I'm not allowed in Kansas, apparently

"Nibbles" (nibbles) 10/10/2016 at 10:12 • Filed to: Project thanks obama, Campersitelock

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So we took a trip to Kansas City for the renaissance festival (excuse to see old friends really). Me, the wife and our two dogs in the Dakota, camper in tow. Since the Dak handled the trip to Estes Park without question, I really figured this would be pretty cake. We dropped 5,000 ft overall, what could go wrong?

We left the house at 11 AM. Things went wrong pretty much the second we passed from Colorado into Kansas. Stopped for a fill-up in Burlington, hit the road and fifteen miles later the Dakota starts running hot. Pulled off, checked fluids, everything good. Just running hot. Stopped in WaKeeney for another top-off (the wife doesn’t like to get under 1/2 tank when towing) and, during the short drive into town the truck cools off just freakin’ fine. Figuring we’re good, we head out again.

Truck still hot. We start running the heater to extract; thankfully it was a cool day. Anyhow, that continues until we reach our destination - Leavenworth, KS - at 10:30 PM after stops in Salina and Topeka.

The return trip was more of the same. Left Leavenworth at 11 AM, truck immediately gets to the “we could be too hot” stage pretty much as we hit the freeway. This continues the entire trip through Kansas which, let me tell you, could be the worst thing because trying to keep freeway speeds (or a reasonable facsimile thereof) whilst driving with the heat on, windows partially opened, 60MPH side-wind blasting you in the goddamn face is fucking the worst, guys. It’s the worst.

But hot. Truck was running hot. Stops in Topeka, Salina, Hays, same thing. Hot. I resigned myself to the fact that I’ve done some sort of major damage to the truck and, well, thankfully camping season is pretty over.

Stop in Burlington for a final top-off and the last drag home. Apparently the truck just fukkin’ hates Kansas because from there to Denver the temp gauge never went past 1/2. Even with the AC blowing. Just like the trip out. What the fuck, truck.

(Oh we did have fun at the ren fest and we went to Geeks who Drink at Double Shift Brewery, which was cool because we won but now we’re out-of-towners with a $20 gift card to a shop we may never get to again. Fun times)

PatBateman > Nibbles 10/10/2016 at 10:25

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Renaissance festival... Geeks who drink... Kansas...

Nibbles > PatBateman 10/10/2016 at 10:28

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You’ve been here how long and you just figured that out?

E92M3 > Nibbles 10/10/2016 at 10:29

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My bet is your thermostat is hanging up, and not opening fully.

Electric fans or belt driven?

PatBateman > Nibbles 10/10/2016 at 10:30

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I try to stay optimistic about people. Sometimes that blinds me to reality.

I mean, if you go to a Ren Fest, at least say it was to people watch and make fun of hairy dudes in chain mesh.

Nibbles > E92M3 10/10/2016 at 10:32

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Belt fan. The oddest part is that it only overheated in Kansas. Even going downhill.

Nibbles > PatBateman 10/10/2016 at 10:34

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You tell me:

ETA: Photo upload still   not working. Too bad too, rare opportunity to see me in a kilt

DipodomysDeserti > Nibbles 10/10/2016 at 10:46

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Your truck was just trying to keep you from going to a Ren Fest in Kansas.

Nibbles > DipodomysDeserti 10/10/2016 at 10:49

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It was actually pretty fun. Our ren fest doesn’t allow pets but KC’s does. We took the dogs and they had the best time and met so many people and got so many loves and smelled so many butts

PatBateman > Nibbles 10/10/2016 at 11:16

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Ah, but did you wear your kilt CORRECTLY? You know... Commando style.

Viggen > Nibbles 10/10/2016 at 11:20

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Just be glad you didn’t have to make that drive in July. And you were on 70, with its stupid hills between Topeka and Junction City. Which also means you drove right past me!

Nibbles > PatBateman 10/10/2016 at 11:26

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How is that even a question? Of course I did

Tristan > Nibbles 10/10/2016 at 11:33

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Is it a 4.7 Dakota? I’m scared for your head gaskets.

Nibbles > Tristan 10/10/2016 at 11:40

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5.2 actually. Meet Project Thanks Obama

E92M3 > Nibbles 10/10/2016 at 12:05

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I think that’s just coincidence. They can hang randomly, and then work fine for a while. I would replace it, they are cheap anyway.

Nibbles > E92M3 10/10/2016 at 12:11

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I’m going to do a full cooling system update. I replaced the water pump last year(?) but I have no idea if anything else has been replaced, ever.

HammerheadFistpunch > Nibbles 10/10/2016 at 12:13

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How old is the radiator?

Nibbles > HammerheadFistpunch 10/10/2016 at 12:14

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Quite possibly 21.6 years old.

HammerheadFistpunch > Nibbles 10/10/2016 at 12:16

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Yeah...That needs to be replaced. When I did mine finally it was like 2/3rd crud inside

Nibbles > HammerheadFistpunch 10/10/2016 at 12:18

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Yeah I’ma do a complete system check/update. Maybe finally get around to converting to electric fans

haveacarortwoorthree2 > Nibbles 10/10/2016 at 12:29

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I hate Kansas. I hate the Kansas Turnpike. I hate speeding tickets from Kansas. I hate the Jayhawks. I hate paying a $5 toll for driving on an interstate highway. With kids in the car, I usually end up stopping for gas/restroom/food, but I used to gas up in OK or MO just to avoid giving Kansas any more of my money.

Tristan > Nibbles 10/10/2016 at 12:58

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Mmmm... Boxy Dakota with 5.2/5-speed... Nice.

MotoMan23 > Nibbles 10/17/2016 at 12:52

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That’s Leavenworth for ya. It’s hot here even in the winter. Glad you visited my city :)