Back on (or is it still on) the roller coaster ride. It would sure be nice if life wasn't all ups & downs and had a few steadies thrown in.
First, we learned that the gray tank which was supposed to be replaced this week was not delivered yet and won't be until next week! We deliberately came here a month early to make sure we didn't run into a parts problem. Oh well, it is what it is. And this part is the good news, compared to what comes next....
Regarding the slide: after they took the bedroom apart to get to the mechanics that work the slide, it was discovered that the entire floor and wall are rotted. Apparently, there must have been some kind of water leak a long time ago which rotted it all out (and this is what caused the slide not to work properly). Since this is a maintenance issue, it will not be covered by the warranty, and we're looking at a minimum of $5,000 to repair, not to mention who knows how many more days in a hotel. This is not something that could have been detected during the inspection; the only way to find out was to take the whole thing apart. Oh, I also didn't mention that all 10 tires need to be replaced. They are in good condition on the outside, but are more than 5 years old, and why temp fate?
So tomorrow we need to make a decision: clean out our nest egg to pay for this or take what we can get in a sale and give up the lifestyle. With Mitch's new job about to start, it will give us a chance to replenish the funds little by little, so I think the answer is pretty clear (stay). I guess we have to consider ourselves blessed that we even have the money in the bank to make that decision, although it's very scary if we have another big repair up the road.
I just want to know when this is going to end. But then again, it could happen in a sticks & bricks house as well. Things break down, wear out, go bad, and need to be fixed. Better our home than our bodies, although it's true for that too.
jrzygrl64 said
06:50 PM May 12, 2015
Wow - that is some awful news! You guys have definitely had more than your fair share of issues.
Sorry that you are having so many troubles - hope things start looking up SOON!
marianne57 said
07:01 PM May 12, 2015
Really sorry Cheryl, and hopefully the repairs don't come to as much as what they think! I'm glad you're hanging in, because you are both an inspiration to many of us yet waiting. I know we'll have issues too, but to see how you guys are hanging in, is really great and we can learn from you. I hope that your streak ends now, and you can both enjoy your new life without any further issues until you rebuild some savings again! Take care and best of luck to you!
fun2travel said
07:06 PM May 12, 2015
Soooo sorry to hear of your news! I'm sure it's heartbreaking. If you enjoy the lifestyle it's too soon to give up. At least you are both still working, right?
You both have been such an inspiration to those of us coming behind you. Good luck with whatever you decide.
Leslie
pkhalin said
07:19 PM May 12, 2015
Cheryl and Mitch,
Wow, I just really feel for you guys. You've been the epitome of staying the course in the face of adversity. and I certainly hope you can continue to do so. But in the end, you have to do what's best for you.
Wish the best for you and may much better luck come your way!
BiggarView said
08:04 PM May 12, 2015
Thanks for sharing, we feel your pain and can relate. Last year was tough for us but we remain encouraged that better times lay ahead. We believe this to be true for you also. Learn and remember, but keep your eyes on the road ahead and don't flinch. Our money is on you having an awesome experience real soon, that will put all of this in perspective.
Passing along "positive waves" (Elliot Gould line in Kelly's Heros).
TRAILERKING said
10:36 PM May 12, 2015
Sorry to hear of your hardships. You'll never get away from the constant maintenance involved in an RV. Even if you can do all the repairs yourself, it can be costly and tedious. Than if you have to pay someone all the time to do it for you...............Be prepared to have a huge wallet. Some people get the impression that selling everything and living in an RV will be an "easier" and "more affordable" lifestyle. There is no free lunch. An RV will require more maint. and upkeep than a "S & B" as most refer to. Don't get me wrong you can run the RV and do absolutely nothing to it as far as maint. and upkeep but it's not going to last long. To top it off..............Most of these RV's were never intended to be lived in 365 days of the year. All it takes is a little neglect and things go bad very fast. That's another thing when buying "used". Hopefully you get things figured out and on track.
-- Edited by TRAILERKING on Tuesday 12th of May 2015 10:39:37 PM
NWescapee said
10:56 PM May 12, 2015
Cheryl & Mitch, wishing you both the best, sorry to hear of yet another ordeal for you. Hoping the repairs go well and with less cost than estimated.
