Determination and Perserverance

One of the things I enjoy most about the RV lifestyle is the people.

RVers come from every walk of life. Some travel full time, while others are weekend campers who simply enjoy getting away for a few days. We camp in everything from small travel trailers to large motorhomes, but most of us are looking for the same thing.

Time with family and friends.

A quiet evening around a campfire.

The opportunity to explore new places.

And the chance to create memories that will last a lifetime.

Our skill levels are just as varied as the RVs we own.

Some owners are still learning how their water heater works, while others can strip an RV down to the frame and rebuild it from the ground up. One thing I’ve noticed over the years is that experienced RVers are usually willing to share what they’ve learned and help someone who needs a hand.

Another quality that seems common throughout the RV community is determination.

Things are going to go wrong.

Weather changes.

Parts break.

Tires go flat.

Plans change.

It’s simply part of traveling.

The difference is that RVers rarely let those setbacks end the trip. They figure out the problem, make the best repair they can, and keep moving.

A friend of mine, Bob, recently shared the story of his trip to Texas with his wife, Liz. They are experienced RVers, yet they seemed to encounter one challenge after another.

Their trip began with a delay when the boiler that provides hot water and supplemental heat stopped working the day before departure.

Once they were on the road, they stopped at a rest area in Iowa where engine and transmission fault codes suddenly appeared, leaving their motorhome stuck in first gear. After doing some research online, Bob was able to clear the codes and continue the trip.

Then they discovered their GPS hadn’t been properly updated, creating navigation problems until Bob was able to get it working again.

When they finally reached a campground one evening, heavy fog made it difficult to find the entrance. They missed the driveway and ended up at a dead end while driving a 43 foot motorhome and towing a full size pickup. During the process of turning around, some tree branches left a few scrapes on the coach.

As if that wasn’t enough, strong crosswinds in Oklahoma tore the awning from the side of the motorhome, causing additional damage to both the coach and the vehicle they were towing.

Later, while driving through construction in Texas, they discovered a wheel nut had loosened on their tow dolly. After inspecting it more closely, they found another loose bolt that could have led to a much more serious problem.

Heavy rain created one final surprise when the windshield wipers suddenly stopped working.

Fortunately, that repair was simple.

Removing and reinstalling the fuse solved the problem.

Despite everything they encountered, Bob and Liz arrived safely in South Padre Island and were finally able to relax and enjoy the reason they had taken the trip in the first place.

That’s determination and perseverance.

Update: January 22, 2025

I recently heard from Bob again.

Their adventure continues.

They have now left South Texas and are making their way toward Arizona. Along the way, a rock thrown by either their motorhome or another vehicle shattered a window in their towed vehicle.

Unfortunately, they also discovered a much more serious problem.

Their tow dolly, which they purchased in October 2024, developed a bend and a stress crack, making it unsafe to use. Bob tells me the manufacturer has declined to honor what they believed was a one year warranty. As a result, they have filed complaints with the Attorneys General in both Minnesota and Colorado, where the company is based.

I’ll provide another update if I hear how that situation is resolved.

One other observation Bob shared involved the condition of the roads in Texas. He felt they were among the roughest roads he had ever driven.

After our own trip to Galveston last year, I understand exactly what he means. We also encountered long stretches of rough pavement that required slowing down to reduce the stress on our truck and fifth wheel.

The old saying is true.

It’s rarely the challenges you remember years later.

It’s the adventure of overcoming them that becomes part of the story.