GoinPlaces wrote:
We've just bought our new motor home (2006 Newmar Scottsdale) and drove it home (a 150 mile trip one way), parked it in the driveway, and began planning and packing for our first vacation. We were to leave tomorrow morning, but now we can't because our automatic leveling jacks won't come down. They're stuck. We had driven it only to gas up, then returned home with it, and now can't get the jacks to come down. We've called the manufacturer of the leveling jacks for help. They tried over the phone to walk us through some things to see if it would work, but NO luck. Now, we've got to postpone the vacation, and make the 300 mile roundtrip back to the dealership for them to work on it. I'm having major anxiety attacks about what we have gotten ourselves into. We're not even out of the driveway yet! At least it is fixable, we think, and it is drivable. When our friends heard we bought a new RV, they all have said, "Oh, you're going to have so much fun!". I am beginning to seriously wonder if the fun will ever happen!
We've just bought our new motor home (2006 Newmar Scottsdale) and drove it home (a 150 mile trip one way), parked it in the driveway, and began planning and packing for our first vacation. We were to leave tomorrow morning, but now we can't because our automatic leveling jacks won't come down. They're stuck. We had driven it only to gas up, then returned home with it, and now can't get the jacks to come down. We've called the manufacturer of the leveling jacks for help. They tried over the phone to walk us through some things to see if it would work, but NO luck. Now, we've got to postpone the vacation, and make the 300 mile roundtrip back to the dealership for them to work on it. I'm having major anxiety attacks about what we have gotten ourselves into. We're not even out of the driveway yet! At least it is fixable, we think, and it is drivable. When our friends heard we bought a new RV, they all have said, "Oh, you're going to have so much fun!". I am beginning to seriously wonder if the fun will ever happen!
Being a 1st timer my self, we've heard that buying a brand new MH is like buying a brand new house. There will be kink and quirks that need to be worked out at the begining. Then everything should be fine and only regular maintenance is all that is needed. Accepting that expectation will calm you down.
Unfortunatly it's not like buying a new car. Because we're so used to buying new cars and expect them to be perfect, we approach the brand new MH with the same expectation. It's just not that way. I believe it should be that way, but I can't change an entire industry.
Just keep a positive attitude and you'll be able to rack up those life long family memories.
Four Winds 2002 Hurricane 33SL
Family of 7
Husband, wife, 2 kids
2 dogs, 1 parrot (solomon island eclectus, male)
GoinPlaces wrote:
We've just bought our new motor home (2006 Newmar Scottsdale) and drove it home (a 150 mile trip one way), parked it in the driveway, and began planning and packing for our first vacation. We were to leave tomorrow morning, but now we can't because our automatic leveling jacks won't come down. They're stuck. We had driven it only to gas up, then returned home with it, and now can't get the jacks to come down. We've called the manufacturer of the leveling jacks for help. They tried over the phone to walk us through some things to see if it would work, but NO luck. Now, we've got to postpone the vacation, and make the 300 mile roundtrip back to the dealership for them to work on it. I'm having major anxiety attacks about what we have gotten ourselves into. We're not even out of the driveway yet! At least it is fixable, we think, and it is drivable. When our friends heard we bought a new RV, they all have said, "Oh, you're going to have so much fun!". I am beginning to seriously wonder if the fun will ever happen!
We've just bought our new motor home (2006 Newmar Scottsdale) and drove it home (a 150 mile trip one way), parked it in the driveway, and began planning and packing for our first vacation. We were to leave tomorrow morning, but now we can't because our automatic leveling jacks won't come down. They're stuck. We had driven it only to gas up, then returned home with it, and now can't get the jacks to come down. We've called the manufacturer of the leveling jacks for help. They tried over the phone to walk us through some things to see if it would work, but NO luck. Now, we've got to postpone the vacation, and make the 300 mile roundtrip back to the dealership for them to work on it. I'm having major anxiety attacks about what we have gotten ourselves into. We're not even out of the driveway yet! At least it is fixable, we think, and it is drivable. When our friends heard we bought a new RV, they all have said, "Oh, you're going to have so much fun!". I am beginning to seriously wonder if the fun will ever happen!
The failed jacks shouldn't stop your trip. Even those of us who've been spoiled by jacks know some boards under the tires will do the job... just a little more hastle. I'd have taken the trip, then returned to dealer on the way home. You'll likely find more glitches on the trip anyway, and the dealer can take care of them, saving another 300 mile round trip later; though eventually you'll have to have scheduled service anyway.