Cheryl, in other posts you stated that my positive attitude was inspiring, but you need to know that you inspire me. Yes we had challenges getting on the road and a challenging first 3 months on the road but since then we've been on the waves, it seems like you guys have yet to hit a peaceful plateau before the next wave comes crashing in. Just know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
jaynjazz said
01:01 PM May 13, 2015
Wow! Sorry about all your troubles. hope all gets taken care of quickly and correctly. Good Luck!
cherylbrv said
07:08 PM May 13, 2015
Thanks everyone. We decided to stay the course. We worked and prayed too hard for this dream of ours for the past 4 years and to give it up for yet another financial setback is silly. We're grateful that we have a nest egg to dig into for this, although it's very scary since this egg is supposed to last for 3 years and after this, we'll be lucky if it gets us through 1 more year. But this is the lifestyle we've chosen and we're not ready to give it up.
We met with the technician, the project manager and his boss today. They're looking at a baseline of 30 hours, but if they have to rebuild the wall as well, possibly 40 hours or more. They're talking weeks before the rig will be ready and probably more money than we said.
I think what makes this so horrible is the cause of the problem, which was a water leak that had been going on for a while to cause the rot (most likely from the washing machine because the pipe runs under the bed). Apparently the leak was fixed, which means the previous owner knew about this and never told us. And because it was hidden under the floor and inside the walls, there was no way for an inspector to discover it (we had a private inspector and the warranty company inspect it). Due to the rot, that weakened all the screws which came out or loose, which caused the slide to retract in a lopsided way, eventually not completely closing on one side.
For now, our daughter is letting us stay with her for about a week until we figure out where we can live until the rig is ready. We may need to miss the Reunion rally, although our rig is at that campground, but we can't stay in it.
But there is a silver lining... Mitch is starting a new job on Monday, which happens to be in Raleigh where our daughter lives. So at least there'll be some income in the meantime.
Lesson learned: buy NEW. Even if there are a lot of problems, at least it's all under warranty and not hidden problems from a previous owner.
Barbaraok said
07:48 PM May 13, 2015
Cheryl,
There is nothing you can do about what a previous owner should have told you - just like buying a house, you never know what problems they don't disclose. And you're not the only one who has had to lay out $$$$ for problems that you should have been told about but weren't. A lot of us have had that happen, you just pull that belt a little tighter and figure out a way to make it work. But if you dwell on it, it will only hurt you - so look at this as another type of adventure where your good humor, sense of adventure, and a caring, willing, & loving partner will get you through it.
Barb
RickandJanice said
08:03 PM May 13, 2015
Cheryl and Mitch, sorry to hear about your rig. Look at the bright side, at least you have a good solid rig to work with and when it is all repaired, it will still be a great rig to full time in. Even new rigs have issues that do not show up until out of warranty. Repairs are all part of the adventure and at least you have your health, each other and a sense of adventure that will get you through this too. Wishing and praying for a good outcome for both of you in this.
azrving said
07:27 PM May 14, 2015
So sorry to hear about Mitch & Cheryl's problem with their RV. I am glad y'all are going to make the needed repairs and continue to live your dream. We purchased a house back east and the the previous owners failed to mention a lot of issues/problems with the house....our home inspector must have been visually challenged too because he failed to catch several large problems with the house. Lesson learned, we made the needed repairs (out of pocket) and made a ton of great memories in the house we lovingly called our money pit. It was in much better shape when we sold it and we had the peace of mind knowing we didn't take advantage of anyone.
-- Edited by azrving on Friday 15th of May 2015 10:15:38 AM
Ran n Jo said
09:09 PM May 14, 2015
Cheryl & Mitch, our thoughts are with both of you and we will continue to send positive vibes your way.
Hugs!
PIEERE said
09:05 AM May 15, 2015
Cheryl & Mitch, I hope to stay on topic! The old 96 5er I bought has had a new water heater, new kitchen fantastic fan, and range fan and light, The wall behind the kitchen stove I and some friends fixed.
