Re: 1991 LD with 90k miles Reply #225 – May 05, 2018, 02:30:45 am Quote from: joel wiley - May 05, 2018, 02:05:08 amDo their behaviors differ from being in the car and the LD, and, if so, how? That might help to find solutions.Yes. In the car they are usually ok so long as the window is cracked for them. The reason I think they are carsick is because they both acted the same way when we drove Hwy 17 to Santa Cruz in my Corolla. My Malinois is generally fine in a vehicle, so when I first noticed panting and anxiety on that drive, I wasn't sure what was up. But when I realized they were both acting that way, it dawned on me the ride was making them sick. My dutch shepherd mix used to get very carsick as a puppy- glassy eyed, vomiting, the works. My Malinois gets a similar look in the RV while it's moving. And he keeps trying to get up to a window. I noticed he got up on the dinette seat and then the table to look out the window. I don't want him up there! I'll have to figure out some sort of way to keep the window by the dinette cracked without it being opened further, like the dowel thing, or to have dog-proof screen in there. And then maybe I'll put them in harnesses and buckle them into the dinette seats, which have seat belts. Not ideal, but better than having them pace and whine while I'm trying to drive.Lisa G
Re: 1991 LD with 90k miles Reply #226 – May 05, 2018, 08:12:59 am I know this won't help Lisa at this juncture but perhaps it could help those with pets who are contemplating traveling with said creatures. We have often wondered how our two cats would take to traveling in a RV. Since we presently do not have one, we have considered renting a RV to see how they handle it. What's a measly $1,000 rental fee when it comes to your fur-babies! 1 Likes
Re: 1991 LD with 90k miles Reply #227 – May 05, 2018, 03:18:10 pm Quote from: HiLola - May 05, 2018, 08:12:59 amWe have often wondered how our two cats would take to traveling in a RV. Since we presently do not have one, we have considered renting a RV to see how they handle it. What's a measly $1,000 rental fee when it comes to your fur-babies! My brother and sister-in-law just sold their house in Oregon and bought a class B RV which they drove down here to CA, and then to the NE (Maine, I think), with their cat. They said the cat loves it. But I believe he had taken the reverse trip with them some years ago in their car, so he was used to it. When I was a kid my dad made jewelry and I spent several summers on the road with him going to various art fairs around the country. It was him, my step-mom, a dog and at least one cat. Sometimes all of us in a Dodge van, sometimes with the luxury of a small trailer. When we'd stop at campgrounds they'd let the cat(s) out to wander. The cats always came back. The one time that really sticks out in my mind is when the cats kept bringing us baby rabbits. Too small for us to eat, but I believe the cats may have tried them. Those cats did not mind traveling in the van or the trailer at all.Lisa
Re: 1991 LD with 90k miles Reply #228 – May 05, 2018, 04:33:19 pm We have 3 small dogs. Daisy Mae,a Shi'tzu. Roxie,a Chihuahua,and Lucky,a mountain feist. All 3 are 10yrs+. They live traveling. Daisy Mae and Roxie sleep,and Lucky is alert,watching EVERYTHING that goes on.......especially if we happen to drop a crumb of food. But they all 3 travel well. Take those "Fur Babies"with you. They are part of the family.
Re: 1991 LD with 90k miles Reply #229 – May 05, 2018, 07:21:03 pm Quote from: Mrdronennut - May 05, 2018, 04:33:19 pmWe have 3 small dogs. Daisy Mae,a Shi'tzu. Roxie,a Chihuahua,and Lucky,a mountain feist. All 3 are 10yrs+. They live traveling. Daisy Mae and Roxie sleep,and Lucky is alert,watching EVERYTHING that goes on.......especially if we happen to drop a crumb of food. But they all 3 travel well. Take those "Fur Babies"with you. They are part of the family.Had to look uip "mountain feist". Thought you were talking about a snarly Heinz 57 raised in the mountains. What's this breed like as a pet?Chris
Re: 1991 LD with 90k miles Reply #230 – May 06, 2018, 04:10:35 pm Quote from: HiLola - May 05, 2018, 08:12:59 amWe have often wondered how our two cats would take to traveling in a RV. Since we presently do not have one, we have considered renting a RV to see how they handle it. What's a measly $1,000 rental fee when it comes to your fur-babies! Funny enough, I'm in the process of getting my two cats used to it right now. The oldest one (16) is the one that I thought would have the most problems but he has been very chill. My younger troublemaker however likes to meow like his life is ending anytime I start the engine. I think he'll eventually get used to it. 1 Likes
Re: 1991 LD with 90k miles Reply #231 – May 06, 2018, 04:44:19 pm Some cats adjust easily to rig travel; some don't. In most cases, the younger the cat is, the more likely it will learn to accept road life. I had two adult cats whom I tried to accustom to motorhome travel; crates induced screams and pitiful, moaning howls from one and a fast descent into a "catatonic" state from the other. "Stone cat" didn't budge when the rig stopped and the crate door was opened; the other deposited her opinion of the whole idea in the driver's seat as soon as the rig stopped and I vacated the seat. (I appreciated her consideration.) Deal breaker; the cat sitter got a good gig. Fortunately, all of my dogs have been good travelers!
