7th Day of full timing....will it stop? Started again!!! - RV-Dreams Community Forum

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

7th Day of full timing....will it stop? Started again!!!

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

RE: 7th Day of full timing....will it stop?

Jo And Craig · RV-Dreams Family Member

Sherry, I'm so proud of you and Jesse! Just remember, when you're smiling, when you're smiling, the whole world smiles with you! I'm smiling. Our day will come... good, bad, or ugly!!!

Keep the faith! You're my inspiration... I think!

PIEERE · RV-Dreams Family Member

Well: Hopefully you realize that the 3 days you had with your daughter and the friends were worth the aggravation that you've both been through....Truly I hope that all goes better...and your roads get smoother!!!

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Aww w thanks for your encouragement and suggestions! Well the story gets longer. Jesse is tired
I think and he missed the signs on base to the FamCamp (military speak for family campgrounds).
So he ended up going out the other side of the base (it's a BIG base) and couldn't find a turnaround
place & got on a highway with heavy traffic. Was watching for turn around place and suddenly his right front truck tire shredded. He controlled rig but just sandy shoulders so hes blockingmone laneofbthe highway. He's calling CoachNet again but we have no spare as they just used it.
Wonder what happens now? Kitty and I are here, looks like rain and I have no clue where he is.
Wonder how people did this before cell phones?

Bet we're not anyone's inspiration now!!

😪 I need my glass of wine!!!
Sherry

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

So it's now 7 pm here and CoachNet just called Jesse & said they've finally found someone in Pasadena (a freaking two hours away!) to come with a wheel and new tire to mount & balance!
Really, really not happy with their service. We recently moved from AAA Platinum to them and are very disappointed. Price is not always the issue, eh?

Good news, neighbors in a big Monarch next to me came over and invited me in for food and/or wine. I took the glass of wine thank you very much!!! Jesse said he's had people stop and offer him food and water! People are wonderful! Can't wait until we can return the favor!

Smiling again,
Sherry
PS, next time ill travel with a book in my car too!

NWescapee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Oh Sherry - so sorry to hear of all the issues. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers and sending a big hug your way.

BTW, if the duct tape doesn't work, Dale found out about a different type of tape called Gorilla Tape from Slade at Rolling Retreats when he was held up there due to issues with the truck and then the 5th wheel. He said it's soooo much better than duct tape, that was one of his first purchases when he arrived home and he used it for some home repair project as we get the house ready to go on the market. Not sure if it would work on the fridge problem, but he is now swearing off duct tape!!

PIEERE · RV-Dreams Family Member

No-body is hurt and that is the greatest; Sometimes it's hard to find the good of it when things go awry. Wow; people are helping on both your end and Jesse's. That is what has kept me sane; it's not easy when you are in unfamiliar locations; but the majority of people usually want to help!!! I lived in Arizona in a house for 6 yrs. and hardly got to know more than three neighbors. Don't lose sight of your Faith!!

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Yes, Pieere and there was a stunning sunset tonight as well!

Thanks, Gang!

Dave Buck · RV-Dreams Family Member

Sorry to hear about your difficult start. I guess that means things can only get better. Looking forward to hearing about better travel experience in the future.

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks All,

Had a GREAT experience with Trilogy customer service this morning. Jesse had left two messages for Jack (I think that's his first name) Armstrong with no return calls. So yesterday I called the Sales Manager, Michael Bab**** and was clear about my/our frustrations. After our posts above you can imagine just how clear I was later yesterday. 😁

Mr. Armstrong called the first thing and apologized profusely to Jesse telling him he had never received his messages and saying they're trying to build a brand and they do really care. Helped Jesse w/his questions, explained that these refrigerators all come with a lock on top and that the dealer must have removed it. Was never mentioned in our PDI. He's arranged for warranty issues to be taken care of in Medford, near where we'll be and will ship a lock and new freezer door to replaced the dented one. Our warranty issues outside of the dealer issued issues have been minor so we are really pleased with the Trilogy overall. It's just stunning and incredibly comfortable and a very convenient floor plan for us.

