I'm getting a bit scared learning all the things I didn't know I didn't know. Neither my husband nor I are mechanically inclined. He's a wiz at building and fixing computers, but the most he can do under the hood of a car is measure the fluids and give the battery a jump start.
I see so much great advice being given here on how to fix things and all the answers seem like Latin. In a S&B, we could call a plumber or electrician or even a handyman.
So... will be totally screwed if we don't know how to troubleshoot or fix things -- especially since we'll most likely be buying something used?
Workinrvers said
06:06 PM Jan 25, 2014
you can always find an RV dealer with a service department or a mobile RV tech to make your repairs .... for a price. I just prefer to give it a try myself most of the time.
I'm no "Mr Fix-it" either but I do know how to use basic hand tools as well as some power tools. I can also, on a very limited scale, use a multi-meter to check the electrical stuff. So far this has been enough to make almost all of the repairs I have needed. I have to say though that I would have been totally lost without the internet. What a fantastic resource!
Phil
Cindy T said
06:08 PM Jan 25, 2014
I don't think that should prevent you from becoming fulltimers. There are RV maintenance books that you would probably benefit from reading & becoming familiar with the basics of RV systems. But if you can't fix something, there are RV repair shops, mobile RV repair people, and even neighbors in the campground who can help.
Technomadia said
06:12 PM Jan 25, 2014
One way or another, resourcefulness will be needed. Just like living in a house - you can either do the repairs/maintenance yourself, have friends around you can learn from or pay someone qualified.
The difference being, that things might break when you're not near a repair resource. So learning your systems and being more self reliant can be a very valuable thing.
We started out with only a little knowledge, and learned as we went.
Lucky Mike said
06:16 PM Jan 25, 2014
The only thing to fear is fear itself..............there are those that look at a problem and take the initiative to break it down and solve it........and there are those that have no faith and pass it on to someone else.
you have managed to research full time RVing and did very well at it..........You have researched the type of coach and found what you are looking for!
you are sitting in front of your computer right now........and your hot water heater went out.......type in the make , model and troubleshoot........there is the answers.....all you have to do is follow the directions!
I have a friend who trys to out think the computer........out smart the GPS She doesnt do very well
If I gave you the instructions and you do them in the order they are presented.....you will be successful in finding and fixing the problem.
other than that nothing changes....your coach breaks...call a Plumber , electrician or mechanic to fix the problem just like you always have.
GENECOP said
06:21 PM Jan 25, 2014
Simple answer IMO....you need one of two things regarding your topic........Money or Skills.....either one will make being a full timer doable.....
-- Edited by GENECOP on Saturday 25th of January 2014 06:22:18 PM
cherylbrv said
06:36 PM Jan 25, 2014
thanks, needed the reassurance!
Jim01 said
06:56 PM Jan 25, 2014
Isn't it amazing how all of a sudden something will pop into our minds to make us wonder if we're doing the right thing or not? I think almost everyone who has made a big move like going full-timing has had it happen to them.
Hang in there. Everything will work out.
Jim
Alie and Jims Carrilite said
08:42 PM Jan 25, 2014
The other thing I find interesting is if your at a park and have an issue, usually by talking to your neighbors or the park staff will bring the fix-it guy to your rescue.
cherylbrv said
08:44 PM Jan 25, 2014
I really should give my husband a bit more credit too. He CAN figure out how to do simple repairs, especially with step by step directions.... and duct tape!!! :)
NWescapee said
08:50 PM Jan 25, 2014
LOL, duct tape, my Mom's fix for everything. This forum, some of the RV DVD's Dale has bought from Good Sam's on specific topics, talking to other RV'ers, finding an RV mobile tech we could trust based on advice from other RV'ers etc. has brought us through the first 6 months when we had more than one thing go wrong. We're learning as we go, adding a few spare parts, new tools, etc. along the way and finding that RV'ers are the friendliest people! Dale was trying to fix something at one campground and had our ladder and a few tools out, another guy, retired electrican happened along, started chatting and ended up spending an hour at our site, looking at the problem, giving advice, holding the ladder and making sure Dale had it under control.
bjoyce said
08:53 PM Jan 25, 2014
My wife likes to say her toolbox consists of a cellphone and a credit card. We do some of our own repairs, and I do mean "we", but many we pay for. I have learned the limits of my handiness. I try to be educated on what should be done, but have learned that I should not be the one to do the work.
