Welcome to the Breakfast Show.......

[Fly at Night]

I am up at the crack of dawn on a frosty November morn; it's winterization day for the FaN. The trailer is hitched in five minutes and we're off to the dealership.

Despite the freezing temperatures, I am enveloped in the kind of cozy smugness that seems to be an anomaly when it comes to most RVs.
No leaks. No complaints about something not working or only half working. The trailer has been performing beautifully. Just a simple winterization. They'll be phoning me early in the afternoon to come and pick 'er up. Easy peasy.

Woman, truck, and trailer swing merrily into the service lot. They are bursting with RVs. The field marshal guides us beside a monstrous fifth wheeler. Boy, I'm glad I don't have to pull that sucker. It looks brand new. It's probably here for a myriad of problems I snicker to myself.

I spring from the truck and begin the disconnect of my beloved FaN. Everything goes well; it's become second nature. All I have to do is hit the motorized jack to uncouple the ball and we're done.

I hit the switch.

Nothing happens.

I hit it again.

Nothing.

That warm cloak of smugness is yanked off and a chill shoots down the spine. At least it didn't die while boondocking in Kalamazoo. I don't know if I should kiss the FaN or kick it. I think there is a manual option, but I have no idea how to do it, or what I use to do it with. That jack under the bed, perhaps? The lot marshall figures something is up and sprints over. He toggles the switch. Same result. The trailer is raised using the dealership's forklift.

Long story short - the motorized jack is totally shot. They are going to replace it with a "Husky" model. I have never heard of "Husky." The service guy assures me that it's better than the original one Airstream put in. Considering the fact that the Airstream one has been lightly used, I would have to agree with him.

Lesson learned: that road to smugville may have a few detours.

Oh well. I still like my trailer....and that extended warranty!

[Lily&Me]

Maggie

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by Fly at Night

At least it didn't die while boondocking in Kalamazoo. I don't know if I should kiss the FaN or kick it. I think there is a manual option, but I have no idea how to do it, or what I use to do it with. That jack under the bed, perhaps?

I'm sure you'll be looking up the instructions for manual mode on the new jack, and practicing until you get it right. Speaking of which, in some training or other that I had to take for work, it was drilled into our heads that to really remember something, the minimum is at least six repetitions in less than thirty days. So if you practice manual mode on your new jack once a day for a week, you'll remember how when you have to do it for real. You may not be good at it— that takes more practice— but at least you'll remember the basics, whether you want to or not.

[Fly at Night]

Not terribly happy at the moment. Went to pick the FaN up late Friday afternoon. The new Husky motorized jack is stronger and heavier than the original - but not as aesthetically pleasing, as it is slightly offset. The installer went into a lengthy explanation as to why this happened. I can't remember everything - but basically comes down to the fact it is a replacement, and the fittings didn't quite match up. I can live with it; will just cover it up with one of those nice jack covers. I do like the sound of the more powerful motor.

The next morning I was walking towards the back of the trailer when I noticed a dent in the bumper. It was not there when the FaN arrived at the dealership; as per standard procedure, the service writer and I walked around the trailer to check for any damage before I could sign the work order. He noted "No damage." It is the customer's duty to check for any new damage before leaving the lot. I did a quick check, but missed the dent because it was getting dark. I was also in the shadow of a Class A motorhome which didn't help the visibility.

So, today I took a photo of the damage to the dealership and the same service writer said they will probably just order a new bumper, but will check with his manager first to see if there are any "issues." I haven't heard yet. When I got home, I tried to open the rear bumper storage. It was obviously whalloped pretty hard. The right lid cover toggle broke off when I tried to turn it. When I finally was able to get it open, I noticed that the lid cover hinge was also bent.

It is kinda upsetting - especially when I am so picky about where I leave my trailer while on the road; I have driven by a few points of interest/tourist stops/stores etc. that I was interested in because the parking lot was too crowded and didn't want to risk damage.

I have a feeling the dealership will do right by this one. They have treated me pretty good, but will certainly do a better walk around next time.

[masseyfarm]

[Lily&Me]

Bummer!

They should have come clean about it with you when you came to pick it up, in my opinion.

The dealership likely has security cameras which would have recorded the incident, also insurance to cover the damage.

Good luck.


Maggie

[switz]

We planned to have a simple annual service done and a little modification to the seating area and took the trailer to a dealership this May. June & July passed before it was done. The work was not done properly and had to be redone and the trailer and filthy on the inside when I went to pick it up. The time was so long that we missed a camping event we would have liked to attend.

Sometimes things just do not work out as I planned them.

[Fly at Night]

Originally Posted by doug&maggie

Bummer!

They should have come clean about it with you when you came to pick it up, in my opinion.

