A Report on SOB Nightmare January 09, 2017, 10:36:39 pm I just finished reading a post about a repair nightmare with SOB Class A. The story was actually difficult to read as I felt my own blood pressure increase. I need help and advice - iRV2 ForumsI just pray we don't find ourselves in the a similar repair nightmare. But if we do, I know who to call. Hello LDO Forum!!!And so it goes.
Re: A Report on SOB Nightmare Reply #1 – January 10, 2017, 11:12:15 am Quote from: Traxless - January 09, 2017, 10:36:39 pmI just finished reading a post about a repair nightmare with SOB Class A. The story was actually difficult to read as I felt my own blood pressure increase. I need help and advice - iRV2 ForumsI just pray we don't find ourselves in the a similar repair nightmare. But if we do, I know who to call. Hello LDO Forum!!!And so it goes.This sounds like the perfect storm. Shady shop, shady emergency road service and an expensive repair.Jim
Re: A Report on SOB Nightmare Reply #2 – January 10, 2017, 11:54:19 am Not suggesting that this post doesn't reflect accurate information, and I'm pretty sure that there are hundreds of negative road service/repair shop stories similar to this one. But, a caution: posts usually present only one side of an experience, and there may be circumstances and details that are not available to those not immediately involved with the situation and/or those who have had no experience with the businesses mentioned in the post. That "grain of salt" thing - again... Joan 3 Likes
Re: A Report on SOB Nightmare Reply #3 – January 10, 2017, 05:00:43 pm This kind of story actually supports in many ways an endorsement of 5th wheel trailers. The basic advantage is that if you separate the motor (tow) vehicle from the coach, then you have two useful assets, each of which can be used independently of the other.In terms of support, HD truck tow vehicles - single or dually - can be purchased new, serviced & maintained at a lower cost than RVs. Because HD trucks are smaller than RVs and are produced in much higher production volumes, they themselves can be towed while enjoying a broader based level of support.I think RVs are a questionable proposition for most people - especially retired. Unless one really understand the mechanics of both drive vehicle and household coach, they are potentially playing with fire. The linked story is a perfect - albeit perhaps overstated - example of what can occur.Now, consider for a moment if this person had a 5th wheel set up with the same exact type (diesel), usage, mileage & age parameters. For one, the tow vehicle itself could be towed to any reputable dealer or service facility without any undo hassle. (For two, unless the truck was very old, it would be highly unlikely that any mechanical malfunction would even occur in the first place.) For three, the coach would still be usable, and would be able to be towed itself to an RV park or location where it could still be utilized.Now, I'll be the first to admit that there isn't any substitute for the convenience of a nice integrated RV like an LD. But, it does come with a certain risk; one that should be clearly recognized.OTOH, if you take a look around, I'm sure you'll notice some really nice 5th wheel rigs being used. People who have had RVs, retirees, and others have researched the issues and are making the same decisions. We have a neighbor with a brand new giant Dodge 3500 Cummins dually that he uses to tow his color matched 5th wheel. One can't but help admire the kind of power, efficiency and peace of mind that kind of rig delivers.Edit: I was searching around trying to find the kind of rig my neighbor has, and came across this link of a similar set-up:Ram 3500 Dually Truck - Best RV Fifth Wheel Trailer Towing
Re: A Report on SOB Nightmare Reply #4 – January 10, 2017, 05:42:07 pm Last year we broke down on the road. Our tow was via Coach Net. Went very well. We took the reco of the repair shop, and the referrals were good from the local contractors and ambulance company. The shop was not easy to deal with, but were fair. On another break down with my big towing monster Ford, we limped to a dealer who did good work and less of it than I feared. How easy it would have been to be in the unfortunate position these folks were. I always wonder what I can do to stack the odds on my favor. Knowing my vehicles, reading up on their weaknesses and known problems incessantly. Treating mechanics like the rocket scientists they are- most invest over $100k in tools and years in schools. Doing preventive maintenance before it is called for. Acknowledging that breakdowns are expensive and being willing to pay up for additional work entailed or recommended (once I am convinced it is worthwhile) when the repair is under way. I just hope to avoid that horrible experience where one needs a new tranny but is not able to get the super bulletproof upgrade one has planned for and is stuck installing some rebuilt piece of junk. Just sayin.
Re: A Report on SOB Nightmare Reply #5 – January 10, 2017, 06:44:33 pm I was just thinking about this nightmare."We," the LD Owners, the Maintenance Shop Owners, the Break Down Insurance Providers, all have investments(RV's, Tools, Cash respectively) and assets( cash and brand names) to protect. If "We," the three listed above, need to protect our investments and assets. The biggest shock is, that our Asset(RV, and/or Home) FAILED, and it costs us an extra 2 months worth of cash to fix it. The shop owner may not have the Cash to loan to us while the Insurance provider spends 3 months denying our claim. Especially when the claim turns out to be poor workmanship by the previous repair shop we used, as this appeared to be.As I commented is a previous post. I bought a 1991 Class "B" in January 2015. I picked it up in Milwaukee Wisconsin at 0 degrees F on Valentine's day to drive home sight unseen. I made 5 trips to repair shops on the way through Ohio to California in 10 days. Four of the repairs appeared to be re work from a previous repair by a qualified mechanic, or resulted in the need for a subsequent repair. This was our second RV Adventure. We still laugh about it today. P.S. The first was Cruise America Rental.