TRAILERKING said
01:21 AM Jan 26, 2014
It's like everyday life...............If you can't fix it yourself it's gonna cost you $$$$$.
Dog Folks said
06:01 AM Jan 26, 2014
Cindy T wrote:
I don't think that should prevent you from becoming fulltimers. There are RV maintenance books that you would probably benefit from reading & becoming familiar with the basics of RV systems. But if you can't fix something, there are RV repair shops, mobile RV repair people, and even neighbors in the campground who can help.
If you need some help, raise the hood of your vehicle and peer inside. In minutes you will have six people offering to help! I have never sen anything like it except at a campground.
The last time I did, within 5 minutes, there was a retired fleet manager crawling under my truck for me to take a look! Campers are very special people.
-- Edited by Dog Folks on Sunday 26th of January 2014 06:02:29 AM
BiggarView said
08:13 AM Jan 26, 2014
We are nowhere near hitting the road, but Mike is right, don't let fear get in your way. It occurs to me that even if you don't have specific knowledge in a certain item, perhaps you have something to trade... computer expertise is commonly sought by many on here and elsewhere, there is nothing wrong with bartering somebody elses skills for your own its a win-win. FWIW
cherylbrv said
09:45 AM Jan 26, 2014
Great advice and reassurance everyone! Thanks as always.
My only fear right now is that I am going to be getting a job offer and then have to decide whether to take it or not. Losing my job made us ramp up our plans to sell the house more quickly since we don't have enough $ in the bank to pay the mortgage for more than another month or so. Where we were taking baby steps towards the RV lifestyle for the last 3 years, we got ourselves into the mindset over the last month to take the giant leap towards it. But taking this job will put us back to square one, which is having more financial security in the short term, helping build up the nest egg just a little bit more, but delaying the dream. We got ourselves so psyched up for this now! I'm almost wishing real hard that the offer doesn't come through because I'd have to follow the advice we give our rebellious son -- "sometimes you just have to suck it up and do things you don't want to do."
Sorry, Terry. I realize I went off track here.
WestWardHo said
12:54 PM Jan 26, 2014
And if anyone has read Howard's Journal from the beginning you know he didn't exactly consider himself Mr. Fixit! We're impressed with his current knowledge and have really enjoyed his descriptions of his various repairs and his learning as he goes. We too are so happy with our ability to research and find almost anything we need to know on this forum or the net in general.
Sherry
Terry and Jo said
01:02 PM Jan 26, 2014
Hey, Cheryl.
It's your thread. You can drive this topic any direction you want to take it.
However, I will have to agree with the others on the "original" topic. RV'ers/campers are special kinds of folks. When we were taking a two week vacation near Pagosa Springs in our 26-foot fifth wheel, I had never, ever put out an awning (non-electric), and although it was a part of the PDI when we bought the earlier RV's, I couldn't remember what to do. I glanced around and happened to see a gentleman walking down the campground road, and I must have had "that look" on my face because he asked me if he could help with something.
He showed us how to deploy and retract the awning and I was truly grateful. It turned out that he and his wife were friends with our immediate neighbors, so we ended up next door every evening sharing the campfire and lots of conversation.
I'm like many others in that I can use some tools and I can learn from others and the internet. I'm not really sure that anything more than that and common sense is needed.
Terry
cherylbrv said
01:22 PM Jan 26, 2014
You mean you don't just press a button and voila, the awning is open?!!!
Terry and Jo said
07:10 PM Jan 26, 2014
Sorry, but keep in mind that I said 26-foot fifth wheel. The one prior to that one was a 26-foot travel trailer, and neither of those would be suitable for full-timing. When looking, just make sure to look for electrical ones. However, manually operated ones might require less maintenance costs.
I'm getting a bit scared learning all the things I didn't know I didn't know. Neither my husband nor I are mechanically inclined. He's a wiz at building and fixing computers, but the most he can do under the hood of a car is measure the fluids and give the battery a jump start.
I see so much great advice being given here on how to fix things and all the answers seem like Latin. In a S&B, we could call a plumber or electrician or even a handyman.
