Wondering What's Your Biggest RV Trouble?

Kent & Cathie · Joined: 16 Oct 2008 Posts: 41 Location: Veneta Oregon

Hi,
I am wondering about what RV related problem causes the most
trouble for other RVers?

I have 2, but the common RV refer is by far the first.

Temperamental, need to be level, often with open flame, heavy,
expensive, and hard to remove/repair/reinstall are a few items.

Next is the standard RV plumbing/water system with its maze of crimped Quest fittings that are buried behind and under places that cannot be reached with any ease, or not at all.

Any comments?
_________________
1988 Jayco 24.5 , 5er
"assembled" 1 ton Peterbilt flatbed dump
with '63 cab & hood, supercharged 454,
Allison 545 4 speed auto, 373 rear gears,
19.5 's

azbound · Joined: 14 Oct 2008 Posts: 20 Location: Redding, Ca.

Tires and the damage a blowout can cause. Then plumbing: it's like they think you will never have a problem so they make access as difficult as possible.
Back to tires, these Chinese tires that so many new RV trailers, especially 5ers, come with are a blowout looking to happen. You would think with as much discussion as there has been on various RV forums that they would stop equipping them on new units. If your trailer comes with "G" rated tires, I believe there is only one made in the USA. All others may sound American but if you check the fine print on the tire, it says Made in China. Commonly referred to as Chinese Bombs.
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Gary & Janet
azbound
2009 Bighorn 3400RL
Chevy 3500HD Duramx/Alison

gasbag · Joined: 13 Nov 2005 Posts: 285 Location: Washington State

Our biggest problem is not being able to use it as much as we want to.

TannerBee · Joined: 28 Oct 2006 Posts: 702 Location: Rock Hill, SC

The highest maintenance item on my old coach is my wife's hair. She MUST have 110VAC to run TWO curling irons even if we are going for a two-mile hike in the woods during a misting rain. I might add that the longest hair on her head is about 2".

Seriously, we haven't had anything that has been a constant pain, and we've made small repairs and improvements (some not so small) over the two-plus years since we 'won' on eBay. My reefer, a Norcold, is not the least bit sensitive about level. I recently left it on propane overnight while we visited some in-laws, and I bet the rear wheels were five inches below the fronts.

While changing the oil a couple of weeks ago I noticed that the swaybar bushings were totally shot, so I replaced them and ordered new shocks all round. I've also replaced all the tires and had a front end alignment. The generator has had its spells, but only a couple of times. I hope my luck holds!
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Floyd and Tanner
Coachmen Santara 35
Rock Hill SC

Time is either spent or invested.

Kent & Cathie · Joined: 16 Oct 2008 Posts: 41 Location: Veneta Oregon

Hi,
I apologize if this kind of a question has offended anyone.

I do not want to just "talk down" RVs or the manufacturerers.

My concern is genuine, and am hoping to find some way to avoid
or minimize the troubles that others have had with thier RVs as
I work to redo an older Jayco.

From a service point of view, I just do not understand why some
things like the small plumbing leaks are still built in a way that makes
repair so difficult.

I will gladly agree with the notion of not having enough time
to use the RV parked out in the "RV parking" spot at home is
a big one and with no easy answer for many of us.

I do notice some might be "fulltiming" and writing RV-related books,
perhaps sending the "work" to the publisher by remote satellite
from a nice boondock campsite.
That sounds like a good way to make use of what is there to use.

As for the tires from China blowing up, that's a safety issue for
anybody driving on the same roads as well as for the owner.
To me, there is just no good excuse for a manufacturer to continue
to equip "new" rigs with something that has not worked out.

Thanks for your replies. kentr
_________________
1988 Jayco 24.5 , 5er
"assembled" 1 ton Peterbilt flatbed dump
with '63 cab & hood, supercharged 454,
Allison 545 4 speed auto, 373 rear gears,
19.5 's

retired and happy · Joined: 06 Nov 2005 Posts: 303 Location: Stone Mountain GA

LEAKS! Be sure to check appropriate seams and recaulk as needed...or whatever method for sealing you choose. I used Eternabond tape on my roof edge seams and that seems to work well except where obstructions require cutting or fitting the tape around things such as awning mounts.
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Ken
Judy and our Special Angels
1996 37' Itasca Suncruiser
6x12 cargo trailer
2003 EZGO golf Cart

tartan23455 · Joined: 16 Jul 2006 Posts: 25

"From a service point of view, I just do not understand why some
things like the small plumbing leaks are still built in a way that makes
repair so difficult."

