This is our first motorcoach and it can be said that there is certainly a learning curve. We have been told this many times by others. So, we are trying hard to remember to be patient, breath, and hopefully locate someone, when all else fails, to ask for help. I read on a blog today that to pack in your motorcoach a sense of humor and patience. That's a great suggestion.
Our hot water was not hot…it was more like lukewarm at best. John read the Newmar manual and RV repair guide and we were pretty much convinced that an expensive repair was going to be in our future. Sheesh! After two days of very cool showers John mentioned it to our campground host (Al) and his eyes lit up. He said it might be the “bypass valve”. I think the look on our faces made him quickly realize that might be the case. "Easy fix" he said and off he went to our campsite. Well, to make a long story short we had hot water in no time and no repair bill. Whew! Al is our new best friend! It's my understanding that this valve is turned on when winterizing your coach to decrease the amount of antifreeze that needs to be added. Once you de-winterize you are supposed to turn off the valve, or something like that.
John has a long “honey do” list already. That's not unusual, however, the list now includes many tasks he has not done before. I'm sure he will gain more confidence as time goes on. Having hot water sure made our life a lot more comfortable. It's the little things in life that you come to appreciate.
The next morning I'm up early getting into the shower. There is hot water but alas guess what...it ran out. Just like that! We had checked the gauges the night before but they are not accurate. Imagine that! We had heard that this is a common problem. I just wish we hadn't learned it right in the middle of my shower. :) My coworkers today thought this was hysterical. In fact, they seem to be really enjoying our new adventure.
So to all our new followers out there...could you please add us to your prayer list! Thanks a million.
You got it. You're on our list~
ReplyDeleteSince we are still in our first year as full-timers we have had that sinking feeling more than once...the broken toilet, getting local TV, the circuit breaker on the generator.....the list goes on.
Prayers filed :0) I hear cold showers are better than coffee? I was at the Kerrville rally too. Right next door to you and quite overwhelmed. I'll be getting on the road Feb 2012. Take care! I'll be following you along here.
ReplyDeleteGlad to know you got the hot water issue fixed at no cost. Those are always the bonus of knowing someone who's been there.
ReplyDeleteJust curious, did you run out of hot water because you were taking a too long shower? We only have a six gallon hot water heater in our rig and anything longer than about 6 minutes and the water starts to get cold. Just a thought.
Hoping you have a great day.
We can so identify with your post!! On our maiden voyage we broke almost everything (it seemed). We broke the day/night shade, we spilled Cranberry Juice on the carpet because we didn't latch the refigerator door tightly enough, we spilled diesel all over the interstate in Louisiana (loose connection with fuel injector) and blew off one of our shrouds and got hit with a rock (windshield). It was a nightmare. See our post for Sept. 20. The thing that helped me most was the statement from other full-timers that all of this is normal. It is indeed a learning curve and we are all in this together, learning together.
ReplyDeleteTake care and look forward to getting to know you guys better. Hope to meet ya down the road one day soon.
Mike & Gerri (happytrails)
http://freedom2roll.blogspot.com