Ever Regret a DIY Project?

[antiquedrose]

We have our 2001 RT V 210 in a local shop this afternoon after I got caught in a downpour yesterday in Hot Springs, aborting a week trip.

Problem is, my DH's projects to replace a skylight window, reseal the big back window, and seal in the AC unit left me soaked badly and believe me, Momma wasn't happy. A lot of the interior got soaked. #^%*+}!

Here's the thing, he is a great Mr Fix It and his abilities have saved us hassle and money over the years but of course he's like the rest of us and hasn't been 100% successful. We still have a side window issue and have the parts but that's going to be outsourced.

Do you have any projects you regret?

[1775]

I had a DIY project this week that I regret! We have a drawer that does not stay closed when driving the Roadtrek. The drawer slides open at some very inconvenient to stop places. I looked at different drawer catches and what would fit were not going to do much to hold the drawer closed. I asked about this on a Roadtrek group and was told by others that adding a slide bar on the front of the drawer to the wood panel next to it is a way to keep the drawer closed. So I went out and bought a hasp to put there. I measured carefully, drilled pilot holes, and put the hasp on. Before I put in the last of five screws, I pulled on the drawer to see that the hasp was actually holding the drawer closed as it should. The drawer opened about two inches pulling the wood panel next to it off. That panel is not permanently attached and just held in with clips - no clear reason why that is, as there does not look like there is anything to access behind that panel. I have to tell you that this is "real quality" construction! Right. So now I have four screw holes in the woodwork that will never cover up completely even if filled. And still have a drawer that opens when we drive.

[TMBLSN]

kendall69 wrote:
I regret EVERY DIY project ....but I never ever regret the thousands of dollars that I save.

Was quoted 6K to fix a ABS pipe broken at the top of a black water tank. I removed the toilet, cut away some of the floor, fixed it for the price of some ABS glue and some ABS black pipe.

The Extra $5,080.00 in my pocket sits pretty well.

You spent $920 on ABS pipe and glue?

[TMBLSN]

gbopp wrote:
Every day I have regrets about my DIY projects.
But, I just do them and, when they're finished I'm happy about the money I saved and knowing they were done the right way.

If I'm capable of doing a project, I'll do it myself.

Outsourcing a project does not guarantee it will be done correctly.

Exactly. I'm more often disappointed in work that I have hired out than work I do myself.

[antiquedrose]

The RT is now weatherproof! It's been through moderate to heavy rain and has nary a leak, thank goodness.

Amazingly, the entire interior dried out and the neutral and somewhat pleasant scent that was present before the water exposure is just as it was and there are no water marks on any fabric materials. I'll call that a miracle.

We have saved many many dollars over the years performing DIY projects, and the time and hassle saved by not outsourcing projects is certainly valuable. But sometimes it's not worth the potential bad outcome.

[PSW]

Actually, I enjoy DIY projects on our RVs. It has become as big a part of the hobby for me as actually traveling and camping. That being said, there is nothing pleasant about changing the macerator hose that runs from the pump to the side of the coach on a Roadtrek. Low clearance, tight design, lots of awful stuff coming down your arm no matter how hard you try to avoid it. Wear goggles.

Then, there is the changing of the oil in an Onan 2800 hanging from underneath the Roadtrek. Not easy. Doable, but not easy.

Working on a B is simply harder in many respects than working on an A, C or trailer. Why? Everything is compact, close quartered and compact.

I have modified all our RVs. Added cabinets, shelves, upgraded stuff, etc. Lots of fun and adventure. Notice the choice of words: adventure. On some adventures you flip the raft :S

PSW

[kendall69]

drsolo wrote:

kendall69 wrote:
Was quoted 6K to fix a ABS pipe broken at the top of a black water tank.

To me, that sounds more like "I dont know how/want to do this but if I quote you an absolutely outrageous price I will get off my butt and figure out how/ or do it"

either that, or you gotta stop wearing all that gold chains and diamond rings when going in for a quote..... LOL

Two more outrageous quotes: Water well went down estimator came out said $1,000.00 to fix it. Part cost $200.00 and five minutes to fix. On my Sprinter ( phone quote so he never saw my gold Flavor Fav clock hanging from my chest) Sprinter Dealer Quoted $850.00 to install a MAF sensor. That was removing two screws on the side of the air filter, part $150.00, again less than 10 minutes work.

[CShells]

Where to start? Sigh...

[jjrai]

Regrets. I've had a few. But then again, too many to mention.

[drsolo]

kendall69 wrote:
Was quoted 6K to fix a ABS pipe broken at the top of a black water tank.

To me, that sounds more like "I dont know how/want to do this but if I quote you an absolutely outrageous price I will get off my butt and figure out how/ or do it"

either that, or you gotta stop wearing all that gold chains and diamond rings when going in for a quote..... LOL

[kendall69]

I regret EVERY DIY project ....but I never ever regret the thousands of dollars that I save.

Was quoted 6K to fix a ABS pipe broken at the top of a black water tank. I removed the toilet, cut away some of the floor, fixed it for the price of some ABS glue and some ABS black pipe.

The Extra $5,080.00 in my pocket sits pretty well.

[Gonzo42]

Never regret.

[stan909]

Maybe the thread should be retitled. Do you regret any of your spouse's DIY projects?

[ScottG]

I've sure had some that didn't go the way I wanted!

[Horizon170]

I guess I'm the exception. I like to do the DIY projects and get great satisfaction from their completion. Since I'm human I have made errors in some of my projects by not thinking it out fully before starting. Adding on to my 17' Horizon was an error free project that we have enjoyed. Adding a separate 120volt circuit for my Inverter was a great success also.
I commented to an on line friend today that I was anxious for a new project.
The most important thing I find is that you must have a well thought out solution as to how to accomplish the task at hand. You can't go in blind and play it by ear in most cases.

antiquedrose, I remember in 1986 I had a new 33'Shasta MH and was 1000 miles from home and the window beside the bed leaked and wet the mattress. I pulled into a CG and drove my Toad to a Big Box store and bought a large cheap tarp and several tubes of sealer and a gun for the tubes. Came back to the RV and In the rain the wife and I draped the tarp over the top and she held it out while I removed the entire window, cleaned everything up, re sealed and put the window back in and then caulked around it. It never leaked again.