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10-10-2009, 08:30 PM
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#1
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,113
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 Quote:
Originally Posted by Rustward
And all this excitement started with a sticking brake pedal -- which you said in the other post had happened to other units?
Does the manufacturer post service bulletins noting things (like a sticking brake pedal) that may occur and are likely to cause problems? Seems like they should.
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We owners keep each other informed via a web forum.
Our motorhome manufacturer went out of business 1.5 years ago - which is part of the reason we had so much trouble figuring out our brake part number.
But as most of our motorhome components are made by third parties, we don't sweat being an "orphan" too much.
Audrey
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10-10-2009, 06:48 PM
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#2
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Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 113
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Audrey, we are just part timers, but i thought you might find this link interesting. this full time couple is in kerville right now also. RV-Dreams Journal if you read their past posts they just got over mega brake issues.
__________________
If you think nobody cares whether you're alive or dead, try missing a couple of mortgage payments.
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10-10-2009, 08:37 PM
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#3
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,113
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kowski
Audrey, we are just part timers, but i thought you might find this link interesting. this full time couple is in kerville right now also. RV-Dreams Journal if you read their past posts they just got over mega brake issues. |
Yep - they're here at the same RV resort! I noticed a rally when we came in yesterday, but didn't know who it was. Buckhorn hosts a lot of rallies in October.
I recognize the inside pictures of "The Barn" from that web-link.
And this is a rally for wannabee fulltimers. Interesting.
How about that!
Audrey
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10-10-2009, 08:52 PM
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#4
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Hooverville
Posts: 10,801
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I am glad so many seem to enjoy this so much.
I can't think of anything worse that one would be tempted to voluntarily do than to buy and use an RV. Just driving one down the street would give me hives.
It just shows how different people are.
ha
__________________
Above all, humans are political animals.
Nota bene: I am either a moron or an idiot. So don't pay any attention to anything I say or you are one too. Please consult your financial advisor, astrologer or proctologist for whatever it may be that you are seeking.
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10-10-2009, 09:57 PM
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#5
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: May 2008
Location: State of Confusion
Posts: 1,732
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Great post Audrey, especially for us RV wannabees. Tough break on the brakes. Glad to hear you got your broken brakes back to braking and were finally able to break out of there and get home. Did the KW facilty identify what caused the brakes to break?? Let's hope you catch a break on those brakes breaking in the future, it might break the bank if you have to deal with broken brakes again.
__________________
"A yawn is more disconcerting than a contradiction"
Mason Cooley
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10-10-2009, 10:00 PM
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#6
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,113
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Westernskies
Great post Audrey, especially for us RV wannabees. Tough break on the brakes. Glad to hear you got your broken brakes back to braking and were finally able to break out of there and get home. Did the KW facilty identify what caused the brakes to break?? Let's hope you catch a break on those brakes breaking in the future, it might break the bank if you have to deal with broken brakes again.
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OMG! You're breaking me!!!! 
Audrey
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10-12-2009, 08:18 PM
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#7
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 9,990
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Quote:
Originally Posted by haha
I am glad so many seem to enjoy this so much.
I can't think of anything worse that one would be tempted to voluntarily do than to buy and use an RV. Just driving one down the street would give me hives.
It just shows how different people are.
ha
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Indeed. But I think I would rather livein my 16X7 trailer than inhabit another apartment. Different strokes...
__________________
"And Jesus spake, 'Become thou now fishers of adjustable rate mortgages'" - New Conservative Bible
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10-27-2009, 03:09 PM
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#8
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Administrator
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Texas Hill Country
Posts: 16,469
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I just had a conversation with my neighbor that made me think of this thread.
We're parked in a campground in South Central Arkansas. A couple of hours ago a tire repair truck pulled up to the motor home next to us. As the tire guy was replacing one of the rear tires I went over and struck up a conversation with the owner. Seems he's having his own "great" RV adventure.
A full-timer, he told me they left Branson, MO yesterday morning in the rain and fog, heading for Hot Springs, AR on Highway 7 - a twisting, snake-like two lane road apparently designed by drunken hillbillies in the late 1800s. After being on the road seven hours and covering less than 200 miles they experienced a blowout on the sidewall of an inner rear tire* as they were turning into the RV park. To add insult to injury, as he was maneuvering into his parking spot he backed into a 20' lamp post, severing his rear bumper, tearing a three foot gash in his rear end cap, knocking out his left tail lights - and downing the pole.
