Monthly Archives: November 2018

RVW National Convention, Shawnee OK

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The convention was held at The Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center in Shawnee, OK.

Although, this event was scheduled to begin on November 6. Many participants arrived on October 30th to meet friends and enjoy pre-convention activities (i.e. city tours, shopping and dining out as chapter members.

The event included many classes, activities and group gatherings, However, as a new RV Owner, I attend a concert and signed-up for two classes: Basic and Advanced RV Maintenance Workshop which covered the following topics:

RV components (i.e. Refrigerator, ice maker, cook top, oven, convect oven, microwave, water heater, generator, furnace, fire extinguishers, carbon detector, smoke detector and more.) These classes were taught by Barbara Jording, a Certified RV Technician and fantastic instructor.

This class provided so much information that I immediately decided I was NOT climbing on top of my rv to check the roof and reseal vents and seams; electrical components, appliances and burner ignites. However, I will purchase suggested tools to make sure the person repairing these items is using the required tool.

Meanwhile, I would continue to perform tasks such as replace lights bulbs, check oil level, check fuel supply, check air filter, replace spark plugs and check tire pressure. I will leave other repairs to the experts.


2018_RVing Women Driving Class

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I left MHRVS’ service center on October 25th to attend two RVing
Women events.

The first event was an RV Safety Training Program. This driving course was held at Central Tech Transport & Safety Education located in Drumright OK. The class consisted of twelve female rv owners.

Our living quarters were our individual mobile homes, motor coach or trailers. As a result, we boondocked on Central Tech’s campus near the driving range. The course was taught by Sandy Cisco an experienced 18-wheel driver and trainer at Central Tech Transport.

The class included classroom videos, presentations and driving practice skills on the driving range. The training was a 16-hour driving course designed to build rv driving confidence and enhance defensive driving skills. Our reward were certificates stating, “we had successfully completed 16 hours of training….”

We (female rv owners) acquired new driving skills which would serve us for a life-time. There’s nothing like having confidence and skills to protect yourself and RV. As well as, protect stupid vehicle drivers from themselves. This class was serious hard-work, but great fun!

Return to MHRVS Alvarado Texas

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After fuel tank was replaced by Rich Ford, I returned to MHRVS Service Center on October 4th for repairs and/or replacements of twenty problems identified on my new 2018 Mobile Home. A laundry list of these issues was sent to Thor Warranty Center and a copy given to MHRVS Dealership where my mobile home had been purchased.

When I arrived at the dealership, I was amazed at the number of motor coaches (bus type mobile homes) were parked on the MHRVS campground for repairs. For instance, my neighbor told me, “We arrived two weeks prior to your arrival, and replacement parts needed to make repairs to our motor coach still haven’t arrived.”

Another campground dweller told me, “I’ve identified twenty-eight problems with my motor coach which was something I never expected after spending over $300 hundred-thousand dollars to purchase this thing.”

Based on these discussions, I immediately informed the service center that I had to leave on October 25th to attend events with RVing Women that were paid for months in advance.

As a result, prior to my departure the following problems out of twenty were repaired/replaced:

(1) The hole created by a short floor board which was hidden under the couch was repaired, (2) The Slider that widenings mobile home living space was caulked and resealed, (3) The control panel that tracks (black, gray, fresh water, propane, and house battery) levels was rewired. This panel also operates the slider extent/retract, tank heaters, water pump, furnace heat, air condition, fan and auto leveling, (4) Xantres/Pro Panel which display error codes if issues occur in the house, (5) Leak under kitchen sink caused by an unconnected plumbing pipe was connected and damaged shelf repaired, (6) The opening and slamming of drawers and doors when mobile home is in motion was stopped after locks were adjusted and drawer slides were replaced, (7) Crack in kitchen wall near stove was repaired, (8) Dashboard indicator lights went out once Rich Ford installed new fluid tank, (9) Awning which was partially connected was rewired, (10) Microwave was replaced, (11) Cover for stove was repaired, (12) Gear shift problem was corrected after tow-hauler was executed, (13) The garage and exterior televisions begin working after main television was readjusted, and (14) Bath room cabinet base was repaired.

Rich Ford, Albuquerque NM

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While visiting Fort Stanton, NM. The small of gas in my mobile home worsened. I called Thor Warranty Center again, who referred me to Ford. The nearest Ford dealer was in Albuquerque, NM. After explaining, I smell gas in my mobile home. The receptionist of Rich Ford scheduled an emergency appointment for September 26h. So, I left Fort Stanton on September 25th.

During my drive to Albuquerque, I saw some awesome views of skies and mountains. As a result, I stopped to take pictures of two sceneries from the highway before arriving in which are included.

   

However, there was one highway scenery I wanted more than any picture I have ever taken in the past, but there was no place to pull-off the highway. Anyhow, the view was a mountain covered by sun rays from heaven shining on the mountain surface which sparkled like diamonds. I can’t forget that view.

