Coping with an "orphan" RV

With the economic crash is largely over, there's still a bit of fallout: Some RVers are finding themselves in the unenviable position of owning an orphan. Some very "big" names in the RV trade--those who've been building rigs for seeming ages--are simply no longer in existence.

Where does that leave you if you have a relatively new rig, still "under warranty" on paper, but no in practice. Or how about those whose venerable geriatric rigs are way out of warranty, but still going strong?

Did your RV's manufacturer go out of business, or did they file for bankruptcy? There is a difference. Some companies have filed for "reorganization," meaning they're trying to stay alive by cutting deals with creditors to get some relief. You may still have hope of getting warranty service--talk to your RV dealer. But if the company is under reorganization, this is not the time to dally if your rig has a problem that needs fixing.

If the manufacturer has truly closed its doors, then your manufacturer warranty could very well be valueless. RV dealers who do factory warranty service get paid by the manufacturer. No manufactuer--no payment. Happily, in the interests of good will, some RV dealers will work with customers to provide warranty service, even when the mother company is dead and gone. It never hurts to ask your dealer.

A major concern in terms of warranty service are those expensive gee-gaws that RV manufacturers spiff up our rigs with: Appliances and high tech! Happily, most appliances are warranted directly by their manufacturer. If your flat screen TV goes on the fritz, it's most likely covered by a separate warranty by its own manufacturer.  Providing that company hasn't gone belly-up, and the warranty is still in date, even though the RV builder itself is dead, you still should be covered.

But what if there's a problem with the RV itself and the dealership can't help you? Ah, friend, you're on your own. Hopefully your bank account is big enough to handle the out-of-pocket, or else your skills as a do-it-yourself RV technician are strong enough to bail you out of most trouble. (Shameless self-promo: Remember, your friends here in the Tech Tips column are here every single month to help you refine your skills!)

What About Parts?

Being orphaned puts parts availability into an interesting nether world. If a part you need for repair was made by the RV maker itself, you could be 'in a world of hurt.' Happily that's a pretty rare situation, as most RV builders by their components from part suppliers and build the rig to their own specs.

These components range from stuff in the plumbing line like faucets and toilets, to appliances like gas ranges and refrigerators. Most of the major component makers are still viable. For example, Dometic and Norcold, the two big makers of RV refrigerators, are still alive and well, and that's a cool thing. Smaller outfits making stuff like door hardware, faucets, and light fixtures may come and go. Fortunately, other manufacturers usually build items like these that are "close enough" that you won't have trouble filling your needs for replacement units and individual parts.

But then, what about those times when you can't seem to find the part you need? Maybe it turns out to be a part truly unique to your orphan RV, what then? You'll need to turn to the RV parts orphanage.  Think about it, they’ve got wrecking yards for automobiles, how about RVs?  Those old hulks have gotta go somewhere.  In addition to RV wrecking yards (many of whom do business by mail), there are also RV surplus stores, many located in RV manufacturing hubs where all those “leftovers” go when there’s been a change on the assembly line. And what do you think happens when an RV manufacturer croaks? They don't just walk away and leave all the stuff just sitting behind the fence--they have a close-out auction and folks line up like buzzards in a Warner Brothers cartoon.

So how do you find an RV salvage yard? Or an orphan parts supply? An Internet search using the search terms "RV salvage" can bring a vast display of material to search through. One recently verified site that's a "must see," is one that lists salvage yards, RV surplus dealers, and other outfits that also sell new parts you might need. The list is found at www.myrvparks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1656.

A few words of caution are always in order: If you do decide to go hunting for used parts, it's always best to do so in person. Yes, some outfits will ship an order to you, but it can be difficult to ascertain just what condition the part is in over the phone or Internet. If you can't go there, ask plenty of questions, see if the seller will send you photos of the ACTUAL item you're considering (not one "just like it,") and find out if the seller will warrant the part.

When shopping by Internet, be prepared for some frustration. Few RV salvage yards have a web presence, and those that do probably spend more time pulling parts then they do posting current listings and photos. A telephone call is apt to get a much faster (and more gratifying) response than an e-mail inquiry.

What other resources are available? Don't hesitate to turn to a friendly RV forum on the Internet. There are plenty of other folks out there who've suffered the same fate as you--finding themselves with an RV orphan. It won't be surprising to us at all to see more and more "RV support groups" springing up in the web to help one another find parts, manuals, and advice as we deal with the fallout of the great RV crash of the decade.

Update your RV: Install your own carpet

One of the biggest ways to make your older RV feel new is to install new floor coverings. Face it, after full time living in your RV, those, "show every spot of dirt" carpets that manufacturers so thoughtfully install begin to look a bit doggy.  Can you replace it, or will you need a professional to help? Much depends on the design of your rig.

