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Topic: Shout out to the Forum members an their knowledge and example.  (Read 888 times) previous topic - next topic

Shout out to the Forum members an their knowledge and example.

So, last month marked 4 years owning our coach and living in it full time.  Having just acquired it in the thick of Covid with all the parts and service backups, taking ownership the week before the great Texas blizzard when both furnace and slide failed, and being told the parts for slide repairs could take months, I remember asking myself, "Oh my gosh, what have we gotten ourselves into?"  Coming from a small Class C to the Foretravel, it felt overwhelming and out of my league.  But, one of the members here helping me said, "I know it feels like drinking out of a fire hose, but hang in there, confidence will come with time, tenacity and asking questions here."

And so it has gone.  A visit here to read member posts is part of my daily routine, and once in a while I have something to offer.  I still stand in awe of many of you all.  Always in the back of my mind, "what if I screw it up?" when I tackle a project, and a spouse that worries even more than I do about that its been a journey and a learning curve.  I've done quite a number of basic upgrades and  routine maintenance, and over time have come to a point where I have a basic understanding of most systems, and the list of what I work on versus having it done in Nac has grown over time.  I really love our "home" and pride myself on keeping her in good shape either by myself or in the capable hands of the experts. Keith and his team have been super, and we've also learned the value (and cost savings) of making a trip to HWH every couple of years.

The past couple of months of travel have been a bit more challenging than usual.  Failed air dryer a few weeks ago (quick self-diagnosis and repair thank to the Forum and taking the advice to carry a by-pass, and a couple of other mechanical issues I was able to handle and keep us moving.

Since our December trip to Nac for a slide bladder replacement, the slide and leveling system had been acting up, forcing us to jump through hoops in getting the slide bladder to deflate because the auto-level kept failing and was causing the entire system to shut down. I made my calls to HWH and Keith and tried a few suggestions to no avail.  That's when I followed the example of the folks here and dug into those HWH manuals, troubleshooting guides, air and electric diagrams.  Again it felt overwhelming, but tenacity and confidence have paid off.  After studying the air systems (OK) then turning to the electrical side, I was finally able to track it down to a wiring connection and it ended up being a very simple fix of a wire hooked up to the wrong harness causing the system to shut down when auto-leveling was calling for air from the compressor.  I'm quite pleased with myself and have been thinking about how much confidence and knowledge thanks to you all.  I'm never going to be at the level of some folks here when it comes to diesel mechanics, and I'll still leave the big jobs to the experts, but its comforting to know in a pinch, we can handle the challenges as they come along.

So, this is a long-winded way of saying thank you to the Foretravel Owner's Forum and its moderators and members, especially those who have gone above and beyond in help and hand-holding over the past few years. To those of you new here and new to their coaches, I repeat the same advice given to me. "Hang in there, ask questions (there are no stupid questions), visit here frequently, stretch a little past your comfort zone and over time the knowledge and competency will come.   
Joe Phebus and Jaime Trujillo
2002 U270 3410  Build: 5953 Motorcader # 18595
2100 W Solar, 600 AH Battleborn Batteries,  Victron Multi-Plus II 3000 Inverter, Cerbo GX, & MPPT Chargers
1992 Geo Tracker

Re: Shout out to the Forum members an their knowledge and example.

Reply #1 –
Well said Joe. I share your sentiment.
Tom
Tom and Michelle 2004 U270 36WTFS

Re: Shout out to the Forum members an their knowledge and example.

Reply #2 –
I second Joes statements about the forum helping with problems and other things.
Ken & Peggy
91 GV  U300 40'
DD 6v92
Build #3819
2023 Canyon Denali 4x4 crew cab

Re: Shout out to the Forum members an their knowledge and example.

Reply #3 –
+1 for all of the above. I would be up the creek without this forum!  And would have a very large paper weight.
Jeff & Carolyn
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel

Re: Shout out to the Forum members an their knowledge and example.

Reply #4 –
Love it!

I always expand on the "there are no stupid questions" - if one member has a question, it's almost guaranteed 10 other members have the same question and others will have it in the future.  When you ask, you're actually helping many more people than just yourself.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Shout out to the Forum members an their knowledge and example.

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Michelle –
  When you ask, you're actually helping many more people than just yourself.
And that's the truth!
Jan & Richard Witt
1999 U-320  36ft WTFE
Build Number: 5478 Motorcade: 16599
2011 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited w/Air Force One
Jan: NO5U, Richard:KA5RIW
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Re: Shout out to the Forum members an their knowledge and example.

Reply #6 –
We have a similar story and the same view point. It's always easy to have someone else do it but always rewarding doing it yourself. The prior questions found in the history seem to be nearly endless. I have spent countless hours reading and following others prior paths. So much knowledge among so many current and prior posters.

Re: Shout out to the Forum members an their knowledge and example.

Reply #7 –
Quote from: dsd –
We have a similar story and the same view point. It's always easy to have someone else do it but always rewarding doing it yourself. The prior questions found in the history seem to be nearly endless. I have spent countless hours reading and following others prior paths. So much knowledge among so many current and prior posters.

And I have copied or put on my spares shelves several of your posts
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Shout out to the Forum members an their knowledge and example.

Reply #8 –
Jaime & Joe,

You guys met the challenge and now could plan on FullTiming in your coach for another 20 years, which is not even enough time to see all the best of US & Canada.  You may even find freedom from No-Expectations.

This is a built-in feature of all Foretravels and available to all who have met the challenge.  Many have taken advantage, and it works best One day at a time, and Don't let yesterday take up too much of today.
 

Re: Shout out to the Forum members an their knowledge and example.

Reply #9 –
Howdy, we met you in Tucson in a little wedge of boondocking BLM land early in your journey. You expressed many of my thoughts and emotions very well, except my spouse doesn't worry as she figures we will eventually figure stuff out. We were down all of December, January, and half of February sorting out the dreaded King Control failure. I keep remembering those brave pioneers on the Oregon Trail and tell myself, "Get a grip and pay attention to the basic laws of physics!" We would put the coach up for sale tomorrow if the forum were to go away. Can't do it without this little village. Thank you all.
1998 36 foot U270 Build No. 5328 WTFE, 900 watts solar, Victron controller, B2B, bat monitor, 600 AMPH lithium with 2018 Chevy Colorado toad, SKP #110239, Motorcade #17781, 2021 Escape 17B for when Coach is broken down and campsites are too small, retired and full-timer since Dec. 2020. Part of RV family since 1963.