Newbie Questions that scare him

As a first time RV here, going full time, in a 2002 Newmar Dutch star 40 foot diesel, 50k miles, there are things that I just don't understand yet and SCARE THE HECK OUT OF ME.

1) Just how often do motorhomes like these breakdown and leave you stranded? Is this a common thing, or a rare occurrence?

2) Assuming this thing were to breakdown, as I get soooo scared reading these articles that say it's $1000 to get it towed somewhere, and that's local!!! Exactly what do you do if you break down on a 200 mile lonely stretch, and the nearest facility is several hundred miles away? You just fork over $5000 for a tow?

3) Roughly speaking, what does general every day maintenance cost? Like is a brake job $500 or $2500? Are new tires $500 or $2500? Being a diesel and Allison transmission, how much would it cost to rebuild something like that? Is a tranny rebuild $5000 or $15,000?

4) Wait times? Again, I read horror stories of how somebody breaks down and it takes them two months to fix it. There isnt exactly a surplus of RV service centers hanging around. How do you handle it if the slide, let's say, were to get stuck in the out position? Bring it to someplace, and then sit it there for a month because they are so busy they can't even get to it, and when they do, they have to order parts? Being a full timer, that would be a nighare.

My biggest fear is not the initial cost, my biggest fear is having the money to take care of these issues should they arrive. Any input would be nice to calm this shaking boy down on Xmas morning.

This is NO way to start out Rving. Either don't do it or quit worrying. Most of the things you cited probably will never happen to you with the exception of normal maintenance items and tires, etc.

If this is a huge stumbling block and you can't relax about the motorhome RV lifestyle consider getting a fifth wheel and a stout truck. It separates the house from the tow vehicle so if the truck is in the shop for some maintenance your coach is still totally usable in a campground or RV park. Less stress, more fun!

Check the Escapees web pages for full time issues. And lastly go get CoachNet or some similar towing service. Worry won't fix anything and won't make your full time life enjoyable. Most thing we worry about never happen.