Jesse arrived at campground at 11:30 pm and we were all tucked in by 12:30.

Sherry

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Interesting. We were talking to Fire Captain son today who his family calls "Mr. safety" and he knows lots about trucks and tires but he had never heard what second guy told us. But Jesse came home with new front truck tires today and said short ride home was WAY better than before and we really hadn't noticed a problem before. (Well, I had, see Jesse's comment above to 2nd tire guy) but that may be why I'm following in second car. Someone on here has the signature, "She drives while I sit behind the wheel." That may fit here! 😝

Jack great info. We have Goodyear G rated tires on the Trilogy and I know you much prefer the H. We had specified those in our purchase contract but when we went to pick up, dealer said manufacturer rep said it would void the warranty on our rig so they didn't put them on. Think I'll call factory again tomorrow and double check. May have to replace the wheels. We all know not to trust what the salesmen tell us and that's hard for me because I was a very honest sales woman. Really. honest! Maybe it's men that's the problem?? JUST KIDDING, Guys.

We're trying to be very safety conscious and proactive about this whole thing so we keep reading and listening but often operator error gets in the way.

Thanks all. What would we do without you??

p
Sherry

-- Edited by WestWardHo on Friday 10th of May 2013 07:42:27 PM

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Sherry,

I hate to say this, but I'm really concerned that from what you've described, you've had problems with both front wheels. Were they old tires, or were they over or under inflated? Catching a screw or a nail in a trailer tire is not unusual, but the problems with both front wheels is disconcerting. I certainly hope that the two of you don't have any more tire troubles.

Terry

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Terry, thank you for your concern! The front tires on the truck were nearly new when we bought it last spring. However, the second tire guy who came out said, "you have that big Dually truck and you should have as big and wide a front tire on it that truck as the wheels can hold. He was from a Big Truck tire place. He also said "I bet you drive like this" moving his hands back and forth left to right. Jesse said "yes, my wife has been 'suggesting' that. He said wider tires will give you much better control and a smoother ride. He said he sees it all the time. Jesse is out now buying the best they have. In fact he said the tire that the first driver took off and replaced with a spare was just fine and even though Jesse had asked the first driver to check BOTH front tires, the guy said the problem was on the left side when it was actually the right front tire that was going bad the first time. Second driver also adjusted the monitors so they read correctly.

Another lesson learned! Pretty soon we will be as expert as you all!

Sherry

phyllen · RV-Dreams Family Member

In four years of Fulltiming we've had more blow outs on our fiver than I can remember. (Two within 3 hours leaving us no spare along an Interstate in NJ). FINALLY last year we bought higher rated tires and trust that solves the issue. We got to the point of almost deciding to shuck the fulltiming.

I can relate!

Jack Mayer · RV-Dreams Family Member

Issues with tires and brakes are probably the most frequent issues encountered by towables. It is well worth the money to upgrade to higher-rated tires, and wheels. For the most part, RV manufacturers put on the lowest cost tires that they can get away with. And many RVers do not want to spend the money to upgrade running gear. That is a real mistake, IMO. Investing in good running gear will make your life so much better on the road.

Hina · RV-Dreams Family Member

Take it from me, blown tires on a trailer are serious business; last week that situation totaled my truck. Get a handle on it ASAP!

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Sherry,

Do you know the "definition" of an "expert?"

A "spurt" is a steady, strong stream of water. An "ex-spurt" is a drip.

Trust me, in spite of all the experience I have had in both 18-wheelers, bobtail commercial trucks, and farm related trucks and trailers, I still figure that I am learning. When we went to research for our RV, we spent 2 years before we made our choices and then made the order. Even after all that, I'm still learning things that I possibly should have done instead.