Upon arriving at Rich Ford, my vehicle was checked-in for an emergency diagnostic test which should have been done by Thor in March. As a result, the test showed a hole was drilled in the top of my fluid tank by Thor Manufacturer while installing my house on Ford’s chassis.

“Dam, Thor caused you to live and sleep in a dangerous and unhealthy environment just because they didn’t want to accept responsibility for a problem caused by them. However, being forced to live in that situation from March 15 to now is absurd. You are a lucky woman; you could have easily died of asphyxiation and/or developed more health issues due to this situation,” an employee said.

You mean worst then having a heart-attack when my son, Keithalon died of a massive heart-attack in October 2014; having open-heart and mitral valve replacement in March 2017, and a stroke in August 2017. As well as, having asthma which was intensified because of gas fumes, I replied.

You’re really blessed to have survived those major health issues. “You didn’t need Thor to add anything else to it,” he said.

Ford’s transport diver dropped me at a nearby hotel to wait until the new replacement tank arrived and was installed. As a result, I stayed at Days Inn from September 26 to October 3 which cost $408.00. The new tank arrived on September 28 and was installed on October 2nd which cost $2,792.30.

Upon submitting payment information regarding hotel expenses and fuel tank replacement. I promptly received a response letter from Nate Williams, Thor Motor Coach Warranty Customer Service stating, “Thank you for sending me the invoices. The repairs made by Rich Ford will be processed and reviewed for warranty reimbursement. Reimbursement for motel expenses are not part of the warranty coverage. I will keep them on file with your claim.

As of the writing of this article, I haven’t received reimbursement for the payment I made to Rich Ford for replacement of my fuel tank.

Based on my dealings with Thor. I find Thor manufacturer and warranty center employees to be incompetent and lack integrity. The manufacturer makes promises to ship replacement parts to service centers which aren’t sent or shipped three or more weeks later. Even though, Thor warranty center knows they are responsible for exterior and interior mobile home craftsmanship failures, they adamantly deny these responsibilities.

After it was proven, and I made Nate Williams of the warranty center aware of Rich Ford’s diagnostic test findings. He stated, “Businesses doesn’t like to wait on payments from us. Therefore, if you pay the bill and send me the documents, you’ll be reimbursed.” However, he didn’t mention it would take one month or more before I receive reimbursement.

Further, the warranty center’s referral directory is out of date. I was referred to service centers that had gone out of business, moved to other cities and/or never existed in Sioux Falls SD. I bought my mobile home on March 11, 2018; by March 15, I found out Thor doesn’t care about me or any other customers once they’ve separated you from your money. They show us (customers) by dodging repair responsibilities; not responding to phone calls or making reimbursements in a timely manner.

Bottom line. If I hadn’t been in New Mexico when my gas fume situation worsened, I would still be fighting with Thor and occurring additional expenses, because I would have needed to hire a lawyer.

 

Thor Motor Coach Warranty Center, Elkhart IN

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In case you didn’t see my past posted articles regarding the twenty-one issues I discovered on my 2018 Class C Toy Hauler which was purchased March 12, 2018 from Mobile Home RV Specialist (MHRVS) in Alvarado TX.

Based on my experiences with MHRVS Dealership’s sales people and Thor Warranty Customer Services support staff, I found most to be very dishonest.

For instance, there were warped boards in front of my kitchen sink which I showed my salesman, Buckley. “It would take a while to get that area redone. However, I will note it on your Vin# warranty for future repair”, he said. I don’t believe you, was my response. As expected, a vin review showed he didn’t which shows he has no integrity. Buckley’s only goal was to get another mobile home sold from his dealership’s lot for extra bragging rights.

Further, I called Buckley from the shoulder of the highway, while waiting on AAA RV Plus transport truck to return my vehicle back to MHRVS based on an indicator light that appeared on my dashboard. No, don’t bring it back! Let me check something. Upon returning to the phone, Buckley claimed the light was a gas cap issue which should go out in a few more hours into your trip. “You know it’s a brand-new vehicle which hadn’t been driven before. But if the light does not go out you should replace the gas cap.

The light never went out but was joined by the engine light. A call to Thor Warranty Center was useless. Support specialist adamantly claimed the dashboard lights were Ford’s responsibility. I called Ford to discuss the beforementioned indicator lights.

Once I explained the gas cap and engine light issues. A service center employee stated, “We are tired of Thor blaming us for problems caused by their manufacturer. The facts are, we only created the chassis which does not include gas caps or engines. Thor built your house on a Ford chassis and is responsible for every house issue that occurs. The bottom line is Thor doesn’t claim responsibility for anything, because they don’t want to pay for repairs/replacements.

As a result, I have lived with the smell of gas fumes and indicator lights on my dashboard, from March 15 to October 3rd. As well as, warped floor boards which still exist.