Dedicated to those of us who still work for a living, RV on weekends and vacations, and dream of the day we can enjoy the RV lifestyle full time.
So You Want To Be an RVer?
You've Never Done What Before?
After a short wait, the tow vehicle arrived. The driver was very
courteous as he got on his radio and began asking for instructions
on how to tow a motorhome. My eyes grew to the size of saucers as
he told us he had never towed a motorhome before. Yikes! Our
ailing home-on-the-road was about to be entrusted to a man responding to
his first RV breakdown. We discussed things like weight ratings,
what each axle was capable of carrying, how much overhang protruded beyond
the rear wheels, and how he was worried his truck might not be capable
of handling a rig of our size. Then he got back on his radio and
discussed it some more with his boss.
With far more confidence than I was able to muster, he said he was ready
to begin. He positioned his truck, and the adventure began.
Needless to say, I was very relieved when "ol’ Wheel Estate" was hooked
up and ready to go. We all prayed silently that his truck would bear
the weight all the way to the repair facility. About that time the
driver asked “Do any of y’all know where this Ford truck center is located?”
Sorry, We're Not From Around Here
When we explained that, being from Pennsylvania,
we were totally unfamiliar with the location of anything in Durham,
North Carolina, the driver decided to check in again via radio with his
boss. Once given directions, he was able to get us safely to the
local Ford truck repair center.
After listening to our description of the motorhome's symptoms, the
Ford truck service manager's feeling was that our fuel pump had died.
He explained that a bad fuel pump will not fail until the ambient temperature
reaches 70 degrees. This explained why we saw no signs of a problem
when driving in the cold climes of Pennsylvania, but experienced a breakdown
after reaching the warmer temperatures of North Carolina. Since our
repair would likely be covered by our extended service contract, he would
need to perform some diagnostic tests before initiating repairs.
Extended service contractors will only cover repairs if this strict
diagnostic procedure is followed.
On Our Way At Last
We strongly recommend purchasing an extended service contract for any
motorhome not still under warranty, as serious repairs can be quite expensive.
It does come with some red tape, however, and ours came in the form of
a two day delay while the service center submitted the required information
in order to receive approval for coverage of the fuel pump replacement.
The benefits far outweigh the inconveniences, though, as repairs costing
thousands of dollars can be done for as little as a $50 deductible.
Our fuel pump finally replaced, we were at last on our way to our camping
destination. Even though delayed, our enjoyment was in no way diminished.
The remainder of our vacation went without incident. Our family once
again shared the special bond that drew us to the RV lifestyle in the first
place.
Although not typical of the usual RV vacation, our motorhome trip to
North Carolina serves as an example of what you may encounter when traveling
in a recreational vehicle. For us, it was a reminder of the importance
of thorough, regular maintenance, of carrying some form of emergency road
service and extended service contract, but more importantly, that all facets
of RV travel, even the problems, are part of the adventure - to be experienced
and enjoyed.
Our advice to those who are considering the RV lifestyle? Don't
let the complexities of the equipment deter you, there's always someone
qualified to repair and maintain your vehicle. Instead, look to the
benefits that await you and your family, the time together, the places
you will see. Before the kids are grown and gone, before you are
no longer able to explore the beauty our great country has to offer, consider
exploring the RV lifestyle, and remember - getting there is half
the fun.
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