Re: A Report on SOB Nightmare Reply #6 – January 11, 2017, 02:18:31 am "This kind of story actually supports in many ways an endorsement of 5th wheel trailers."I love my motorhome, and it suits me to a "T." Nevertheless, it's hard to argue with the fact that separating the motive power from the living space has many practical advantages.
Re: A Report on SOB Nightmare Reply #7 – January 11, 2017, 03:01:28 am Hmmm...For me, personally, seperates are always best. No dual well tape decks, washer/dryer combo's, joint bank accounts.The logic? If one fails then the other is there until the failed component is repaired or replaced.Years ago, we went from a Micro Mini Class C Sunrader to towing a 27' Prowler TT. That rig suit me fine. Then we sold it. Over the ensuing years without a RV of any kind, I planned on purchasing another Truck and TT. That didn't happen and I thank my lucky stars and my DW. I still enjoy my other seperates, but I will never go back to a TT rig...absolutely never. We have our LD and life has never been better.Now I budget for the future. I polish and I clean. I primp and I preen. Our LD is my dream RV. Joined together...forever.Just sayin'Kent 1 Likes
Re: A Report on SOB Nightmare Reply #8 – January 11, 2017, 09:54:59 am Even though I made 5 repair stops in 10 days, I still prefer the Used Motorhomes. Close all the doors and drive away(I usually dry camp). Collision Comprehensive insurance coverage now an option. The RV insurance is less than the a week of spare car rental. No trailer speed limits, etc.
Re: A Report on SOB Nightmare Reply #9 – January 11, 2017, 01:36:06 pm Quote from: snerf - January 10, 2017, 05:00:43 pmThis kind of story actually supports in many ways an endorsement of 5th wheel trailers. In terms of support, HD truck tow vehicles - single or dually - can be purchased new, serviced & maintained at a lower cost than RVs. Now, I'll be the first to admit that there isn't any substitute for the convenience of a nice integrated RV like an LD. But, it does come with a certain risk; one that should be clearly recognized.OTOH, if you take a look around, I'm sure you'll notice some really nice 5th wheel rigs being used. People who have had RVs, retirees, and others have researched the issues and are making the same decisions. We have a neighbor with a brand new giant Dodge 3500 Cummins dually that he uses to tow his color matched 5th wheel. One can't but help admire the kind of power, efficiency and peace of mind that kind of rig delivers.Ram 3500 Dually Truck - Best RV Fifth Wheel Trailer TowingIn a world where cheap, new MHs sell for less than big, diesel pickups, I wonder how economical pickups are.Add the cost of a nice 5th wheel and one can pay way more than the cost of a new LD.Big pickups make great tow vehicles but don't always make great exploration vehicles, that's why we tow a Jeep behind our LD.No matter if we are visiting a congested city or exploring rough back roads, the small toad is the 'right' vehicle. A "giant Dodge 3500 Cummins dually" isn't the most practical vehicle to be tooling around in, once the trailer is parked. YMMV. Having driven many motorhomes and trucks with trailers, over the years, I find driving a MH, with or without a towd, is much simpler and more secure feeling than pulling a big trailer. A tow vehicle provides a greater sense of security, in case the MH breaks down in the middle of nowhere. If that happens with a 5th wheel or TT, while not in cellular range, you are out of luck until someones stumbles by....eventually.FYI, in 14 years of owning our 2003 FL, @ 98,000 miles, we have never had a major roadside breakdown. The E450s may not be very powerful but they have an extremely well tested and perfected driveline. After twenty years of production, Ford has it figured out.Friends, with recent model diesel pickups, have had their trucks spent much more time in the shop than our LD has, the diesels being much more complicated and not as well tested. I'm alway blown away with the prices of new, well equipped diesel pickups, they cost more than many luxury cars. Nothing economical about owning them except for the fuel mileage. They do make you feel very manly, for what that is worth.And when you are at home and not towing, you get to drive a huge beast around, zoom, zoom. At least you will get some respect for your efforts. Try not to back into anyone, in tight parking lots.As for economic comparisons, these are lifestyle choices, no one here claims that RVing is an cheap way of traveling, for many (most) it's more expensive than staying in motels. To get full value from an RV requires using it frequently.An additional benefit of a MH is the ability to pack up and leave in just a few minutes, setup is very quick too.Next time you are in a large campground, watch how long it take to get a large 5th wheel parked and set up, especially with older owners. Larry "You couldn't pay me to pull a big trailer" Wade 4 Likes
Re: A Report on SOB Nightmare Reply #10 – January 11, 2017, 02:21:09 pm Good point Larry, as usual. We are selling our big tow anything pickup, with a scant 120,000 miles. Definitely doesn't pass muster as a wise vehicle spend. But I love that truck!
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