Oops, this isn't right or how not to start out
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 2:56 pmSorry I cannot catch up on forum news right now but wanted to check in and say thank you to all the well wishers and great helpers in getting this far.
"Magic" is mine but we are off to a bit of a rocky start.
First, he sales person failed to put me on the delivery list for Tuesday so the shop didn't have everything ready or even have me scheduled for a walk thru and the finance office - lots of paper work even to I was paying, not financing didn't have all the paperwork in order. It was almost 7:00 PM by the time we got thru enough of that stuff for them to let me take possession in order to sleep in it overnight in their parking lot. Shop still had a couple of minor things to attend to first thing Wed. AM. Didn't get to do the hook up because their regular overnight parking was full; Nan and I had to go to overflow area where the electric and water connections were on inside of fence and we were parked on outside - shop guy came over and hooked both of us up.
Then we transferred all the stuff I'd brought plus what Nan gave me from her downsizing over to my rig. A single bed size air mattress was one of the things from Nan. Getting in and out of that corner bed with original thin mattress + the air mattress is more of a challenge than I expected and I'm sure a sight to behold if anyone was watching. Got some things put away but long way to go in that department.
Wed. morning when we got ready to drive back over to the shop, Magic would not start. My first thought was how could I possibly do something so wrong that would cause engine battery to run down. After a few attempts, Nan got it started using the emergency boost from house battery. What should have been only about an hour at shop turned into almost a full day. They could not find anything wrong so by 3:00 we left, but not without spending more $$ at Camping World store (Nan has a new bicycle, not sure what all I bought).
We stopped at a Wal-Mart a few miles up the road from dealer so I could get some groceries.
Then on to an RV park just north of Lakeland (only about 30 miles from dealer). Of course there was construction and heavy traffic most of the way and I almost creamed a guy in little red truck changing lanes. As we checked in at office, the sky was already black and could smell rain coming with wind. Nan pulled off to park. Magic would not start again. I'm instantly on phone with dealer and got shop foreman just as they were closing. He agreed to sent tech. up to the park. Meantime on about fifth try, Magic started so off we went to get me parked - light rain started by this time. Barely into site and pulling electrical cords when bottom fell out of the sky. We got soaked to the skin but had power and water to both rigs before ducking inside.
Rain let up by about 7:00 PM and Nan came over with a bottle of wine to calm my nerves. Service tech called, couldn't find us. Foreman had sent him to a park in Tampa, not Lakeland (parks have very similar names). He finally arrived about 8:00 pm. Of course, it started for him with no problem. Nonetheless he took cables loose and cleaned battery terminals even tho we both agreed they looked fine. Battery showing full charge. Could possibly be starter??? They don't work on them so if happens again I'm to take it to a Ford place. What a way to start my RVing adventure!
Still no regrets and am thinking it can only get better from here. However, we are out of wine so may need more help soon.
"Magic" is mine but we are off to a bit of a rocky start.
First, he sales person failed to put me on the delivery list for Tuesday so the shop didn't have everything ready or even have me scheduled for a walk thru and the finance office - lots of paper work even to I was paying, not financing didn't have all the paperwork in order. It was almost 7:00 PM by the time we got thru enough of that stuff for them to let me take possession in order to sleep in it overnight in their parking lot. Shop still had a couple of minor things to attend to first thing Wed. AM. Didn't get to do the hook up because their regular overnight parking was full; Nan and I had to go to overflow area where the electric and water connections were on inside of fence and we were parked on outside - shop guy came over and hooked both of us up.
Then we transferred all the stuff I'd brought plus what Nan gave me from her downsizing over to my rig. A single bed size air mattress was one of the things from Nan. Getting in and out of that corner bed with original thin mattress + the air mattress is more of a challenge than I expected and I'm sure a sight to behold if anyone was watching. Got some things put away but long way to go in that department.
Wed. morning when we got ready to drive back over to the shop, Magic would not start. My first thought was how could I possibly do something so wrong that would cause engine battery to run down. After a few attempts, Nan got it started using the emergency boost from house battery. What should have been only about an hour at shop turned into almost a full day. They could not find anything wrong so by 3:00 we left, but not without spending more $$ at Camping World store (Nan has a new bicycle, not sure what all I bought).
We stopped at a Wal-Mart a few miles up the road from dealer so I could get some groceries.
Then on to an RV park just north of Lakeland (only about 30 miles from dealer). Of course there was construction and heavy traffic most of the way and I almost creamed a guy in little red truck changing lanes. As we checked in at office, the sky was already black and could smell rain coming with wind. Nan pulled off to park. Magic would not start again. I'm instantly on phone with dealer and got shop foreman just as they were closing. He agreed to sent tech. up to the park. Meantime on about fifth try, Magic started so off we went to get me parked - light rain started by this time. Barely into site and pulling electrical cords when bottom fell out of the sky. We got soaked to the skin but had power and water to both rigs before ducking inside.
Rain let up by about 7:00 PM and Nan came over with a bottle of wine to calm my nerves. Service tech called, couldn't find us. Foreman had sent him to a park in Tampa, not Lakeland (parks have very similar names). He finally arrived about 8:00 pm. Of course, it started for him with no problem. Nonetheless he took cables loose and cleaned battery terminals even tho we both agreed they looked fine. Battery showing full charge. Could possibly be starter??? They don't work on them so if happens again I'm to take it to a Ford place. What a way to start my RVing adventure!
Still no regrets and am thinking it can only get better from here. However, we are out of wine so may need more help soon.
