Full timing and repairs

2oldman wrote:
Do all you can to keep your rig in road-worthy condition. Don't run tires until they blow, don't wring every last volt out of your batteries, and do your scheduled maintenance.

The hardest part of being laid up is the realization that you yourself could have prevented it.

No, we all just run them in to the ground with no thought to making sure all maintenance is done, we have extra fluid/filters on board, we never check batteries or tires, never do walk arounds before pulling out, never do light checks to make sure they are working correctly. :p

Sorry for being sarcastic, but REALLY!

Insurance generally only covers expenses for a specific time in the case of an accident, not due to repairs nor breakdowns.

You have no choice but to go with the flow. Expedite the part and pay the shipping if you can.............was not possible with a new differential that would have broken the bank to try and expedite. UGH.

Many larger repair shops have a few RV spaces where you can stay wile they work on the RV or wait for parts/ depends upon the repair required but many can make it work for those extra days. Mobile repair guys are great for small repairs.

Something is always shaking loose, wearing out, going out of adjustment or breaking. Just make it part of the adventure when you cannot fix it yourself. Worrying in advance or during a repair wait just makes RVing miserable and it is SO worth it all! ENJOY!

We just spent 31 days without our trailer due to a hub failure caused by a broken axle weld. Actually replacing the two axles only took a few hours - less than a full business day. Waiting for the extended warranty company to decide if the repair was covered, waiting for the company to get a set of axles ready for our rig and shipping took a month.

We were lucky the failure happened only a few miles from ExploreUSA in Mesquite/ Dallas - where we bought the trailer. Their company has a policy that if you bought the rig from them, it goes to the head of the line for repairs/ diagnostics, etc.

We stayed with my daughter, three of her children and two dogs.

We didn't plan for that - just got lucky and avoided paying for a motel for a month.

If we weren't in Dallas, likely we would have taken the rig to a park where we could stay several weeks and wait on parts. It would have been expensive to move.

Over the years, I've found that for most general repairs - a Mobile RV Tech is best. Simply because he gets paid when he finishes the job. Those guys can't have twenty rigs sitting on the lot waiting for parts, or a slow day to get to a couple.

I've replaced a water pump, a hot water heater under warranty, and had a couple other things - all done quickly and efficiently by a mobile repair guy. From Fort Lauderdale to Connecticut to the San Antonio area.

Typically when things break on the road I repair it myself. However, to keep that from happening I do certain things.

Before a trip I crawl underneath my RV and check things out such as fluid levels in the rear end, universal joints, and just visually look for problems.

I have a set of tire minders that monitor tire pressure and temperature. What’s nice is that they not only monitor the tires but the brakes as well since if you have dragging calipers the extra heat from friction will show up in the adjoining tire monitor.

Before I head out I check all fluid levels and poke my head under the front end looking for leaking power steering fluid, brake fluid, engine and transmission seals, whatever. If it needs repairing I repair it.

Whenever I stop, and I mean whenever… I walk around the RV and tow dolly and do a quick tire inspection. I don’t have tire minders on the tow dolly (but will soon) in the mean time I shoot the tow dolly wheel hubs with an infrared thermometer to see if there is any unusual heat buildup from a possible failing wheel bearing (I almost lost a tow dolly wheel 2 years ago and am a bit paranoid, even though I’ve since replaced all the bearings and races in the tow dolly).

While I’m driving I stay very aware of any odd mechanical sounds as well as odors. Typically parts don’t suddenly fail, your machine will tell you it has a problem, you just have to listen and respond.

Hopefully, my mindfulness will keep me out of trouble but if not I carry an excellent tool kit and shop manuals. Driving older vehicles all my life has made an expert at get-me-home repairs.

Steve

Three times over the past two years someone has said "Why do you carry a torque wrench?"

Twice I've had it out adjusting the weight distribution hitch. The other was to rotate the tires on the trailer and repack the bearings.

I carry one because if I need it - I will have it.

Nothing is more useless than a tool I need sitting in my daughter's garage 1,000+ miles away.

I have always been able to get the help that I needed. As we have full timed from coast to coast it has required making several phone calls when we have been out in the sticks. There has always been an RV Tech to come to the rescue.

In 51 years driving, about 1.5 million miles, I've broken down 4 times. 2 were tire blow outs, carb issue, and a fan belt broke. I've always carried tools. I had spare parts with me for the breakdowns. I see breakdowns all the time along side the road, when was the last time they serviced their vehicle?
You take care of your vehicle it will take care of you.
Then I got smart. I quit buying American made.

In 51 years driving, about 1.5 million miles, I've broken down 4 times. 2 were tire blow outs, carb issue, and a fan belt broke. I've always carried tools. I had spare parts with me for the breakdowns. I see breakdowns all the time along side the road, when was the last time they serviced their vehicle?
You take care of your vehicle it will take care of you.
Then I got smart. I quit buying American made cars