Pocono Raceway Report

[Jim Stoltz]

So we had an interesting time at the Pocono Raceway this past weekend.

I had the Allegro parked in the driveway for a day letting the fridge get cool on electric. I did all the usual pre-flight checks and we were off. When we got to the RV camping, I tried to get the fridge to light on propane. I would light but not stay lit – the red “CHECK” light came on after a few seconds (Norcold fridge). The flame looked a little weak and it looked to me like the expansion loop in the gas line actually had a kink in it. I removed it and straightened out a bit. Still wouldn’t work. I bent the thermocouple closer to the flame and it stayed lit! But, apparently I cracked the gas line messing with it because I had a pretty significant leak. I shut it down, shut the gas off to it and ran the generator most of the weekend. I never let the generator run that long before and was pleased its performance until I turned on one of the ac units and it continuously hunted for a good RPM. New behavior and yet another thing for the to-do list.

It rained pretty hard Friday night but there were no leaks, which is good. Saturday was sort of okay weather-wise – overcast and cold but dry until early afternoon when a deluge ended the Xfinity race early. It cleared up a bit Saturday night and we had a good time partying with our friends and neighbors.

On Sunday things took a turn for the worst. We woke up to precipitation that alternated between heavy rain and misting. Fog was really thick. I ignored my instinct to leave early and hung out while we watched the spectator traffic stream into the racetrack. When it became obvious that the race would be canceled we couldn’t get out – total gridlock with spectators leaving. I figured we’d wait out the traffic. That was when the tornado warnings came, severe thunderstorms with hail and 65-75 MPH gusts. The fire department was driving around in their trucks telling everyone to put up their awnings and seek shelter. It was clear we were going to have to ride whatever this is out in the Allegro.

I was watching the big American flag to see from what direction we were going to get hit. It looked like head-on, which I figured was best case. As it got darker and darker outside the flag shifted to the left, meaning I was going to get hit broadside on the right. As we looked out the window we saw it tearing across the field – large plume of rain and you could see the path the wind was taking through the grass. Obviously not a tornado but it was something that was bringing a lot of wind and water right at us. It hit the side of the Allegro like a brick wall – I’ve never felt anything like it. Water poured in from every window on the right side and from under the fridge (I assume it blew right in the side vent). For a few seconds I thought it was going to flip us over. It rocked us for probably less than a minute but it seemed like forever.

There was a welcomed calm after that. I knew the storm was headed home, so I gave it an hour’s head start before I left. It was eerie because it took the same path that I did – I saw broken limbs and fallen trees the whole 70-miles. I am thankful that I wasn’t driving when that thing came through. It’s a lesson to keep an eye on the weather reports before venturing out.

I got home without incident, except for the big bumper scrape climbing the driveway. What’s odd is that it didn’t scrape going out. So there is an entry/exit strategy that will work on my steep driveway – I just need to figure out what it is. And, as I’ve said before, the top is just ridiculous. Very hard to get it swung around up there. I need to figure out what to do about that as well.

[Rick Faunce]

Glad to hear you did not blow over! When I was driving heavy wreckers I had to upright several RV's after a straight line storm like that in NY State. On the bumper drag, you are lucky to have air ride suspension. You can set the rear suspension for manual and add air to raise the rear end before entering the driveway. Do not max it out but give it a little extra, really you only need it on the side that hit. That would be the left side if turning in right or right side if turning in left. Once in the drive just flip it back to auto.

[Jim Stoltz]

That's what I did when I left. Had the back aired up quite a bit. I can come from either direction but both times so far have been right turns. I'll have to try a left hander one of these days. I did pull over and air it up yesterday before going up but with both holding tanks now half full I have more weight back there.

[Philip Wolsonovich]

Wow!!!! And I thought my life was an adventure.

[Jim Stoltz]

The biggest adventure is turning around the 32-foot long rig with only 35-feet between my house and a giant oak tree! 

[Rick Faunce]

That is called a double XYZ turn.

[Jim Stoltz]

It's nutty. I have to take it back out this week to dump. I dread bringing it back up.

[Rick Faunce]

How hard would it be to back it in?

[Jim Stoltz]

It can be done I guess. I've backed my truck up it but it's pretty dicey. It's narrow with a stockade fence up against one side for about 100 feet. I'm afraid of overheating the transmission. It's about 500 feet and very steep. Plenty of delivery guys have done it, though. 

[Lakota Wolf]

I feel for ya having to take a broad side wind hit. It will definitly increase the pucker factor. Taking a high wind nose first is about the only option to come out damage free, but to take a side hit,, that will get the ole rig a dancing and a swaying. I have pulled off in high wind situations and have had to keep starting the truck and face the wind head on,, makes for a long night. When you get high winds with rain,, it seems like the water will come in every nook and crany,vents etc. I keep a flag waving, even at night, with a light to illuminate it for respect, to keep an eye on wind direction, and with bad weather forecasted I keep a close eye on my Barometer,, when it drops below 29.8 bars,, its going to get ugly real fast.... Wind sheer across flat lands can be more damaging then a tornado, because they can shift from one direction a full 180.

Glad all turned out well, and no damage or injury.

[Jim Stoltz]

I've never seen anything like it. Water was coming in the window drains like they were faucets. I finally got all of the wet stuff out of it today and have the ac running to dry it out. I have friends coming tomorrow to stay for a few days - it also serves as my guest house :)