I bought a 10k but stand alone portable A/C as the 15K roof unit quit last Sept. Have to save $$$'s to buy and have installed if I want it original!
I purchased a new S&B's in 1981in Az. The stucco wall cracked 6 months later! Had to finally call the Attorney General to get it repaired along with a dozen + other problems. As time progressed the ex wife noticed a bulge under the bedrooms area! The cement slab under the house had cracked across
the 30' of slab. The warranty of course expired and contractors had to pull up the carpet in the 2 bedrooms and hall, they cut a V in the cement added some metal grating and rebuilt. The house was off level by almost 1" from front to back! It cost us 8k$'s to have this done as I was young! A house on wheels getting bounced around does quite well considering. 😕 😧 😣
Jake62 said
12:50 PM May 15, 2015
cherylbrv wrote:
"But there is a silver lining... Mitch is starting a new job on Monday, which happens to be in Raleigh where our daughter lives."
I believe Cheryl & Mitch, that despite your current challenges, as all of us endure in this life, that at least you are traveling thru this adventure with each other, and now get to continue to share your lives with your daughter.
May God continue to Bless your lives, Tim
-- Edited by Jake62 on Friday 15th of May 2015 02:39:29 PM
Technomadia said
01:12 PM May 15, 2015
May this experience soon be but one of the bumps in the road you look through at in your rearview mirror.
I know it sucks going through it (and most of us have been there), but you will get through it :)
NJTroy said
09:49 PM May 16, 2015
Cheryl & Mitch,
So sorry to hear of your latest troubles. I hope things pick up soon. You guys are in our thoughts.
Dave & Troy
David and Cheryl said
09:00 AM May 17, 2015
Oy vey! Sorry to hear about this, Cheryl. I'm glad you decided to stay the course, though. You'll find a way to make it work, and you'll be glad you did in the long run, I'm sure. Hang in there!
David & Cheryl
marianne57 said
07:51 PM May 17, 2015
Cheryl, glad to hear you're hanging in, and our prayers will be with you over the next few weeks, that maybe this won't be as bad as they anticipate and repairs will be quick. You make us realize that there will be trying times, but sticking together will enable us to get through things, and we won't be the only ones that ever has problems. Stay strong!
pkhalin said
08:07 PM May 31, 2015
Hey Cheryl and Mitch,
I know this has become a wee bit of an old thread, but how are you guys doing? Hangin' in there ok? Hope the diagnosis on your rig wasn't as bad as expected.
Aurora Borealis said
09:24 AM Jun 1, 2015
Mitch n Cheryl,
I had missed this thread when originally posted.
So sorry for the continuing repairs :/
Do not kick yourself too hard "Should've bought new". Ive met ppl with newer Full-Timer, Quality Brand rigs who have had problems that never should have happened. One repairman told me the build quality has gotten really bad since the economic problems in RV industry in 2008. Probably
Aurora Borealis said
09:30 AM Jun 1, 2015
Anyway, i think the answer is that we and future Dreamers should plan a larger budget for and expect repairs. Also, studying rig workings n maintenance before leaving home would be a good idea.
But the best thing is, Mitch's job! It is such a good fit for you two.
Someday said
01:13 PM Jun 1, 2015
It appears that whether you have a new or previously enjoyed RV, some have next to zero problems, or are so handily inclined (not us!) they can do most repairs themselves which doesn't seem to phase them keeping their repair costs down, and just a minor inconvenience in their travels.
For some others it affects their business plans if working on the road, and having to pay the high door rates for professional (hopefully!) repairs can wreck havoc with a tight budget/nest egg. You get a handful that have zero problems on their new rigs and others that seem to spend months at the dealership at time of delivery trying to resolve bad build/quality issues that should never have occurred and then after the fact appear to spend other times still at repair facilities with ongoing issues. Likewise with a used rig that maybe has had neglect by the previous owners from being kept well serviced. Then there's those that have picked up a great used rig a few years old that the previous owners got all the bugs ironed out of and it's been a wonderful rig for the second/third owners. To a large degree it really is luck of the draw and relying on folks honesty and integrity when purchasing from them.
