I Can See Clearly Now

Documenting our experience with fixing foggy motorhome windows

 

We have been living with foggy windows in our Winnebago Vectra for a few years. We had one replaced at Winnebago in 2007 and we attempted to have the picture window replace at Winnebago's Grand National Rally (GNR) in July of 2010. To replace the picture window at Winnebago would have cost $1057 plus labour. That, though, was not the reason we didn't have it replaced then. The problem was that they would have had to order it from their supplier and it would take 6 weeks. So, by the time February 2011 rolled around the picture window had deteriorate badly and there were 2 other foggy windows in the bedroom. 
 

The picture window is made up of 5 individual panes, each is double pane of insulated glass. Three of these panes lost their seal which caused them to be badly fogged.



We had tried a number of windows places both in the US and Canada to have the windows fixed but until we found Suncoast Designer in Hudson, Fl. We had no success. It came highly recommended by a number of RVers who had been there before.

 Suncoast Designers has 16 sites with 50AMP electrical service, water and high-speed internet. There is also a dump station onsite. Suncoast replace your windows with cardboard while they work so you can live comfortably in the motorhome.


Most customers are in and out in a day but we were not. Unlike most customers, we actually had to have the picture window rebuilt. This took and entire week while we were comfortably parked at Camp Suncoast. The other two windows were completed and installed early Overall, a great experience. Suncoast was very professional and did, in my opinion, an excellent job. Oh yes, did I tell you that for all 5 windows with tax it was only $1065.00

Angel's Lobster and Seafood Buffet

Last night we had a desire for some seafood.  Driving down 192 in Kissimmee we saw a large sign for Angel's Lobster Buffet advertising "All you can Eat Seafood" featuring Lobster and Crab for $19.99.  No time for small print at 55mph.  Having thought about it Bettyann and I and another couple decided to go to dinner at around 6:30PM.  The four of us were looking forward to a great feast of Lobster and Snow Crab.

$19.99 what a great deal!  When we arrived our mouths were watering in anticipation.

Well guess what - to good to be true?  You bet.  Disappointment from Hell.

We sat down at the table and were informed that the $19.99 price didn't include lobster or crab and by the way it was only good before 6PM.  After 6PM the price was $26.99 without lobster and crab and if we wanted those it would be $36.99.  Would you feel like you have been ripped off?  We did.

It was Saturday night and we were not in the mood to stand in line at another restaurant.  Even then, we debated leaving.  We instead, decided to stay, pay the $26.99 price and eat what we could from the seafood bar.

WE WON'T GO Back - EVER!

Window Repair Day 5

Well it's Friday.  When we returned from teaching our computer seminar last night we returned to a motorhome with 2 of 3 windows installed.  This morning, however, they had to remove one and repair it.  It wouldn't open properly.  On the second window, the valance they replace was interfering with the TV in the back opening.  That was quickly solved.

We still are waiting for any information as to when the picture window (5 Panes) will be installed.  Suncoast set our expectation for Monday with a possible Friday.  We should know soon if we can leave for Rock Crusher in the motorhome this evening or whether we will have to pack a bag and head for Kissimmee to spend a couple of days with some friends from up north.  If we do that, we will probably leave the motorhome parked at suncoast until Tuesday or Wednesday.

Day 3 at Suncoast Designers

Well we're into day 3 of camping at Suncoast Designers Inc. having 5 windows fixed.  Three of those windows are from the 5 panes that make up the picture window.  They were really bad.

Picture Window - 5 Panes

As it turns out, the windows are not repairable and Suncoast has made cardboard templates and sent them out to have new panes built.  It might be Monday until we can have them installed.  The bedroom window and the emergency exit window we expect to have installed today.

We are comfortably parked and living in the motorhome with 50Amp electric and water.  Thank you Suncoast.   Although, we are running out of tank space in the grey water.

Tomorrow we will be heading to Rock Crusher in the car.  We will be leaving early enough to do laundry and set up for our computer seminar.  After the seminar we hope to have dinner at the Grill.

FMCA SEA Rally - 2011

Arrived at the FMCA SEA Rally on Jan 31st for a week of dry camping while we enjoyed all the events.  We at least had electricity but really didn't need it since the weather was almost perfect.

I attended the Computer Seminars put on by "Geeks on Tour."  and I have to say they were terrific.  They covered many of the things Bettyann and I cover in our seminars including Picasa, GMail, and Staying Connected While on the Road.  I had not taught blogging before with anything other than Windows Live Writer so the blogging capability of Google was a new experience for me.  I think I will add it to my repertoire.

They didn't cover many of the the things we do but they certainly have the knowledge and experience.  I loved their teaching style.  I certainly will reference there web site at my classes - who knows, they may sell a few DVDs and get some subscribers.

While we were here we also got to party with some folks, Tom and Diane and their RV club from Lakeland, FL.  Happy Hour every night.

On and not-so-great note - we were on Satellite Internet all week and the upload speeds were awful.  That is why I don't have pictures in this blog post and why we were not on Skype all week.

On Sunday we are heading for Hudson, FL and expect to be there until Wednesday evening when we return to Rock Crusher and high speed internet.  We are looking forward to our trip to Suncoast Designers in Hudson.  We really need to get our windows (5 or 7 of them) defogged and I have heard great thing about the service there.  Four more days of dry camping though.