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Unexpected travel plans change
Wednesday last week we were on a motorhome trip to see family in North Carolina traveling up I-95 in South Carolina. Mid morning we started to pull into the rest area south of Walterboro and the right front tire hit a significant pothole in the concrete pavement of the exit ramp. It felt like hitting a wall and the power steering failed quickly. We parked in the first truck parking slot to assess the damage. The tire & wheel appeared to be okay but upon opening the hood there was hydraulic fluid all over the the area where the empty power steering fluid reservoir is located. Realizing we needed to be towed to a repair facility we called Coach Net for service which they handled quite well. The only wrecker service in that region that had the size wrecker for towing our coach was backed up on calls and it was early evening before they arrived. During our waiting period Coach Net reps would check in with us to see how we were doing up until we were towed.
During our wait period we walked back and photographed the 28” X 28” X 8”(deep) pothole. We called SCDOT and advised them of this very dangerous hole. We heard from them the next day that it was quickly repaired. I can only imagine what would have happened if a motorcycle had ever hit it. SCDOT said we could submit a damage cost claim to them which we did.

While waiting we called the Walterboro Ford dealership to see if they could do the repair but they don’t have the facilities for large vehicle. However they did recommend a place in Savannah, GA or Jones Ford in North Charleston, SC that could do the work. They were about equal distance from our location. Realizing we would have to stay away from the coach for an undetermined amount of repair time we chose Charleston as I have a cousin  living on Daniel Island there. He said we would more than welcome to stay as long as it takes. We also called the Ford dealership to confirm they could do the repair. Mark, the general manager, said they would do it and leave the coach near the service area and we could stay in it that evening only.
 
When the very friendly wrecker driver arrived he disconnected the drive shaft from the differential and attempted to put the steel cradles under & around the front ties for lifting. The cradle support boom would not go low enough to fit the tires. This is when having our BigFoot jacks paid off in a very big way. I was able to raise the front end more than enough so the cradles would fit. We followed the wrecker for the 1-hr 30-min. tow to Jones Ford. We called Coach Net to say we were there and signed off with them. We leveled the coach on a very tilted driveway and had a good night’s sleep.

 Thursday morning we spoke with Jake, a service representative, who initially said they “Don’t work on motorhomes here.” We then advised him that Mark, the Gen. Mgr. said they would do the repair and we were then signed in. Thereafter Jake did all he could to get things started. We drove to Daniel Island and moved in with my  cousin. Later that day Jake called and said that three power steering hoses were ruptured and they had two in stock but the third would have to be shipped in. Mike, the mechanic said he could see no other damage to the suspension or wheel/tire. Because it would be impossible to tell if there was any internal damage to the tire I requested that it be replaced with the new spare tire/wheel. As I had the Borg valve stem on the front tire they moved it to the spare replacement.
 
Friday there was no new hose so we stayed the weekend and toured Daniel Island and  downtown Charleston and had a great visit with my cousin.

Monday the third hose was replaced. I had also requested the front end have an alignment check but their rack was unavailable. They suggested going to a RV repair facility nearby. Early afternoon we paid the Ford bill and went to the RV place and found it closed. As chance was on our side when we pulled up to the building the garage door was opening by the owner who was there to do some personal shop work. He advised they don’t do alignment work but gave us the name of wheel & frame shop near there that does alignments. He gave us the address and phone # so off we went. Upon arrival that place was closed up. We tried the phone and someone answered! They were inside with the doors closed because of the cold. We explained our situation and they, being very friendly, said they would check the alignment right then. Not only did they check the alignment they also inspected the suspension and wheel bearings and found all to be okay. After a test drive by the mechanic all was in good order. They said there was no charge and wished us a Merry Christmas! We did pay them with a bag of naval oranges from our tree back at the ranch.

We were unable to continue to NC as our family there was leaving out of town then so we had a nice return home after having a different adventure! 

2026 Coach House 27' "Casa Azul"
2010 RB "Monty"  &  2021 RB "Villa Verde"
2004 Born Free 26'
1998 Beaver Patriot 33'
1992 Barth Breakaway 28'
1982 Fleetwood Jamboree 23
Re: Unexpected travel plans change
Reply #1 –
That sucks!! But you’re a hero for calling to get that hole repaired. 0.001% of people do something like that. Good karma despite the bad luck at the present. Happy holidays

Sasha
2005 Mid Bath
Re: Unexpected travel plans change
Reply #2 –
Mike,
Sorry to hear of the change in plans, but I'm glad your LD is fixed and ready for your next trip.  After reading your report, I guess we are ready to add Coach Net to our traveling.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Harold
2014 27 MB
Towd: Either the Jeep Wrangler or trailer containing the BMW R1200GS and 2 E-bicycles
Happy wife=Happy life
Re: Unexpected travel plans change
Reply #3 –
That’s quite a pothole and  subsequent journey to remedy the damage. Your patience was palatable  while doggedly checking off all the necessary boxes to result in a full repair. Thanks for the lemons to lemonade recount of your trip and Happy Holidays to you and your  family.
Susan Wilson
'95 MB
'03  Front Lounge
'15   TK
‘21 MB
Re: Unexpected travel plans change
Reply #4 –
Hoses damaged from a pot hole? How?
Steve and Jill, Steve posting
1999 26.5 Mid-Bath
Re: Unexpected travel plans change
Reply #5 –
Mike,
Thanks for documenting the incident. We are new to RV and I always worry about these type of incidents and hearing your experience does help prepare. When you see a check from DOT, please update us.
All the best and Mary Christmas.
Re: Unexpected travel plans change
Reply #6 –
That was ugly; sorry that it happened, and hope that your LD can be repaired correctly and promptly! Emergency road service: don't leave home without it!  ;)
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Unexpected travel plans change
Reply #7 –
Quote from: StevenJill  - 
Hoses damaged from a pot hole? How?