Terry

Jack Mayer · RV-Dreams Family Member

WestWardHo wrote:

Jack great info. We have Goodyear G rated tires on the Trilogy and I know you much prefer the H. We had specified those in our purchase contract but when we went to pick up, dealer said manufacturer rep said it would void the warranty on our rig so they didn't put them on. Think I'll call factory again tomorrow and double check. May have to replace the wheels. We all know not to trust what the salesmen tell us and that's hard for me because I was a very honest sales woman. Really. honest! Maybe it's men that's the problem?? JUST KIDDING, Guys.

-- Edited by WestWardHo on Friday 10th of May 2013 07:42:27 PM

Anyone that tells you upgrading tires or wheels - or for that matter, the running rear - will void the warranty is someone to stay FAR away from.

I do not like the G614 tires at all...there is too much risk of a problem IMO. Granted, a lightly loaded RV on G614s may do well, but MANY people have issues with them. If you are not heavily loaded on them then it makes it hard to convince yourself to upgrade....I understand that. It is a personal choice - but if you are anywhere near the load limits on them I'd dump them. JMO.

Roads Less Traveled · RV-Dreams Community Member

It will definitely get better.

With every blooper we've made, we've added it to our checklist of things to double-check before starting out and when setting up camp. It reads like a hilarious multi-year account of all the things that can go wrong. It's posted right next to where we keep our wallets ande still use it each time -- even with lots of years of full-timing under our belts, we still make mistakes and forget to lock things down before we start driving, etc. etc.

The Bear II · RV-Dreams Family Member

The RV gods are testing you to see if you really should fulltime.

If you pass the test you can expect a long happy fulltiming experience sprinkled with spurts of commitment testing issues. Most of which cost at least $500 plus 4 days to resolve.

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

We're in the most beautiful campground so far! I agree with you Bert II, it all costs! 😄

Jack, I'm going to call the factory tomorrow (they were gone for the day by the time we arrived to CG and discuss tires.

3 days trouble free! Whoopie! Sure LOVE our 5er!

Jane I did read about your accident and have been cheering you on.

This campground is called Hawk's Nest RV and Cabins, in Tionesta, CA. Almost due S. of Klamath Falls. 10 miles from Lava Beds National Monument. Headed there now.

Sherry

GENECOP · RV-Dreams Family Member

Glad to hear things are beginning to settle .....

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

You have to stand in the lava beds and look out at the Snow Cap on mount Shasta when its 90 out.....makes you want to run up the mountain and roll in the snow!!!!!!!

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Lucky Mike,

Is there anywhere you haven't been??? Yup it was high 80's there today and the lava tube caves were nice and cool. Mt. Shasta vista is gorgeous- we can see from our campground!

Gene cop, yes, life is normal and what we hoped for. Hope your trip this summer is all that you wish. I'd go for the all you can eat lobster!!!

Kitty and dog have settled into their new home as well.

Thanks all you helpful friends met and unmet!

Sherry

MarkS · RV-Dreams Family Member

I was trying to learn a bit about tires on the Goodyear site. They state that G rated tires maximum load is 3750 lbs at 110 lbs inflation. H rated maximum load is 4805 lbs at 125 lbs inflation. This tells me that the maximum load on a trailer with G rated tires is 15k lbs when all four wheels are equally loaded. Based on the GVWR of many of the larger 5ers I would think that many are taxing their tires much of the time. Am I thinking about this correctly?

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Great questions Mark! Can't wait to hear the answers.

Sherry

NWescapee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Sherry - if you guys enjoying exploring lava tubes, when you are in the Crater Lake area you need to plan a trip to Bend OR, there are some great lava tubes near there. I think there was one of them that went about a mile back into mountain, we turned around when the claustrophia started closing in. Something weird about crawling along on your hands and knees and bumping the fanny pack on the roof of the tube, that was enough for me. I think I disappointed Dale and the 2 teenage boys that were hanging with us (after their parents had already reached a point of not wanting to go further). Enjoy your journey to Crater Lake, that's one of my favorite national parks.