So... will be totally screwed if we don't know how to troubleshoot or fix things -- especially since we'll most likely be buying something used?
I'm no "Mr Fix-it" either but I do know how to use basic hand tools as well as some power tools. I can also, on a very limited scale, use a multi-meter to check the electrical stuff. So far this has been enough to make almost all of the repairs I have needed. I have to say though that I would have been totally lost without the internet. What a fantastic resource!
Phil
I don't think that should prevent you from becoming fulltimers. There are RV maintenance books that you would probably benefit from reading & becoming familiar with the basics of RV systems. But if you can't fix something, there are RV repair shops, mobile RV repair people, and even neighbors in the campground who can help.
The difference being, that things might break when you're not near a repair resource. So learning your systems and being more self reliant can be a very valuable thing.
We started out with only a little knowledge, and learned as we went.
you have managed to research full time RVing and did very well at it..........You have researched the type of coach and found what you are looking for!
you are sitting in front of your computer right now........and your hot water heater went out.......type in the make , model and troubleshoot........there is the answers.....all you have to do is follow the directions!
I have a friend who trys to out think the computer........out smart the GPS She doesnt do very well
If I gave you the instructions and you do them in the order they are presented.....you will be successful in finding and fixing the problem.
other than that nothing changes....your coach breaks...call a Plumber , electrician or mechanic to fix the problem just like you always have.
Simple answer IMO....you need one of two things regarding your topic........Money or Skills.....either one will make being a full timer doable.....
-- Edited by GENECOP on Saturday 25th of January 2014 06:22:18 PM
Isn't it amazing how all of a sudden something will pop into our minds to make us wonder if we're doing the right thing or not? I think almost everyone who has made a big move like going full-timing has had it happen to them.
Hang in there. Everything will work out.
Jim
If you need some help, raise the hood of your vehicle and peer inside. In minutes you will have six people offering to help! I have never sen anything like it except at a campground.
The last time I did, within 5 minutes, there was a retired fleet manager crawling under my truck for me to take a look! Campers are very special people.
-- Edited by Dog Folks on Sunday 26th of January 2014 06:02:29 AM
We are nowhere near hitting the road, but Mike is right, don't let fear get in your way. It occurs to me that even if you don't have specific knowledge in a certain item, perhaps you have something to trade... computer expertise is commonly sought by many on here and elsewhere, there is nothing wrong with bartering somebody elses skills for your own its a win-win. FWIW
My only fear right now is that I am going to be getting a job offer and then have to decide whether to take it or not. Losing my job made us ramp up our plans to sell the house more quickly since we don't have enough $ in the bank to pay the mortgage for more than another month or so. Where we were taking baby steps towards the RV lifestyle for the last 3 years, we got ourselves into the mindset over the last month to take the giant leap towards it. But taking this job will put us back to square one, which is having more financial security in the short term, helping build up the nest egg just a little bit more, but delaying the dream. We got ourselves so psyched up for this now! I'm almost wishing real hard that the offer doesn't come through because I'd have to follow the advice we give our rebellious son -- "sometimes you just have to suck it up and do things you don't want to do."
Sorry, Terry. I realize I went off track here.
Sherry
Hey, Cheryl.
It's your thread. You can drive this topic any direction you want to take it.
However, I will have to agree with the others on the "original" topic. RV'ers/campers are special kinds of folks. When we were taking a two week vacation near Pagosa Springs in our 26-foot fifth wheel, I had never, ever put out an awning (non-electric), and although it was a part of the PDI when we bought the earlier RV's, I couldn't remember what to do. I glanced around and happened to see a gentleman walking down the campground road, and I must have had "that look" on my face because he asked me if he could help with something.
He showed us how to deploy and retract the awning and I was truly grateful. It turned out that he and his wife were friends with our immediate neighbors, so we ended up next door every evening sharing the campfire and lots of conversation.
I'm like many others in that I can use some tools and I can learn from others and the internet. I'm not really sure that anything more than that and common sense is needed.
Terry
Sorry, but keep in mind that I said 26-foot fifth wheel. The one prior to that one was a 26-foot travel trailer, and neither of those would be suitable for full-timing. When looking, just make sure to look for electrical ones. However, manually operated ones might require less maintenance costs.
Terry