Broke down in WV Mountains - Ruptured Coolant line

[JavaJelly]

Hi all,

Traveling South on Friday on our annual 3 week vacation to Florida. We had been in a snow storm since we left the Buffalo area Thursday night. 10:30 a.m. 17 miles North of the VA line on I-77 engine temp spiked almost immediately and error said to shut it down. I pulled off to the side on a curve w/guard rails on both sides.

I could barely get out of the coach and there was barely enough room on the other side. Every vehicle that passed shook the coach. It was cold, windy and snowing.

I had my wife, two young children, a dog and cat w/me. We were towing my Avalanche w/a golf cart in back. We had lost the operation of both driver side slides on Thursday night. I had been driving since 5:30 a.m.

My initial discussion w/Coachnet and Cummins Atlantic were not good. They would probably have to order parts and were closed over the weekend.

I was so frustrated, I actually considered just driving off and leaving the coach.

Called coachnet. While they looked for a tow truck and repair facility I waited for the engine to cool. I then drove slowly to the next exit and parked on the ramp.

While we waited I called everyone I knew that would tell me that it would be all right. This includes, Dirk, Chris at Spartan, my dealer, a guy that works for me who is a retired truck driver, etc.

We had to wait 4.5 hours for tow vehicle as the snow storm had put many school buses in the ditch. Also, closest tow facility was 1 hour away and repair facility was 1.5 hours away, 2.5 hours via tow truck w/coach on back.

Travis, from TJ's towing service showed up w/the tow truck. I had heard so many horror stories on this forum and in other places that I was terrified of having significant damage done. Travis was great. He had towed many coaches. He told me everything that would happen and took great care. The way he explained what could go wrong and why he was doing things the way he was gave me a lot of confidence.

We arrived at Cummins Atlantic in Roanoke VA at 6 p.m. without a scratch. They actually had a 2nd shift. Al, the day supervisor was great. I explained that my vacation was on the line via phone earlier. He was very sympathetic. He took all the information, reserved the most experienced technician on that night, and then gave complete information to the night supervisor, Jeff. My arrival was seamless. They were going to diagnose the problem. They were either going to fix it if they could or order the parts by 10 p.m. to be there on Monday morning.

We left the shop at 6:30 p.m. exhausted, hungry and packed into my truck. Our greyhound and cat included to go have dinner while they worked. We were expecting to stay the weekend.

We came back at about 8 p.m. Turns out a coolant line had too much slack and looped too close to the turbo charger. It had caused a heat rupture in the hose. They cut the hose shorter and reattached. They then ran it on the dyno and I paid extra to have them cut open the oil filter to make sure I had no scoring. All looked great.

My bill was $660 and not covered under Cummins as it was a hose issue. I will be working with Spartan this week to see if I can get some relief.

All turned out well except for the miserable night. We dry camped right at there facility where they had electrical, a dump station and a source of fresh water to fill my tank if needed.

Saturday morning we were getting ready to leave. The general manager showed up as he was taking some customers to a football game. He came over and made sure I was all fixed up. I was amazed he had been debriefed on the matter.

My many thanks to Travis at TJ's towing, and Al, Jeff and Stacie (sp?) at Cummins Atlantic. I know they went above and beyond.

Also, what started out as a very exasperating situation that infuriated me turned out OK. My wife calmed me down and reminded me that we were in a heated motorhome w/the satellite TV working and food. We weren't in an accident and nobody was hurt. The family decided to call it an adventure and the kids (6 & &) were great.

[JavaJelly]

Hi all,

Traveling South on Friday on our annual 3 week vacation to Florida. We had been in a snow storm since we left the Buffalo area Thursday night. 10:30 a.m. 17 miles North of the VA line on I-77 engine temp spiked almost immediately and error said to shut it down. I pulled off to the side on a curve w/guard rails on both sides.

I could barely get out of the coach and there was barely enough room on the other side. Every vehicle that passed shook the coach. It was cold, windy and snowing.

I had my wife, two young children, a dog and cat w/me. We were towing my Avalanche w/a golf cart in back. We had lost the operation of both driver side slides on Thursday night. I had been driving since 5:30 a.m.

My initial discussion w/Coachnet and Cummins Atlantic were not good. They would probably have to order parts and were closed over the weekend.

I was so frustrated, I actually considered just driving off and leaving the coach.

