Community Forums

eldonc · 08-04-2012, 05:54 PM

We recently purchased a 2002 Dutch Star and this weekend attempted our first time RV trip. Luckily we only went one hour from home. It was our first time camping and not to much went right. Our new tow bar(Blue Ox) did work right and so did our Ford Escape Hybrid. When we got to the camping site we had trouble getting a level site. The auto HWH system would not level due to excessive slope. So we moved the coach a couple of times and finally got it to level except we noticed one of the jacks did not come down. We decided to just stay where we were for the night. The next day I moved the coach to a better site and then we found out our HWH leveling system would not engage. It would dump the air then nothing but a couple of clicks in a electronic HWH box by the firewall of the coach.We also found out that the power was to low in voltage to run even one air conditioner. So after attempting to reach a tech at HWH all Friday afternoon to ask for help (no luck), we headed back home as I did not want to run the generator day and night due to low power. Also did not want to put out slides without the jacks.Then a friend stopped and broke the handle at the door. Home!!!

Theberrys · 08-04-2012, 06:08 PM

It gets better...... Hang in there

Dick

Sohapi · 08-05-2012, 10:56 AM

Welcome, glad you have joined the group.

Have a fun time and laugh as you can. Things do get better.

dsilva · 08-05-2012, 11:57 AM

look at it this way, better to happen close to home on a short trip than what a lot of us have done. Get new (to us anyway) motor home take long trip and have those thimgs happen.Welcome, and wish u well n let us know how things work out

dave n pam

**Petro** · 08-05-2012, 12:02 PM

Eldiee;

Welcome to iRV2. We are glad you found us. Sorry about your problems. I am on my 5th coach and I relate to your situation. My first 2 camping trips on each coach were a shake down trip. I always found things that either did not work or needed attention. But it gets better as you work through your list. I have found HWH to be very helpful with my problems. They will get back to you. They are in the middle of their busy season and I expect Friday is their worst day.

Hang in there and you will see better days coming I assure you.

Don

pawnotes · 08-05-2012, 12:13 PM

I wish there was a way to go out with an experienced RV'r and get some help on those first few trips. Maybe a "hook-up" with an IRV2 member or monthly "shake down" meet ups would be fun. OR even just us newbies.....ya know the blind leading the blind

Are there groups that camp together on a regular basis that would welcome a newbie?

MSHappyCampers · 08-05-2012, 12:43 PM

Hi folks! Welcome to IRV2! We sure are glad you found us! Sorry you got off to a bumpy start. We have all gone through the "testing" at one time or another. Gives you stories to tell around the campfire later! Good luck on getting all the problems solved! God bless!

jfran304 · 08-05-2012, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawnotes

I wish there was a way to go out with an experienced RV'r and get some help on those first few trips. Maybe a "hook-up" with an IRV2 member or monthly "shake down" meet ups would be fun. OR even just us newbies.....ya know the blind leading the blind

Are there groups that camp together on a regular basis that would welcome a newbie?

Check the Community link above and you will find some groups. You can usually find a friendly neighbor at an RV park that will be glad to answer newbie questions or lend a helping hand if needed.

Jon

historyljc · 08-05-2012, 09:42 PM

Hi, welcome to the forum.

eldonc · 08-06-2012, 05:58 PM

Tomorrow I have an appointment at HWH to fix my auto leveling system. I hope it is not to major. Then we will try again this week to "camp" at Lake Story by Galesburg. Hope we have no more problems like last week. Thanks for the encouragement.

davleb · 08-06-2012, 06:08 PM

I read your story while planning our first ever MH trip in our Monaco Dynasty. I just went from nervous to petrified!

hallock5 · 08-06-2012, 06:14 PM

Welcome to the club. If we ain't fixin' something, we are sleeping.

Perry White · 08-06-2012, 06:15 PM

Before you take it to HWH. Run your front slide out(GEN?) and where the HWH motor and pump is, look underneath and you'll see two big headed bolts that holds them to the frame. Some times they are just loose enough where it won't make contact. Those bolts are the main Ground. See if you can tighten them up. Might save you trip

papa&susu · 08-06-2012, 06:18 PM

Left Tom Johnson's in Marion NC with our new coach. Well, steps kept going out as we traved on 40 east. Turned on signal to exit on ramp (side camera came on replacing back of coach annd dingy with side view) Said to DW Honey we just lost the car! Things will get easier.