That was my question as well.  Glad to hear things turned out ok as it could have been much worse.
Happy Holidays!
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Unexpected travel plans change
Reply #8 –
Glad that the two of you are OK and the rig is now back on the road...and you got to tour Charleston with a native guide.
This is the first time I have ever heard about an impact blowing most of the steering box/hydro-boost hoses on an E450 or any other vehicle.
Working in the mechanical biz for decades, I have seen all sorts of odd and weird damage

Did the mechanic give an explanation of how this type of damage occurred? If the steering wheel was pointed straight ahead, the steering should not have been affected., It would seem that a very significant sideload to the front wheels must have occurred to blow hoses that are rated for very high pressures. I'm surprised the steering box and/or the hydro-boost were not damaged or any of the steering linkage.
Interesting that the hoses are the weak link.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Unexpected travel plans change
Reply #9 –
"That sucks!! But..."

... But all's well that ends well. Hope you never have to go through that again!   :o   :(
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Unexpected travel plans change
Reply #10 –
Mike, your story is reminder that there are good people in this world. From my read of this, you folks have such a positive attitude that probably helped with all of your human contacts.

Also good to learn that Coach Net continues performing superlative service.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Steve K
Steve K

2003 Mid-bath
Re: Unexpected travel plans change
Reply #11 –
"Hoses damaged from a pot hole? How?"
"Did the mechanic give an explanation of how this type of damage occurred?"

It was explained that such a hard hit by the wheel somewhat to the side due to the irregular shape of the hole did cause a severe hydraulic fluid back pressure to the system causing the failure of the three hoses. The hoses were detached from the end fittings. There was no damage to the rest od the hydraulic system. Better the hoses fail than a hydraulic piston seal. That would be a more involved repair. There was no damage to the suspension.
 
"When you see a check from DOT, please update us."

Our insurance company, Florida Farm Bureau, will cover the repair cost less the deductible. The agent said that most states will not pay on claims but if they do, we will send the payment to the insurance company to cover their cost.

" hope that your LD can be repaired correctly and promptly!"

We did have to wait for the parts to arrive and they were installed promptly.  Everyone treated us well and we have made some more friends along the way.

"I'm surprised the steering box and/or the hydro-boost were not damaged or any of the steering linkage.
Interesting that the hoses are the weak link."

I'm glad it was only the hoses. There was no other damage showing up on the two day trip back home to Florida.
This has made for a good Christmas together at home with a fire in the fireplace on these cold evenings.
All the best to everyone,
Mike & Elizabeth

 
2026 Coach House 27' "Casa Azul"
2010 RB "Monty"  &  2021 RB "Villa Verde"
2004 Born Free 26'
1998 Beaver Patriot 33'
1992 Barth Breakaway 28'
1982 Fleetwood Jamboree 23
Re: Unexpected travel plans change
Reply #12 –
Wow! What a hair raising time. Im happy that you are ok and that repairs could be made to your LD. I sure hope that the SCDOT will pay some or all of your bill. Happy and safe travels from here on.
Daughter of the first Lazy Bones
Hitting the road on my own and with a friend 🚐 while reporting back to the Lazy Bones at home 🛋

2 Lazy Bones - Home
Re: Unexpected travel plans change
Reply #13 –
Good luck with the DOT.
A few years ago, we hit a deep and wide pothole in San Diego.  It blew our tire and bent the wheel and there were several hubcaps in the bushes.  I photographed it, sent it to the city of San Diego and they fixed the hole and paid for a new wheel and tire!

Harold
2014 27 MB
Towd: Either the Jeep Wrangler or trailer containing the BMW R1200GS and 2 E-bicycles
Happy wife=Happy life
Re: Unexpected travel plans change
Reply #14 –
Quote from: Mike Coachman  - 

Later that day Jake called and said that three power steering hoses were ruptured and they had two in stock but the third would have to be shipped in

The hoses were detached from the end fittings. There was no damage to the rest of the hydraulic system.

I'm confused if the hoses were ruptured or just the ends were blown off.

Properly installed fittings are as strong as the hose, most incidences where the fitting comes off are caused by improper crimping.
To have three hose fittings pop off strongly indicates a possible manufacturing issue.
Wonder if Ford was or is still having supply issues with the new V8 engine?

You should be good with the high-pressure lines replaced but I wonder about the other 2021 LDs.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
 
Re: Unexpected travel plans change
Reply #15 –
There are period reports of Uncured Power Steering Hose with recent Ford F series trucks, perhaps the issue is also present in the E450s?   That would explain three hoses bursting like that.
Dave

2017 TK