On Latency, or that 4 letter word, "Should" (long)

[CRPerle]

Hello again:
To review, we are 3 people in a 2017 35' Class A Thor Hurricane 34J, testing out "full timing it" for a year. We left June 7th and are about 8000 miles in, with about 40 stops along the way.
We have reached a spot where we can get some work done on "Maude" the motorhome, while we house sit.
The question is "should we?"
I scratched her a up a bit at idle speed on a parked car and have an insurance adjuster coming out. It is totally cosmetic. That is the first "should." Maybe we should just live with it until/if we are ready to sell?

But there are other latent issues that we are living with and result in anxiety and finger crossing:


1) Driver side full wall slide out:
Motors turn off quickly after trying to retract/expand, have to manually override them at the controller switch then slide comes in okay, sometimes forward motor makes whining sound, sometimes get error code 8 on motor 2, 6 on motor 1. Lippert suggested a “tolerance test” and a possible "adjustment" after contacting TMC. Manual over-ride has been working fine. Maybe we "should" just roll until we can't?


Leveling:
With jacks down, one jack (typically drivers side front) will lose ~¼ of height over night. Rarely the control pad will "wake up" while underway, and just say “jacks up.” Once (Sept 12), right rear jack dropped a few inches underway, emergency message came on. Has not happened since extending all jacks to maximum for 1+ hour. The hydraulic hose outer sheath is cracked on two jacks, at connection to jack end but there are no leaks. ATF fluid came out of fill reservoir cap, probably was overfilled. Seems okay now. Losing a bit of leveling overnight (that I can add back easily) doesn't seem that bad (we do hear noises when that happens, we think)
Lippert suggested “jack bypass test” or system pressure test


There are other small things, parts etc, that I can have serviced (fog light switch, awning tightening, etc). Many I can do on my own with time. BUT, I did buy a GoodSam Extended Warranty with a $1000 per service deductible (in case things went really bad).

So, "should" I try to live with this and wait till things really need fixing, or try to get as much out of the extended service plan?

There is no right or wrong answer here, but I value your opinions.
Thanks!

[Lt Keefer]

Owning a motor home is a lot like owning a home. Lots of repairs are required to keep them going. Things wear out and need fixing. I work on my coach at least one day a month, every month since I've owned it. There is always something that needs attention. So fix what you can, as you go along enjoying the lifestyle. IMHO, a $1,000 deductible makes the extended warranty worthless. You could end up paying a tech yourself for most of the repairs. Can you get you money back on that policy before you register a claim?

[CRPerle]

Originally Posted by Lt Keefer

Owning a motor home is a lot like owning a home. Lots of repairs are required to keep them going. Things wear out and need fixing. I work on my coach at least one day a month, every month since I've owned it. There is always something that needs attention. So fix what you can, as you go along enjoying the lifestyle. IMHO, a $1,000 deductible makes the extended warranty worthless. You could end up paying a tech yourself for most of the repairs. Can you get you money back on that policy before you register a claim?

Thanks. I did the big deductible in case something went terribly, terribly wrong, as we are new to this lifestyle. I am constantly fixing what I can and I enjoy that. I just don't feel qualified on the slide and level systems, and hoping combining them on one claim will at least help me reclaim some of the premium at least. No way the 2 together come out less than $1000 if they really need work. I paid $400 to a tech just to check out the leveling system for leaks, etc.

I'm leaning toward just getting this all done, but I see reasons why not to do so as well. Thanks for the help. The most anxiety in this lifestyle is making the money last....

[ghnl]

IMO, neither issue (slide or jacks) will get better if ignored. And either could suddenly get worse & severely impact your ability to travel. Being able to choose when & where to have repairs done is almost always less expensive than being stuck on the side of the road (or worse). Thus I'd say fix them sooner rather than later.

[CRPerle]

Originally Posted by ghnl

IMO, neither issue (slide or jacks) will get better if ignored. And either could suddenly get worse & severely impact your ability to travel. Being able to choose when & where to have repairs done is almost always less expensive than being stuck on the side of the road (or worse). Thus I'd say fix them sooner rather than later.

