the new sparkling Wet Bay and asked Chris if he had found the leak. He hand not looked for it but he did tighten up all the connections and tested them and there were no leaks now. Ok well guess that solves it. With the Smitanic complete, it was quitting time for Chris. Kevin and Theresa went to the office to settle up with Kayla, the cashier and office manager. Glad Tiffin was paying for all but the parts on this repair!
With now only minor items left for Tiffin, the Smitanic pulled into the campsite and took it's assigned site. The list of repair items were filled out on the provided form and then returned to the office before the 7pm cut off.
Kevin and Theresa then took Zin for a tour of the 'campground'. It was nothing more than a parking lot for RVs, but did have full hook up, a laundry room, showers and restroom facilities as well as a nice lounge divided into pet friendly and no pets allowed. There were close to 100 sites and 46 service bays that occupied what was once a municipal airport.
Electric, non-leaking Water and Sewer were all hooked up in preparation for a multi-day stay. Alarms were set so that at least the first coffee could be consumed prior to a technician arrival 'after 7am' to go thru the punch list. The technician would then determine if the list could be done an Express Bay which gave you 2 technicians for 3 hours to address your priority of the listed items or if your list would require a more extended scheduled time frame. Kevin and Theresa only had until the following Friday before they would need to start their return trip to NC in time to fly to the wedding in CA. Express Bay needs to be the answer!
So far, Tiffin has lived up to it's reputation for service and quality. Expectations are high that most, if not all of the repair items will be resolved or at least deemed critical or not.
Great service can be found anywhere!! You just need people that care.
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