The crowning blow evidently came after they finally got parked and his wife discovered the tree cover prevented their auto-seeking satellite dish getting a signal.
He does NOT appear to be a happy camper... 
* The date of manufacture on the tire showed it to be 6 1/2 years old - many in the RV world say 5-6 years is the age limit and this incident reinforced my belief in the wisdom of this time limit.
__________________
Numbers is hard...
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10-27-2009, 03:30 PM
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#9
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Denver, Colorado
Posts: 1,575
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[QUOTE=REWahoo;869376He does NOT appear to be a happy camper...[/QUOTE]
Aaah. Nothing that a heeping helping of Tequila (and a fat wallet) won't cure. Tell him its alright if "happy hour" comes early on some days.
Yeah, the tire thing is important... and not just for RVers- those people driving 80 MPH on the highway should take notice also.
__________________
"It's tough to make predictions, especially when it involves the future." ~Attributed to many
"In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. But, in practice, there is." ~(perhaps) Yogi Berra
"Those who have knowledge, don't predict. Those who predict, don't have knowledge."~ Lau tzu
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10-27-2009, 03:36 PM
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#10
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Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: New Orleans
Posts: 10,395
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Quote:
Originally Posted by REWahoo
I just had a conversation with my neighbor that made me think of this thread.
We're parked in a campground in South Central Arkansas. A couple of hours ago a tire repair truck pulled up to the motor home next to us. As the tire guy was replacing one of the rear tires I went over and struck up a conversation with the owner. Seems he's having his own "great" RV adventure.
A full-timer, he told me they left Branson, MO yesterday morning in the rain and fog, heading for Hot Springs, AR on Highway 7 - a twisting, snake-like two lane road apparently designed by drunken hillbillies in the late 1800s. After being on the road seven hours and covering less than 200 miles they experienced a blowout on the sidewall of an inner rear tire* as they were turning into the RV park. To add insult to injury, as he was maneuvering into his parking spot he backed into a 20' lamp post, severing his rear bumper, tearing a three foot gash in his rear end cap, knocking out his left tail lights - and downing the pole.
The crowning blow evidently came after they finally got parked and his wife discovered the tree cover prevented their auto-seeking satellite dish getting a signal.
He does NOT appear to be a happy camper... |
How miserable! The more I hear about RV "adventures", the more I realize that RV life is not for ME - - though it may be a dream come true to some others. I am enjoying my cable TV and my high speed cable internet, while watching the rain from inside my cozy home and doing laundry. All this with the comforts of indoor plumbing. And when I checked my bank account, it had the same balance as it did yesterday. What more would one ever want? (happy sigh) Life is good.
__________________
"Already we are boldly launched upon the deep; but soon we shall be lost in its unshored, harborless immensities." - - H. Melville, 1851
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10-27-2009, 03:38 PM
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#11
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 9,174
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Want2retire
How miserable! The more I hear about RV "adventures", the more I realize that RV life is not for ME - - though it may be a dream come true to some others. I am enjoying my cabel TV and my high speed cable internet, while watching the rain from inside my cozy home and doing laundry. All this with the comforts of indoor plumbing. What more would one ever want? (happy sigh) Life is good.
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Sounds good to me. I could live in an RV, but DW would have no part of it....... 
__________________
Consult with your own advisor or representative. My thoughts should not be construed as investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results (love that one).......:)
This Thread is USELESS without pics.........:)
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10-27-2009, 03:48 PM
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#12
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Administrator
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Texas Hill Country
Posts: 16,469
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Want2retire
I am enjoying my cable TV and my high speed cable internet, while watching the rain from inside my cozy home and doing laundry. All this with the comforts of indoor plumbing.
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Ahem. With the single exception of cable/satellite TV, I'm enjoying all the above sitting next to a rushing mountain stream in the middle of a beautiful hardwood forest.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Want2retire
And when I checked my bank account, it had the same balance as it did yesterday.
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Same here.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Want2retire
What more would one ever want? (happy sigh)
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See "...sitting next to a rushing mountain stream middle of a beautiful hardwood forest." above.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Want2retire
Life is good.
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Yep, sure is. 
__________________
Numbers is hard...
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10-27-2009, 09:32 PM
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#13
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,113
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Want2retire
The more I hear about RV "adventures", the more I realize that RV life is not for ME - - though it may be a dream come true to some others. I am enjoying my cable TV and my high speed cable internet, while watching the rain from inside my cozy home and doing laundry. All this with the comforts of indoor plumbing.
