My rig is ready...!!

[islandmomma]

I am overwhelmed anew but hope this is the 'good stuff'. She (Vixen) has been in 'dry docks' throughout the worst of the weather this winter in the snowy area in which I live...but she had already leaked through the satellite dish (I brought her home from AZ in July and had nightmares re the import process into Canada so it took a long time) and then NO service ppl were available to look at the roof seals on this 12 year year old rig except one and he said it could wait!! Well, it developed a leak and the same service guy has been great since then. I also scraped a stone bridge ceiling at one point in the first few days so it all may belong to me anyway LOL!!...not an auspicious beginning I guess but I was SO happy with her and the prospects for a long time!

It has seemed that everything has been SO much MORE difficult than I expected...every step of the way... Maybe it is largely because I am a Canadian but I began to feel this was a 'not meant to be' situation.... It was discouraging, to say the least...

Do not know if anyone has ever been there before...? BUT I have kept plugging away at the list of stuff to accomplish (I am a determined cuss LOL) and ...well, I am to pick her up tomorrow. She has a new ceiling (hypoallergenic even LOL!) and a new set of awning winders, new blinds in several places, new satellite dish (and what the heck is that LOL!??), new mechanical steps and new lifts on every compartment. Also, EVERY light and fixture/feature in her now works again!! She has a whole new main door (rebuilt and reinforced and matches the new ceiling material) with a new lock that has a deadbolt! WOW!! I think I am very happy.... he may be the first male I know who ever read and was guided by the list I provided LOL!! Plus all the levellers work properly again....

The grand total? With tax, under $5k...makes my whole purchase (except for Canadianization of the rig LOL) not much more than 20K Cdn.... Whew.... I think I am tres happy!!!

Next, mechanical service and maybe new tires in the US when I get there (Washington in a few weeks). A local RV resort is clearing snow off a space for me to move to to start getting loaded up and acclimatized.... It is a month late but I actually think I may get out there, folks...

See you all soon maybe.

jan

[asirimarco]

Congrats and good luck. Now you need to get a bottle of champagne and christen her. Its always a little depressing when it feels like you are pouring money into a big hole. But in the end it is worth it! Enjoy!

[Bethers]

Oh how exciting. And that guy who did your work? Maybe he started out slow, but it sounds like you got a great deal done at a great price - hopefully great work, too. Wonderful.

Unfortunately, an rv is like a house - always something to go wrong and need to be done - but yep, it's so worth it!

I can't wait for the next chapter of your adventure!

[avalen]

oh how exciting, can hardly wait for your first adventure, getting prepared for the
adventure is an adventure in itself! There are always setback moments when ya
get started out but its all worth it in the end.

[Cedar518]

Stay the course,... you will be FINE! And please post some pics as soon as you get her parked in your campground. We're proud of you!

[Getupngo]

Jan, I'm so excited for you! Getting all the "bugs" out of a rig -- used or new -- can be daunting. Will you be doing a true "dry run" without water (it's SOOOO cold here ... and you're north of me!)?

And you've already learned a major lesson ... watch the height of bridges. We're mostly okay here in the Western U.S. ... but you have to watch heights on some of those older bridges. Find out the full height of your rig ... mine is 12 feet (it sez so on a sticker right above the driver's compartment).

And yes, send us pictures once you're set up. We want to see your new baby!

[Shirlv]

Jan, Hang in there. I bought my rv in Nov. winterized it, and then in April bought 6 new tires. I was a newbbie and forgot I needed a spare so drove to town to buy one more tire. A semi sideswiped me and the rv was in the shop from April until August. They were making bets that I would not want to rv. Ha! Ha! They do know anything about rving women.

[Nasoosie]

HaHa, Shirl!! We are WOMAN!!! (Not women, WOMAN!) We are are not easily disuaded from anything!

Congrats, Jan! Can't WAIT to see some pics of your new baby!

So true that , to quote poor Gilda Radner, "It's always something!"

[Liz]

I'm happy for you...can't wait to hear about your upcoming adventures! Pictures, please?