My dumb mistake

[Luckiest Dre]

I get tired of all the costs of owning my RV but I really get mad when I am the cause of it because of a careless mistake!
On Saturday we got back on the road after setting in the same south Florida park since Dec. When we first arrived at that park I had trouble with my water heater, which I solved. The problem is that there is a spring loaded turn latch that keeps the outside panel in place. Apparently I did not give it that 1/4 turn needed to hold it in place. After a mornings travel the walk around at the rest stop revealed my error.
Now I expect the replacement to be relatively cheap, but that 3 color paint and clear coat I expect may break me!

[Brigadoon]

I've never trusted that small latch so I added one stainless screw thru the panel to secure it.

[Dixieray53]

The hot water did the paint in ...That just bites ...Sorry for your troubles but maybe we all can learn from this painful lesson . D

[Luckiest Dre]

Not the water! The wind at highway speeds!

[jimbo16720]

I think he's saying the panel came opened and was ripped off by the wind....

[rewaters49]

There's a water heater panel for sale in the classified section of this forum.

[cj5 jeeper]

Depending on the age you may be able to call the factory, and they may be able to paint one and ship it to you.

[Its Paid For]

Now your RV has character, one of a kind, special.

[thelastplace]

Sorry to hear about your mistake. Mine was always to leave the antenna for the TV up. In my case satellite solved that problem.


But the true travelers are they who leave for leaving’s sake
Saying continuously, without knowing why: ‘Let us go on’.
Paraphrased from Baudelaire’s ‘The Journey’

[RangeCampMan]

The door shouldn't be to bad 30-100 bones as far as the paint I would guess another couple hundred. The price of lessons learned.

[BZam]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luckiest Dre I get tired of all the costs of owning my RV but I really get mad when I am the cause of it because of a careless mistake! On Saturday we got back on the road after setting in the same south Florida park since Dec. When we first arrived at that park I had trouble with my water heater, which I solved. The problem is that there is a spring loaded turn latch that keeps the outside panel in place. Apparently I did not give it that 1/4 turn needed to hold it in place. After a mornings travel the walk around at the rest stop revealed my error. Now I expect the replacement to be relatively cheap, but that 3 color paint and clear coat I expect may break me!

Been there and done that!

Yes, its a long process to find the auto paint and clear coating. I searched around the web for some painting steps and tips.

Then located an auto paint place that could mix the paint to specs that Newmar used.

All this was more bucks than I expected. Job did turn out acceptable and has lasted a few years.

Oh, yes need to put a small luggage lock or key ring on that catch.

Bob

[RV Wizard]

Make sure the thumb latch is not of the plastic variety. They can break off the metal piece and you will still loose the cover even with a larger holder through the latch. Make sure it is all metal.

[Smokyjoe]

I did that. I was working on the frig. and forgot to turn the latches. I drove 30 miles down the mountain to get the frig repaired. When I got there , no frig cover.
I got lucky and found it on the way back home. It was laying under a guard rail.
Didn't even have a scratch.

[DFR]

I also have been there done that. Found a replacement at a surplus parts place in Elkhart. Next door neighbor is a body man so even getting a real deal on painting my costs were over $125.