Full Time RV Living–RV Maintenance–Spreading the Good News

Yaaa. . .we have our home back. . .it’s so great! AND. . .

they did not need to remove the slide. . .

which saved us a bundle on labor costs. . .thank you Lord!

I prayed a very specific prayer about that. . . and it was answered.

This was our problem child. . .the kitchen slide.

In order to remove it, they would have needed to remove both refrigerators,

and the stove! Isn’t that crazy? 

I was amazed to be told that this was the heaviest slide in the coach. . .

I would have guessed that the living room slide was heavier.

Apparently, this little one foot wall between the door

and the slide out was what was causing all the problems. 

No one had ever told me that once the slide touches the

wall to STOP pushing the button.  I thought you were supposed to push the button

until the slide stopped going out.  Our tech said the slide motor is so strong

that the slide had managed to complete dislodge this wall. . .hello! 

I will say that I had noticed the wall moving out a little bit the last few trips. . .

and I WAS greatly concerned. . .

mostly that the slide might just fall out on the ground. 

I’m not sure that could actually happen. . .but hey. . .

I have a vivid imagination. . .so in my mind, I could picture it!

 

Anyway, because the wall had moved a little bit. . .

the entire slide had gotten a little cockeyed in the opening. . .

and thus all the problems.

 

The living room slide only required a new motor and gear box. . .

which held us up a couple of days while the parts manager

was trying to figure out the model #. . .if only they would have asked us. . .

we told them we knew exactly where

to get the motor. . .seriously. . .one phone call. . .

voila. . .next day. . .new motor. . .

but did they think to order the gear box at the same time. . .

oh NOOOOO. . .another phone call. . .NEXT day. . .gearbox. . .

and finally. . .finally about six o’clock we see this beautiful sight. . .

the porter bringing the rig out onto the driveway.

 

We chose to use Camping World in Katy for the same reason

we use Ford Dealerships to service the truck. . .

nationwide accessibility and warranty service. 

We’re hoping everything is now ship shape with the slides,

but if it becomes necessary to have any further adjustments done

at least we can take it in wherever we are.

 

We told Jessie, (our service advisor) that we had never had a good experience

when it came to having major repairs done on the rig. . .

but I must say, that other than the delays with parts, he, and Lance (our service tech)

did everything in their power to get us back on the road in a timely fashion.

 

Lance did say he didn’t believe he wanted to be working on any Alfas anytime soon. . .

I can’t say I blame him.  

  He was working with zero ground clearance in the back. . .

thankfully, he was skinny.  

We did get him a little thank you gift for all his agony. . .

and to say we appreciated his extra efforts. 

Dave went up to check on things on a daily basis. . .

and both guys were Johnny on the spot to take him back, and show him what was going on.

 

Being away from “home” is miserable. . .

and we’ve gotten so spoiled to traveling with all of our stuff. . .

I’m sure the hotel staff thought we were moving in. . .it did feel that way.

 

I said before that we needed to empty both fridges. . .

so we had our big ice chest. . .both of our computers. . .

and various other paraphernalia to help us survive.

It was a nice hotel room. . .not a bad experience at all. . .

but we are very, very happy to be home.

 

The rig is so, so dirty. . .I’m hoping for a few days of sunshine,

so we can get it washed and waxed. 

With the drought, and water restrictions, we haven’t been able to do any washing. . .

we may hafta use a bucket and towels. . .but it’s gotta be done!

 

We have one more big remodeling project to do. . .

Dave’s desk is sad and pathetic,

so we are going to replace it, and the file cabinets. . .

and then our bodies and our budget will need to take a break!

 

More on that later. . .

From Blogger Pictures

Dave and I have lived in our RV Full Time since 2003, when we sold the house and everything in it, and have traveled fulltime since 2009. Follow our tales by signing up to follow our blog, and check back often as we share the tips and tricks of living the lifestyle. Connect with us on our FACEBOOK Ready To Go Full Time RVing Page. . .where you’ll meet lots of other RV’ers just like you. . .traveling and enjoying this great adventure. If you would like to receive our blog updates, just enter your email below. As a bonus, you will receive a link to our Seasonal Job Listings Page, and a follow up email linking to a sample copy of our personal Seasonal Jobs Resume. We respect your privacy, and never share your email address

 

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Ready To Go Full Time RVing-How do you find a full timer rig?