Re: 1991 LD with 90k miles Reply #232 – May 06, 2018, 04:52:16 pm Quote from: JCT - May 06, 2018, 04:44:19 pmSome cats adjust easily to rig travel; some don't. In most cases, the younger the cat is, the more likely it will learn to accept road life. I had two adult cats whom I tried to accustom to motorhome travel; crates induced screams and pitiful, moaning howls from one and a fast descent into a "catatonic" state from the other. "Stone cat" didn't budge when the rig stopped and the crate door was opened; the other deposited her opinion of the whole idea in the driver's seat as soon as the rig stopped and I vacated the seat. (I appreciated her consideration.) Deal breaker; the cat sitter got a good gig. Fortunately, all of my dogs have been good travelers!In light of that sort of protest I think I'm getting off light with just a chorus of pitiful meows from the carrier.
Re: 1991 LD with 90k miles Reply #233 – May 06, 2018, 10:09:41 pm We did a few car trips early on with our female (now 2 years old) and she protested at first but later would just hide somewhere in the car. I think she'll probably do ok. Not sure about our 1 year old male though. He's a character!
Re: 1991 LD with 90k miles Reply #234 – May 06, 2018, 10:32:21 pm Quote from: HiLola - May 06, 2018, 10:09:41 pmWe did a few car trips early on with our female (now 2 years old) and she protested at first but later would just hide somewhere in the car. I think she'll probably do ok. Not sure about our 1 year old male though. He's a character!Careful letting them run loose while driving. My first attempt driving with my crier he was loose, and the hiding spot that he eventually found was the tiny space under the drivers seat. He's a good 15lbs too, so that was a tight fit. I had to wait hours for him to come out. Now he rides in a carrier, and I've discovered the spot under the seats is a nifty place to put the square pillows that cover your vents.
Re: 1991 LD with 90k miles Reply #235 – May 08, 2018, 10:27:37 am Our boy's , Dylan and Syman, are seasoned travelers. Getting them out of the house is always a fun time. But once in Baxter they settle fast into their travel places. Syman stays in his carrier till we stop someplace, Dylan moves about here and there. Sometimes he will settle in my lap as I drive. I only toss him off in busy traffic. 3 Likes
Re: 1991 LD with 90k miles Reply #236 – May 15, 2018, 05:17:51 pm Well, I just heard from my insurance- i'm glad people here and at the shop mentioned calling my insurance about the damage I did. Turns out my collision does cover it, though thanks to my head injury I made the mistake of reporting one problem and forget to mention the other, so when I called back, it got listed as two separate incidents, which means I have to pay deductible for each, which sucks. ANd i"m sure this will vastly reduce my insurance rating. Hopefully only as it pertains to my RV, though I need to verify that to ensure it does NOT affect my car rates.All said and done, even after two hefty deductibles, my insurance is sending me about $6k for the hole I put in teh back and the damage I did to the sides. Since that is about half of what i paid for the thing, I feel it's pretty good deal.Lisa G. 2 Likes
Re: 1991 LD with 90k miles Reply #237 – May 15, 2018, 06:36:10 pm It wouldn't hurt to call the ins. co. back and explain it was a single incident and mention the concussion. The worst they can do is say no.Thanks for the update.joel
Re: 1991 LD with 90k miles Reply #238 – May 15, 2018, 07:26:58 pm Quote from: Chris Horst - May 05, 2018, 07:21:03 pmHad to look uip "mountain feist". Thought you were talking about a snarly Heinz 57 raised in the mountains. What's this breed like as a pet?ChrisThey are very,very good dogs. Strange lookin critters. Their feet have an inverted "V"shape,kinda like a burrowing animal,not rounded like most dogs. Short tails,for balance i guess. A head like a Beagle,short legs. Always hungry,always alert,very alert. At home,she has to always be perched high,and look out windows. Also ,on the road,she has to be on the back of the cushions on the dinette. Super smart. She understands every word spoken. A true "Pure Heinz-57" in the truest form. And a recognized breed.
