Is it time for me to give up the RV?

[Roland Trombley]

I have a 99 American Dream with a 330 hp Cummins ISC 8.3 engine that I have owned for 6 years, as the 2nd owner. My rig has 54000 miles on it, has been stored indoors it's entire life and still looks new. I get compliments on it every time we take it out. In the past 18 months it has had a new refrigerator, new tires, new ball joints, air bags all around, coolant flush, filter and hoses, tie rod ends, new chassis batteries, new alternator, shocks and front brakes.


Three years ago we were on our usual trip from Michigan to Florida for the winter when we lost air pressure. This resulted in an ordeal involving 7 different mechanics, 2 Frieghtliner dealers, a Cummins Dealer, several conversations with Hadex customer support, 311 responses to my pleas for help on this furum, 3 new air driers, 3 new compressors, 2 new governors, and a total cost of around $12,000 to finally get the problem resolved.

We recently moved to Florida and since moving here 2 years ago we have taken about 12 shorter trips, longest being trips to Savannah and New Orleans.

I'm 79 years old and I have always done the normal annual maintenance myself, including oil, filters, coolant changes, transmission fluid and filters, chassis lube, etc.

Yesterday I just finished changing the oil and filter, Chassis lube, filters, air drier, and fuel filters, in preparation for a trip back to Michigan next week. I realize that I don't want to ever do this again. I'm still reasonably agile for my age, but I've had enough of the physical work and the mess involved.

I thought I'd keep the RV for another year and sell when it needs the next oil change in a year or so, but now I have been reading about issues regarding "Caps" pumps on these engines failing, and the I have absolutely no desire to go through the necessary labor and cost to do the Fass upgrade to avoid future trouble. And as much as I hate doing the work myself I am fussy and I don't like dealing with RV and truck service people and having to leave my rig sit in a lot for days or weeks waiting for service.

I guess I'm just perplexed right now. I'm not having any trouble yet with my lift pump, but I don't want to be half way to Michigan, on the side of the road with a pump failure.
Maybe it is just time to sell the RV.

Any thoughts?

[Domo]

Times change and so do we.

You might consider weaning away from the long trips. Store the RV in Florida and drive/fly back home. Then, when back in Florida take shorter trips and explore the many sites within a few hundred miles to get a change of view and variety.

DW and I have cut back on our cross-country and months long journeys and recently spent a week camping in Disney World. We have another shorty planned the end of the month that will take us (slowly) into Georgia, then SC to see friends and back home for a total of three weeks.

We've been to quite a few of the Florida state parks as well as COE campgrounds - sometimes just to get away from the house and watch sunsets elsewhere.

[mg2016]

Sounds like you have addressed the normal age items and should be good for some time. Two suggestions, look at airdog to address your lift pump concerns. As far as service try visiting your local volunteer fire department. Ask them who they use for routine maintenance. Your chassis is also used on emergency equipment. I have had good luck doing this to locate a local service facility who is familiar the the chassis and willing to work on it. They might have someone who has mobile service.

Hang in there for another year or two and see how it goes.

[Gary RVRoamer]

As an 80 year old myself, I'm sympathetic to your change in attitude toward manual labor. Even with stuff we used to enjoy doing for ourselves. But the routine risks that are worrying about now also suggest a change in attitude that will severely strain your enjoyment of RV travel. So , yes, I think it may be time for you to give it up, If it's a source of worry rather than enjoyment, why do it?


Domo makes a reasonable suggestion, but will you really be any more comfortable with the risk on shorter trips? For example, will you worry about that expensive CAPS pump every time you turn the key to start it? The length of the trip doesn't matter if that's the case.

[shootist]

I get your concerns, but never base a decision on fear. Use a lubricity additive.

[bigb56]

I've found that doing jobs in small increments makes it much more pleasant than trying to do it all at once.

[jacwjames]

I'm going to turn 67 next month and can already see the end of the tunnel in regards to owning our coach. I do all the maintenance and start to dread some of it. I still get it done but don't look forward to it.

That and the age of the coach doesn't help. Thing start failing no matter how proactive you are on maintenance.

I spent several weeks getting the rig ready for my wife to go a trip last month. Double checked everything. See left the driveway and within 15 minutes called and said the ABS light came on, told her to bring it back. She ended up moving what she needed for the dog shoe into the Transit Van and left the next day. I then spent 4 days checking everything I could on the ABS system, got the codes, did all the checks, everything checked OK, called Bendix, cleared the codes, drove it and the ABS light stayed off. But issues like that make you leery of long trips.




In your case you have to decide what's best for you, no one can decide but you. Selling the coach and use that money to offset other activities may be best.

[Bobby F]

Now might be the time to start exploring those parts of the world that have nice hotels and restaurants. You've already concentrated on the more self-serve life of RVing - time for new pleasures. No loss in doing that.

We can still have great times as we age. We just need to stop trying to stretch out the physical requirements longer than is sensible. I'd rather have a great time easily than be proud that I was physically able to have an adequate time.

[Iceclimber]

I am a mere 60 but I bought a lot down South and there my rig sits. I sorta miss it for camping around the PNW, but we just don't enjoy the stress of driving it and the potential breakdowns. I had an air issue on the road too and luckily a truck place sorted me but it definitely soured us. I don't think we will ever go back to a big rig on the road. Maybe something simple like a pull behind, but certainly not a complex Class A. So to answer your question it's a cost benefit consideration only you can decide.

[bentjm]

If you are asking, then you already know the answer.

[hastemaker]

I am 80 years old & I know what you are talking about, I have always done most of my repair work, but now if I do any repair work I take days to do what I used to do in a few hours.

As for stopping Rving only you can answer that question...I am going on a 5200 mile trip this July, but will only be driving between 250 to 300 miles a day.

[Ray,IN]

I'm 82. I'm still active, work on the farm every day that's needed, and still keep our MH in top condition. I still set up my ladder and climb onto the roof to wash it with a long-handle scrub brush-actually an old RV wash brush, albeit much more carefully.

I have everything to change oil N filter next week; if my hands cooperate. The itus boys (Arthur and Burs) have nearly taken over. I limit my wheel-time to 200 miles or 4 hrs., whichever comes first.
IMO if you give up and become sedentary it hastens the end. I will stop RVing and farming when my health dictates I have no other choice. For the past 3 years my DW's health has kept us close to home though. She had a severe stroke last Feb. which is presently a limitation, but she's slowly improving.

[House Husband]

I think age has little to do with getting off the road. It's about how you old body and mind are holding up.
We're both 82 and still traveling.
I do all the maintenance, including engine, transmission and differential repair.
Right now I'm in the process of recoating the ol Bounder with "Zep Wet Look".
It takes a while to do the prep and the coating but the shine last about 5 years.

Richard

[bigb56]

Sure is nice to hear from all the older folks who still do their own work. I'm not very far behind at 69. I dread the thought of someone else working on my stuff, not because of the cost but because I'm picky and I want it done right.

I'm going to keep doing it as long as possible. Besides, the activity helps keep you in shape.