Called coachnet. While they looked for a tow truck and repair facility I waited for the engine to cool. I then drove slowly to the next exit and parked on the ramp.

While we waited I called everyone I knew that would tell me that it would be all right. This includes, Dirk, Chris at Spartan, my dealer, a guy that works for me who is a retired truck driver, etc.

We had to wait 4.5 hours for tow vehicle as the snow storm had put many school buses in the ditch. Also, closest tow facility was 1 hour away and repair facility was 1.5 hours away, 2.5 hours via tow truck w/coach on back.

Travis, from TJ's towing service showed up w/the tow truck. I had heard so many horror stories on this forum and in other places that I was terrified of having significant damage done. Travis was great. He had towed many coaches. He told me everything that would happen and took great care. The way he explained what could go wrong and why he was doing things the way he was gave me a lot of confidence.

We arrived at Cummins Atlantic in Roanoke VA at 6 p.m. without a scratch. They actually had a 2nd shift. Al, the day supervisor was great. I explained that my vacation was on the line via phone earlier. He was very sympathetic. He took all the information, reserved the most experienced technician on that night, and then gave complete information to the night supervisor, Jeff. My arrival was seamless. They were going to diagnose the problem. They were either going to fix it if they could or order the parts by 10 p.m. to be there on Monday morning.

We left the shop at 6:30 p.m. exhausted, hungry and packed into my truck. Our greyhound and cat included to go have dinner while they worked. We were expecting to stay the weekend.

We came back at about 8 p.m. Turns out a coolant line had too much slack and looped too close to the turbo charger. It had caused a heat rupture in the hose. They cut the hose shorter and reattached. They then ran it on the dyno and I paid extra to have them cut open the oil filter to make sure I had no scoring. All looked great.

My bill was $660 and not covered under Cummins as it was a hose issue. I will be working with Spartan this week to see if I can get some relief.

All turned out well except for the miserable night. We dry camped right at there facility where they had electrical, a dump station and a source of fresh water to fill my tank if needed.

Saturday morning we were getting ready to leave. The general manager showed up as he was taking some customers to a football game. He came over and made sure I was all fixed up. I was amazed he had been debriefed on the matter.

My many thanks to Travis at TJ's towing, and Al, Jeff and Stacie (sp?) at Cummins Atlantic. I know they went above and beyond.

Also, what started out as a very exasperating situation that infuriated me turned out OK. My wife calmed me down and reminded me that we were in a heated motorhome w/the satellite TV working and food. We weren't in an accident and nobody was hurt. The family decided to call it an adventure and the kids (6 & &) were great.

[cwg]

Scott,

Glad it went so well and that, in hindsight, it could have been a lot worse. Funny how it takes a wife sometimes to put it all in proper perspective. Kids are a lot more adaptable than we give them credit for... until they reach the teenage years when nothing works right nor are they very agreeable!!

[rjf7g]

Glad everything turned out well. When I saw the subject line, I was going to offer to come pick you up. I see some of my fellow Virginians took good care of you. Hope this rest of your trip is great and you travel safely.

[jmgkab]

Scott,

Glad to hear you are back on the road.

Interesting, I have the same coach (DSDP 4304) and had the same problem last summer (2007) in South Carolina. I was taken care of wonderfully by Cummins Atlantic in Spartanburg, SC., only difference being that they had to order a new hose so it took two days for the repair.

Hope you have a "non-eventful" rest of your trip.

Jack

[Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43']

Scott, glad to see you back on the forum, but sorry to hear of your misfortune. I had a similar problem in 2007 with a hose rupturing. Spartan stepped up and reimbursed me for the expense of replacing hose, flushing engine (hose was reattached at failure location, but radiator filled with water), new coolant and dyno testing. MADE ME A BELIEVER in Spartan.
How long will you be in Florida?

Ronnie

[JavaJelly]

In Orlando for 3 weeks until December 12th. Tropical Palms until Thanksgiving Day. Then move to the Nickelodeon Hotel for 2 nights then to Fort Wilderness.

[JavaJelly]

Update - Spartan comes through again.

I submitted my receipt to Spartan for warranty reimbursement. I didn't know if they would cover the whole thing or not as I had some extra testing done to make sure there wasn't any damage.

Spartan covered the whole thing ($661) and was very pleasant about it.

Good product and good company.