Re: 1991 LD with 90k miles Reply #239 – May 17, 2018, 01:12:21 am So today I spoke with the RV repair shop. The owner took it for a drive, looked at the damage I caused, and went over the structure.He said it is in overall good shape! The worst damage is what i caused. But he has found no sign of structural problems or any worrisome rot. The super rusty bumper and the hole I made are the worst of it. He said more might show up when they do work, but that the inside looks great and he doesn't think there is anything to really worry about! Everyone is mystified by the rusty bumper- I''ve been asked several times if it was parked at a beach. Oddly, it's mostly all on the rear bumper. There is some corrosion near lights and stuff, but nothing like the bumper. We're getting a price on that from LD.Yay! And the insurance is covering repair of the hole I made and other mishaps. So all in all, my LD should be in good shape after all this! I can't wait for it to be done so can finally take it for a ride!Lisa 1 Likes
Re: 1991 LD with 90k miles Reply #240 – May 17, 2018, 01:19:04 am Which “ RV repair shop” did the assessment?
Re: 1991 LD with 90k miles Reply #241 – May 17, 2018, 01:25:20 am Sturken auto repair in San Jose. One of the employees has an LD and reached out to me.
Re: 1991 LD with 90k miles Reply #242 – May 28, 2018, 01:55:23 am I have a 1989 MP. Believe it or not, but Chevy cabs of this vintage handle much better than Ford's. My LD handles like a dream compared to the much more common Ford E350's.You found the issue with the 4 speed transmission- it costs about 4x as much as the 3 speed to replace.Do you still have a swamp cooler? This vintage came from the factory with them in the vent hole above the fridge. I have noticed that water pools on my rear bumper. It has some minor surface rust in a couple of spots, and where I live, stuff just doesn't rust. I would also guess salt water.I doubt you are looking to find new problems, but you mentioned your batteries reading "fair." This was surprising to me, as in the context you had been driving the rig AND you have solar. Did you have a lot of stuff on when the gauge read fair (you should check with nothing pulling off the battery to get a reliable reading)? I ask because if the batteries and charge systems are in good shape, your gauge should read good or charge after a drive, even a pretty short one. Was an RV spec alternator installed? They are larger than passenger vehicles to charge the batteries. Is the solar hooked up and functional? If you aren't showing the batteries topped off after driving, it may be time to replace them. The hood bews is they are not very expensive compared to the rest of your list.You do really need to replace those tires. If you are hesitant in driving this machine now, you don't want to experience a tire coming apart at highway speeds. It is not a fun experience and it will beat the crap out of the undercarriage, ask me how I know. 1 Likes
Re: 1991 LD with 90k miles Reply #243 – May 28, 2018, 04:20:26 am Hi,The battery reading went up after I plugged into my house electricity for a while. I don't know if that should have made a difference, as I thought the battery was charged by driving the vehicle, but WTH do I know?! When it comes to this, not much!\Lisa G.
