3401 Aria 2017
We had no intention of buying a RV, went shopping with our son for his coach. We are retired with two homes and several timeshares. Well, we ended up buying a coach. My hubster, the city boy, had never driven anything this big. I had one back in the early 80's, and have driven large trucks etc years ago. So....I am the driver.
Maiden voyage- the dealership (LaMesa RV in Mesa) put us behind by not having the coach ready after having 2 months to get it ready. The air conditioning was not working when I test drove it. I told them this, it was 115 F degrees. As we are about to board our flight to Phx. with our two dogs to take ownership of our coach, LaMesa calls and says, not sure you should come, the air conditioning is not working and it needs to go to Freightliner. They are backed up with other coaches. After, much talk.....we flew in. We have a house in Scottsdale, where I had all the new goodies sent for my coach to outfit it. LaMesa held us up for 5 days.....so no staying on site in our coach to try anything. They handed us the keys, and waved! Off we went to get the hitch, now delayed, but, they were able to change the appt. We took delivery of our new Jeep Wrangler while there as well (we are all in people) Hitch installed, Jeep hooked, dogs in car seats ......we are off...we did drag the Jeep a short distance learning the gear box. I white knuckled our way to Palm Desert on the 10, with Freightliners passing me. Got there, however, didn't know how to turn on the headlights, so, went in the park ...a little dark. Realize, it is 115 in July 2017, so we didn't notice that the water was not getting hot. We realized in Santa Barbara and begged ...finally got someone to fix it in Paso Robles....it had NEVER been hooked up. four days later leaving the Wine Country RV, Paso Robles (love) our large slide would not come in.....everyone in the park was giving advise and I was on with Thor. We tried everything...nothing worked. Hubster begged to let us stay, we couldn't move. Next morning, a guy comes, has me get on the panel and do a few short burst back and forth (about 4) then, push and do NOT let up, it came in...except about a inch in front. We can leave. We left and did not use that slide the remainder of the way home (doable) Mercer Island, Wa. Once we pulled out, the horn went off on its own, didn't stop, the hubster was ready to park it, put the dogs and our personal belongings in the Jeep and leave it. I did NOT pull over, and told him "look straight ahead, do not make eye contact and it will wear itself out"! It did! Since then, we had a leak under the bathroom sink(caught right away) We have commuted from MI to Scottsdale 3 times, also did a 5 week loop to Mt Rushmore and several shorter trips.....no real problems. At the end of the loop(very close to home) the bedroom slide motor went out, we had replaced. ( we purchased both types of motors used in our coach and carry them with us) we then just send the bad ones in and our warranty covers, so they send two back.
We love our layout in 3401 and would not change ....except- we want duel axle (safer) and a road quiet coach. We are scared every time we use the slides.
Next week, I am scheduled to drive a Newmar Mountainaire 40 foot. I will see if it is easier to drive and also how quiet it is. We will be on our way to Scottsdale. If we decide to go with it, we will order exactly what we want including jazzy outside colors. So, our coach may be up for sale....
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