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Gee W2R - you obviously have no idea how easy and comfortable our "roughing it" is.
I have satellite TV and internet (often high-speed) almost wherever I go. My plumbing is indoor plumbing too - we just happen to have to hook up a sewer hose now and then. The motorhome is very cozy when it's raining outside, and quite luxurious inside with ultra-leather furniture, maple hardwood cabinetry, and a fine home theater system. And the view changes frequently and can be as pretty as we care to drive to!
OK - I do have to go to another building to do laundry now and then. Which is just fine with me as I can run several loads simultaneously since I can use multiple washers and dryers.
Audrey
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10-27-2009, 09:39 PM
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#14
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,054
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Quote:
Originally Posted by audreyh1
My plumbing is indoor plumbing too - we just happen to have to hook up a sewer hose now and then.
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But, but, but you are talking about someone with a sewer phobia here. 
She can't even have a house with a septic tank.
__________________
Couple both 52-year-old, with 2 children in college. DW RE @ 50. No pension, no benefits for either of us. Working part-time for travel money (in good years that is, and for food in lean years!).
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10-27-2009, 10:08 PM
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#15
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,113
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Don't blame you! Fortunately DH kindly took on the sewer hose wrasling task from day 1.
He's so glad I drive the rig that he'll do just about anything else!
Audrey
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10-27-2009, 09:20 PM
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#16
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,113
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Quote:
Originally Posted by REWahoo
A full-timer, he told me they left Branson, MO yesterday morning in the rain and fog, heading for Hot Springs, AR on Highway 7 - a twisting, snake-like two lane road apparently designed by drunken hillbillies in the late 1800s. After being on the road seven hours and covering less than 200 miles they experienced a blowout on the sidewall of an inner rear tire* as they were turning into the RV park. To add insult to injury, as he was maneuvering into his parking spot he backed into a 20' lamp post, severing his rear bumper, tearing a three foot gash in his rear end cap, knocking out his left tail lights - and downing the pole.
The crowning blow evidently came after they finally got parked and his wife discovered the tree cover prevented their auto-seeking satellite dish getting a signal.
He does NOT appear to be a happy camper... |
Oh Wow - and this all happened on ONE DAY! 
I hope I never have a day like that! 
At least the blow-out occurred at a very slow speed - that is very lucky - and on the dually axle too. A poster on our RV forum posted recently about leaving I-10 near Ozarka (TX) at 75 mph due to a front tire blow out. They made it fine with minimal damage, but ended up in the wide grassy median and had some interesting after-effects like the dog freaking out so much that the key got broke off in the ignition and they couldn't turn off the coach!
The blowout report inspired me to again review the RVIAA movie "The Critical Factor" which instructs how to drive through a blowout. Michelin North America RV Videos and Demos Page I also do not drive the motorhome at 75 mph. In fact, I've gotten into the habit of driving 55-60. It sure helps on the gas mileage. And we replaced our tires as soon as we realized their date codes were 5 years old, and we are careful about keeping our tires properly inflated.
Now, after all this, I have to confess that we are today just returning from north of Dallas where we had an extra support bracket added to our steering box. This is something we had hoped to put off until next year, but other owners started seeing hairline cracks at our current mileage. We checked (again) recently and found what might be the very start of a crack, so we decided to get it addressed immediately, wedging in yet another service visit in the middle of our other plans. We are now hoping, really hoping, that we won't have any more chassis issues to deal with for a good long while (knock on wood!!!!!).
If folks here want to live vicariously and see how RVers talk to each other about their RVs check out the "Owners Corner Forums" at iRV2.com http://www.irv2.com/forums/f8/ . We're in the Alpine Coach group. Alpine owners tend to be "techies" and share a lot of info which is a really good thing since we are now on our own with no manufacturer support. But you'll see forums for several different RV manufacturers (some of which also are out of business).
Where are you in AR? And almost NOWHERE in AR can you expect to get your roof satellite dish to work! There are too many trees in AR! (but it sure makes for pretty campgrounds). In AR campgrounds I have seen people running 200 feet of coax cable from their RV to get their stand-alone satellite dish somewhere where it might just pick up a signal! We give up. Satellite TV - whatever. Internet? Now internet we don't like to be without! Fortunately the cell card works fine tree cover or no!
