are you really ready for a breakdown?

Thanks for the input... I feel better now... I think....

Standby Sams entered my mind and I book marked it in my phone and will keep a copy handy when we are traveling...

Still have concerns about getting stuck in the middle of no where but will worry less about it.

For some reason my computer keeps double posting.

Only one serious breakdown and Coach Net had me towed to nearest repair center and paid the tow bill. Very efficient, professional and I'm very happy with them. I only carry basic tools, filters and the like.

Don't forget about the Standby Sam's program if you are a Good sam member. There's always a Standby Sam a phone call away. Of couse you need to already have the info copied or printed somewhere or be able to have internet access to reach it online.

Pogoil wrote:
One can only be a little ready for a break down.

When ours broke down we were 1 mile from a good diesel mechanic.
He pulled our hydraulic pump in 45 minutes but that is where the fun started.

Spartan chassis took over 20 days to find us a pump. None any where, parts were out of the country. Mechanic had system flushed and ready for pump in no time. We got the MH. back in 27 days but we only lived 50 miles away.

Had we been in another state we would have been in a much worse situation.

We really never have as much control over things as we think we have.

Spartan did their best. The mechanic did his best.

Pogoil.

And THAT is one MAJOR reason I converted a bus! Literally EVERYTHING is an off the shelf part! Any truck shop can fix it, any truck part place can get parts.

We've been full-timing and traveling constantly - even to Alaska - for 17 years and all the 'what ifs' really never enter our minds. Stuff happens and you just deal with it when it does. However these are some simple things to consider:

- where to tow? Most often, your roadside insurance will dictate where 'they' want you towed, unless you pay for towing yourself. Any place you're towed will usually have room accommodations, if needed. A ride in the tow truck to get there can be exciting! Also, most repair places will let you stay overnight in your own RV until repair are made.

- long story but on one particular trip to Alaska we thought, instead of taking our motorhome, we'd buy a small older 5th wheel and older truck and sell both after the trip. On our way from Arizona we made a crosscut through Death Valley as we were traveling north in California to the Canadian border. Our truck blew the engine. Another vehicle came by and called 911 for us when he got a signal. A state patrol came by and we were able to complete contact with a towing company 75 miles away. The state patrol stayed with us 2 hours until the tow arrived - actually 2 flatbed tow vehicles - one for the truck and one for the 5th wheel. Both were towed the 75 miles, with us in each truck. Our 5th wheel was towed to a campground and the truck to a repair facility. The repair facility lent us a car for a week, free of charge, the insurance (a supplement on our regular vehicle policy at $4/year) paid for our campground stay and both tows. When repaired (big $$) we went back to Arizona to our motorhome, put both the truck & trailer on consignment (sold in 2 months) and continued our Alaskan trip in our motorhome and Jeep as we should have done in the first place. :) Yes, there were inconveniences but things have a habit of working out.

- keep your equipment in top mechanical condition as best you can and most definitely your tires. We did think our truck was in top condition but the climb out of Death Valley showed us otherwise. It's never a 100% given.

- keep a full tank of fresh water (it really doesn't cut down on your fuel mileage), holding tanks emptied from place to place, and most of us keep ample food in our RVs. All RVs are self-contained. You can stay for days in it, if necessary. Frankly, staying long-term alongside the road probably wouldn't be necessary. You can get by just fine until help arrives. We travel secondary roads almost solely and 99% of the time we have a cell signal. If not, just wait in the comfort of your RV and help will come in some form - either a good samaritin who will call 911 for you when a signal is had or highway patrol will come by.

If in a motorhome, it's very desireable to tow a vehicle.

So..our advice.. don't fret too much about breakdowns. It'll work out!

I don't take much with me anymore.

Only had a few breakdowns on the road in my life.

Just last month I broke a spring on my TT in Ely Nv.

Towed it there. Yep

Shop had a spring that fit. Yep

Shop could do the repair on the spot? Nope

No problem, I break out my jacks and cordless impact gun and have at it. About an hour later I had a spring in my hand. About 2 1/2 hours later I was packed away and on the road again.

Saved about $300 bucks doing the job myself so I took that money and did more fun family things.

In 10's of thousands of miles towing I have had very few problems on the road. Of those I did have, 95% of them I could fix myself.

One can only be a little ready for a break down.

When ours broke down we were 1 mile from a good diesel mechanic.
He pulled our hydraulic pump in 45 minutes but that is where the fun started.

Spartan chassis took over 20 days to find us a pump. None any where, parts were out of the country. Mechanic had system flushed and ready for pump in no time. We got the MH. back in 27 days but we only lived 50 miles away.

Had we been in another state we would have been in a much worse situation.

We really never have as much control over things as we think we have.

Spartan did their best. The mechanic did his best.

Pogoil.

Pogoil.

Stuff happens. I do carry two trailer tires (14" tires are hard to find), floor jack, air compressor, etc.

Last year, I had a blow-out on our trailer. That's the reason I now have an onboard air compressor & impact wrench.



On a trip earlier this year, I fixed my BIL's trailer when he had a blow-out. Also fixed the trailer light plug on his truck, and gave him a jump start when his tow vehicle died on a 20 degree morning.





I even had my dual tank propane regulator fail in the night. Got out my 1500 Watt electric heater, went back to bed.

When I had a 36' Class A, my Jeep was the life boat. Now I primarily rely on a cell phone, and a credit card if the problem is beyond my capabilities to fix roadside.

We just returned from Disney's Fort Wilderness. Took the golf cart. It's rated at a 30 mile range, but would hate to have to test that!

Help is never far away. It is not like we are out on the ocean hundreds of miles from shore. The credit card won't help you out there.

I carry what I can, mostly for the trailer. The truck has a couple of spare oil & fuel filters. Thats about it. The trailer has a spare leg, spare water pump plus other odds & ends.

25 years of boating has made me fairly self reliant.