My first solo trip. My list:
-2 SeeLevel monitors installed, one upstairs and one in the wet bay
-ZipDee awning repair, it's out of the track on one side, my fault.
-Tire Pressure monitor hard wire install
-Replace water filter under kitchen sink, a good way to see how everything works together, filtered water, instant hot and ice maker.
-Replace bulbs in right tail light, brakes and backup, turn signal bulb is fine.
James told me two to three days. I'll be staying in the coach. He preferred that I leave it there but its 3.5 hours away and I don't have a toad yet. I hope all goes smoothly. :D
Early on in our 15+ years of motorhome ownership, we learned it is ALWAYS best to stay with the coach if you can. The times we have not, items on the list weren't done or weren't done the way we expected. Being there to answer questions in person (and more importantly ASK questions) is worth it.
Stay with your coach as Michelle states. It gets done that way and you can be there to oversea it and the job is done better. Ask for Brad if you get a choice in Techs. He is good and knows the coaches and is an old FT employee from way back.
I put my See Level monitor in the front compartment over the stairs going out of the coach. Easy to see and to get out and adjust whatever needs it.
my experience is a big AMEN to staying with coach, and 2X as important at Tennessee RV. James Holder is a prince.
Thanks all. I'll keep the thread updated as we progress.
The first challenge is the route through the mountains. Slow and steady.
Sounds like simple enough repairs.......
My first trip to Tenn... was twice the estimate.."slide seal reported to have been glued in by HWH" 18 months earlier that required extra labor....., 2 slide lock pins ".... de-lamination found on slide......... replaced awning tube, every estimated task was at least 15-40% higher when finished. I don't believe this is terribly uncommon. I do roll my eyes when nothing ever comes in under or at estimated price.
The work done was done well. Well.....except for the paint overspray just noticed last week on top side of all rubber window seals on slide. But looks great from the ground!!
My only trip to Tenn RV ..... my "appointment" for work turned out to be an inspection/quote and work to start a week later..... 4 + weeks later work was complete. It may be because I didn't stay with my coach!!
Getting your Coach in the door the same day you arrive will be the difficult part. Hopefully no techs are sick, on vacation, or just short handed as they were last fall.
YMMV
David
I've got all week free. I don't need to be back at work until Saturday. Hoping for a good outcome.
When I arrived a few weeks ago, I was a day early as I wanted the Aqua Hot time to cool down for the tech, however James Holder was on a smoking break, met me at the door, nice chat, and he had a tech come get the coach and get to work. Had 3 issues I wanted attention on, main reason was the Aqua Hot, had a new 600 series installed at FOT, but the wiring harness had an issue, anyway Tenn RV repaired under warranty, 2nd reason was the dash air cond. had total quit, zero cool air, the tech did a very fine job trouble shooting and repair, the high pressure switch had failed/erratic so he replaced it, now works perfect again. That Tech sure knows the air cond. system. 3rd was a slow air leak on left rear air bag. Just had all new bags installed, again the tech found the problem quickly.
Had to stay over night, so they hooked me up outside to the 50 amp post, next AM, back in to complete the Aqua Hot issue, all done, I am smiling. Total charge was about $600.00, was fine with me.
Tenn RV is a large operation, large building, and they have a few very educated Foretravel guys including James Holder.
They encourage you to stay with your coach, everyone is happier.
Sounds familiar; can you tell me where to locate the High Pressure switch? thx
Hi Fiddler,
Yes, very easy, it is mounted at the a/c compressor on the high pressure line, the neat part, you can unscrew it, it is like a Schrader valve on a tire, so simple to remove & replace. mine became erratic, would work if you held it to one side. New one had new plug with wire harness, so nice, but think it was about $175.00 for the pressure switch, but they had it.
It will be better since you are there. My experience best described as "mixed" and that is being slightly generous....
I arrived an hour ago and so far I'm really impressed. James has been awesome, truly enthusiastic about my coach. Brad is my tech so I'm thrilled.
The trip over was dicey but the coach handled it better than I did. The first half was back mountain roads through severe storms. I may go back through Asheville, longer but much better roads.
I've already had one offer for my coach. 😄 no sale.
Say Hi to Brad for me. He is a great Tech
If your staying the night, you can walk next door to the Outback Steak Resturant, they treated me ok.
Enjoy
I'll be here until Friday morning waiting for parts.
