*Update* trouble on I-5

Topic: *Update* trouble on I-5 (Read 2895 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Update trouble on I-5

Reply #75 – November 09, 2015, 07:58:41 pm

Of course, that's what motorcades are all about-traveling together, with a mechanic.

Re: Update trouble on I-5

Reply #76 – November 09, 2015, 08:39:11 pm

Quote from: Mark Duckworth – November 09, 2015, 06:07:45 pm

2) You will get past it. At least I hope you will. I have. I caught up wtih everything and hte coach is still enjo
yable. Still every time I drive it I have $10K waiting to be spent in a worst case scenario. I think that is good advice too. Every time you drive it be prepared for a breakdown, be preapred to spend $10K. It's stress I never knew I had to deal with and finding the inner peace to roll with it is a challenge.

And of course like an idiot. I went out to show the coach to a friend and left this page up, And who do you guess read the 10K per trip statement. Yep, The wife. So she says it's time to sell. Nice!! Now I need to fight that front as well as the coach.

Re: Update trouble on I-5

Reply #77 – November 09, 2015, 10:08:51 pm

You need another opinion. If everytime you get in your coach to go anywhere you are expecting a breakdown, expecting a $10K repair and living in fear then don't do it. Start with shorter trips, learn how your coach works, build confidence with experience. Go further, go longer, be confident. Do the reasonable and practical maintenance. Do the reasonable and practical preventative work.

Stuff happens, things need to get fixed. Get CoachNet. Put some money aside just in case as you would do for any other aspect of your life. Leave the fear behind and have fun. Make this experience your own, live by the rules your own experience dictates.

Re: Update trouble on I-5

Reply #78 – November 09, 2015, 10:47:25 pm

Bob, who is "you". A positive attitude and some encouragement here would be nice.

Re: Update trouble on I-5

Reply #79 – November 09, 2015, 10:52:51 pm

Load up, head somewhere close for a long weekend and go camping in your camper.
Put the awnings out ,build a campfire, have some cocktails,grill a steak and enjoy camping in comfort. It'll be Great!!

Re: Update trouble on I-5

Reply #80 – November 09, 2015, 11:07:56 pm

It's not that you will spend $10K *every* trip. Most trips you will spend nothing. But it's possible! You have to be prepared for the possibility mentally. It makes dealing with the $500 24 hour delays that happen now and again a little easier. I think it's just the issue with moving an entire house around. What else are you going to do, buy a boat?! lol that's like $30K per trip and they can sink while you're at it.

And as for what Roger said, sorry. I get some anxiety every time I drive the coach. But regardless of said anxiety the experience is worth it. It is a risky and potentially very expensive experience. You can't check out mentally and stick your head in the sand because if something bad DOES Happen you'll go off the deep end. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst is a recipe for a happy life. At the same time, I think I find a lot MORE anxiety because we are fulltimers and we have no house to retreat to. If it burns, if I crash it, if we are robbed, we have major problems on our hands.

Re: Update trouble on I-5

Reply #81 – November 10, 2015, 07:42:39 am

Quote from: bigdog – November 09, 2015, 08:39:11 pm

And of course like an idiot. I went out to show the coach to a friend and left this page up, And who do you guess read the 10K per trip statement. Yep, The wife. So she says it's time to sell. Nice!! Now I need to fight that front as well as the coach.

I've never heard of anyone for whom that "10K per trip" statement is even remotely accurate. I think most people spend perhaps a few thousand during the first year of ownership making some combination of necessary repairs and desired (but not required) upgrades. Please encourage you wife by telling her that once you've spent the money you've already spent on repairs you have almost certainly taken care of the major issues and that future necessary repairs should be far less expensive. We thoroughly enjoy using ours, and I think your wife will soon learn to enjoy yours once you really start using it.

Re: Update trouble on I-5

Reply #82 – November 10, 2015, 08:34:04 am

bigdog, please don't give up, tell Mrs. bigdog that it really does get better....my coach sat for about 8 years in the hot FL sun, 1st check I wrote was for over $12,000 the day I "met" her...was happy to do it, 'cause then she was like new on the inside...since then, have only done stuff to be proactive & upgrade: tires, airbags, etc. though nothing initially wrong with the chassis, engine, or other major systems.

It really does get better....you just happened to get it all at once on day 1. Take the advice of the others, plan shorter, closer to home trips & take it a day at a time. You have an amazing resource here with this forum that most other brand owners don't have, don't give up the ship. Best to you both & hope to see you all down the road one day!

