Escapees July-August 2024

camping chair chat

We took in a short section of the Blue Ridge Parkway that we had missed on a prior trip and enjoyed a brief hike. But as we headed to our campground, I heard a pssshhh sound, like the sudden release of pressure, followed by the most terrible smell. We stopped and could fi nd nothing wrong in the engine, indeed, it seemed to smell the worst in the cabin, but we couldn’t pinpoint the source and everything was still working. So, we proceeded off the isolated Parkway to the camp ground to investigate further. We rarely stay in commer cial campgrounds, but we’re happy that we did on this occasion, because the owners of Natural Bridge KOA were so kind and helpful. Once there and parked at the registration of fi ce, our engine wouldn’t start again and we quickly determined that the engine battery, located in a compartment under the driver’s feet, had blown and the smell was from the sulfuric acid that leaked out, creating hydrogen sul fi de gas. An extremely nasty smell similar to a combo of rotten eggs, sewer and burned rubber. I don’t think I have ever smelled anything worse. Being in a Sprinter chassis, our battery is a custom

Mercedes battery and a normal car battery won’t fi t in the tight battery compartment under the driver’s feet. The nearest Mercedes dealer was 45 minutes away and it was 4:30 on a Friday afternoon. The campground owner sprang into action and loaned us a car. A call to Mercedes resulted in one of the Mercedes parts guys staying open late so that my husband could get there and pick up a replacement. While he was zipping over to Mercedes, the camp ground owner’s son helped remove the blown battery from our RV and dispose of it where the smell wouldn’t offend the entire campground. The new battery got us up and running again once my husband installed it. It did not however eradicate the stench that permeated our rig. We slept with everything open and the fans going, and the next day we bought vinegar (the Inter net-recommended cleaning agent) to wipe everything down. It seems to have helped, although further airing out was still in order for a few days. Thank goodness for warm, dry weather! But most importantly, thank good ness again for the kindness of strangers! LindaScho fi eld, Guest Contributor

Opinions contained in “Camping Chair Chat” are not necessarily those of the Escapees RV Club, its o ffi cers or the membership in general. This column is for Escapees magazine readers to share thoughts, ideas and helpful hints. Escapees RV Club accepts no responsibility for what is expressed here by any person, group or company. If accepted, submissions will be edited for magazine style and formatting. Submissions that are sent by e-mail can be directed to departmentseditor@escapees.com.

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July/August 2024 ESCAPEES Magazine