John H

At the end of November, I'm going to drive to the Keys for my annual holiday. Done this for the last 6 or so years. I once asked this group if they knew of any good mechanics in the Keys, but didn't get a terrific response (got a terrific response from the members, just not for the mechanics). However, I've noticed during this last year, that we have other people on the Keys with Dodges, who surely are having to get their Dodges serviced. This prompts me to ask, are there any reliable mechanics on the Keys these days? I was hoping for maybe of a list of mechanics down the length of the Keys, who you might trust with your trucks?

John

FiverBob

Wow, why do you need a "LIST of mechanics down the keys"? Do you plan on breaking every few miles? Hope not - - these babies don't break. The keys are for fun, not breaking - - except they break your wallet.

Be sure you hit Bahia Honda State Park and set up camp for a while. Gorgeous. Good sites right on the water if you reserve ahead (which is the only way to make sure you get in). 37 miles north of Key West. You can snorkle amoung the tropical fish right off the back of your fiver. Step out for coffee, then back in the water while the misses takes a picture of you from the window of the fiver. Nice place. Good fishing, too. Great beach. Private. Hey, I gotta go - - hooking up and heading south to Honda land.

SnorklinBob

John H

I always try to plan ahead. It seems with each long trip, something always happens. Last trip I blew the transmission pan gasket - TWICE. One before that, a seized front brake caliper. One before that, bearings in the rear end. The list comes in handy for knowing who's closest.

We're booked in to Bahia Honda for four days on the way down. Been past it lots of times, first time to stay there. Made sure I got a waterfront site. Hope I can make it through the 4 days without having to break camp and empty the tanks. Wife not yet water conservation trained.

John

converteddzlr

I'm green with envy! Hit Bahia Honda this past June courtesy of Fiver Bob's advice! You're gonna love it and they do have the porcelain facilities so that the wife doesn't have to use the trailer all of the time!

Unfortunately I can't help you with the mechanics as my truck was great all the way there and back (7,800 miles roundtrip).

Enjoy!

Ken

FiverBob

Ken,
I am setting up reservations tomorrow for the Honda for 1st of March. Going down and meet my Canuck cousins from Ontario. Love it there. She wants to go rumble "on the square". She has heard about it, so she has to watch the crazees see the sun set. There are some kooks hang out in that square. Fun.

SquareBob

converteddzlr

you make me wanna puke!

Yah, the square was a pretty interesting spot! Especially the guy with the cat show!

Parking and maneuvering the dually was pretty interesting though. The father in-law just scratched his head at a couple of places that we actually fit into!

Enjoy

Jealouscanuckken

John H

I'm guessing you mean Mallory? Neat place. Personally like to sit and watch the world go round from the bar with Ian Mcloud.

John

PistolWhipt

So far I have been lucky enough not to need a good mechanic down here. I know of a couple decent general automotive mechanics ... but none that specialize in Cummins. There are a few marine diesel mechs around ... don't know how much good that would do.

Are you military, retired military or DOD ?? If so ... you can use my shop on NAS Key West. At the very least it is a nice place for you to use a lift and do it yourself if need be.

Have fun .... give a ring when you come through.

PISTOL

John H

Sorry to not respond before now Pistol, for some reason I never saw your reply, or I might have called, it would have come in handy. While down there I did end up needing a mechanic.

Remember this post? I think FiverBob jinxed me.

Originally posted by FiverBob
Wow, why do you need a "LIST of mechanics down the keys"? Do you plan on breaking every few miles? Hope not - - these babies don't break. The keys are for fun, not breaking - - except they break your wallet.

replied by John H
I always try to plan ahead. It seems with each long trip, something always happens. Last trip I blew the transmission pan gasket - TWICE. One before that, a seized front brake caliper. One before that, bearings in the rear end. The list comes in handy for knowing who's closest.

This time I blew the TPS, had to buy a new one from Keys Diesel up in Marathon, nice people, ordered it directly from Cummins for me. Half the price of Dodge.
Separated a tire tread (luckily while not towing), got two new tires.
And finally squeezed the #1 exhaust manifold gasket about 3/8" out from between the manifold and the head.

I tried to loosen the manifold bolts myself, but couldn't budge the third one I tried, so in fear of breaking off a bolt and really getting stuck, in desperation I took it in to Duncan Auto Sales in Key West, and they replaced the gaskets. Didn't charge too much, and the work looked neat and clean, so either they are not too bad to use, or I came out lucky.

LookingforfiverbobwithabigstickJohn

FiverBob

Haven't seen anyone around here with that name. Hmmmm, I don't EVER remember anyone with that name.

SixerBob

ps: sorry about the problems. Just have to chalk it up to the fact that Cummins was smarter than you are - - it didn't want to leave Paradise. And, did we like Bahia Honda????

converteddzlr

Dang it Bob, stop makin' me drool

John H

Neither did I. I was quite getting used to drinking my first cup of coffee while sitting in the sun outside the trailer at 7.30am in the morning, in just a pair of shorts. Night time temps were generally 68-69F and temps during the day got up to about 72-74F. Admittedly there were some brisk winds some days, but what the heck, I just moved into the lea of the trailer.

Bahia Honda was beautiful. We got the third campsite in from the bridge looking out towards the sunset. Goofed around a lot during the day, watched a couple of sunsets from the top of the old train bridge. Spent a couple of hours lying on my back on the picnic table looking at the stars. Man are there ever a lot down there. -- Darn, it's making me want to go back already!

John

FiverBob

Hey John, I am soooo glad you liked it. That is undoubtedly one of our favorite camping sites. And you were just about in the campsite that we were in last time - - I think the pic is still under my pictures. Don't know if you did it, but the snorkeling is great right behind your Rv there and under the bridge - - gorgeous tropical fish all around there - - also a few big sharks. HMMMMM

It is 84 here today - - having a heat wave - 59 last night.

PistolWhipt

John,
Man ... you stacked up the repairs down here, eh ? To be honest with you I am surprised with the service you got at the dealer. They tend to rape us when our young sailors go there.

I have driven by Bahia Honda quite a few times but never had the occasion to camp there. Looks like a real nice place. If you don't mind me asking ... what did you pay per night ?

Well, if either you or scaredycatbob make it down here again before March 11 ... give me a shout. I'll either have a hot cup of coffee or a frosty adult beverage waiting for you. I gotta stay off of Duval Street though ... just a small scuffle, that's all .

Cheers,
PISTOL

John H

Pistol, for some reason I can never leave home for any length of time, without something happening. It's been that way for years. I don't know what it is, but as we say at work, I never have a problem, but I do have lots of opportunities. That's why I learned early to always plan ahead.

When we stayed in Bahia Honda, we were only paying about $32 per night. BUT, we didn't get full hook up, only electric and water.

I have a vivid imagination, so I don't need any explanation about what happened on Duval Street, I try to stay off there without having been in trouble. It's bad enough during the day, but it is just wierd at night. It's the first street I've ever been on in any city, that the nerves in my back were crawling. And, I've been a lot of places in the world I'm not owning to, and I won't go back.

John