I would suggest that if you can find a manufacturer that is still open and producing a product, you take the time to take a tour of their processes. It will explain a lot of things AND make it clear why they do things the way they do. This does not mean there isn't room for improvement, but improvement must be tempered with profitability. And the old saying is true, "You get what you pay for."
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Rick & Gail
1997 MADP
2004 JGC

Motor31 · Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2008 8:35 am Post subject:

Biggest problem RVing? Paying for the lifestyle including fuel to go see the places we want to visit. Razz

Second biggest problem? Deciding what to go see.
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Mike, Nancy and the Fuzzies
2005 MS 38 RL3
2001 Volvo MH (HDT)
2004 R1150RT (piggyback)
1996 Jeep Cherokee (toad)

Hollea · Joined: 13 Dec 2005 Posts: 1

My biggest RV problem is getting my husband to relax and stay in one place longer than a day or two. After that he is itching to hit the road again. Me, I would like to stay in one spot and explore the area so that is why this year we are getting either electric bikes or small scooters so we can zip around. We do not stay in campsites as he feels enclosed like in jail in one of those, and we can camp like that in our driveway. So we like small towns and off the beaten pathway to explore. We pull a 2004 21-foot BigFoot trailer so it is now 5 years old. Bought it in 2003 with our car and other than adding another fresh water tank and another battery to the trailer, had no complaints with it and we have travelled the perimeter of the US from BC to California to Florida to Maine, Nova Scotia, PEI, Quebec and across Canada to BC. The next trip was from BC to Mexico and we toured the whole perimeter of Mexico, entered in California and came out in Texas, and then went back to BC. Now this winter we will go to Florida and North Carolina areas. And hopefully I will be able to rein in my husband"s yen for the open road, and sit and stay a spell in one spot.
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Going to Mexico this month

tarscampbell · Joined: 19 Apr 2008 Posts: 5 Location: Portland, Oregon

The coach part has been trouble free including the refigerator. Our problems have been mechanical. This is on an Oshkosh chassis'

Dropped the ring and pinon twice at $2500.00 for each repair. since it is a pusher I beleive we were taken for a ride on the price.

Other than that at just under 100K on a 1987 36' Foretravel Grandvilla Gas pusher its just been the little normal maintenace issues you would expect for any vehicle. mpg at just 5 towing and 6 not towing,

Our other RV is a 1989 Ford 27' Telestar 7.3 diesel however has to be level perfect for the refer to work, then thats pretty much if it feels like it. It is a very good rv except for the refer. Gets a solid 10 mpg pretty much no matter what.

woman_who_sees · Joined: 22 Aug 2006 Posts: 4

Bill & I started fulltiming a year ago and have been volunteering most of the time since. The only problem we have is trying to keep warm here in South Dakota (LOL). Very Happy

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Janice Peacock

Dustytuu · Joined: 07 Nov 2005 Posts: 145 Location: Colorado

We have been lucky to not have any problems with this coach. Have had 4 different brands of 5th wheels and all have been pretty much trouble free. Had to have the fridge and AC replaced in a Montana we had before this one, but under warranty.
Of course, this Carriage cost as much as a house in some areas.
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D & D
2 Schnauzers & cat
2008 Carriage Carri lite 36SBQ,
W/D, dishW.
2008, 5500 Dodge, Laramie cab.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/Dustytuu/forwallpaper.jpg

"Criminals like gun control"
http://photobucket.com/albums/y250/Dustytuu/

DXSMac · Joined: 30 Apr 2008 Posts: 619 Location: Pacific Northwest

Actually, knock on wood, my repair problems have been minor. My WORST problem was having my GPS take me up a dead end street with no place to turn around so I had to drive backwards down a hill and around a blind curve. SCARY! Exclamation

Oh yeah, there was also the time I drove to Palmdale, CA, and on Interstate 5, just south of Bakersfield, all the 18 wheelers show up at that point, you are hemmed in, and the road is horrible, you will feel like your RV is falling apart!

JJ
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Please check out my blog on RV'ing without a tow car:

http://rvingtoadless.blogspot.com/

Feel free to leave me any comments.

Desertthorn · Joined: 15 Nov 2005 Posts: 263 Location: Western Washington

Staying warm at night. Mr DH tightwad doesn't want to waste propane to keep us warm and if we are dry camping, I wear more clothes to bed than during the day.
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http://lynnehammonds.blogspot.com/

Kent & Cathie · Joined: 16 Oct 2008 Posts: 41 Location: Veneta Oregon

Hi,
Thanks for your replies.

We are grateful that our 20 year-old trailer does not leak yet since it was being used as a fulltime "apartment" until we bought it. The former owner kept up with that part. I will be trying out Eterna bond.

Now that the fall rains and flood of falling leaves have started, it is
becoming clear just how close the "outside" is to the "inside" of an RV.

No room to put out the awning, and many trips in and out for the remodel.

The cost will be more than wanted, and need to bump up our expectations
another $1,000 or so.

Still, 4 grand is lower than the 10 grand or so that is so easy to spend
for a better looking used rig. And I will have 6 grand or so of my labor time invested, if we were paying some shop to do these repairs.

What do they call that eye opening thing? Reticular activation or something. Now I am seeing 5th wheel trailers parked all over the landscape; many look as if they have not moved for some time.

kentr
_________________
1988 Jayco 24.5 , 5er
"assembled" 1 ton Peterbilt flatbed dump
with '63 cab & hood, supercharged 454,
Allison 545 4 speed auto, 373 rear gears,
19.5 's