Rigs without slideouts aren't usually too difficult for the careful do-it-yourselfer. Slide outs can create problems, depending on how they operate. In our rig, where our slideouts drop down even with the main floor, an overlap of carpet from the slideout covers over the seam where the two floors meet. The overlap is a factory hemmed edge--if we replace the carpet, we may need to get someone to install a hem for us.  Your rig may have entirely different setup; it's best to examine everything cautiously before undertaking a carpeting job.

If you decide to make a go of carpet replacement, here are some tips. You'll likely find that when your rig was built, the carpet was laid on the floor platform, then partitioning walls laid over the carpet (and kitchen vinyl, too). You'll need to cut out the old carpet, cutting right along the edges of cabinets and walls. A specialized carpet cutting tool can help in most areas; a sharp utility knife will be needed in tight corners. If you carefully cut as close as you can, you can use the old carpet as a template to cut the new one.

In our fifth wheel, when we replaced the living room carpet, carpet tape and tack strips never entered the picture. Rather, the carpet was laid out flat and stapled along the walls. A metal termination strip was placed between the kitchen flooring and the carpet, and it's never been a problem in several years of living. Some RVers have found that often a carpet really doesn't need to be tied down at all. If fit properly, then "held down" with furniture, it stays in place, and then occasionally it can be lifted and dirt and sand (which invariably finds its way through the carpet fibers) vacuumed out. 

Is carpet really the way to go? It's up to your taste. We HATE the light colored carpeting in our current big trailer. It shows every spot of dirt. When replacement time comes, we may opt to install laminate flooring. In our fifth wheel, the manufacturer had carpeted throughout the rig. Have you ever dreamed of a shag carpet in your kitchen and bathroom? We installed laminate flooring in both kitchen and bath and have never looked back. It's wonderful stuff. True, it's cooler on the feet than carpet, but it's a whiz to clean up, and no more stains. In our fiver living room we installed low pile commercial carpet in a dark blue that appealed to us. It's been down for years, and we've used an extractor to clean it. We were happy with that choice, oh so much better than the current stuff in our "big" trailer.

Whatever choice you make, be sure when you shop, check out the "remnants" section of the floor covering retailer. Many RVs are small enough that you can often find small lots of laminate flooring, or "end" portions of carpeting that will fit just fine, and save you a bundle.

Are pre-paid debit cards right for you?

RVers, like most everyone else, have different backgrounds and needs. But traveling, particularly for those who fulltime or snowbird, can added certain complications to the lifestyle, and the area of finances can be one of them. Some RVers find it difficult to maintain a relationship with a bank. Add to that, the tough economic times have wiped out some RVers credit scores. Some wonder, "Maybe a pre-paid debit card is the answer." You're not alone – according to one source, last year Americans pumped $82 billion onto pre-paid cards. But not all plastic that glitters is the right kind of gold.

While getting a pre-paid debit card is easy – anyone, regardless of their credit-worthiness can get one – these cards to stab you in the back – right where you carry your wallet. Most of the problem lies in the fees. There may be an initial fee to get your hands on a card. A pre-paid card from Walmart can cost you between $3 and almost $5. One card, supposed to be popular for the kid-crowd cost $100 for a year's purchase. But beware, the fees don't stop after you've gotten into the card. Here's the fee structure if you buy a card from Walmart.

Monthly service fee: $3.00
Reload fee at Walmart: $3.00 (yes, they charge you to put money ON your card).
ATM cash withdrawal at non-preferred ATM: $2.00
ATM balance inquiry: $1.00

Some card issuers charge you if you don't use your card – say $3 if you haven't spent any money in three months. All in all, fees can add up in a hurry.

But other problems exist in the market. Americans accustomed to having checking or savings accounts insured against loss may be in for a shock if their pre-paid card company goes out of business. The FTC does not insure deposits on pre-paid cards, and you could be out all of your money if your issuer goes bust.

For those who are trying to rebuild their credit, a pre-paid debit card won't help. Unlike a pre-paid credit card, the debit cards don't go toward any sort of credit rating. While pre-paid credit cards are a whole different subject, if you are trying to get your credit back, you're better off looking into a pre-paid credit card. These too, have advantages over the pre-paid debit card. With the credit card, if you have a dispute with a seller over a purchase, you have leverage and can, in some cases, file a claim against the card. With the pre-paid debit card, got a beef, you're out your money.

Aside from "pin number" protection for your money, a pre-paid debit card will probably do little to advance you financially, and could cost your plenty in the long run.