The dealership likely has security cameras which would have recorded the incident, also insurance to cover the damage.

Good luck.


Maggie

Hi Maggie,

I am giving the dealership the benefit of the doubt; they were unaware of the damage.

Interesting point about the security cameras; I am going to ask about that.

And yes, they do have lot insurance for these kinds of incidents. They are a large (and extremely busy) dealership, especially during the winterizing/dewinterizing season. Ironically, I delayed the winterization, thinking they wouldn't be as busy (and there would be less chance of getting dinged).

[Fly at Night]

Originally Posted by switz

We planned to have a simple annual service done and a little modification to the seating area and took the trailer to a dealership this May. June & July passed before it was done. The work was not done properly and had to be redone and the trailer and filthy on the inside when I went to pick it up. The time was so long that we missed a camping event we would have liked to attend.

Sometimes things just do not work out as I planned them.

Hi switz, you own/owned two new trailers and they treated you like that!!!

Unconscionable.

The filthy part would really irk me.

[Gene]

The dealer where we bought ours pushed it into another trailer's tongue, piercing the rear panel. They admitted that—they couldn't hide it. We picked up the trailer with the new rear panel (it took long enough that we missed a camping reservation) and it was pouring and hard to see. We did a quick look at the trailer, but didn't see anything. When we got home I saw a dent on the side panel. It took a lot to get them to pay for that. They offered to replace the panel, but we had learned our lesson and wouldn't take it back there. Eventually we settled and got some cash.

The only way they wouldn't know about this was either a customer hit it and didn't report it, or an employee hit and and didn't report it. I hope your experience is better than ours.

Gene

[mefly2]

Originally Posted by daveswenson

Fly Drink Drink Drive. A long tradition of Military Aviation.

Insulting!

[Fly at Night]

Originally Posted by Gene

The dealer where we bought ours pushed it into another trailer's tongue, piercing the rear panel. They admitted that—they couldn't hide it. We picked up the trailer with the new rear panel (it took long enough that we missed a camping reservation) and it was pouring and hard to see. We did a quick look at the trailer, but didn't see anything. When we got home I saw a dent on the side panel. It took a lot to get them to pay for that. They offered to replace the panel, but we had learned our lesson and wouldn't take it back there. Eventually we settled and got some cash.

The only way they wouldn't know about this was either a customer hit it and didn't report it, or an employee hit and and didn't report it. I hope your experience is better than ours.

Gene

Gene, ouch! I think the problem is the fact the motorhomes and Fifth-wheels are getting bigger and bigger; the inventory is out-sizing the dealer lots.

Sorry that your incident was such a PITA. The dealership never phoned back, so I guess they don't have any issues with my claim. I'll deal with it in the spring.

[Fly at Night]

Originally Posted by mefly2

Insulting!

I don't know if you are serious or not (with your Jerry! Jerry! smiley) but I don't think Dave meant anything by it. I believe he is ex military. The ones I know/knew are apt in the self-deprecating humour department!

[switz]

From personal experience, "Drunk as a sailor" was a true statement as I resembled that comment more than once.

[Fly at Night]

When was the last time a corporate spiel made you laugh and cry?

I absolutely loved this....and I think you will too.

WestJet Christmas Miracle: real-time giving - YouTube

The best of the season to you!

[JDS]

Hey FaN,

I think I'm moving to Canada!

John S.

[dirigible25]

Originally Posted by Fly at Night

When was the last time a corporate spiel made you laugh and cry?

I absolutely loved this....and I think you will too.

The best of the season to you!

If I lived in their region, I'd fly them just because of the wonderful Christmas surprise they gave to their obviously appreciative customers. Thanks for posting such a positive video clip.

[dirigible25]

Hey FaN, you should be getting a check from the Canadian Tourist Registry.
You have been posting a lot of good information about your travels, and now this one on the airline with a heart for their customers, you could be bringing in tourist dollars by the handful.

[Fly at Night]

Originally Posted by JDS

Hey FaN,

I think I'm moving to Canada!

John S.

Bring warm socks!

[Fly at Night]

Originally Posted by dirigible25

If I lived in their region, I'd fly them just because of the wonderful Christmas surprise they gave to their obviously appreciative customers. Thanks for posting such a positive video clip.

You're very welcome, Dennis.

Hey FaN, you should be getting a check from the Canadian Tourist Registry.
You have been posting a lot of good information about your travels, and now this one on the airline with a heart for their customers, you could be bringing in tourist dollars by the handful.

lol! I don't know about that cheque, but would be very happy with one of those holiday tickets WJ was passing out. I wouldn't mind a bit of Irish blarney - they are about to tackle their first trans-Atlantic route - Toronto to Dublin.

I think we all enjoy reading about everyone's Airstream adventures; we are great travel ambassadors!


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