Thanks. Yeah, the mobile "housecall" would be quite pricey. Good point. And if we get stuck at a $100 a night campground, that adds up too.
But, it does seem like that could be months before we need it...hence my dilemma.

[DavidEM]

The full wall slide is probably a Schwintek and they are woefully under engineered for that application. Vroom has a much more robust system that can replace the Schwintek. Call and see if they have a shop along your route that can swap it out.

The cost is roughly $4,000.

As noted above, it is unlikely to get better on its own, likely much worse.

See https://vroomslidesystems.com/

David

[ghnl]

Leaving a slide in is an inconvenience. Having a jack deploy while driving could be dangerous (and/or very expensive). It doesn't mean you can or should wait months to arrange for repairs. But maybe weeks?

[CRPerle]

Originally Posted by DavidEM

The full wall slide is probably a Schwintek and they are woefully under engineered for that application. Vroom has a much more robust system that can replace the Schwintek. Call and see if they have a shop along your route that can swap it out.

The cost is roughly $4,000.

As noted above, it is unlikely to get better on its own, likely much worse.

See https://vroomslidesystems.com/

David

Thanks! We will definitely keep that in mind!

[dkoldman]

Originally Posted by CRPerle

So, "should" I try to live with this and wait till things really need fixing, or try to get as much out of the extended service plan?

There is no right or wrong answer here, but I value your opinions.
Thanks!

1. I would turnaround or go to place where I could find a trusted Mobile Repair guy. You may be in a good place now where you are, but that is what I do 1st.

2. I cancel the good sam warranty thing and get as much money back as you can. Plan on using that money on your needed repairs now

3. Your leveling jacks IS the emergency and your slide WILL be the emergency. You have done well to diagnose before crisis. Your coach is 8 years old so just get it fixed with your warranty money.

4. Call me Nervous Pervous, but I would not take my family out with those conditions, let alone a full time journey.

Your priority should be finding the right place / person to get fixed. I do not recommend a Dealer as it can get frustrating and expensive quick. Both Mfgs will help you find the right place to have serviced.

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by dkoldman

2. I cancel the good sam warranty thing and as much money back as you can. Plan on using that money on your needed repairs now

THIS. Read the fine print. Being a "Good Sam" product it probably requires service by a Good Sam authorized dealership: Camping World, or Gander Mountain (do any of those still exist?).

Also, locate the definition of "$1000 per service deductible". Is "per service" per each item serviced? That would put your out of pocket for just the slide and leveling system at $2000.

Things that needed to be known before you make a decision.

[dkoldman]

Originally Posted by 16ACE27

THIS. Read the fine print. Being a "Good Sam" product it probably requires service by a Good Sam authorized dealership: Camping World, or Gander Mountain (do any of those still exist?).

Also, locate the definition of "$1000 per service deductible". Is "per service" per each item serviced? That would put your out of pocket for just the slide and leveling system at $2000.

Things that needed to be known before you make a decision.

I remember when my Navigator was new and it came with Mfg warranty. After about 6 months I had a list of 3 things for them to check out so I dropped it off. A few days later they called me and told me everything was good to go. My wife dropped me off to pick up and she left to run some errands. They told me to see the cashier? I am thinking it was under warranty? It was a $400 bill They charged me $100 for each item on the list (Note: One item related to transmission, was actually two parts to have checked out). It was at a Lincoln Dealership so I couldn't embarrass myself by raising hell, but they could tell I was ticked off, I paid the bill because I wanted to get home, plus in Texas they can put a lien on your vehicle if you don't pay. Since I owned the vehicle outright, I did not get cute.

But for sure the Lincoln Dealership does not get donuts from me. I am sure Good Sams will be worse

[ghnl]

Read the fine print.

The large font giveth, the small font taketh away.

[CRPerle]

Originally Posted by dkoldman

1. I would turnaround or go to place where I could find a trusted Mobile Repair guy. You may be in a good place now where you are, but that is what I do 1st.

2. I cancel the good sam warranty thing and get as much money back as you can. Plan on using that money on your needed repairs now

3. Your leveling jacks IS the emergency and your slide WILL be the emergency. You have done well to diagnose before crisis. Your coach is 8 years old so just get it fixed with your warranty money.

