When we started this journey, we researched the various RV dealerships for their reliability. It’s no secret that there are a lot of shenanigans that go on in any kind of vehicle dealership. Increase that a 1,000x’s for RV’s.
We settled on a local place, that sold us on their guarantee to, ‘keep us camping’. Supposedly we could drive into their service department anytime they’re open, and they would usher us in, to fix whatever was needed. Our research also told us that every time you pulled an RV down the road, a small earthquake happens inside. Be prepared for mini fixes, like reattaching trim, or cleaning up spills. Having this camping guarantee was monumental to us.
HA! HA,HA,HA!!
Our first pull, all of 4 miles, left us with trim over the bed that came off, and a slide wall that bent. We had reservations in Michigan 7 days away and there was no way they could fix either of those things in that timeframe.
Sigh…
Gorilla Tape here we come! I managed to reattach the trim over the bed with the tape and it lasted for 5 months. Bruce ended up buying a small nailer to repair trim, (this wasn’t the only piece we lost) and we kept going. The wall would have to wait till we could find the same dealership, in a new place. They have them all over the country. Another plus in our dealer decision.
Side comment: Bruce believes that RV’s shouldn’t be sold to unhandy people
We tried to have it repaired while we were in Michigan for a month, but they couldn’t get us in before we were scheduled to leave. Now we had to live with un-repaired things, until we landed somewhere for an extended period of time. That wouldn’t be till November in North Carolina.
There wasn’t a convenient dealership in the area
In Pennsylvania our hall roof leaked during a torrential rain storm. What to do? Our shower roof also sprung a leak. While the floor would survive, long term roof problems happen when roof leaks are not repaired quickly. We called a mobile repair service and he managed to fix it enough, so that the roof would survive till it was fully repaired.
Our real hope was Mesa AZ. Bruce found a repair shop next door to our campground. The guy was certified in our brand (Grand Design) and willing to do the work. Parts had to be ordered but the question was whether or not they’d arrive before we left. You’d think these things are managed in timely ways.
You’d be wrong
We left AZ un-repaired, and began our route back to the Midwest. Bruce scheduled the RV to be repaired at the place we bought it. After arriving in IL, we hauled it to the dealership on a Friday, thinking they would spend the day looking it over, then schedule a time to repair it. We had reservations to park it nearby, live in it till the parts were in, then take it back when they were ready for it.
They said they wanted to keep it for a week beginning right now!
With no place to go, and no wheely house to park, we called some friends and landed in their guest room for 5 nights. We left Milo with our daughter, her 75lb dog, and a cat. He was NOT happy. Our friends graciously fed us 3x’s a day, (they had a meal plan), allowed us to roam free, use their laundry, and even held an early birthday celebration, inviting our kids to join us.
But I missed my house
When Bruce scheduled a time to pick up the RV, assuming it had been repaired and that it was waiting for us, he learned that they hadn’t done anything to it. They’d kept it for a week without fixing anything!
We were a bit, uhmmmm, angry?! At a minimum, frustrated
Maybe this is how the process works for RV’s. Especially for people who only camp from time to time. But this is our main living abode! Our lives are in that vehicle. Yes, we have a storage unit, but our daily lives are in that RV. It felt like we’d given up our home for nothing.
New plan…
We changed our camp reservations and stayed in Elgin vs Wisconsin. After we leave this camp, the RV will be at the dealership while we stay in West Dundee, at an Extended Stay. The Dealership is paying for both our camping fees and our time in ES.
Did I mention that flexibility is non-negotiable for this life?
Because we’d done so much research we weren’t put off by the repair needs. We’d spoken to people on the road who bought new RV’s that had worse repair problems, with little to no help from their dealerships. It was the lack of communication from ours that was so frustrating.
Lesson learned – ask more specific questions
We are so blessed in our friendships of many years, and have been happy to be around the people we call ‘family’ since our arrival. And we look forward to seeing more of them in the coming days and weeks. But wow, the challenges of living on the fly!
Fortunately, Milo has forgiven us
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