Re: 1991 LD with 90k miles Reply #244 – May 28, 2018, 05:08:10 pm You have 3 separate charging systems. 1. Solar. This should charge your battery a bit every day.2. The cab engine. The cab alternator should charge whenever the engine is running. This is the most powerful means to charge the batteries, and 1/2 hour should fully charge them.3. When plugged in to shore power or running a generator, your power converter will charge your batteries. This will charge faster than most solar rigs, but slower than running the engine. Generally a few hours will fully charge.If your batteries are not staying charged, you may have:1. Faulty batteries2. Faulty charging systems.3. Something left on or a short.An easy way to check the batteries is to camp out. Stock your LD has two big golf cart batteries, they are in the vented compartment by the entry door. For us, they last 2 1/2 days without recharge, that includes heavy use by the swamp cooler. You can test suspect batteries by giving them a heavy load. With the batteries charged (and chargers not in operation), turn on everything- lights fans stereo, open a faucet to get the water pumps going. A good battery will take it in stride, a bad battery will voltage crash after a few minutes- lights will dim, fan will slow, monitor will show fair/weak charge when everything shut off.If the battery passes, next check is charging systems. Start the cab engine. If the engine is running, your monitor should read full green "charge". If not, issue with the charging system. This could be the wrong alternator, wiring disconnected, or bad diode (the blue thing under the hood on the drivers side right up front).Next solar. Your solar system should have a charge controller somewhere, looks like a digital thermostat. Most have an LCD display that shows what they are doing. They should show voltage or amps feeding into the battery. If your vehicle is parked with nothing on and the panels uncovered, your battery should be fully charged. This makes me suspect your solar has an issue, something is left on, or short.Stuff you could accidentally leave on-The nightlight. It is a small light in the kitchen near the floor. Switched on by the switches in the overcab bunk.The furnace. The thermostat has an on/off switch on the bottom. If left on, the furnace will blow fans and try and come on whenever the temp gets low, draining the battery.The stereo. Shouldn't draw much off, but it does draw a little.The light switches at the entry are lighted when the switch is on. You can have the light off and the switch on. Your cb radio could be on and turned down.Got something plugged into a 12v plug? Unplug it.
Re: 1991 LD with 90k miles Reply #245 – June 05, 2018, 03:55:12 pm Ok,So not sure if i should just post as a new topic or continue on with this epic saga. I guess I'll continue this saga so that maybe someone else considering an old LD will have a reference point as to the scope of project they may be undertaking:I got the estimate from Sturken Auto Body and Repair. They are clearly looking at how they can use the entire insurance payment I got. I would appreciate feedback on the charges. Some seem ridiculous, others I'm not sure.Since the estimate is quite extensive, I'm going to just post it with my personal info redacted. Feel free to review and state your opinion.The hole in the rear is going to be patched as they said the rear of the house is one big piece of metal and would be prohibitively expensive to replace, as well as unnecessary.I will note that i just had front end work done, including some tie rod replacements. I spoke with that mechanic and he said that he replaced only the tie rods that were loose and appeared to need replacement. Sturken says that the remaining ones are old and also loose, and replacing them will tighten up the steering. The steering is much better since the front end work, but (to me), still feels like there is too much play in the wheel. Also, Sturken guy said my battery died twice in the few weeks they've had my LD. I told him I had it sitting for a month or more without starting engine and the battery was fine. I suspect it's the rear camera that seller installed, as he told me it drains the battery when left plugged in. He installed it in some janky way- you have to pull the headlight power knob out halfway to engage the rear camera. Huh?! Yeah, not right.Anyway, would love some feedback on this rather large estimate. Thanks,Lisa edited to add: I can't figure out a way to post the estimate in the body of the post.
