stuff needing repair

[bobman]

I have a class B and really want a class A and I know most folks just post problems but are these things constantly a problem.

I am very handy and mechanically inclined but I read all these stories about things breaking down and leaving people in a mess. Kind of leaves me gunshy.

So show me some love, can any tell me they have taken multiple long trips without any failures? I know its somewhat determined by Preventative maintenance but I keep getting the impression its one thing after another on trips.

I get about a month off each year and would like to spend it vacationing not repairing things.

Thanks

Bob

[FormerBoater]

Our Class A is a sweet 16 years old.

Never had an issue that interupted a trip.

85K on the clock, 48K when purchased almost 6 years ago.

Don't get me wrong, there are some items that I have deferred repairing (fans, step covers for example), but nothing mission critical.

[flfulltimerwinn]

Horses, boats, homes, pools, I also play the drums: one hour per drum to tune. it's always something! sorry, gotta go fix a toilet at a friend's house!

[Crespro]

Interesting thread.

Nine years now -- inverter (after two months) and turbo (after four years) failed, both under warranty.

Exhaust brake failed, replaced with PXRB.
Atwood water heater replaced this year. Amish CU for Norcold 1200. Coach water pump replaced. Now carry a spare coach water pump. Steps replaced, but that was operator error.:(
45,000 miles with usual maintenance. Minor fixes. Lots of upgrades -- TVs, satellite, TPMS, VmSpc. Airtabs. New Michelin XZA2's at 7 years.

With good maintenance (run at least monthly, 75 miles, run Onan under load, run AC, furnaces, water heater, refer, slides), should run XC without major problems. ISL and Allison 3060 running great.

[cbigham]

Hmm
More complex the rig, more to go wrong. Had my funmover 39c almost 10 yrs now! (Must be getting old)

Put 74k on it. Only two possible let show stoppers..at about 42k the heui pump took a dump. It went into limp mode at 45mph. Called cat, they said get it in ass soon as possible, started back up, it ran 55mph. I was coming home from Death Valley. Another trip, packing up the back with bikes and a rzr, the lift motor stopped mid lift. (Back of my motorhome is like a moving van)

I let the load down, opened the lift mechanism, banged the motor with a heavy wrench, voila! It was stuck in a bad stator to brush contact. It was enough to complete lifting the last bike, fixed it at home.

Score:2 temporary show stoppers, 9 years.
It does take maintenance tho..prevention is the best kind.

My class B is simpler but not without faults also.

[427435]

Gjac, I had a problem getting the plastic plug out of the water heater the first time I winterized it (had to cut and pick it out). Been using a little Never-Seize since.

I also found a slight leak on one of the radiator hoses when changing oil. It was caused by a cracked spring clamp (one of Ford's not so good ideas).

Due to issues with the older V10's blowing out spark plugs, I very carefully changed the plugs at 40,000 miles. See http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/26856381/gotomsg/26876259.cfm#26876259 for details.

I did forget one other flat tire that I had due to a flexible valve stem extender failing. Fortunately, it probably happened on a couple of miles of washboard road leading to a place I camped for several days. The tire was flat when we got ready to leave. Replaced the normal valve extenders with one that won't let the air out of the tire if it fails.

I have changed the tranny fluid to Mobil 1 synthetic and use Mobil 1 in the engine.

I also replaced the brake pads and brake fluid at 40,000 miles.

[Gjac]

427435 wrote:
Two things to minimize travel issues-----------1.) Buy a new or well maintained MH from a quality manufacturer and 2.) maintain it well including where and how it's stored.

We bought our 5 year old MH with 32,000 miles on it. Over the last 7+ years and almost 50,000 miles, I've run into the following (nothing really major).

A blown fuse for the LP burner control.

A tired battery that needed to be replaced.

A flat tire at a camp ground. Put spare on.

A blow out on the interstate. Put spare on.

A broken leveler spring.

Mark, that is amazing. I wonder if the PO fixed all the major problems before you bought it. This would be a reason to buy used. Also wonder how many problems you found in your routine maintenance.

[427435]

Two things to minimize travel issues-----------1.) Buy a new or well maintained MH from a quality manufacturer and 2.) maintain it well including where and how it's stored.

We bought our 5 year old MH with 32,000 miles on it. Over the last 7+ years and almost 50,000 miles, I've run into the following (nothing really major).

A blown fuse for the LP burner control.

A tired battery that needed to be replaced.

A flat tire at a camp ground. Put spare on.

A blow out on the interstate. Put spare on.

