We left at 5:45 this morning. The main reason we left so early is little Miss Sydney does not like storms and she woke me up when it started to thunder and lighting at around 11:00 pm. Tuesday night. I was up the entire night. She is far worse than either of our kids. I got us through Indy then Huli took over and got us below Nashville, Tn. I took over after Nashville and drove until we made our final destination of somewhere south of Macon, Georgia. We saw some major wrecks today and drove the entire trip in rain. We later learned via the internet that some of the wrecks we came upon resulted in fatalities which we suspected but still really sucks. Between Atlanta and Macon we saw damage that resulted from either a tornado or a semi running off the road into the tree tops.
Today while traveling we conducted some business on extended warranties from other providers. The price on these were much less than Lazy Days quoted which I expected. The Lazy Days quote was $7100 for four years or 48,000 miles. The one today that we learned about through Howard and Linda's RV Dreamer web site was $3700 for three years and $4100 for four years or 48,000 miles. We are leaning toward no warranty except for a roadside warranty that runs about $500 for five years. I spoke to Marcus at Lazy Days today and I can tell they are getting tapped out on our requests/demands for fixes and repairs. Now it seems each time I mention a repair or replacement item they bring up money unless the item is not working. I also learned they only replaced six batteries and not eight has I has hoped. The two on the chassis were ok and not replaced. It appears to me that they have a budget for repairs on each unit they take in on trade and we have reached or exceeded this amount. The sales person and the delivery people are both pushing back on any suggestion of another repair or replacement. So far we have gotten eight new Michelin tires about $5k. six new batteries $900, a new valve for the Aqua Hot, ?$$, and four days worth of body and paint shop work to repair a five foot scratch, and I am still working on the other two chassis batteries that were not replaced. Lazy Days also heard we were hiring a PDI company for the inspection and that didn't make them happy. Today I mentioned getting some help on installing the brake on my truck so it could be towed and they immediately brought up that they weren't sure what the rates for that were but it could be done. I told them we can't leave the lot unless my 2500 hd truck is being towed.
It also seems we are no longer being treated as the hicks from Indiana in the business office. They ask us how we were going to pay for the motorhome and I said I am not sure yet and ask what the financing rates were. I then said neither of us work nor draws social security so who knows if we could get approved if we needed a loan. The business manager called us back with the rates Monday saying we were approved and basically accused us of blowing smoke up his ass. I told him we are just simple people from the Hoosier state and any judgements formed were done by him. I have a feeling this motorhome is going to end up being the money pit that was in a movie but we are probably still going to get it. I will learn what I can and do the maintenance on what I feel comfortable with. I am going to advertise for a retired motorhome tech who wants to work teaching me what I need to know to do the maintenance myself. If you know of someone like this around the Warsaw area have him contact me at jdjlmiller1971@gmail.com We can drink a few shots of Jose along with a few beers and do a little maintenance on the Aqua Hot. It just doesn't get any better than that.
Jack
A journal written about life, retirement and our journey throughout the United States in a 5th wheel, along with our two Shih Tzus, Tanner and Syndey. Written not for notoriety but for our sons, family and friends, so they know where we are at any given time. And particularly for ourselves. Finally, we get to slow down and smell the roses and we don't want to forget any of it. You are welcome to join us as we go 'Down the Road a Piece'.