Re: 1991 LD with 90k miles Reply #246 – June 05, 2018, 04:34:25 pm RVs, boats, airplanes and other toys are expensive to own, operate and maintain. You can buy an older model and put pour money into it in an attempt to get it to the point of good operating condition. Or, you can buy new(er) vehicle and suffer the costs of depreciation, maintenance and perhaps (catastrophic) failure. (See Larry W's story of a blown V-10; or, Andy's discovery of moisture.)Here's a pure SWAG, but I bet if you compared your cost ledger - including the many months of trials and travails you've shared on this board - to Larry's, they might actually pencil out fairly close. That is, if you were to both sell your respective rigs today, the net net costs (loss) would be approximately the same on a per use basis. (Again, just a SWAG, but I think everyone gets the general point.)The bottom line is there is simply no way of getting around the issues of expenses and cost of ownership. LD coaches leak, parts & components fail, and chassis get old. Even with a solid platform like the E450, lugging around a heavy tortoise shell inflicts a lot of stress, wear and tear.Perhaps the only way out to mitigate some of these effects is to separate the cab from the coach, yet that introduces its own set of unique problems. (Chief of which is the act of 'towing' [yuck].) So, the real analysis comes down to cost/day over the life-span of ownership. Whether it's worth it or not is highly subjective. But there's a reason for the old saying regarding the two happiest days ...Personally, we're in at this point for $17k (base plus 'investments'). We've had the rig for 6 years, and if I just left it on the side of the road, it would come out to approx $3k year. Definitely not a deal killer. However, what is a deal killer is the mental energy expended dealing with a high maintenance vehicle. That's why the sweet spot is getting it running, and then use it and forget about it. 1 Likes
Re: 1991 LD with 90k miles Reply #247 – June 05, 2018, 05:58:44 pm JMO, but it seems to me that you have four choices: 1) Accept Sturken's estimate (and be prepared for additional charges for surprises found during the course of the work.) and OK the repairs. 2) Prioritize the most critical repairs, re-negotiate/re-work the estimate, and OK the work to be done. 3) Get a second comparison bid/estimate on the same jobs/repairs/parts (the full list or a prioritized one) from another RV service, e.g., Leale's. 4) Forget the whole "mosh pit" outlay and sell it for whatever you can get. (You probably won't go for door #4, but this choice is an option.)Others may disagree, but "know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em" may be in play here. YMMV, as always. 3 Likes
Re: 1991 LD with 90k miles Reply #248 – June 05, 2018, 06:13:23 pm Quote from: JCT - June 05, 2018, 05:58:44 pm Get a second comparison bid/estimate on the same jobs/repairs/parts (the full list or a prioritized one) from another RV service, e.g., Leale's. What is Leale's? Is that some place in the Bay Area? I've searched the entire Oakland/Berkeley area for RV body shops. The only one that comes up does not have favorable reviews at all. I also spoke with a really nice guy today at a body shop in Oakland that could only think of one place in the area that works on RVs, and that is the one with a questionable rep. He echoed what I've heard over and over- shops in the inner bay area just don't have the room/capacity to work on large vehicles. Plus, other than the homeless population, there are not many RV owners around here because, well, nobody has room to store them!I called the mothership today, and was shocked at how much lower their hourly rate is (ALOT). But the guy talked to, whose name I already forgot, said they have no availability til January! Plus, he said they'd never just patch a hole- they'd want to replace entire rear panel, which would cost thousands of dollars. I figure it's not worth it for me to deal with that. I'll likely just go with Sturken. I'm just annoyed that they are doing their damndest to use ALL of the insurance money. Annoying. Was hoping to get some opinions on the cost breakdown, which is why I posted it.
Re: 1991 LD with 90k miles Reply #249 – June 05, 2018, 06:44:56 pm Leale's RV (Leale's | Complete Automobile and RV Care | San Jose, CA and the Bay Area, CA) is another San Jose RV repair shop. Their address is 2070 S. 7th Street, San Jose, CA 95112. Quote QuoteOn: Tue Jun 5, 2018 JCT Wrote:Get a second comparison bid/estimate on the same jobs/repairs/parts (the full list or a prioritized one) from another RV service, e.g., Leale's.What is Leale's? Is that some place in the Bay Area? I've searched the entire Oakland/Berkeley area for RV body shops. The only one that comes up does not have favorable reviews at all. I also spoke with a really nice guy today at a body shop in Oakland that could only think of one place in the area that works on RVs, and that is the one with a questionable rep. He echoed what I've heard over and over- shops in the inner bay area just don't have the room/capacity to work on large vehicles. Plus, other than the homeless population, there are not many RV owners around here because, well, nobody has room to store them! I called the mothership today, and was shocked at how much lower their hourly rate is (ALOT). But the guy talked to, whose name I already forgot, said they have no availability til January! Plus, he said they'd never just patch a hole- they'd want to replace entire rear panel, which would cost thousands of dollars. I figure it's not worth it for me to deal with that. I'll likely just go with Sturken. I'm just annoyed that they are doing their damndest to use ALL of the insurance money. Annoying. Was hoping to get some opinions on the cost breakdown, which is why I posted it. 1991 22' LD Multi-Plan --davehrrs@gmail.com (408) 206-8800This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. AVG 2018 | FREE Antivirus & TuneUp for PC, Mac, Android
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