A broken leveler spring.

[bsinmich]

I have been doing the RV thing since 1969 with a '69 Lincoln tow car and a '69 Layton 21' TT. After that we had popups, Hi-Lo, 2 C's and 2As and now also a B. The only time we got stranded was with the '89 Jamboree on a E350 and 460 engine. Two times the catalytic convertor plugged up and left us stranded on the side of the road. Both times were on Sunday morning when we had skipped Church. Our worst was when we had a jack that stuck and that meant very little because we had a level site anyway. We have been to 48 states and from B.C. to Nova Scotia in Canada. I don't buy those maps because they would be all filled in.

[two_travelers]

We have a 2008 Winnebago Sightseer that now has just over 45,000 miles. Until this spring on our extended tour around the US we had no real issues. On the spring trip it caught up with us. A truck took of the side view mirror, the valence over the entry door fell off, kitchen faucet decided to stop working and was replaced, the gear mechanism for the steps broke, followed the next day by the refridgerator door hinge breaking and dumping it's contents on the floor while we were driving 17 Mile drive. Fortunately, none of these really delayed us, we just planned our next stop to get the parts that were sent. Aside from the steps, I was able to do the other repairs my self. Hope we're good for a while now with no issues.

[Frosty_s_Mom]

we were beginning to have extensive electrical problems with our class c resulting in our looking at a class a which we deemed necessary to do a cross-country trip and another winter in yuma (full-timers). unfortunately, our choice of a class a was not a good one. we didn't make it to twin falls ID (from boise) before it was needing something. by the time we managed to make it back to kingman AZ (never mind the cross-country--made it as far as indiana) we were beginning to have some major problems which stranded us over the hill from laughlin NV. it was towed back to bullhead city AZ. spent just over a week there; didn't make it over the hill towards hwy 95 before it was throwing steam and coolant everywhere. lots of coolant later, limped into las vegas (NOT my favorite place to be stranded!!) where diagnosis is radiator shot. the sensor we installed in bullhead city also has to be replaced. we've now gone into multiple thousands of dollars and sitting in a cheapo RV park waiting on parts. guess we got lucky where it eventually gasped it's last bit of coolant; could have been worse, but this has been a major groaner.

[Sully2]

deandec wrote:

Sully2 wrote:
Problems?..Naaawww We class A owners never have problems!

Dropped my coach off at Cummins last Thursday to fix a few small problems. Between cracked exhaust manifold; CAC thats leaking like a SOB...and a few small items...:@...the tab looks to be close to $6000 by the time its all over with.

Fun gets expensive

Ouch!! That hurts!!!

I got a call from CC today...that my oil cooler is part of the CAC pkg so its another $1250...:E:E

By the time its done I'll probably be "stroking out"!!!:B

[deandec]

Sully2 wrote:
Problems?..Naaawww We class A owners never have problems!

Dropped my coach off at Cummins last Thursday to fix a few small problems. Between cracked exhaust manifold; CAC thats leaking like a SOB...and a few small items...:@...the tab looks to be close to $6000 by the time its all over with.

Fun gets expensive

Ouch!! That hurts!!!

[bobman]

Doug it does help

thanks

[ddndoug]

IMHO the best bang for the buck would be a Ford chassis with the V10 built after 2006. Better horsepower and towing rating. Not to mention the upgraded transmission. Plus you have OBD2 which will allow the use of a fuel monitoring system.

At twenty years old, you'll be hard pressed to find a used unit that has been owned by one individual that has completed all the maintenance. You will usually find two or three owners that may or may not have properly maintained it. The last owner may have done a great job, but what about the others?

Without proper history of maintenance, to have piece of mind that you won't be stranded on the side of the road you'll want to go through the entire system and replace all belts and rubber hoses. Rubber hoses not only include radiator and heater hoses, but also rubber brake lines, and most people don't even think about rubber fuel lines, including the generator. (Found mine leaking just inches from the exhaust pipe on a fuel stop.) Oh yes, forgot to mention the rubber dust boots that are on the brake caliper pistons. When I compressed mine while changing the brakes... they crumbled and fell onto the ground.

I can almost guarantee you that the shocks will be worn out and the sway bar bushings, hopefully not front end components but have them checked to make sure.

I know you said that you are handy, but if not these items can cost you thousands of dollars to repair or update. Money that could be put towards a newer unit. But every unit is unique and has it's own history. I'm not trying to steer you away from an older unit, I just want you to be ready for the reality of owning one. Hope this helps.

Doug