Audrey
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10-27-2009, 09:40 PM
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#17
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Administrator
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Texas Hill Country
Posts: 16,469
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Quote:
Originally Posted by audreyh1
At least the blow-out occurred at a very slow speed - that is very lucky - and on the dually axle too. A poster on our RV forum posted recently about leaving I-10 near Ozarka (TX) at 75 mph due to a front tire blow out. They made it fine with minimal damage, but ended up in the wide grassy median and had some interesting after-effects like the dog freaking out so much that the key got broke off in the ignition and they couldn't turn off the coach!
The blowout report inspired me to again review the RVIAA movie "The Critical Factor" which instructs how to drive through a blowout. Michelin North America RV Videos and Demos Page I also do not drive the motorhome at 75 mph. In fact, I've gotten into the habit of driving 55-60. |
That particular stretch of I-10 near Ozona has an 80 MPH speed limit. No way will I drive my car at that speed, much less "the bus". Like you, I generally cruise around 60. Above that the mileage really suffers.
For those of you not interested in watching the video Audrey linked above, it demonstrates the proper technique for dealing with a blowout at speed while driving a motor home, especially a front tire blowout: the first thing you do is STEP ON THE ACCELERATOR. It sounds counter intuitive, but the explanation and demonstration in the video makes sense. I hope I never have an opportunity to see how well I do in that situation.
Quote:
Originally Posted by audreyh1
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Where are you in AR? And almost NOWHERE in AR can you expect to get your roof satellite dish to work! There are too many trees in AR! (but it sure makes for pretty campgrounds). In AR campgrounds I have seen people running 200 feet of coax cable from their RV to get their stand-alone satellite dish somewhere where it might just pick up a signal! We give up. Satellite TV - whatever. Internet? Now internet we don't like to be without! Fortunately the cell card works fine tree cover or no!
Audrey
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We are at Hot Springs National Park. They upgraded most of the spots to full hookups with 50 AMPs. Very nice place with decent elbow room between sites and the fall colors are beautiful. Our Sprint cell card works great and the over-the-air antenna gets all the broadcast networks so I didn't even attempt to get a satellite signal.
Now if it would just stop raining...
__________________
Numbers is hard...
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10-27-2009, 10:03 PM
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#18
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,113
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Quote:
Originally Posted by REWahoo
We are at Hot Springs National Park. They upgraded most of the spots to full hookups with 50 AMPs. Very nice place with decent elbow room between sites and the fall colors are beautiful. Our Sprint cell card works great and the over-the-air antenna gets all the broadcast networks so I didn't even attempt to get a satellite signal.
Now if it would just stop raining...
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In the Hot Springs area this past May, we stayed at Lake Ouachita State Park (which had awesome big rig accommodations in the A loop) and Lake Catherine State Park which was a lot harder to get into, but had nice canoeing (rentals) and hiking. We had planned to go in to Hot Springs for at least one day to visit Hot Springs National Park - but you guessed it - it wouldn't stop raining - actually 3 out of every 5 days!!! So some other time.
Petit Jean Mountain and Magazine Mountain blew away all the other parks in AR in terms of incredible beauty, scenic vistas, and wonderful hiking. Both accommodated big rigs, but had somewhat limited number of large campsites - in particular Magazine Mountain - but if you got a site, what an incredible place to stay!
Here is one of numerous small cascades along the hiking trails at Petit Jean State Park. I don't have any of the big scenic vista photos quite ready to go.
Audrey
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10-28-2009, 04:51 PM
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#19
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Dryer sheet aficionado
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 47
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Quote:
Originally Posted by audreyh1
Petit Jean Mountain and Magazine Mountain blew away all the other parks in AR in terms of incredible beauty, scenic vistas, and wonderful hiking. Both accommodated big rigs, but had somewhat limited number of large campsites - in particular Magazine Mountain - but if you got a site, what an incredible place to stay!
Here is one of numerous small cascades along the hiking trails at Petit Jean State Park. I don't have any of the big scenic vista photos quite ready to go.
Audrey
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Shush. Be quiet. Don't give Petit Jean away. It's too nice not to be kept a little secret.
__________________
“Doubly happy, however, is the man whom lofty mountain tops are within reach, for the lights that shine there illumine all that lies below” John Muir
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11-03-2009, 04:36 PM
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#20
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,113
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Quote:
Originally Posted by audreyh1
Here is one of numerous small cascades along the hiking trails at Petit Jean State Park. I don't have any of the big scenic vista photos quite ready to go.
Audrey
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Woops! Looks like my small stream cascade from Petit Jean SP photo was missing too!
Audrey
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