Counter Top Extension Mod

Our new Rockwood 2604 came with a counter top extension. At first, I wasn't sure we'd want to use it. Since we had it with us on our trip to pick up the trailer though, we gave it a try. We discovered that the extra couple of feet of counter space by the sink is actually a really nice addition.

What I didn't like about it though was how it attached to the cabinet. It had a pair of steel tabs that sat into corresponding steel slots to support it on the end of the cabinet and a swing-out adjustable leg to support the free end. 

This arrangement meant that when you're ready to travel, you must remove the entire assembly and stow it somewhere. The only place we found for it to safely travel was on the bedroom floor. Not a huge deal I suppose, but a bit of a pain when you're ready to roll. Plus, if you're only stopping for a quick overnight and don't need the counter top extension, you really had no choice but to install it anyway just to get it off the floor.

It occurred to me that a far better arrangement would be for the extension to simply fold down on the end of the cabinet. This seemed a really simple solution and rose to the top of my list of "must do" modifications when we got home.

A quick run to Home Depot yielded the two simple parts that I needed to complete this mod.

• 12-inch steel piano hinge
• 3-inch stainless steel hook and eye latch

Step 1: Remove the old hardware.

Step 2: Install piano hinge on the underside of countertop extension.

Step 3: Attach piano hinge to end of the cabinet.

Step 4: Attach latch to the underside of counter extension and the eye-hook to the cabinet. The latch holds the extension snugly against the cabinet so it doesn't bang around during travel. 

Step 5: Admire my work!

The result is a vast improvement.  Flip up if needed; leave down if not needed. No more moving it back and forth to the bedroom and tripping over it on the floor. Rockwood, if you're listening, this would be a great addition straight from the factory!  

MILTON / MADISON SE KOA

I mentioned in my last post that we stayed at a KOA in Milton, Wisconsin - specifically, the Milton/Madison SE KOA.  This is a new KOA and a really nice one!  Despite less than ideal weather during our three-night stay, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves here. The bathhouse is clean and modern.  The camp's store is much more widely stocked than most KOAs with all the camping essential and area souvenirs. To the rear of the store is a beautiful pool area. The rural property includes acres of rolling green recreation fields. It's located a short ride from Madison and about 60 miles from Racine. If your travels take you to southern Wisconsin, I highly recommend this campground!

Entrance to Milton/Madison SE KOA, Milton, WI

"Rocky" at Milton/Madison SE KOA

"Rocky" at Milton/Madison SE KOA

Wisconsin sunset

Awesome week!

We've had an awesome week!  Picked up "Rocky" on Monday, our new Rockwood 2604WS. We LOVE this travel trailer!  So far, we have not found a single thing that we would change. This is a perfect rig for a couple.

First, I want to say that RV Wholesalers in Lakeview, OH is a great dealer!  When we go there, I was pleasantly surprised to see a big, bold sign over the sales office door, "Our God is an awesome God!" Amen!  This is an unashamedly Christian company and God is obviously blessing their business for their faithfulness. They are honest and a real pleasure to deal with. They far exceeded our expectations and went above and beyond in their attempt to please us. Highly recommended!

We spent Monday and Tuesday nights at the Dayton KOA.  This is a really nice campground!  The bathhouse is by far the NICEST I've ever seen in a campground. We didn't use it other than to wash our hands on the way out, but nonetheless, it's over the top nice. We had a nice pull-through site.  We spent Tuesday unpacking the truck and arranging things inside the new trailer. Spent a bunch of money at Walmart on this and that, such as plastic bins for the cabinets, covers for our new recliners, sundry supplies and such.  We grilled chicken on our new grill which is a really nice feature. It hangs on the side of the trailer and uses the onboard propane via a quick-connect hose.

Wednesday morning, we hitched up and headed to Wisconsin. This is the first trailer we've had with power jack and stabilizers. Why did I wait so long? These small conveniences made hooking up so much easier! I was still a little nervous about towing a 30 footer compared to our former, little RPod. It's actually not bad at all and we made it to Wisconsin about 5PM.  We're staying at the Milton/Madison KOA in southern Wisconsin. It's a new KOA and really nice.  Highly recommended if you're in the area.

On Thursday, we drove an hour north to visit Wollersheim Winery. We discovered this winery two years and love this vineyard. Couldn't be this close and not pay a second visit and get some cases to go home. Sadly, Wollersheim does not ship to Georgia.

Today's agenda takes us to Racine, Wisconsin to visit the Frank Lloyd Wright designed, SC Johnson Wax headquarters. Cant wait to see this!

National Museum of the United States Air Force

While waiting to pick up our new Rockwood tomorrow, we took advantage of the free day today to visit the National Museum of the United States Air Force. Wow! What an incredible museum! The National Museum of the United States Air Force, located at  Wright-Patterson AFB near Dayton, Ohio, is the world's largest and oldest military aviation museum featuring more than 360 aerospace vehicles and missiles on display amid more than 17 acres of indoor exhibit space. If you're ever anywhere near Dayton, OH, this place is a must see. 

Arranged chronologically in four separate, indoor hangars, the museum displays the rich history our country's Air Force. From the very beginning of aviation to the present, we toured through WWI, WWII, the Korean Conflict, and Vietnam. On display in the WWII gallery was the Boeing B-29 Superfortress, Bockscar, the plane that dropped the "Fat Man" atomic bomb on Nagasaki which ended the war. We then continued through the Cold War era complete with Minutemen and ICBM Missiles, the space program and last, the highlight of our day, the Presidential Gallery. We toured Air Force one for FDR, Truman, Eisenhower and the plane that served Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, and Reagan. We actually stood where LBJ was sworn in after John Kennedy's murder in Dallas. From the first hangar to the fourth is a full 1/4 mile, all indoors. I simply can't say enough good about this place. Oh, and the price??  Free.  Best deal you'll find anywhere.  

Had a great dinner at a local dinner and now back at our hotel. We'll be getting up early tomorrow morning for an hour's drive up to Russells Point to get the new Rockwood, which we have already affectionately dubbed, "Rocky."  And if the trailer's name is Rocky, then obviously our blue F-150 is now "Blue-winkle."  Yes, shameless pilfering of names, but it's fun! 

More to come tomorrow!  The big day is almost here!

National Museum of the United State Air Force

Boeing B-29 Superfortress Bockscar

Replica of "Fat Man," the atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki, August 9, 1945

Dave & Carol and John Kennedy's Air Force One

On our way to pick up the Rockwood!

The day finally arrived!  We're on our way to pick up our new Rockwood 2604 at RV Wholesalers in Russells Point, Ohio.  Our appointment for the PDI (pre-delivery inspection) is Monday, June 26 at 9AM.  Then we're taking a week for its maiden voyage!

We left Georgia this morning and are spending the night in Dayton, Ohio.  Tomorrow, we plan to head over to the National Museum of the United States Air Force.  I've heard really good things about the museum, and it's close by so it'll be a good way to spend a leisurely Sunday afternoon.  We feel like a couple of kids waiting for Christmas.  Counting the hours down till Monday morning!