4. Call me Nervous Pervous, but I would not take my family out with those conditions, let alone a full time journey.

Your priority should be finding the right place / person to get fixed. I do not recommend a Dealer as it can get frustrating and expensive quick. Both Mfgs will help you find the right place to have serviced.

I'm in touch with a repair shop. They process GS warranty claims. I made sure they existed outside Camping World before I bought it.
We've got 6 weeks or more coming up to.deal with these questions. I'll have keep.my fingers crossed for 3 more stops then we can eddy out for as long as it takes.

[CRPerle]

I spoke with GS weeks ago. They confirmed it was "per service " not item.Also, any shop will do, but some shops process the claims for you.

[dkoldman]

Originally Posted by CRPerle

I'm in touch with a repair shop. They process GS warranty claims. I made sure they existed outside Camping World before I bought it.
We've got 6 weeks or more coming up to.deal with these questions. I'll have keep.my fingers crossed for 3 more stops then we can eddy out for as long as it takes.

Good luck, as long as you get that slide fixed and levelers fixed. The method to do so is optional. There is old an saying, you make your bed, you have to lie in it.

I am Good Sam member for 5 years. Right now the biggest value I have seen is when you go through them for insurance to be on a group policy with another larger more reputable insurance carrier.

Keep us posted, we need some good stories so we may change our tune on good sams and extended warranties.

[EA37TS]

Originally Posted by CRPerle

I spoke with GS weeks ago. They confirmed it was "per service " not item.Also, any shop will do, but some shops process the claims for you.

Not every shop will do work under GS. The shop that repaired our rig last week won’t touch anything from Camping World or Good Sam.

[ducksface]

In general and not specifically and barely related:
If you all defer repairs due to monetary considerations you're in the wrong hobby.
If the money needed in an emergency or a regular repair can't easily be covered at TRIPLE the price i can't imagine the weight that must put on a trip and a family.

An rv should be paid for with
End Of Life Money.
The unplanned money spent today shouldn't affect you until far far from now.

Just a note to those who might be considering an rv.
We had to lend money to someone stuck in Alaska who didn't budget for a $5000 repair.
Such a thing as a standard repair should be
Water off a ducks back.
It was not.

This will antagonize some folks here.
When a bone is hit it usually hurts.
But
An extended warranty can get you through a cash shortage.
Essentially it's a bet or a layaway plan whatever it needs to be called to justify the purchase...just so it saves you when you can't save yourself.

[Jimbo57]

Originally Posted by DavidEM

The full wall slide is probably a Schwintek and they are woefully under engineered for that application. Vroom has a much more robust system that can replace the Schwintek. Call and see if they have a shop along your route that can swap it out.

The cost is roughly $4,000.

As noted above, it is unlikely to get better on its own, likely much worse.

See https://vroomslidesystems.com/

David

As for Vroom slide I just did that in July I drove to Az and did it there are authorize service shops that can do it but I figured those would cost more then at Vroom shop. It was $5300 but I got 5” roller on ends changed to 10” roller and new plates, they removed3 tracks and replaced with their 2 tracks system which is much stronger. They use there motors replaced the seals. I was able to come on Sunday stay the night there, they did the work on Monday and I stayed Monday there and drove back to California Tuesday morning. For me it is worth not worrying when the slide was going to stop working and where can I get it repaired.As for warranty it could days or weeks waiting for them to put the same system that didn’t work before and probably won’t last long but you’ll have a $1000 less in your pocket. Vroom was 3months out till they had an opening to do fix. Also I can now open or close as much as I want where as Schwintek suggest you do not open 6” and then close because it messes with syncing motor. No more holding motors switch 5 seconds after it stops

[EA37TS]

One other point from experience:

Some shops require the owner pay up front and submit the claim for reimbursement to be sent to the owner. These shops are not willing to accept the risk of delayed payments from the ESP underwriter. They will get the authorization to repair but will require the owner pay at completion.

[CRPerle]

Originally Posted by EA37TS

Not every shop will do work under GS. The shop that repaired our rig last week won’t touch anything from Camping World or Good Sam.

That's not what I meant. GS honors what any shop does, they say, but not every shop will wotk with GS, so you have to do the paperwork yourself.