Living my long standing dream, I've joined the ranks of the esteemed RV Fulltimer

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

RV Service Review - Discount RV Repairs, Henderson, NV



There's a very good reason you might wait for Mark Ornbaum, owner of Discount RV Repair. He is busy, because he is THAT good!

I called Discount RV Repairs after finding them on the RV Service Reviews website (link located on the right sidebar); what should be your bible for finding reliable services, on the road. Five reviewers gave Mark and Discount RV Repair five excellent grades for the services provided.

I spoke with Mark, directly, and he told me he would be out later that same afternoon. Upon his arrival it was discovered that I needed a new propane regulator box. The repair could be tricky because regulator boxes have gotten bigger since the one on my moho had been installed (1988?) He said he would look, on Sunday for the part, and return Monday afternoon to finish the job.

I waited on Monday but Mark did not call or show up. I left a message, asking how late he would be working. I already knew he worked late, since on Saturday he didn't get to me until after dark.

Mark called Tuesday morning and apologised profusely for  not getting back to me on Monday. He was, literally, up to his elbows in someone's black tank, until 10pm. More importantly, he was on his way.

Mr. Ornbaum arrived in good humor and, in no time at all, the propane regulator box was installed. Mark then went above and beyond and crawled underneath the motor home to look at a leak. RV discount Repairs does not handle mechanical problems, but Mark was happy to advise me.

When presenting the VERY reasonable bill for services Mark explained the he did not charge a mobile service fee in order to make up for keeping me waiting!

Thanks, Mark and Discount RV Repairs, for a job well done!

Discount RV Repair
529 Holick Ave, Henderson, NV 89009
(702) 565-3831
Location on Google Maps          
Latitude: 36.062734 Longitude: -114.996438

Good, bad and ugly, be sure to add your service reviews to  RV Service Reviews

Stay tuned for more service reviews! It appears my transmission is still leaking AND there's an oil leak, too! Oh! Don't forget the the (brand new!!!!) battery is not getting juice to the house!!!  It could be worse, right?

Cartoon courtesy of Joe Schmidt, "Used with permission-2013" one time, and for no other purpose or monetary gain, with no other rights given or implied.

Check out Joe's Winding Roads adventures, for truly relatable RV funnies.

Thanks, Joe, for the laughs and the use of your artwork!

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Crossing the cattle guard or ...

Escape from dirtville

It looks harmless enough, right?


It almost didn't happen; the escape that is. A malfunctioning refrigerator, a propane leak, tires low (and no place to get air in dirtville) all worked against my leaving dirtville, permanently this time.

You see, in order to leave dirtville you must cross one of two cattle guards. There's a superstition that lives in Dirtvillian minds. Almost irrefutable proof exists that some other-worldly phenomna will prevent a person leaving if they are fleeing dirtville, forever.

Oh sure, you can go on a shopping trip to Vegas, Kingman, Bullhead City or Havasu. You can even take an extended vacation. But if you head towards the cattle guard with thoughts of  liberation, some type of trouble will befall you.

Having worked through all the issues placed in the way of escape, I headed for the cattle guard. Fingers crossed, prayers uttered, and talismans placed stratigically around the MoHo, I rolled down the hill into the flatlands.

When I reached the flatlands I realized Theo was not shifting into high gear. What the hell??!!!??? This is the same problem that's been worked on 5 times, for over a year. I've driven the rig numerous times without issue. WHAT. THE. FRIGGEN. HELL???

I went over the cattle guard, anyways. Now the rig won't shift from first into second. I turn around, defeated; my extraction from dirtville, thwarted.

I had already called any mechanically minded friends looking to get my tires aired and knew everyone was either in Vegas or Kingman. I have one friend in the flatlands, with RV hook ups. I call him, knowing he is in Kingman, and get the ok to park at his house.

At this point, I'm thinking my son is going to have to come and get me. He can borrow his dad's truck and trailer. We'll load all my stuff and I'll move in with him until I can find affordable digs. He'll be thrilled, no doubt!

When Jerry arrived home he took the MoHo for a spin.

OK. Who knew there's a little trick to get a transmission to shift when it doesn't want to? And why didn't you tell me? I've been driving trucks for almost 30 years; everything from Ford vans (E150s to E350s) to a 2-ton stepvan. The times that the vehicles shifted was a fluke??? The RV's transmission is fine, albeit on the older side. Sometimes it needs a little help shifting.

PHEW!

Proof that I made it to Vegas
Photo: Early birthday dinner with William Holland, Michael Holland at lotus of Siam in las Vegas. Happy 29th, will!

Celebrating my son's 29th birthday, with his dad, at the world famous Lotus of Siam in Las Vegas

Buh bye, dirtville! See you in the fall!





Many thanks to the wonderful, generous friends who made living in dirtville bearable and my liberation possible!

I'm headed to Quartzsite and the Rubber Tramp Rendezvous on Thursday. Hope to see you there!