Plenty has happened since my last post in August of 2021 which was really an incomplete post. We were biding our time until we could get the trailer into Camping World for repairs so we had 9 days to fill between Virginia and our drop-off day. And due to the rearrangement of our original plans our itinerary was crazy in trying to secure campsites. First stop was Appalachian Campsites for 5 days. This was a chance to catch up with Barry and Dan and play some golf with Barry:
We then had to go down to Circle M in Lancaster for 4 days. Circle M got inundated with rain for over two days and I was camped parallel to the Conestoga River. Our site became a mud pit.
The conditions were miserable. We got to Camping World and dropped off the trailer on August 20. Let the waiting begin. We were then off to Doreen's mom's house in Jessup, about an hour and 45 minutes north. We settled in with Tootsie as she is affectionately known and the days went slowly by. Tootsies 90'th birthday was celebrated by the entire family:
September moved along and I still had no update on the trailer. Doreen and I were growing restless after three weeks and we wanted to get back to Florida. I got another round of golf in with my three brothers-in-law at Jack Frost and that was the highlight of mid-September.
I called Camping World and inquired about the trailer and I found out that nothing had been done to it. I wanted to pick it up ASAP and make arrangements to take it to Tampa Camping World. September 18 we picked it up. My plans were to get back to Florida by the end of the month, taking our time making several stops.
Our first stop was Hershey just to unload the truck, get the fridge running and just relax.
Next stop was Lynchburg RV park in Virginia. We have stayed here a few times but didn't realize we weren't that far from Appomattox Courthouse so we checked out where the Civil War effectively ended.
The McLean house where Lee surrendered to Grant:
There are several buildings to tour, a visitor center showing a 17 minute film, and historical markers describing the events of the battle and subsequent surrender.
We also visited the American Civil War Museum nearby as well.
Lots of displays of uniforms, flags, history of slavery, and weapons of the era.
Our next stop was Fayetteville RV Resort in North Carolina. I was booked for three nights.
On our second night though we encountered a new problem- a water leak somewhere coming from under the wall..
Ah, there is the problem: a cracked cold water line. You can see the small white split in the blue line below.
Well, isn't this a perfect way to top off this trip? Now I can't use water. I tried wrapping it in Flex tape but to no avail. I will have to get home as quick as possible and do it without using water.
This is only the beginning of a story so frustrating that that is the reason for my lapse in posting anything after my blog last year. I was so fed up- with Camping World, the trailer, camping in general, and our seemingly not being able to get through a trip without complications.
We got home on September 28 and I had an appointment set up for the trailer on October 7 at Camping World Tampa. My service advisor, Michael "Troy" Skinner accompanies myself and my friend Joe D to inspect the damages and issues that need attention. Troy seems to be a capable and empathetic guy and takes photos and notes on his I-pad. He is very forthcoming and tells me this could be a very labor intensive job, some of which may not be covered under my extended service plan. I inform Troy that this unit did not sustain any of the damage under my ownership, that it was sold to me in this condition. He agrees and says that the water damage is known in the business as "lot-rot". I am somewhat relieved that I have an advisor who can get the job done and keep me abreast of the situation as the repairs progress. He assures me he will get as much as he can covered by the warranty.
In the mean time I really want to give the sales department a visit and demand they bear some responsibility for the repairs. My original sales person, Mark, is not on duty this day but his supervisor Kurtis is. Kurtis remembers me and I let him know of my total dissatisfaction with my purchase and that I am not paying for any repairs not covered under warranty. Of course he plays it very diplomatically with his reaction but I don't feel he will be a big help.
As the end of October draws near I decide to call Camping World to get an update. Troy is not in and I leave a message. I call again a week later and find out that Troy Skinner is out on long term leave and it is not known if, or when he will return. In the mean time my work order has been turned over to Teresa Patton, who knows nothing about my situation. Days, weeks and eventually 6 months go by.
That is correct: my trailer was at Tampa Camping world for 6 months and 5 days! My efforts included writing a lengthy business letter to the general manger, which at least got the one slide floor repaired in a week and an email on March 11 to Marcus Lemonis, CEO of Camping World. That ended up being almost comical.
A few days after sending the email I received a reply from the VIP customer liaison saying they were sorry I was having issues and that they would involve the store and regional management, and if I didn't get contacted in a reasonable time I should call a number provided in the email. That was funny because several months to get any resolution was reasonable by Camping World standards I replied.
Now comes the best part. On March 22 I get contacted by my service advisor Teresa. She informs me my coach was all done and was placed on the lot and was struck by a customers trailer! She said the damage was minimal to mine and had been repaired already, however in the area of the repair to the corner molding the decal was scraped and they could not find a new one.
Here is the other guy's damage:
Also just to rile me more Teresa tells my that the store's manager wants any unit that is drivable/ useable to be picked up by the customer ASAP to make room on the lot. I become incensed and refuse to entertain that idea of picking up my unit with damage and that is not happening. About 5 minutes after that conversation I get a call from Kirsten, the VIP customer service liaison asking me to pick up my trailer. I went off the deep end. I became enraged and she probably thought I was a crazed lunatic. I refused to give in. The audacity of her and Camping World to pressure me after nearly 6 months of sitting there to be in a rush for me to pick it up. Kirsten stayed calm as I ranted and eventually she made the case. I acquiesced and agreed to pick it up. She informed me the store would contact me to make arrangements.
Of course another week went by and no word. Finally I get the call. I tell Teresa I want the unit washed, tire pressure checked, and the battery fully charged. She says that will happen and that they tried as best they could to locate a decal but had no luck. Teresa said when one could be located they would send someone to me to fix it. So April 12 I finally picked the trailer up.
I bring the trailer home for a quick check and everything appears fixed. The original work order added up to over 60 hours of labor which goes for $149 per hour. I paid $551 out of pocket so that was okay by me. Now the plan is to take it out for a local camping trip to really ensure all systems are a go before we plan an extended summer long trip. I make a reservation at Orlando Thousand Trails for a week starting on April 29. I bring the trailer to the driveway on the 28'th to prep. I connect the water supply and can't believe my eyes. A leak in the same spot as before and new one coming from the grey water pipe outside.
Well that's the end of a camping trip that doesn't even leave the driveway. Now I have to go back to Camping World. I take it in the following morning and they actually get it into a service bay the same day. My service advisor Teresa calls me that afternoon and says they found a loose fitting that was unrelated to the repairs made originally. They want to keep it pressurized over the weekend and keep an eye on it. I eventually pick it up on Wednesday May 4. I bring it home and pull into the driveway to run my own test. Twenty-four hours and no leaks. I don't have enough time to go out on a test trip so I put it back in storage.
Hopefully that is the end of the Camping World experience. Needless to say I will never go back as long as all of their repairs hold up. And yes, a trip is planned and booked starting on June 5. We will be heading for Branson, MO and then to PA. Keep your fingers crossed!
