When do you know....?

Durb wrote:
I am similar to most posters here in that I have done all my own MRO work for all my life and still enjoy it. I find with toys that if you can't work on it then you probably shouldn't own it as the cost of paying for repair would be prohibitive. If I had to pay $130 an hour for all the maintenance time I devote to the trailer it would most likely never get done.

I'm 65 and fortunately I still have the time, energy and tools to get the jobs done. When that changes I will probably just get rid of the toys rather than hang up the tools.

Might be very true. Fortunately, I tore down my trailer and rebuilt it so that it should be good for many years. All of the roof top is sealed with Eternabond and the sidewalls/windows and doors with Geocel Tripolymer. My new paint job is holding up well so mostly I'm faced with brake and bearing service. That is a snap since I grew up with these old systems.

What is getting to me most is the four wheel fleet. I've worked on everything from domestic trucks to import sports cars. I've worked in dealerships, independent shops, and under that shade tree. Today's vehicles require a lift to service a lot of the items in a modern vehicle and, of course, I don't have one. The last struggle with the Buick's steering pump may have been the tipping point. I spent way too much time and cussing trying to remove the **** thing. I'm sure a service mechanic could have had it out in 1/4 the time that it took me. I also had to buy one $52 wrench to remove it. It was all just fasteners and hose connections but the locations almost demanded a lift. Lesson learned on transverse engine steering pumps.