I have done that before
Jeff, if you are going to live in the mountains, better get used to driving in the mountains. Boone to Strawberry Plains is mountain driving. Don't how you came down but my choice when in my coach is 421 to Mountain City then 67 down by Watauga Lake to Hampton, then 321 to I 26 in Johnson City to I 81 to I 40 to TN RV.
Heck, we used to drive all the way over the mountain to Winsto Salem on these roads.
Say Hi to Brad and to JamesHolder and if you see him, Roger.
Don't know if you have a towed but doesn't hurt to ask James for a loaner vehicle, for eating out or even shopping.
Learn to drive in the mountains. Take it slow and easy and down shift a bunch going down hill and know your corners and how to get around tight turns. It is fun to drive that way but it is hard on the fuel milage. I live in the mountains and can not get anywhere without driving thru them. Well, I live in the valley technically so I have to climb them to get out.
It's not the roads that bothered me, it was lightning, blinding rain and wind. 😄
Ha, just slow down. You will be fine in a heavy rig and deep treaded tires. Now you only have to worry about the other guy.
John, Brad said to tell you hello.
Both James and Brad mentioned you today and send their best.
Good thing is you got your A/C working. That pressure switch is a $15 to $50 part, though. I guess with markup though?!?
Hello Jeff please give my regards to James and Brad for me also! As all have said you are in capable hands. Have they finished the overnight hookup renovation?
There is also an excellent restaurant on the east bound side of the exit, near the on ramp, name escapes me right now.
See you soon.
Tony,
Yes, they had a spot for me to spend the night off the end of shop in the area toward the Outback Resturant, good 50 amp post.
That little restaurant over on the southeast side of the ramp at exit 398 is Puleos. Need wheels to get over there, I would think.
I am borrowing a car today to get supplies at the grocery store. I prefer eating in. :D
Work is progressing. Tire pressure monitor is hardwired and complete. Nice piece of mind being able to see that info.
My awning lock is jambed. They are working on that now as well as installing the SeeLevel.
My non working ice maker/instant hot/filtered water is being caused by a bad filter head. The part should arrive today and I'll be able to use all of those.
As you would expect from Steve Mudd the coach has an amazing stereo. I discovered that he had a lifetime XM subscription which I was able to transfer to me today without a fee. The equalizer is showing the the radio is receivable an XM signal but I can't hear it. Brad thinks it's a bad receiver circuit board. All the wiring checks out. I'll find an installer when I get home.
I'm learning so much. These guys are awesome.
Fun isn't it to perfect these. You get to enjoy the results.
(https://www.foreforums.com/imagecache.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi57.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fg221%2Fjyarchin%2Fdcfcb3b296cc51139d97e3d114c9c153_zps3lwuwiep.jpg&hash=2b8a45cc58d79ae2cf2975acbb2aeec1" rel="cached" data-hash="2b8a45cc58d79ae2cf2975acbb2aeec1" data-warn="External image, click here to view original" data-url="http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g221/jyarchin/dcfcb3b296cc51139d97e3d114c9c153_zps3lwuwiep.jpg)
Almost done. I'm am thrilled with the work and with the crew here. Ice maker, filtered water and instant hot all work.
Tank monitors are wired and they will finish the job in the morning.
The awning is fixed and I feel much better knowing I didn't break it. They found that it had storm damage that wasn't fixed correctly. It was just a matter of time.
The missing mirror hasn't arrived but it snaps it and they will ship it to me.
Beyond all this the time spent with Brad and James was priceless. I learned so much about the coach and how it works. I no longer feel completely overwhelmed.
It was all in all a fantastic trip. I'm looking forward to getting home tomorrow and parking the coach until next weekend. I'm heading to visit a friend in Virginia Beach.
XM has been transferred to my name and works. I had a local tech come over to to figure out why I wasn't able to get a signal. $20 later and it works.
It may sound like heresy but I removed the Crystal Ship decal. If you weren't a hard core doors fan the name has Meth overtures from Breaking Bad. It just wasn't us. We will honor the previous owner by taking great care of the coach.
I don't think anyone will be offended by removal of the decal.
Dang Jeff,
That coach looks smooth and sharp viewing the above picture!!! I hope to figure out how to get with the crowd gathering in hendersonville in a few weeks.
David
Jeff, I don't think that anyone will be offended. After, you have to make it "yours".
Larry