MishapsJanet

Mishaps

There is definitely a learning curve to owning an RV. We’ve already experienced a few “oops.”


Frozen Pipes

We were doing so well keeping the inside of the RV warm and using the optional tank heater to keep all well on the driveway the first winter.

Then we had a power outage. And the back-up electric heater went off during the cold mid-teen night. It was enough to freeze the pipes. They all had to be replaced.

Cost: $1600


Awning Destruction

I was pulling out of a driveway with four others in the RV, and totally forgot about the awning being out. It was probably the second time we’d used it.

As I started down the back alley there was suddenly a horrible noise, and the awning was taking out the neighbors bushes and small trees. I tried to back up, but made matters worse. We were stuck and in a hurry to a wedding.

We pulled the awning out, cut it off, and tied the arms up with bungee cords.

Cost: $1974.00

Temporary awning fix
Temporary awning fix

Broken Bed

The metal crank support that raises and lowers the drop down bed broke. Snapped. Winnebago in Forest City fixed this under warranty.

Cost: $0


Stuck In Snow

We returned to Forest City when Winnebago got the part in for our drop down bed. We went to empty our tanks and found the junction frozen. A trip to Shopko and a heat lamp and bulb solved that problem.

Then headed out in the snowstorm to dump. A wrong turn over the snow-covered path got us stuck in the snow. By then it was getting dark and snowing too hard for a tow truck to get to us. Until morning. We spent the night with full tanks and no electricity for the backup heater.

A tow truck pulled us out the next morning. It was covered by our Winnebago Emergency Roadside Assistance plan.

Cost: $20 tip

Getting towed out of the snow
Getting towed out of the snow

Backed Into A Log

We were in the Sol Duc National Park on Olympic Peninsula and I was backing out of our spot to leave. A log jumped out behind me and damaged the back bumper and pushed the rear sidewall into the back wheel well. The parts had to be replaced and custom painted. (They also spot painted a place on the side from the awning damage.)

Cost: $900

The back bumper pushed up into the wheel well
The back bumper pushed up into the wheel well
Closeup of damaged wheel well
Closeup of damaged wheel well

Refrigerator Door Fell Off

We were driving back on the road from Hell Creek. It was 25 miles of washboard bumps. We were lucky to get up to 25mph. My nerves were frazzling, and I went to the back to lie down. A large screw fell onto the bed by my feet.

I didn’t think much about it until we stopped and I sat up. The refrigerator door was lying on the floor, its contents strewn about. It was an easy fix, but still…

Cost: $0


Broken Sewage Junction

When we tried to dump the first time after driving in the fields at the Historic Trails West starting point, we had a smelly, unpleasant surprise. The compression fitting had come loose from the grey tank drain valve that connects to the black valve and was just dangling.

Rachel held the fitting in place while the tank was slowly emptied, then she took all of the fittings apart to re-set the loose fitting, cleaned the fittings and re-tightened for a tight fit.

Cost: $0


Replace Air Vent

One of the options on the Trend is a Dash Appliqué. This was not an option we chose, but the Trend still came with the appliqué. The far right vent on the passenger side couldn’t turn properly because the appliqué was installed off-center. Our local Dodge RAM dealer tried unsuccessfully to pry the appliqué off, but it was glued on too tight. A new vent had to be ordered.

Cost: $0

The vent couldn't turn because the trim was glued on crooked
The vent couldn’t turn because the trim was glued on crooked

MiFi Antennae Taken Out In Carwash

Janet was washing Matilda in a self-service Car Wash, and when she was trying to get the hose up and over the MiFi antennae it got caught and accidentally pulled the antennae off. Oops.

We ordered and had a new, multi-directional antennae installed.

Cost: $60.20

Where the MiFi antennae used to be
Where the MiFi antennae used to be

We Got Hit!

After the Viva-Trend 2019 Rally in Hot Springs, AR, we checked out then went to lunch at a local BBQ Restaurant. Afterwards we were stopped at a stop sign, waiting to turn left, when a car turning from the left onto our street took the turn too wide and ran into us and on up along side the RV. No one was hurt, and Matilda (RV) was still drivable.

We got the insurance information from the other driver (who said his power steering fluid was low) and contacted the company. Because the LP gas cover was dented, we stopped at a local dealer to have the propane line checked before we traveled any further. Eventually we had the repairs done by our local Winnebago dealer in Rockford, IL, and Matilda looks better than ever! 

Cost: $4000 ($0  Out of Pocket!)