Forum Discussion

supercub's avatar
supercub
Explorer
Jul 27, 2016

Broke down days from home, what would you do?

I read on here the other day about someone being broke down, and it was going to be 6 weeks before the problem could be fixed.
I got to thinking what I would do. I'm a single, traveling with my dog, and I tow the only car I own.
So, flying home, in my case, wouldn't be a good option, because I wouldn't have wheels when I got home, plus I'd have to get my dog home.
Say it was a 4 day trip from home where one broke down, that would be a lot of extra driving to get home, and then have to go back a few weeks later to retrieve motor home.
Would towing be option? or hiring someone to drive the RV home after it was fixed be an option? I have no idea what costs would be involved.
I'm just curious what you might do, or suggestions you might have.
  • It's good to have a plan! We would drive home with the 2 dogs and fly back to pick up the MH. We could move gear around and have enough room in the toad to get home.
  • Whoever is doing the work should be able to tell you what is wrong and what parts are needed that are causing the delay. Then I would spend at least one day trying to find those parts and getting them to your location. If it really does look like it will take a long time to get the parts, as verified by your own efforts, then I would drive home with the toad and return when the coach is fixed.
    All of this is assuming that the coach is NOT driveable and that there are no other shops where you could park it and live in it using their power.
  • We're still working full time so hanging around waiting would not be our best option. Given what the OP described I would head for home in the toad then return to pick up the coach when repairs are completed.

    Just don't forget to empty the fridge and put the coach to sleep before departing. Nothing better than to return weeks later to dead house batteries and an out of control science experiment in the fridge.
  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    Six weeks to fix... I'd find another shop even if it involved towing the rig there. Several years ago I broke down in Cheyenne WY and the estimate was a week to get it fixed. Did a loop through Rocky Mtn, Grand Lake, Dillion, Denver, and back to Cheyenne staying in motels. In hindsight I should have had the MH towed to Denver as Floyd's Freightliner/Cummins in Cheyenne is the last place someone should have their MH worked on.

    If six weeks was your only option then I'd do a week in six different areas that was already on your trip's route. Four days from CA puts you in the NE so plenty of options even including the Canadian Maritimes.
  • In a lot of areas motels and hotels have longer term rates. That would be my first option. Also depends how far away it happened.
  • Had a blowout last year and Winnebago spent 3 months in shop. Long story. Anyways I've given these scenarios much thought. Personally I went to a fifth wheel and truck. We were leaning that way anyways but the three month thing pushed me some. I figure if it's something major I could get a new truck or fifth wheel back on road with less hassle then a mh And if I wreck them both I'm gonna buy a condo lol

    Some other options you have are stay in area. Motel condo apt whatever. There's a new app to rent people's furnished place. Rent an rv to finish trip would probably be last and most expensive option. Anyways good you're thinking about it. Could happen to anyone.
  • I'd drive home, then fly back out to pick up the RV.

    I wouldn't hire someone to drive the RV back - first, who is going to verify that the shop did what they said they did?; second, if something happens on the way home, do I blame the shop or the hired driver? Better that I go back, talk to the shop face to face, and drive the RV back myself.
  • supercub wrote:
    I read on here the other day about someone being broke down, and it was going to be 6 weeks before the problem could be fixed.
    I got to thinking what I would do. I'm a single, traveling with my dog, and I tow the only car I own.
    So, flying home, in my case, wouldn't be a good option, because I wouldn't have wheels when I got home, plus I'd have to get my dog home.
    Say it was a 4 day trip from home where one broke down, that would be a lot of extra driving to get home, and then have to go back a few weeks later to retrieve motor home.
    Would towing be option? or hiring someone to drive the RV home after it was fixed be an option? I have no idea what costs would be involved.
    I'm just curious what you might do, or suggestions you might have.



    Call Good Sam and ask them how they might help you and your RV get fixed and get back home. Ask them if they can find you another repair facility in the area you are at who won't take as long to fix your rig.