The best piece of advice we received was from BarbaraOK - put 10% cost of the rig in an emergency/repair budget from the outset, and allocate a portion of your expense budget to keep adding/replace it accordingly. When we needed a new engine two years ago this really saved our bacon, likewise when our fridge died last year and so on and so forth.
Cheryl and Mitch have updated their status every 3 or 4 days on their blog which I clicked on in their signature above, and sounds like they are playing doting grandparents to a new puppy at times that they are enjoying whilst awaiting their rig repairs, and if I recall correctly are expecting something positive by Saturday???? Anyway it's all on their blog.
Barbaraok said
05:02 PM Jun 1, 2015
Glad to know my advice was helpful. Wish I could say it was all mine, but I was also told that when we were still looking about 10 years ago. Saved us a couple of times, and glad it has helped others.
Barb
cherylbrv said
05:17 PM Jun 2, 2015
June 2nd and still waiting for the repairs to be finished. Now they're saying they're having "adjustment problems". Also still waiting for the tank to be delivered. So very grateful our daughter and son-in-law are letting us live with them. Still....
Trikester said
08:01 PM Jun 2, 2015
Cheryl and Mitch, our thoughts remain with you, rooted in an empathy derived from dealing with our own RV from hell, an '07 Teton built from ossified fecal material. No great insights to offer. But there's an empathy from here to there (Des Moines at the moment to Raleigh at the moment). Thank goodness for family.
-- Edited by Trikester on Tuesday 2nd of June 2015 08:02:36 PM
Genecolleen said
07:19 AM Jun 3, 2015
Cheryl, sorry to hear about your trials. We also had to bite the bullet this year. Had a transmission go down on out truck. $14000. Warranty covered $7000 but that left me owing $7000. Like you I was extremely worried about depleting savings. Decided to put on a credit card, then transferred to my Discover with no interest for 18 months. Had to pay a 3% fee. Then the money I was going to replenish savings with I used to make payments. In 13 more months it will be paid off, and I still have my nest egg if there is another emergency. Keep your great attitude, remember it's an adventure!
cherylbrv said
02:01 PM Jun 3, 2015
We learned that the part we've been waiting for was lost by the warehouse! They claim they're shipping another one which should be here early next week. Not holding my breath. Bill - love your description!
marianne57 said
06:29 PM Jun 3, 2015
Trikester wrote:
Cheryl and Mitch, our thoughts remain with you, rooted in an empathy derived from dealing with our own RV from hell, an '07 Teton built from ossified fecal material. No great insights to offer. But there's an empathy from here to there (Des Moines at the moment to Raleigh at the moment). Thank goodness for family.
-- Edited by Trikester on Tuesday 2nd of June 2015 08:02:36 PM
Back on (or is it still on) the roller coaster ride. It would sure be nice if life wasn't all ups & downs and had a few steadies thrown in.
First, we learned that the gray tank which was supposed to be replaced this week was not delivered yet and won't be until next week! We deliberately came here a month early to make sure we didn't run into a parts problem. Oh well, it is what it is. And this part is the good news, compared to what comes next....
Regarding the slide: after they took the bedroom apart to get to the mechanics that work the slide, it was discovered that the entire floor and wall are rotted. Apparently, there must have been some kind of water leak a long time ago which rotted it all out (and this is what caused the slide not to work properly). Since this is a maintenance issue, it will not be covered by the warranty, and we're looking at a minimum of $5,000 to repair, not to mention who knows how many more days in a hotel. This is not something that could have been detected during the inspection; the only way to find out was to take the whole thing apart. Oh, I also didn't mention that all 10 tires need to be replaced. They are in good condition on the outside, but are more than 5 years old, and why temp fate?
So tomorrow we need to make a decision: clean out our nest egg to pay for this or take what we can get in a sale and give up the lifestyle. With Mitch's new job about to start, it will give us a chance to replenish the funds little by little, so I think the answer is pretty clear (stay). I guess we have to consider ourselves blessed that we even have the money in the bank to make that decision, although it's very scary if we have another big repair up the road.
