Multiple failures on trip this week

[Jerryr]

We travelled to Crooked River State Park in Georgia this week from Central Florida to meet with Brother in Law and his wife. Had beautiful weather for the 4 days we were there and a good time. We visited Kings Bay Navy Submarine base and shopped at the commissary and NEX using my Service Connected Disabled VA card for entrance. The F-450 did a great job of pulling our 337RLS and got 12 MPG both ways on the trip going between 62-65 MPH

After Setting up at the campground we found the Black Tank valve was leaking and was VERY HARD TO move the handle. It's been getting harder to move recently, now it's finally toast and needs to be replaced. Fortunately we have a Valterra Twist valve installed. Before leaving I flushed the black tank 5 times into the supplied sewer to get all the "stuff" out to get is prepared for valve replacement.

When we got home we unhooked from the Andersen 5th wheel hitch and when we tried to auto level we got a LF Jack Failure. It will retract but not lift without a fault. Fortunately it failed at home and not 300 miles from home.

Monday I will try to find a Mobile tech to come to our cabin and replace the black tank valve and the LF Lippert Ground Control Jack. Also while he is at it I will see of he can do the recall on the fridge wiring, repack wheel bearings, Lube suspension and get on the roof to reseal where needed. I can see a $2,000 bill coming.

I'm now at the point that I can't do the things I did just 5 years ago. Getting old sucks!!!

 

[SGT ROC]

I'm now at the point that I can't do the things I did just 5 years ago. Getting old sucks!!!

But the alternative is worse Sorry for the issues, but it gives you something to do right?

 

[Harrycomes]

I don't know if your auto level is the same as mine on my cougar, but I had that issue once, and there was a way to reset the system by retracting the jacks all the way and hitting a couple buttons. It seemed to fix it.

 

[Dick Noble]

Yep, old sucks. So does all the problems.

 

[Hoopy Frood]

Yeah, getting old sucks, but still beats the alternative.

 

[Jerryr]

But the alternative is worse Sorry for the issues, but it gives you something to do right?

Thanks for putting it in perspective. As I always tell my wife, “It could always be worse”

 

[Second Chance]

... Getting old sucks!!!

Define "old."

But the alternative is worse ...

My late wife used to say that to me when I complained about getting older. Then she proved herself right.

Rob

 

[SGT ROC]

My late wife used to say that to me when I complained about getting older. Then she proved herself right.

Rob

[MENTION=6297]Jerryr[/MENTION]

Depending on your beliefs, the alternative may not be worse... But I too use the saying ALL of the time now that I am "Getting Older" (never OLD, just Getting Older).

 

[Najataagihe]

I am not getting old. My kids are.

 

[traveldawg]

Old age and RVing - NOT for the faint of heart!

 

[KDRunner]

Getting old isn't for sissies.
Hope you get things fixed.
I had my back ones lock up several times. I have to be very carefull. I've figured out what to do to prevent it from locking up. When I hit the hitch height button...hit it one time, wait one second and hit it again. If I mess that up they lock up all the time. Best way is using app on my phone, hit button once and all good. Dibt know the issue. Software maybe?

 

[Casa_Woody]

My mind says I'm 25. My back tells me I'm 70. Averaging the two makes me feel good.

I too pay for services that I use to do my self. I'm just not as limber as I use to be. Staying active helps. I do a brisk 5-mile walk each morning.

 

[Jerryr]

Got a message back from mobile tech. He said not uncommon if you run out of length when auto leveling. He said easy fix but can’t get to it until weekend. That’s not an issue for us since the RV is safely on our remote cabin property and we won’t be back there until this weekend.

I’m waiting for him to call so I can discuss other issues for him to take care of
1- Black tank valve replacement
2- reseal roof
3- repack wheel bearings and lube suspension
4- take care of recall for fridge wiring.

Since the RV is not movable due to Left Front Jack ERROR issue, Grand Design approved mobile tech charge of $200 service charge and 2.5 hours labor to do the recall.

We don’t have another trip until mid July.