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

RE: 7th Day of full timing....will it stop? Started again!!!

GENECOP · RV-Dreams Family Member

Working out those Bugs.....it does settle down, I PROMISE

Jo And Craig · RV-Dreams Family Member

Sherry, Sherry, Sherry... TELL ME IT AIN'T SO!!! disbelief

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Today we have everything working but the DirectTV. A couple of our fellow hosts here are amazing guys and I'm sure they'll help get it all figured out! At least we're staying in one place for a while and can catch up on our rest. That's if fur kid Sadie, 11 months old & now sleeping in her "big girl bed" (no pen) can manage to sleep past 5 am. Not sure if she wakes up first or Kitty does and gets her galloping thru the rig after said kitty and sounding like a clumsy horse. But having her land on you in bed is like someone dropping a bowling ball on you.

There are 10 lava tube caves you can explore, one lighted, and we could mostly stand up. The Lava Beds National Monument park is amazing. We plan to go back and spend the greater part of a day there taking a picnic lunch sometime this summer.

Sherry

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

What we've been dealing with is nothing compared to Jane (Hina), Lucky Mike and Pieere (health), or Mary Sunshine (care taking) or Oklahoma City but I am wondering if we are Jinxed. Late Friday I heard from our realtor that the buyer under contract for our house lost her job and is backing out of the contract. Monday a woman backed into our car at Walmart and we're supposed to get snow tonight or tomorrow!!!

No major damage to car, it's 10 years old that we're planning to trade and minor bumper dent.

Actually love, love, love this park. Our other camp hosts are a bunch of great people and we feel we lucked out in our first ever workamping job. Its's Crater Lake RV Park in Prospect, OR in case anyone is wondering.

Pulled some warmer clothes out of the basement last night so we're ready. Will warm up by next weekend.

Sherry

-- Edited by WestWardHo on Tuesday 21st of May 2013 09:20:52 AM

PIEERE · RV-Dreams Family Member

Sherry: Don't panic; all will work out. I am happy to hear your workamping job is going well and your co-workers are great people. No matter what happens so long as I am alive I can live with the everyday problems. You know what's strange; I am actually looking forward to having the stress test done on June 10th and seeing the Cardiololgist on June 14. I use to dread the thought of going for medical care!!
I am anticipating on them finding something and repairing it; but also know I may have to live with it.
Turn the negatives around and look at the bright side; enjoy the area you are in; know that all will go well; most of all try to stay cheerful and not tearful (every now and then a good cry is just the relief we need---knocks out the stress).
Most of all I believe we all have each other in our prayers.

GENECOP · RV-Dreams Family Member

Sometimes it comes in waves, I don't know why, but I do know it passes, take a deep breath, in the overall picture as you pointed out these are small problems.

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

O.K. This is starting to read like a Greek Tragedy. Except it's comic.

This AM at 7:30 we get host radio calls that water is off at park. Great maintenance guy and Sr. Camp host have gone to town shopping and owner is still asleep and we newbies can't rouse him. Eventually they got him up and had plumber coming. So i was calling incoming guests to advise to take on water, checking people in and out and I'm screwing up because I've had one half day training by two different people with two different methods but it all worked out. Nothing that can't be fixed.

Water fixed by 7 pm but needs to be off overnight to allow sediment to settle.went around to all guests to advise them with updates and offer more water as needed. Guests all great about it and surprised by park's proactive stance.

So a 12.5 hour day we're tired and tv doesnt work again but all is well .....
AND WE HAVE AN OFFER ON OUR HOUSE before it made MLS THAT IS GREATER THAN PRICE ON PREVIOUS SALE!

Tring to do all above, realtor wants answer NOW and we're just darned busy. Let them stew for a couple of days we're in a hot market w/the only house on market in our neighborhood.

