RV Rescue

I was in Ventura Ranch Holiday KOAd having stayed two nights on my return to Canada from snow birding for a few months in Southern California. I have a 2022 Thor 29 Hurricane I bought last spring from Traveland.  It reallly has been wonderful home and machine despite ‘shake down cruise’ problems.  One has been the slide.  In LA it had required an RV tech to fix its clearance over the waste water outflow beneath the sink.

Now Horror of Horrors the slide would not close.  Without the slide closed I couldn’t leave. I was on a time line returning with work expectations in Canada and my Johnson and Johnson travel insurance was running out. Besides having had a wonderful time I was looking forward to being with friends again and ‘home’.

Thankfully the KOA office recommended Bob Schlesinger, a certified RV Tech, with “RV Rescue.”  He’s located in Valencia CA. 858-255 4464.  He called me back within the hour, discussed the slide problem and said he could be there that afternoon.

He came and had all the electronic equipment to address  the issue. There are  two 500:1  motors at the top of the slide which can be desyncronized.  There’s a ‘controller’ under the THor on the ceiling of the storage box.  The’ fix it yourself RV internet site” said press the button with a pen 6 times then 1 more.  This would cause flashing lights.  Then go inside and press the retract on the panel and the motors should be synchronized and the slide should go in.  First, while it was easy enough to locate the control its location was was such seeing a pressing the tiny button required a contortionist and extension mirror. I somehow did it.  But the slide  didn’t retradt

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When Bob arrived he told me there were two motors and that the controller sinked them but one   to be erratic.  He had a marvellous electronic gizmo that bypassed the controller and allowed him to test each motor.  Having diagnosed that problem he disconnected the second motor with the help of his assistant who arrived after being called.  We lower the Thor on the automatic jacks so the nose was lower pulling thee slide forward with gravity and allowing Bob to disconnect the second battery.  Then with the help of his assistant they could manually ‘push’ that end in.

Unfortunately the front end of the slide still only went half way in.  Bob then began a search for what could be blocking it.  The previous fault under the sink wasn’t the problem and there seemed nothing in the cabin that could be adding resistance. Under the THOR at the top of the first storange box he found that the slide had become loose. There were three or four of these guides in each of the boxes.  This one was enough out of alignment to block the return of the slide. Once that was diagnosed the assistant could press against the slide to help alignment as Bob brought the slide in with his bypass controller gizmo.

Voila!!!!  The slide was in.  Kaloo Kalay, the Jaberwalky cried. I said Halllujah.  Peacock were in the park at this point walked by to see what the excitement was about.   I was mobile again. I don’t need the slide to be able to go on with the Thor Motorhome . They are made to be functional with the slide in. I can walk right through and use everything I need. I just down have the extra space that adds elegance and charm and extra living space to the vehicle when I’m parked..  

I was really pleased.  3 hours of time and reasonable cost given they came out on a Sunday. Bob had solved a problem I couldn’t  without the experience and training. I  wouldn’t have been able to fix it myself  despite having a variety of ‘fix it’ skills younger.  It turned out to be a two person job anyway. 

KOA was most understanding. I paid the extra day this morning. I had planned to be going on to KOA Santa Magerita but when I called them first thing yesterday morning they were able to cancel my reservation.  I’ll keep a day late.  I suspect I’m not the only one who has been delayed by a slide.  Fortunately for me Bob came to the rescue. RV Rescue indeed.

Right now I’m waiting for him to come with a ‘Slide Lock’. Disconnceted from one motor that end of the slide could potentially swing out on the freeway.  Not something other drivers or myself would appreciate.  I’ve a few days driving and will be thankful for the peace of mind knowing that I’m safe. The slide lock is an extending pole put on the inside to prevent the slide going out. Obviously better than my idea of wrapping duck tape all around the Motorhome and holding the slider in that way.

Thank you Lord .