Re: Update trouble on I-5

Reply #83 – November 10, 2015, 08:38:03 am

As everyone knows, the truth of the matter is all "things" on planet earth deteriorate to include rocks (if you wait long enough). Among the most maintenance needy "things" are liveaboard boats and for that matter, children and adult children! One of the RV developmental steps for DW and myself was to accept that our MH was an additional monthly and annual expense EVEN if it never had a problem. If we owned a second home, bingo ... additional monthly expenses. And so it is with our motorhome. Our RV emotional index calmed down considerably after we just accepted the cost of having this adventure. And so it goes.

Re: Update trouble on I-5

Reply #84 – November 10, 2015, 09:21:47 am

Quote from: stump – November 09, 2015, 10:52:51 pm

Load up, head somewhere close for a long weekend and go camping in your camper.
Put the awnings out ,build a campfire, have some cocktails,grill a steak and enjoy camping in comfort. It'll be Great!!

This. At least give it a try, and see if it's all worth it. If so, great. If not, cut your losses now. No way of enjoying the experience unless both partners are happy, too small a space. Ownership expense can be managed, my biggest expense in 4 years has been, by far, tires. The 10K is for catastrophic expenses, rebuilt transmission, head, etc. Good maintenance and a thorough understanding of systems, along with the willingness to deal with things as they happen, twist a few wrenches yourself help to avoid catastrophes. Open checkbook ownership, while certainly pleasant, is only for some.

Re: Update trouble on I-5

Reply #85 – November 10, 2015, 10:37:51 am

After catastrophic losses during the stock market plunge (our broker was in the hospital with cancer for three months) and another catastrophic loss when our deceased broker's business was frozen for another three months, we considered selling our '89 coach. But, after debating we decided that the coach was paid for, that downsizing would put us in a "camper", that we would lose our opportunity to travel in security, we decided that, even tho tires, repairs, etc would come along, that we were better off with the Foretravel GV.

We have not regretted our decision (even with our impending engine repair cost) and strongly recommend you and the DW get out and pursue the DREAM you sought when you first bought your coach.
I always remember two sayings my Mother had: "She never saw an armored Brinks truck following a hearse," and "Coffins do NOT come with pockets!"

Re: Update trouble on I-5

Reply #86 – November 10, 2015, 11:24:07 am

Jerry,
There have been many good comments since you started this saga, and we both wish you all the best, and you will have great times in your coach once you can convince DW that it is a good plan. I guess I have to ask "what did DW have in mind "when you started off on the plan to get the FT from BC??
In my case when we found our first one, a GV that had not moved for several years, I was told "if you can fix the mechanical side I would love to clean up the inside"!! And, at that time we knew nothing about coaches, it did not run, the batteries were shot, and I could put the key into the cracks in the tires for over 1/4inch!! Two weeks later we drove it away for batteries, tires and then the air bags that I knew nothing about. The mechanics comments on those was "I would not have driven it across the yard!!
I have been guilty of many "bright ideas" that were dumped on DW over the years. Usually starting with "look what I have got"!! That would usually be an airplane in pieces that would eventually fly way after many airplane bucks etc!! Or, a car that need a lot of attention, and DW wou;ld have liked a new one for her instead of the constant fix one that she drove!!
We eventually, after a couple of years of great trips, traded the GV for the one that we have now, and that you saw. Some of my "Coach Bucks" spending has been due to me wanting things perfect, and not that they needed doing right here and now. We have never suffered a breakdown other than the tire incident with the metal extensions that broke off the valves stem at the rim, and then a bad wheel bearing on the way home again. The bearing had to be down to lack of maintenance and my lack of understanding the needs of a coach.
It is a steep learning curve that you unfortuatly ran into on the way home, but please let it go and get out and have fun.
Brian.

Re: Update trouble on I-5

Reply #87 – November 10, 2015, 12:25:49 pm

I did discuss with the wife having to put some money into an older coach that has sat for a time. For her it has been a few things that have happened to various motorized vehicles over the years, Along with our coach doing it's mutiny at the time it did. In hind sight it was a mistake on my part to not insist that we drive our car to take delivery of the coach, Then have the wife follow me home. Then she was cold the whole trip do to the AH not putting out any heat. (it was rainy & in the ^forties to fifty degrees) that didn't help in the least either.
She does see a motorhome as a great way to see the country & wants to do this, But has a deep rooted mistrust of vehicles. It will take a few uneventful trips change things. But in the mean time she will stew about it all winter till the weather turns warmer and we take our first trip.

