Monthly Archives: May 2024

CUSTOM TRUCK EQUIPMENT/EXHAUST PROS

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As a full-time motorhome dweller and traveler, owner of an original 2002 Jeep Wrangler J.T, a 2001 Ford Lariat F-150, and 2018 Thor Outlaw Toy Hauler. I take pride in owning and maintaining these vehicles to ensure reliable transportation is available when needed and exterior appearances are acceptable. On April 14, 2024, for my jeep I purchased A Fender Sit of Six, Amber Side Marker Lights, and Soft Top Rear Bow Set to replace gradual fading parts due to twenty-two years of braving all types of weather conditions. All of these parts were purchased via phone from Extreme Terrain my go-to-place for all jeep needs. Upon paying for these parts, an additional cost to have each of these parts installed on my jeep by Custom Truck was paid in advance by Install Connect.com. Upon receiving a text message on April 15, 2024, informing me my appointment to drop-off my jeep and parts for installation were scheduled for April 26, at 9:30am. The installation shop is Custom Truck Equipment/Exhaust Pros located at 1800 E Benson Road, Sioux Falls, SD 57104. Your service has been paid for in advance, you owe them nothing once services is completed. I arrived at the shop and founded a surprised Dan; never heard of Extreme Terrain or Install Connect before; completed owner document while he talked to someone about my appt. Boxed new jeep parts were removed from my pickup truck and carried to company’s garage. I relinquished my jeep key to Dan doing our walk from the office to my jeep.

A few weeks later, a message from Custom Truck Equipment/Exhaust Pros in May indicted my jeep was ready for pickup; I arrived to retrieve it and found the unboxed Soft Top Rear Bow Set inside my two-door jeep propped against the backseat. When I asked Dan, why wasn’t the Soft Top Rear Bow installed? He said, “It wasn’t on my installation request.” It was on mine, I replied. However, I will contact Install Connect.Com to discuss this matter and contact you later. Since my jeep is here, and the uninstalled part is present, I will pay for this installation though it was paid for as the others because I need it done and behind me because I am scheduled to have surgery in a few weeks. “Well, at this point I will have to work you in between current jobs we are working on, I will treat you right.” Okay that’s fine, I replied. Upon leaving the company, I called Install Connect.Com and informed them the largest, most expensive part of my order was not installed by the service center because Dan, an employee claimed this part wasn’t listed on his installation order request.

The representative pulled his copy of my order and read out loud the jeep parts I purchased which were also listed on the installation centers order and paid for in advance along with the other parts. I informed the rep. because my jeep and part were already at this company, I offered to pay for the Bow’s installation because I was schedule for surgery in a few weeks and needed to put this task behind me. I was transferred to the manager, who approved the refund for the Soft Top Rear Bow installation which had not been done as requested. On four occasions, I called to speak to Dan to share the outcome of conversations I had with Install Connect and check on the status of my jeep. Each time, employees gave a variety of responses (or could have been Dan changing his voice). “He’s travelling; he’s out of office today; he’s on a road trip.” Although, I requested returned calls regarding the status of my jeep; Dan never returned any calls. Finally, accepting this is the way Dan/maybe his company treats women. As a result, I called the company and told one of his co-workers (or him), I will stop pass to retrieve jeep on May 31st, whether work is done or not. Upon my rainy-day arrival, I noticed dirty fenders and the new plastic covered expensive Soft Top Bow rammed into the small cargo area of my jeep. With help, I connected my jeep to the rear of my pickup truck and towed my jeep to Frankman Auto Body at Tallgrass Cir, in Harrisburg, SD to have the Soft Top Rear Bow installed.

The below picture shows how this installation shop crammed new and used jeep parts in the small Cargo Area of my Jeep.

RETURN TO SIOUX EMPIRE FAIRGROUNDS

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At last, the fairgrounds finally opened its gates for snowbirds, traveling highway workers, and other returning fairground residents to come home on May 1st, 2024, which is the second time the fairgrounds hasn’t opened on April 1st. It is common knowledge amongst Environmental Scientist, Meteorologist, Ecology, Farmers, Snowbirds and World-Travelers that Climate Change has altered normal routines and traditions practiced by multitudes of people nationwide but is refuted by some. As we continue to watch climate conditions for Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter seasons change resulting in heatwaves, heavy rains, floods, thunderstorms, hurricanes, tornadoes, snowfall, snowstorms, blizzards, etc. Also, causing the beforementioned groups to be versatile employing a variety of creative changes and backup plans to facilitate potential outcomes.

Meanwhile, Sioux Falls Fairground Snowbird populations or forced to return home at later dates because of Fairgrounds opening date changes. Further, snowbirds to contact medical care professionals to reschedule annual appointments for later days which is not always possible. For instance, I had a follow-up eye surgery appointment on April 19, 2024. Which was rescheduled for April 23, 2025, because my Ophthalmologist was already booked to March, 2025. Now, whether I have a place to Call home in April 2025 or not, I have to return to Sioux Falls before my April 2025, appointment. These are situations we can’t control if there’s no place to call home upon returning.

For a while, the Camp Host and I were the only people homesteading at this huge plot of land containing two-hundred full-hookup service spaces to accommodate motorhomes, travel trailers and vans, which was a Utopia of quietness and peace until returnees arrived in mid-May with families, children, and dogs. Resulting in noises caused by children playing, dogs barking, busy fairground street noises generated as highway workers and others leave early-morning for work or take children to school and summer programs; wherein retirees like me are awaken by slamming doors, loud talking friends, opening, and slamming vehicle doors, starting/warning up vehicles, then drivers racing up fairground streets to merge with other travelers heading to work or passing through Sioux Falls. A real boomer every morning for retirees. Currently, our pass Utopia looks like this.