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Reading Sparkle's lessons, I just had to vent about my latest outrage. My son said Flitter needed at least 2 tires. I wanted heavy duty RV rated ones, so called Firestone for an appointment. They said I needed 4 tires (oh, sure, let's con the old lady into buying double). But on close inspection, they were probably right. The sun had made some pretty large cracks just below the tread, even though the tread itself was very good.

I waited around the whole rest of the day and just before closing they said Flitter was ready. She was parked out in the middle of the parking lot, facing me. Eager to get home with my hurting hips and back (my medicine wasn't working any longer, but that's another story), I jumped in and headed for home. The next two days I spent nursing my bad back and hips, but the third day I had to go out for supplies and that's when I spotted it. My ladder was bent way over to the side! Oh, no! Do you guys remember how many months it took me to get that replacement ladder after my Texas roof peeling incident? I had to fight, call, write, and make a pest of myself with Camping World.

I drove down to Firestone. Told them they hit something overhead and bent my ladder. They swore up and down they didn't. There were 3 guys and me all looking at the edge of their overhang and not finding scratches. And the manager said the guy who worked on my rig swore he didn't hit anything and he would have no reason to lie because they have insurance for this sort of thing. But they didn't do it. Of course he would lie - he wanted to keep his job! When my son visited the next day and climbed up on a stepladder, he told me there was beige paint on the top of the chrome ladder, but didn't look like the base would leak. Funny coincidence that Firestone's overhang was beige! Well, it's bent - looks weird - but it didn't pull out by the roots as I feared. It's my word against the 5 or 6 workers at Firestone. And I don't want to put myself through the stress of trying to replace the ladder again! And I sure don't want them trying to "fix" it - who knows how many leaks I'd have? So, gals, poor little Flitter looks injured and I'm sure her pride has suffered. I don't know what the lesson could be. I don't think any of us photograph our rigs each and every time we take them in for servicing. Nor do we always take a walk around them when we pick them up. Even if we did, we really couldn't prove they did the damage. Would we be willing to go through the expense and stress of suing only to lose the case because there's "no proof?"

So if you see an Itasca Spirit driving down the highway in front of you with a crazy crooked ladder - honk your horn and say "Hi, Pooker". It gives her character.

Pooker

Oohhhhh sorry Evie to read this. I guess that's a lesson to me to do a walk-around after a maintenance visit. Although the only place I will take my rig is to my own dealer. That would change of course if I am traveling in the future.

Just tell Flitter it gives her "character and uniqueness!"

At least it wasn't your own stupidity that caused it, which is what most of my dings are. I tell ya, life seems to be a series of small agravations.

Oh Evie, so sorry to hear about your ladder! I had a similar (but not as bad) experience my first trip to a repair shop.
Discovered a scrape on the lower edge of my fiberglass the next day. Now I KNOW I didn't do it, don't even have curbs where I live, but how to convince them they did it? For what it's worth I do a walk around before leaving the shop, or just about anywhere, now. Just like renting a car I guess.

Oh Evie, I am so sorry, you've had more aggravation. I have learned a lesson though, I will be walking around mine and checking it out too, before I climb in it.

I've learned some of these lessons that you and Sparkle have posted, the hard way also. I already know to watch for low clearance, thats still a huge joke in my family. Was very embarrassing at the time, and I thought my husband might be mad,it happened years ago. But he was so busy laughing his head off, that he couldn't be mad. It was in our truck camper and my rushing to the bank before a trip, don't need to say more huh? The battery incident, caused me some big bucks, I will take out and put back myself, lightbulbs, were the least of that problem.

So I feel for all you ladies, but I am learning some things before they happen to me, so I thank you all very much, for posting them. Good way to vent and get it out of your system, too. I certainly will wave and honk my horn!!!!!!!

Safe and Happy travels,
Carol

Sorry to hear of Flitter's boo boo. It seems to all be part of the adventure of RVing. After each one, we learn something new. I too will wave when I see a crooked ladder. Linda

Note to self: If ever I have to have my rig in the shop for repairs,, do a walk around b4 I leave the premises... ! noted!


thanks again!

Aw, poor Flitter - but I think she probably thinks it looks good on her. At least that's what you need to be telling her - specially if it didn't cause any damage to the rest of her - and if the ladder's still usable.

Had work done today - did a walk around - didn't look at stuff like that - I was making sure my compartments, etc were shut (2 were not locked back closed) -

If my story helps even one person be aware it has served its purpose. I want to point out, though, that even if we do a walkaround and discover a ding or worse, they might simply say it wasn't us - it must have been like that when you brought it here.

I can't help thinking they wouldn't dream of doing this to a man! My husband would have raised holy hell and probably would have found out who owned the franchise and contacted them (with a copy of a letter to Firestone Headquarters). He would have lost the fight if they stuck to their guns, but I'm thinking they would cave in to the bellowing male voice! Now that I think about it, I should have stayed outside and watched what they did, even if it meant getting out one of my chairs and plunking my butt down in the parking lot! But I never considered something like that happening.

Thanks to you all for letting me vent and sharing the experience.

Pooker

Evie, I have to ask,,,, How did you choose your Flitter's name, LOL?

Well, I know when you rent a car you check for dings before you leave the lot so you don't get blamed for them. Might be something to do with the rv before leaving it. carold