I just want to know when this is going to end. But then again, it could happen in a sticks & bricks house as well. Things break down, wear out, go bad, and need to be fixed. Better our home than our bodies, although it's true for that too.
Sorry that you are having so many troubles - hope things start looking up SOON!
Really sorry Cheryl, and hopefully the repairs don't come to as much as what they think! I'm glad you're hanging in, because you are both an inspiration to many of us yet waiting. I know we'll have issues too, but to see how you guys are hanging in, is really great and we can learn from you. I hope that your streak ends now, and you can both enjoy your new life without any further issues until you rebuild some savings again! Take care and best of luck to you!
Soooo sorry to hear of your news! I'm sure it's heartbreaking. If you enjoy the lifestyle it's too soon to give up. At least you are both still working, right?
You both have been such an inspiration to those of us coming behind you. Good luck with whatever you decide.
Leslie
Cheryl and Mitch,
Wow, I just really feel for you guys. You've been the epitome of staying the course in the face of adversity. and I certainly hope you can continue to do so. But in the end, you have to do what's best for you.
Wish the best for you and may much better luck come your way!
Thanks for sharing, we feel your pain and can relate. Last year was tough for us but we remain encouraged that better times lay ahead. We believe this to be true for you also. Learn and remember, but keep your eyes on the road ahead and don't flinch. Our money is on you having an awesome experience real soon, that will put all of this in perspective.
Passing along "positive waves" (Elliot Gould line in Kelly's Heros).
Sorry to hear of your hardships. You'll never get away from the constant maintenance involved in an RV. Even if you can do all the repairs yourself, it can be costly and tedious. Than if you have to pay someone all the time to do it for you...............Be prepared to have a huge wallet. Some people get the impression that selling everything and living in an RV will be an "easier" and "more affordable" lifestyle. There is no free lunch. An RV will require more maint. and upkeep than a "S & B" as most refer to. Don't get me wrong you can run the RV and do absolutely nothing to it as far as maint. and upkeep but it's not going to last long. To top it off..............Most of these RV's were never intended to be lived in 365 days of the year. All it takes is a little neglect and things go bad very fast. That's another thing when buying "used".
Hopefully you get things figured out and on track.
-- Edited by TRAILERKING on Tuesday 12th of May 2015 10:39:37 PM
Cheryl, in other posts you stated that my positive attitude was inspiring, but you need to know that you inspire me. Yes we had challenges getting on the road and a challenging first 3 months on the road but since then we've been on the waves, it seems like you guys have yet to hit a peaceful plateau before the next wave comes crashing in. Just know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Thanks everyone. We decided to stay the course. We worked and prayed too hard for this dream of ours for the past 4 years and to give it up for yet another financial setback is silly. We're grateful that we have a nest egg to dig into for this, although it's very scary since this egg is supposed to last for 3 years and after this, we'll be lucky if it gets us through 1 more year. But this is the lifestyle we've chosen and we're not ready to give it up.
We met with the technician, the project manager and his boss today. They're looking at a baseline of 30 hours, but if they have to rebuild the wall as well, possibly 40 hours or more. They're talking weeks before the rig will be ready and probably more money than we said.
I think what makes this so horrible is the cause of the problem, which was a water leak that had been going on for a while to cause the rot (most likely from the washing machine because the pipe runs under the bed). Apparently the leak was fixed, which means the previous owner knew about this and never told us. And because it was hidden under the floor and inside the walls, there was no way for an inspector to discover it (we had a private inspector and the warranty company inspect it). Due to the rot, that weakened all the screws which came out or loose, which caused the slide to retract in a lopsided way, eventually not completely closing on one side.
For now, our daughter is letting us stay with her for about a week until we figure out where we can live until the rig is ready. We may need to miss the Reunion rally, although our rig is at that campground, but we can't stay in it.
But there is a silver lining... Mitch is starting a new job on Monday, which happens to be in Raleigh where our daughter lives. So at least there'll be some income in the meantime.
Lesson learned: buy NEW. Even if there are a lot of problems, at least it's all under warranty and not hidden problems from a previous owner.