Re: Update trouble on I-5

Reply #88 – November 10, 2015, 12:32:51 pm

Jerry,
As it appears you will be parking it for the winter make sure you winterize it thoroughly so you don't get any surprises in the spring just as you are leaving on the inaugural voyage. You don't need to earn any more bad marks!!
There are a lot of ways to do it and many good suggestions here on the forum. or, a PM if I can help, having done mine with help from other members.
Brian.

Re: Update trouble on I-5

Reply #89 – November 10, 2015, 12:34:57 pm

Anything as complicated as a motorhome will need attention and money. Before we decided to buy our '93 GV we spent lots of time speaking about expectations and what we might have to spend on upkeep. We learned most of the answers on this amazing forum.

My wife is my partner and we are sure to include each other in all of our big decisions from the beginning. Neither of us particularly like surprises and with both of us being on the same page tends to limit them. She is still not quite 'all in' yet but she giving it a try because she knows that this has always been a dream on mine. If after a couple of years she decides that she doesn't enjoy it, I'll sell the coach and will be grateful that she gave it a try. What fun would it be without your best friend at your side anyway?

The reality it that any home will require upkeep. They contain a bunch of complicated systems that have to work with each other to move these 15 ton beasts down the road.

We chose FT because we wanted the best. The bones are good. Parts and support are available and they were engineered to last.

I hope it works out for you. Safe travels.

Re: Update trouble on I-5

Reply #90 – November 10, 2015, 12:40:52 pm

Jerry, instead of winterizing why don't you consider taking a trip south?

Re: Update trouble on I-5

Reply #91 – November 10, 2015, 12:53:15 pm

Quote from: Jeff & Sandy – November 10, 2015, 12:40:52 pm

Jerry, instead of winterizing why don't you consider taking a trip south?

The wife is still working (Army Corp of Engineers). She plans on retiring in 12-18 months.

Re: Update trouble on I-5

Reply #92 – November 10, 2015, 01:14:18 pm

Susan is certainly my partner too. While we both have our own interests we work well together to get tasks and projects done. We collaborate with and enrich each other.

When we bought our FT it was after a few years of thinking and searching. Our agreement was that we would buy a coach and give it a fair run for five years and then reevaluate costs, benefits, other interests, health and mobility issues and anything else that might cause us to trade this adventure for some other adventure. It have been five years and we have enthusiastically re-upped for another five.

In the last five years we have been traveling for about 23 months. We have done upgrades, major fixes and things to make the coach our home. We have been to the most amazing places. We are now very much into the short drives and long stays after the road trip thinking wore off. And by far the best part has been meeting wonderful people along the way, great new friends and making a sincere effort to help other people on our Forum.

It is a lifestyle choice. We have had an RV for over 40 years so we were already into it. Budget time and money and get started. Give it a fair chance.nd after a few years look back and see what you have done, the people you have met, the time together and what it has come to mean to you. Maybe you will go another way. Probably not.

Re: Update trouble on I-5

Reply #93 – November 10, 2015, 01:17:18 pm

Our first trip didn't start too well either. We lifted up the seat on the "jackknife" sofa while looking for the pump motor because it wasn't working. The coach seat slammed down on the DW's head--one day after her cataract surgery!! Needless to say we were very worried.Got the pump working (connections were loose)
We were boondocking in Upper Michigan so no electricity. My generator is quite noisy so we ran a cord to our friend's Honda generator thru the front pass side window. A bat came in during the night and really freaked the DW out the next day, but Rocket thought it was neat, having a flying "mouse" to chase all over the coach.
First time out the driveway, going down the road, saw something black following us, kept watching, finally realized it was our 50A cord. Not good for it!!
About a month ago I backed the coach off our leveling ramps (the driveway slopes) and forgot to retract the HWH jacks--OOPS!!
Things happen but ultimately the reward of having one of these miraculous time machines is well worth the tribulations.

Re: Update trouble on I-5

Reply #94 – November 10, 2015, 01:29:04 pm

Quote from: nitehawk – November 10, 2015, 01:17:18 pm

Things happen but ultimately the reward of having one of these miraculous time machines is well worth the tribulations.

You are a poet, I hope you know it!

Affiliate Notice