mobilesuite
Missouri
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Joined: 11/18/2007
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I think we all know that if anything goes wrong with your Rv, you almost get more nervous about how long they are going to have it at the service dept. than the mishap itself. My husband and I are in River Ridge LA for a job (he is a welder) and on the way here we had damage done to the back end of our 5er when we pulled out of a gas station and the drive was too steep ripping away the bottom of the camper and pulled almost half way up damaging the windows and a tear on up about 6 ft. We used to pull our camper with a Chevy 2500 and went to a F450 b/c of weight reasons and neither one of us realized that it made the front of the camper sit higher and back lower b/c of the diff in size of the trucks. There are the details. We also have warranty work to be done! Our kitchen sink fell out one day b/c they didnt put the right activator on it (is what they told us) and our door going upstairs is off track along with the shower door. I am trying to find someone in this area to work on our 5er and have found 2 places. Bents Rv which is in Metairie LA about 14 mi away and Dixie Rv in Hammond LA which is about 55 mi away. I looked on Rvservicereviews.com and Dixie has 6 awful reviews (typical if you ask me) and Bents has one that is excellent but I have repeatedly called them and no one will answer in the serv. dept. I am about fed up. So not only do I have to deal with the stress of, "How long are they going to have my camper?" but also where the *@!# are we going to live? We have a Weimaraner and 2 cats plus one 3 yr old. If ANYONE has any suggestions other than "you shouldnt have been so dense and tore your camper up" I would love to hear your advice. This is just such a different kind of life than living in a stick home and I love it but honest to goodness when something goes wrong it is so much harder to get anything fixed promptly no matter how you beg! We are from MO and can't go back for a few months so our buying dealer is out of the question.
38ft.Mobile Suite by Doubletree
He who laughs last, thinks slowest.
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Bluefreight
upstate NY
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Joined: 06/03/2006
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Try calling the factory for a recommendation. Ask insurance company for recommendations. Do you have fulltimers insurance if so they should pay a certain amount for temporary housing. Ours pays up to $1500 for "vacation interruption. Cover damage to prevent water damage.
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WTTCS
freedom , U.S.A.
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Joined: 07/28/2003
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\If it were me with those problems, I'd get me a "long term stay" motel and find a dealer within 1000 miles and drop that sucker off with the understanding of how long, etc. Going thru what you are surely is not fun for you and the kiddo.
1997 chev crew cab 454, 5 sp. 4.10
2000 Fleetwood Caribou 11.5
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mockturtle
Northwest
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Joined: 05/31/2005
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When we had our MH in for service while fulltiming, we stayed in our coach. We'd vacate it during the day while they were working on it and sleep in it at night--with our dog. Not all shops will allow this, I suppose, but these two did. I think it inspires them to get it finished quickly, too! 
Husband: Derek
Dog: Bucky
RV: 2000 Aerolite 19RB TT
TV: 1996 Chevrolet Blazer 6 cyl. 4WD
This car used to be our toad, now is our TV!
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avan
Sioux Falls, SD & Livingston,TX
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Joined: 11/02/2002
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It was too difficult to read your entire post but I got the gist. I'd do exactly what MockTurtle recommends and that is to find a good shop that will let you stay in your rig at night. I'm a firm believer that when you do that, the job is done better and done in at least half the time.
Click for more pics of our FT home, our snowbird digs and our summer trips
The puller - International 4700LP (530E) - Wiers Towmaster; Trailer-Saver Air Hitch
The pusher - 40' Travel Supreme Fifth
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jokers99
Madison, S.D.
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Joined: 05/26/2007
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We had a similar accident going across country at a gas station and had major rear end damage. We had to get to a work camping job in 3 weeks, fortunately the repair facility we were sent to by insurance had a fenced lot and hooked us up to electric. We had a spot we could drive to when we were put together sufficiently to dump. We felt sick but it worked out ok, if they had not been able to get repaired in time they would have just patched us up until we got to our destination then went from there. Sounds like you have major issues, but if possible it is better to stay with your rig, especially with pets. Good luck
Kerry and Joanne
Lucy (female Jack always on the attack)
2007 Holiday Rambler Admiral,2002 Ford Focus
Full-timers mantra, Close your eyes, click your heels,
you're already home.
Madison S.D. via Vancouver, WA. 
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WTTCS
freedom , U.S.A.
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Joined: 07/28/2003
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"We have a Weimaraner and 2 cats plus one 3 yr old."
Dont think there is anyplace to keep these things during the day from 8am to 5pm
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firedude
somewhere COOL!
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Joined: 01/21/2003
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Again if you have full-time insurance check with your company. I have trip interruption coverage that pays up to a certain amount for food and lodging. Be careful with this because most coverages are only good for accidents like you had, NOT for warranty work. If you have this coverage get the details and there are many places that will take pets. I've used a few myself from time to time. Best of luck to you!! Keep us informed.
Tony
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Nascarcruzin
Home is where the RV is parked.
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Joined: 01/06/2005
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I'm sorry you are having such a difficult time. I think calling the factory for a recommendation is a great idea. Explain your situation to whom ever is going to do the work. I am sure they will work with you. We always stay in our mh when it's being repaired/serviced/etc.
Good luck!
Rebecca
Ronnie & Rebecca
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2Rovers
On The Road
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Joined: 11/09/2004
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Probably your best bet (and less stress) is do as WTTCS says and find a motel that will accept animals. We have done that before with two cats. We have a large playpen that we would put them in when we were not in the room (just in case a door was opened by a maid). It was large enough for the litter box, food and water.
If possible, staying on the lot is a good option is another 'best bet'. We have done that many times. During the day when they have the coach in service, we put the cats in their playpen and usually hid out in the waiting room or under a tree outdoors. DH spends most of the time looking over their shoulders while it's in service. That is motivation for them to work on it versus going to another coach and leaving yours behind.
Good luck in whatever you do. It can be stressful, but you just wade your way through it.
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