There is nothing you can do about what a previous owner should have told you - just like buying a house, you never know what problems they don't disclose. And you're not the only one who has had to lay out $$$$ for problems that you should have been told about but weren't. A lot of us have had that happen, you just pull that belt a little tighter and figure out a way to make it work. But if you dwell on it, it will only hurt you - so look at this as another type of adventure where your good humor, sense of adventure, and a caring, willing, & loving partner will get you through it.
Barb
So sorry to hear about Mitch & Cheryl's problem with their RV. I am glad y'all are going to make the needed repairs and continue to live your dream. We purchased a house back east and the the previous owners failed to mention a lot of issues/problems with the house....our home inspector must have been visually challenged too because he failed to catch several large problems with the house. Lesson learned, we made the needed repairs (out of pocket) and made a ton of great memories in the house we lovingly called our money pit. It was in much better shape when we sold it and we had the peace of mind knowing we didn't take advantage of anyone.
-- Edited by azrving on Friday 15th of May 2015 10:15:38 AM
Hugs!
I believe Cheryl & Mitch, that despite your current challenges, as all of us endure in this life, that at least you are traveling thru this adventure with each other, and now get to continue to share your lives with your daughter.
May God continue to Bless your lives, Tim
-- Edited by Jake62 on Friday 15th of May 2015 02:39:29 PM
I know it sucks going through it (and most of us have been there), but you will get through it :)
So sorry to hear of your latest troubles. I hope things pick up soon. You guys are in our thoughts.
Dave & Troy
Oy vey! Sorry to hear about this, Cheryl. I'm glad you decided to stay the course, though. You'll find a way to make it work, and you'll be glad you did in the long run, I'm sure. Hang in there!
David & Cheryl
Hey Cheryl and Mitch,
I know this has become a wee bit of an old thread, but how are you guys doing? Hangin' in there ok? Hope the diagnosis on your rig wasn't as bad as expected.
For some others it affects their business plans if working on the road, and having to pay the high door rates for professional (hopefully!) repairs can wreck havoc with a tight budget/nest egg. You get a handful that have zero problems on their new rigs and others that seem to spend months at the dealership at time of delivery trying to resolve bad build/quality issues that should never have occurred and then after the fact appear to spend other times still at repair facilities with ongoing issues. Likewise with a used rig that maybe has had neglect by the previous owners from being kept well serviced. Then there's those that have picked up a great used rig a few years old that the previous owners got all the bugs ironed out of and it's been a wonderful rig for the second/third owners. To a large degree it really is luck of the draw and relying on folks honesty and integrity when purchasing from them.
The best piece of advice we received was from BarbaraOK - put 10% cost of the rig in an emergency/repair budget from the outset, and allocate a portion of your expense budget to keep adding/replace it accordingly. When we needed a new engine two years ago this really saved our bacon, likewise when our fridge died last year and so on and so forth.
Cheryl and Mitch have updated their status every 3 or 4 days on their blog which I clicked on in their signature above, and sounds like they are playing doting grandparents to a new puppy at times that they are enjoying whilst awaiting their rig repairs, and if I recall correctly are expecting something positive by Saturday???? Anyway it's all on their blog.
Barb
Cheryl and Mitch, our thoughts remain with you, rooted in an empathy derived from dealing with our own RV from hell, an '07 Teton built from ossified fecal material. No great insights to offer. But there's an empathy from here to there (Des Moines at the moment to Raleigh at the moment). Thank goodness for family.
-- Edited by Trikester on Tuesday 2nd of June 2015 08:02:36 PM
Cheryl, sorry to hear about your trials. We also had to bite the bullet this year. Had a transmission go down on out truck. $14000. Warranty covered $7000 but that left me owing $7000. Like you I was extremely worried about depleting savings. Decided to put on a credit card, then transferred to my Discover with no interest for 18 months. Had to pay a 3% fee. Then the money I was going to replenish savings with I used to make payments. In 13 more months it will be paid off, and I still have my nest egg if there is another emergency. Keep your great attitude, remember it's an adventure!
Bill,
LOVE that analogy!!! Funny!!!