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Good news on our house sale. Last contract fell thru last Friday, hired a new agent on Sunday, had offer on Wednesday, countered, have better offer now just negotiating final details but this offer should put us up $15,000 net over one that fell out! That'll pay for a few tires.

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

You put your left foot out....you pull your left foot in.....you put Your left foot out and shake it with a grin biggrin

biggrin It's H a P p Y Dance Time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-- Edited by Lucky Mike on Friday 24th of May 2013 06:23:44 AM

-- Edited by Lucky Mike on Friday 24th of May 2013 06:35:19 AM

Hdrider · RV-Dreams Family Member

There ya go!!! Things are turning around for you!!! Your luck has changed!!!

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

It has turned around, thank Y'all! In spite of what has gone on, we haven't thought once about regretting our decision to full time. Some of our decisions in the process, you bet, but not one thought wishing we hadn't done it.

Sherry

PIEERE · RV-Dreams Family Member

Great things happen when they are suppose to!!! But dang; I want it now!! I have trouble being patient also! I don't believe you will ever regret changing the scenery. Best to You!!

phyllen · RV-Dreams Family Member

So glad to read your "change of luck" today. Yup, $15,000 will go a long way to paying for those previous issues. Great news!

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

No regrets, laughing at ourselves now. Forgot to ask the factory about the tire size issue with everything else going on but I will next week.

We had a sunny day yesterday and by Thursday weather is supposed to turn nice here! Yippee.

Loving it here, so much to see and do, so many waterfalls, so many hikes, so much fishing, so many kayak and canoe places and so many stunning views!

Sherry

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Jack,

Back to tie issues. You're right that the dealer "misled" when he said putting the Goodyear H tires would invalidate our warranty. The dealer no longer returns enails and in understand there has been significant turnover there, including the GM, finance gal, and managers.

We'll be shopping for new rig tires soon, but are dealing with our truck tires. As you may recall, we had two new tires put on the front of our truck. Just before we left for this trip for warranty work, Jesse checked pressures and lugs on all wheels the day before we left. The next morning we were to leave, the pressure was way down on one of the Dually tires we had not had trouble with before. Took it to Les Schwab in Medford and they again replaced a rubber stem wit a metal one. That's two bad stems on the dually tires. made us think it might be the Tire pressure monitoring system we're using on those tires and perhaps all should have metal stems. so we took it to a Les Schwab here in Junction City here today to ask about the 4 rear dually tires. He looked at truck tires and said we should replace all 4 Dually tires with Toyo LT215/85R-16/10 115/112S Open Country H/T all position BW tires. He said they were excellent 14 ply tires. Thoughts on these?

As an aside I asked him about our Trilogy tires and Goodyear H tires. He said Goodyear started manufacturing those tires in China about 1/12 years ago and while he hasn't seen any issues with them he is not confident about any Chinese manufactured tires.

Plus Les Schwab recommended Firestone Ride Rite Air Bag for the truck?
Help?

Sherry

-- Edited by WestWardHo on Thursday 6th of June 2013 01:18:48 PM

Rob_Fla · RV-Dreams Family Member

We installed the Firestone Ride Rite Air bags on our last truck,

They are a great product and work great.

Do not need them on current truck, it handles our 5er great.

Truck sits level and rides great with no mods.

Glad things are starting to settle down for you guys.

Guess we have been very lucky as we have only had a few very minor issues with our 5er during our 1st year and 1/2 of fulltiming

We have towed it a little over 12,000 miles with no breakdowns or failures, hope the good luck (knock on wood) continues.

-- Edited by Rob_Fla on Thursday 6th of June 2013 05:50:47 PM

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

The Junction City Les Schwab is very knowledgeable about RVs and has a very good reputation, which they want to maintain.

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks Bill,
Do you know anything about those tires? I added a question about truck air bag to the last post in case anyone has experience with these.

Sherry