This was such a great question, that I thought I would share IT. . .and my answer. . .as my blog post today. . .leave a comment, and tell me your opinion. . .

We are looking to buy a 350 or 3500 4x4 truck and 5th wheel for fulltiming. I have been reading blogs and sites like IRV2 and can never find anyone to give direct advice. My question to you is, if you went today to buy a truck and 5er, what would you buy? I read where you said that the 5er you got was on your list and you knew it was of good quality. I have no way of knowing which ones are good quality. I would love to have your thoughts on this as you have been there and dont that. Thanks so much.

First off, let me say, thanks for reading our blog. . .and second off, let me say that as a FEMALE, anything I may tell you should be verified. . .ha ha. . .and you may be sorry you asked the question! : )  I ask hubby's opinion, but we've discussed all these issues so many times. . .he says exactly what I know he is going to say!

Now IMO, you should not pull anything longer than 30 feet with a 350 or 3500. . .yes I know it will pull it. . .that is not the question. . .will it STOP it?  and the second part of that discussion is. . .the insurance companies, at some point, are going to start cracking down. . .and if you are over your GCVWR and are in an accident. . .you probably are going to end up in court to get your claims covered. . .everytime we pass a truck weigh station, one of us will pose the question. . .How much longer before we hafta start pulling through those?

Next. . .if you are going to be a true Full Timer, as opposed to having a home to go back to, you need some space.  This is going to be your house. . .opposing slides in the living room are a necessity on our list. . .and at least one slide in the bedroom. . .a decent size shower that you can stand up and turn around in. . .full size closets, not shirt closets. . .and a pantry, or something that will serve as a pantry. 

Brands of full timer models. . .hard to say. . .so many have gone out of business. . .but Mobile Suites builds a beautiful rig, Montana (upper end only) are still building, I believe. . .we don't pay new prices for anything. . .but if you are going to, you may as well research the custom builders, and get exactly what you want.  You can find several listed in the back of Trailer Life Magazine

If you are searching for used, we liked Alfa, Hitchhiker, King of the Road, Newmar, wow, it's been so long ago. . .I'm kinda blank. . .I’m sure others can share choices in the comments section. . .

All rigs, including brand new, have their issues. . .it’s all part of the learning curve. . .so if you think you are going to buy a brand new one, and everything will be roses. . .think again. . .bouncing down the road at 60 mph shakes things loose. . .and some roads bounce more loose than others. . .plus rattle your teeth!

Hubby took a RV Inspection Class online from Mobile RV Academy. . .which taught him how to check out all the systems and look for problems.

I'll just throw this out there. . .we are currently in the process of purchasing a Class A Diesel Pusher. . .so our entire rig, 2002 Ford F550 Custom Thoroughbred RV Hauler, and 2003 Alfa Ideal 36 foot fifth wheel are going on the market. . .we're thinking our asking price will be about $52,000 for the entire package, and we will work from there.

If you are interested in more info. . .I will be happy to share all the particulars.  We always knew we would eventually go to a motor home. . .and it seems there are such great deals right now on used ones that the time is getting closer. . .

Wishing you all the best in your adventure. . .and please don't hesitate to ask if you have more questions.

Safe travels,

Janice and Dave Evans

From Blogger Pictures

Dave and I have lived in our RV Full Time since 2003, when we sold the house and everything in it, and have traveled fulltime since 2009. Follow our tales by signing up to follow our blog, and check back often as we share the tips and tricks of living the lifestyle.

Connect with us on our FACEBOOK Ready To Go Full Time RVing Page. . .where you’ll meet lots of other RV’ers just like you. . .traveling and enjoying this great adventure.

If you would like to receive our blog updates, just enter your email below.

As a bonus, you will receive a link to our Seasonal Job Listings Page, and a follow up email linking to a sample copy of our personal Seasonal Jobs Resume.

We respect your privacy, and never share your email address