Can use some help from all rvers, Please help

[tonigil]

Well I already have 2 Congressmen looking at my proposal. I have 2 retired layers and a retired Judge advising me for free. I have sent my proposal out to many in politics and quite a few have responded and are waiting for my Petition. I can make noise. I can get it done. It is just going to take some time because the legal process is not so easy for a person with no legal experience. A lot of our laws have been started by the little people with no legal experience. So I see NO good reason why we as a group of rvers can't get it done. Toni
If you are interested.......my sites.....
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fu...d/15358118.cfmhttp://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/rvprotectionact
May you always have
Love to Share, Health to Spare, and Friends that Care!

[tonigil]

Whoops. Few spelling errors. Sorry I didn't catch them before I posted the last reply. Sorry. But, you can get the idea. I still have to learn how to edit on this forum.
Again, sorry, Toni

[Dave Bowers]

I think it is normal to be so passionate about our coaches because we either spend so much money on them or they represent our homes. I know a guy who bought a 1975 25 foot Barth and drove it from Maine to Vancouver and back and the only problem was a cracked wind shield from a rock that was kicked up.

I bought my 1985 6 years ago, drove it eight miles and blew the engine.

However, I truely feel that the RV Industry as well as all industry has a new level of quality that it has never seen. I talk to a lot of RV owners and you just don't hear the complaint that you once heard about Fleetwood and other models. I have talked with people who have bought inexpensive Georgetowns and are delighted.

You are always going to have unfortunate situations and unhappy customers but in general I think everything is moving in the right direction.

[tonigil]

Dave,
I suggest that you do a little more research. Although the numbers of problems may seem less, when you figure how many more RV are purchased today as compared to years ago, it is higher than you think. You have to compare the ratio of RV's owned to the problems at hand in some cases it is worse. I have done a lot of research on this subject. I have numerous RV consumers' records of problems from different Mfg. You would be surprised at how many lives have been monetarily ruined by these problems. Check out these links. There are 229 signatures in approximately one month and still counting.
Toni
If you are interested.......my sites.....
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fu...d/15358118.cfm

http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/rvprotectionact

May you always have
Love to Share, Health to Spare, and Friends that Care!

[Captain Bud]

It was mentioned that a couple DH 81 and DW 65 purchase a MH worth 200K. First off what is their intended purpose, are they going to travel, or are they going to park it somewhere and sit for 3 mos. or so.
Should they be buying a MH or perhaps they should look at a park model.
I think a lot of people buy over their heads in what they can handle and that EVERYTHING works every time, all the time.
Remember we are drivingdown roads that are pretty rough, at speeds over 50 MPH. ,get to a CG and expect everything to work without any maintenace on our part. YEAH RIGHT.
How many problems are caused be lack of lube or cleaning? I own a Winnebago, and I am told to inspect the roof at least every 6 months. Does the 81 year old guy do it, does he have a dealer do it? Does he develop a leak and then screams that he bought a piece of junk?
Next year I'll be 70 and I'm coming to the end of my RVing life, but I will still make sure that I follow the MFG recommendations.
I guess I'm finished with my ramblings and I'm standing by for the flaming broadsides....

[Rainbow]

Capt. Bud. Hate to hear things like coming to end of RV life at 70. I'm 67 and looking at a new MH. To the subject: My father used to say about autos = the more stuff you get on them the more there is to go wrong. Same true of RVs plus. We don't need any more laws.For the last 200+ years in this country whenever nore than a few dozen people have gotten excited about something, the answer has been - pass a law about it. Unfortunately oftentimes they have been successful. 40 years of practicing law have convinced me we have way too many laws in this country. Many are unenforceable or the problem they were ment to solve went away, more often than not on their own and not because of the law, but the laws are still on the books.This breeds disrespect and comtempt for the law. We used to have a Legislator whose motto was, "for every law we pass, we should have to repeal two". Always seemed like a good plan to me.

[Captain Bud]

You're right on Rainbow , we don't need any more laws to protect us. I will determine what"s right for me at my time in life . If I make a mistake or listen to some saleman to tell me what's right for me . SHAME ON ME...

[tonigil]