You made no mistake with your purchase, esp. buying a Newmar product. So quit fretting. The anxiety will ruin your experience if you let it, and you'll eventually see that it is unfounded. Like the previous commentor implied, these rigs are complicated bundles of components, any one or more of which will go haywire. It is not the end of the world - just get the glitches fixed under warranty after heavy first season's use to ferret them all out. As long as you don't let constant worry get in the way, you'll have a rig full of fun in the process.
* This post was edited 06/05/06 02:22pm by 1/2 Canadian *
1/2 Canadian
1984 Pace Arrow traded for
2006 Beaver Monterey
1997 Ford Explorer Limited 4X4
Flyfishing in my blood
Good Sam Life Member 1334373, 35 yrs. RVing
Family Motorcoach Member F384437, Beaver Ambassador Club 14 yrs.
 (Custom) (Custom) (Custom) (Custom) (Custom) (Custom).jpg)
Retired Navy, 39 Years
2005 Winnebago Voyage 35D
2006 Honda Crv
Blue OX Alexus Tow Bar
Brake Buddy
Driveline (Engine, Transmission): Cummins ISC 350, Allison 3000MH
Miles: About 35000 (then); 43000 (now)
Year:2001
Break Down Description: Erratic gauge display, engine stumble.
Symptoms
![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/doh.gif "doh")
peedometer would flick up to maximum, then back to correct road speed, at irregular intervals (generally less than one minute apart.) At the same moment, engine would stumble, but recover to full power.Effect: Disconcerting but driveable.
Cause: Unsure (see below)
Outcome
![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/cool.gif "cool")
orrected itself after several miles at low speed during a detour.Recurred several days (and many miles) later. Took it to Cummins in Albuquerque on return home; they could not duplicate the problem (but charged for trying.)
Eventually I crawled under the coach and inspected two wires connected to tranny where illustration indicated the speed sensor output might be. Wires looked good; disconnected and re-connected them anyway. The problem has not recurred.
BTW, where is the compilation of all these problems? It's a lot to read through!
Fifty miles from home in a class c, A Flat
200 miles from home A Blowout
250 miles from home Fuel Filter Failure.
Took 6 days to go 500 miles.
June 2006
Engine timing sensor failed. Power Steering, warning flashers failed. An RV dealer (reputable?) improperly installed a controller for a tow dolly. Positive wired to the solenoid, negative to the frame. Can't prove it caused the failures, Go Figure. OBTW the RV dealer is out of Panama City, Florida. At first he agreed to reimburse for the full labor to fix the problem, then agreed to 2 hours labor reimbursement. However, after he talked to the tech, the tech said he did not wire it improperly and someone changed the wiring during the 1200 miles I had travelled. Makes since to me, I stopped at a Texas Rest area to use WIFI, got bored went out and changed the wiring. Will Never See a Dime. Will Carefully refer customers to him every opportunity I have. It is my sincere desire that his 14 year business thrives. Or, maybe he can retire buy a MH and have his Tech install a controller on it.
Not bad after 33 years of minor RV problems, with one prior fuel filter failure in 2004.
2006 Allegro Open Roads 34WA
2015 GMC Terrain
2009 Blue OX Aventa LX
2009 Brake Buddy Classic
7.5 L EFI engine, Ford E-350 Chassis
45,000 Miles
Spring of 1998, when first purchased this used motorhome, had a flat tire on the right outside rear. (Not Michelins) Didn't know about tires aging out. Put new Michelins on, LTX 225/75R 16E A/S. (Came with 16Ds) Just replaced those with the same, except M/S, seventh year, with 29,000 miles on them. Excellent service with Michelins.
In April, 2003, On I-40 West of Nashville, left front brake smoking. Pulled in trouble lane. Called highway patrol. After letting it cool, he got me 2 miles up the road to Rest Area. Let it cool some more, and drove the 30 miles on to my destination (camp ground). Brake company came out and said it was a caliper or line, and the only way to know, was to replace one or the other, and see if it happened again??????? I had them replace the calipers and lines on both front wheels. Who wants to chance that in the mountains????? I might mention I had the front brakes redone just before I left, but they didn't do calipers and lines. All of the brake work totaled $1,600. My son thinks I got ripped off, but near Nashville, they had to special order parts, as they were heavier duty than a Ford E-350 truck.
The next April, with about 46,500 miles on it, transmission went out coming home from Bristol race. Had it rebuilt, and no problems since, with about 20,000 miles on it, mostly mountains.