Fulltiming repairs - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Rob_Fla · RV-Dreams Family Member

Fulltiming repairs

Camper Chronicles · RV-Dreams Family Member

Really sorry Rob. I was recently working on me one year recap and was suprised by how many repairs we have had in the first year. To a certain extent it is expected...shaking your home all the time, but it can be overwhelming for sure especially when things all happen at once!!

Trace

Rob_Fla · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks Trace, some of the items that have failed have been manufacturer / construction related but many of the items have been supplier / vendor purchased items that are used on a many brands and models of RVs.

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

We seem to always be fixing something, but it might also be ourselves or some family matter. RV repairs, medical issues, family issues or even veterinary issues seem to affect our travels a lot.

ticat900 · RV-Dreams Family Member

I sell RV trailers from entrylevel to top of the line both TT and fivers.There not designed for full time living and I don't care who you are or what you opine
there held together with screws and sealers and glue and silicon. they flex more than people realize.its the nature of the beast.
they will always be problematic. always. People whom full time in one spot have 1/4 the problems that people whom frequently move

Rob_Fla · RV-Dreams Family Member

Guess if I was going to fulltime in one spot, I would not purchase a 5th Wheel or a Travel Trailer, a Park Model would be my choice to fulltime in a RV in one spot or better yet a Condo !!!

Fixing stuff is just part of being a Fulltimer, if you are not prepared to deal with repairs and maintenance, you should not be fulltiming and traveling.

-- Edited by Rob_Fla on Sunday 1st of November 2015 02:16:33 PM

ticat900 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Robert
that be your choice. I like living in Rv resort campgrounds but I sit in one spot for 5 months or so because I find life a lot more interesting and energenic in rv resorts and campgrounds verses a condo or park model etc atmosphere but don't like traveling all the time
that was not my point though, my point is RV,s especially TT and 5ers will always have problems no matter which one u buy because of the way there constructed and therefore people constantly moving verses those that sit say 2-3 months at a time will have more repairs and failures

those are my personal observations over the years

-- Edited by ticat900 on Sunday 1st of November 2015 02:34:01 PM

BiggarView · RV-Dreams Family Member

I hope to be more philosophical about such things. When we go full time, we are not on full time vacation we are, hopefully, full time in mobile living quarters. As such, we will have repairs and such albeit somewhat different than the ones we have in an Stixenbrix. Such is the nature of living and owning a home be it stationary or mobile. Some years, one will have few if any major events that will try one's patience and some years it will surely cause one to doubt one's sanity. I hope that through it all, I have the strength to laugh at any adversity that comes our way. If it doesn't kill you, it makes you stronger and wiser. smile

Rob, we've been in your shoes (if life in a Stixenbrix counts in this discussion), and we're still here to tell anybody that'll listen about it. I can tell that it will be the same with you and your home on wheels. In 3 1/2 years we embark on our adventure, we shall learn from you "grasshopper" wink smile

Brian

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

In my experience, I see a lot of failures when people move after sitting a while. That is when their slides won't come in, their fridge won't work on propane, and other issues with parts that have not been used in months.

ticat900 · RV-Dreams Family Member

your slides and your lpg fridge don't fail from sitting. to imply that you must travel frequently so the lpg side of fridge or slide will work longer and worry free is ridiculous in my opinion

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

I am out.

NWescapee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Rob - sorry to hear of your troubles, we can certainly relate as we sit here in Fort Mohave AZ waiting for new axles to be manufactured and shipped. Repairs and maintenance are part of this life and sometimes they seem to come in waves, or at least that's what our experience has been. I'm just hoping that this "wave" we're on right now is about to end and we get some smooth water for a while. We spent a month in this same general area last spring (across the river in Laughlin NV) when our truck died and needed an engine replaced.

NorCal Dan · RV-Dreams Family Member

You can offset some of the costs by purchasing a warranty on your rig and truck. I had one on my Monaco and all my repairs cost me was the deductible. When our Norcold reefer quit it was nice to get a $5500 replacement installed for $250. I know a lot of people say it's a bad investment, but for us it came in mighty handy when those big ticket items failed. If your rig is still under original warranty you can usually get a better deal on extended warranties. I know Howard did a write up on the subject you should read.

One thing is for sure...hauling these rigs down the road will break things...

TRAILERKING · RV-Dreams Family Member

ticat900 wrote:
your slides and your lpg fridge don't fail from sitting. to imply that you must travel frequently so the lpg side of fridge or slide will work longer and worry free is ridiculous in my opinion

For sure some things go South when sitting in certain environments for a long time. That is why some things should be exercised while sitting for long periods. Things like roofs and exterior can take a beating when sitting in the harsh sun, winds, and rain. By the way the LPG side of the fridge can usually have issues from nesting insects not to mention electrical side of things from the extreme elements of some of the HOT climates.

Rob_Fla · RV-Dreams Family Member

We got all the approvals and are getting the RV Armor Roof System installed next weekend, to repair the membrane on our Redwood that billowed up in route to Dallas TX.
Crossroads / Redwood RV is coving the cost of the RV Armor Roof System since we are still in factory warranty.

Now we are working with Crossroads / Redwood to get our Lippert Trail Air Pin Box replaced. (we had to do emergency welding repairs on it on our trip from Pensacola FL to Dallas TX.

Camper Chronicles · RV-Dreams Family Member

bjoyce wrote:
In my experience, I see a lot of failures when people move after sitting a while. That is when their slides won't come in, their fridge won't work on propane, and other issues with parts that have not been used in months.

That has been our experience as well. We try to use those systems PRIOR to moving especially when we are moving from full hookups to boondocking.

Trace