 

[Jwalthall]

I used to have a Preacher who would say, "If you think you are having a bad day, jut wait until you miss one!" Just hang in there...better days will come!

 

[tdginctr]

I had the rear left Lippert jack go on mine, started getting faults last trip last year so I couldn't level the RV at all. The trailer was still under the 1 year warranty. The dealer said that I had to tow it to the dealership, 1.5 hours away in the snow, do they could diagnose it. I had already swapped jacks so I knew that it was the jack that was bad. No thanks! Phoned GD help desk and they were great. All they wanted to know was my address and they shipped me a new jack (cross border, I'm Canadian) for free. I removed the old one, put the new one on (30 minute job) and everything worked. Very impressed with GD. Not so happy with my various Lippert products.

 

[WhittleBurner]

Getting old is definately a challenge of both body and mind!
The fridge recall requires the fridge to be pushed out just a little bit (GD techs did ours at the rally) While they fix your Black tank pull they may as well reroute it, half the problem is how GD ran the cable. Great that GD is paying the service charge.

There are many days we are happy that our Reflection is prehistoric with manual leveling and the old fashoned 6 gal water heater.
Hope all the repairs and routine maintenance goes smoothly.

 

[fsgarrett]

Getting old is definately a challenge of both body and mind!
The fridge recall requires the fridge to be pushed out just a little bit (GD techs did ours at the rally) While they fix your Black tank pull they may as well reroute it, half the problem is how GD ran the cable. Great that GD is paying the service charge.

There are many days we are happy that our Reflection is prehistoric with manual leveling and the old fashoned 6 gal water heater.
Hope all the repairs and routine maintenance goes smoothly.

I am with you! Glad I have a "pre-Winnebago" Reflection. I read all these issues with the new trailers and it definitely makes me wonder of what I want to replace my 2015 trailer with in a couple of years. Mine may fall apart on my next trip, but I sure have not had the problems described on this blog with trim falling off, recepticles not attached to anything, etc. Seems like quality control was way better when Grand Design was first starting out.

 

[RonSel]

Got a message back from mobile tech. He said not uncommon if you run out of length when auto leveling. He said easy fix but can’t get to it until weekend. That’s not an issue for us since the RV is safely on our remote cabin property and we won’t be back there until this weekend.

I’m waiting for him to call so I can discuss other issues for him to take care of
1- Black tank valve replacement
2- reseal roof
3- repack wheel bearings and lube suspension
4- take care of recall for fridge wiring.

Since the RV is not movable due to Left Front Jack ERROR issue, Grand Design approved mobile tech charge of $200 service charge and 2.5 hours labor to do the recall.

We don’t have another trip until mid July.

I would appreciate to hear what you learn about the black tank valve. I just posted this: https://www.mygrandrv.com/forum/showthread.php/49673-Black-tank-valve-not-completely-closing

 

[Jerryr]

I would appreciate to hear what you learn about the black tank valve. I just posted this: https://www.mygrandrv.com/forum/showthread.php/49673-Black-tank-valve-not-completely-closing

The mobile tech has been very unresponsive. He never returned any phone calls and he returned only one of several texts stating he’s busy that day. He had an open roof, 3 AC units and a gas leak he was dealing with all in the same KOA. He texted he would contact me the following day. That was a week ago any no further communication.

I was able to resolve the leveling ERROR with a phone call to Lippert so the RV can be moved.

I will try contacting another mobile tech tomorrow.

 

[huntindog]

The mobile tech has been very unresponsive. He never returned any phone calls and he returned only one of several texts stating he’s busy that day. He had an open roof, 3 AC units and a gas leak he was dealing with all in the same KOA. He texted he would contact me the following day. That was a week ago any no further communication.

I was able to resolve the leveling ERROR with a phone call to Lippert so the RV can be moved.

I will try contacting another mobile tech tomorrow.

Gotta remember that mobiles techs usually do not have "staff" to answer the phone. They are a 1 man show. They get paid to fix things. Time spent on the phone slows down the job(s) they are currently working on.