Captain Bud,
First of all let me say that the 81 & 65 yr old is my husband and me. And, we are the happy owners of a 2005 Class C 24' with no problems in this first year. I am the primary driver. We are on our 4th MH. Our other MHs were checked for seals on the roof every year. We have an independent repair shop do the work and yes we pay for it unless it is covered under Warranty. We have the oil changed every 3,000 miles so we have it done on the East Coast as well as the West Coast. The last person that bought our 3 yr old MH still calls us to thank us for the good care we gave our old baby. We always buy brand new and we keep it that way. We did not pay nor could we afford to pay $200,000 for a MH. Our cost was around $70,000 and we also live in NJ, Middletown area to be exact. We have been across the USA 3 times already with other MHs and once with this one. And, we are planning another trip in Sept.
The $200,000 Class A MH 32' was someone from another state and it was a Big Lemon from day one.
They didn't have the opportunity to go anywhere but to the dealers and the factory for repairs within the first 6 to 8 months of ownership. They did manage to take a few days & nights at a few camp sites on the way without the use of a shower. They finally had to sell it for a big loss and buy another name brand. They are now happy campers in the North West, the last I heard from them.
This is only one of the horror stories. There are many. As a matter of fact there are so many, that I have saved these stories to be presented to Congress when the time comes.
BTW, we have pictures and work order sheets to prove the problems existed.
I am not doing this to bash the industry, nor am I doing this to bash any one Mfg or dealer. Because, there are many excellent and caring Mfg & dealers around the USA. I am not doing this because I am unhappy either. And, I am not getting any money or applause for this. I am doing this because I feel it is about time that we give our future RV consumers a happy and carefree life with their new purchases. Especially, for those who have sold their stick homes to travel and enjoy their Golden Years. And, to make their dreams come true. And, because I think someone has to do it.
I am really not concerned for the few people who think this is bashing or that any of us are not capable of keeping our units in good condition. I have had my unit for almost a year now and have had it to Ford, and the Independent repair shop for up keep and to have things checked.
But, you are right about one thing. I wouldn't allow my 81 year old husband to do any of the work. Because when we bought this or any of our RV's we planned for the cost of repairs and upkeep of our MHs. And yes, I am a 65 year old women who does all of the minor repairs in my MH and I also do all of the set up at campsites. I do all of the dumping and whatever else has to be done. I do this because it makes me happy. I am a wood crafter by hobby and a hairdresser by trade. I have raised 4 Electrical Engineer children on my own. When they were all grown up, I remarried. I have built dinning room tables, coffee tables and many other things as gifts for friends and family. So when I got my MH to my house and found that the dinette table leg was to short, I built a new one. When I found that the table didn't sit right on its support, I fixed it. But, I think if I couldn't do it then the Warranty should cover it. BTW, the dinette table was also too long for the area and I took it apart and fixed it to fit properly.
FYI, These people that are screaming, as you say, have had leaks and defects within the first few weeks to months of purchase. One even had a fire due to improper installation of wiring, with screws through the wires. I have mentioned this before though.
So if you want to criticize me, please ask me about myself and know who I am and what I stand for before you do that. I feel sorry for all of these RV owners who have been robbed of Happiness. I just want them to see and enjoy the things that my husband and I have been enjoying. Now can you tell me what is wrong with my reasons?
Thank you, Toni

[tonigil]

Have you ever heard of the "Magnuson Moss Act"?
Well just as there are a lot of laws on the books that are not enforceable there are many that are beneficial.
Toni

[Captain Bud]

Please accept my apologies, I think what you and your hubby do is great, however, more government intervention on my behalf is the last thing I think we need.
If there are more rules and regulations that $200K MH and your $70K MH is going to cost a lot more.
I dont want any politician sticking his nose into my affairs any more than they have. As a fellow N.J. resident you can see what an "excellent" job they have done with our state. NOT
I have read horror stories regarding MHs, Boats, Cars and other consumer products, and overall I think our MFG. do a good job giving us what we want and can afford.
I would like to make one more point, when we as a consumer think that a hand held remote thermostat is a cool thing to have in an RV, or an automatic awning, or an automatic satellite dish, we are asking for troubles. When we are looking at 50 amp service being the standard on a lot of MHs, we are looking for problems.
I purchased my MH after a lot of study and knowing what I can handle. I would like to know the full story on the $200K MH and how it got to be in the condition it was.
In closing, I can't sign your petition, in good faith.
Maybe,we'll meet on the road and we can continue this discussion over afternoon cocktails, on me of course....

[tonigil]

I thank you for your invitation. I think we would make good neighbors. It is not a bad thing to disagree in our opinions. I will look through my records and delete all names of consumer, Mfg & dealers. But, I will post the story when I get that all together. You see most of these consumers are under a non-disclosure agreement so my information can not include any names but will be in their own language. I will also, get other stories together.
I will get back to this soon.
Thank you, Toni

[Captain Bud]

I'm really looking forward to reading the stories..BTW if you scan down to the Notheast section of the forum, we have a rally at Turning Stone Casino in NY, on Columbus day weekend. You and your hubby are invited to join in. All the details are posted, and I know you would enjoy yourselves. Bud

[Old Snipe]

Capt Bud!

Don't give up the ship because you're approaching 70! My dad just bought another new motor home, he's 83 and still enjoys the lifestyle with my mom, also 83. They're talking about another Alaska trip.

On the second note, don't your Navy submarines have redundancy built in? A Tom Swifty high tech device to automatically do a function (i.e. close a valve) and a backup manual device for a Sailor to turn by hand. High tech devices cause lots of heatburn, but the tried and true manual system works every time.

Automatic, fancy dancy do-da gizmos will often fail just when you need them most. Have you seen the new Bose Wave Radio that now comes with no buttons at all, its functions are controlled by a remote the size of a credit card. What do you do when the credit card sized remote falls into the black hole along the side of the recliner, or Fido eats it?

I look at the electric, auto close awnings with a weather eye, what happens when it fails to close during a high wind rain storm?

Best Regards from one Sailor to another!

[Threevagabonds]

Capt. Bud,

This person is not talking about the fancy gadgets you mention. She is talking about basic plumbing and electrical issues. As for drawing a comparison to a home, try to get one built and not meet the BOCA code and not please the building inspector. The RV industry does not have these safeguards. Also, having lived in NJ and sold homes in Verona and Sparta, I was informed that even on my "used" home that I was to be held responsible for many problems, should they arise.(unless sold "as is", and the buyer signed off on it) It is definitly NOT buyer beware anymore. What is a warranty worth if it is not enforceable? Has no teeth! I worked in a manufacturing
environment (Alcoa) for many years, and I assure you that we were held accountable by our customers. Why not the RV manufacturer?