For the RV Mechanics out there

[user 22017]

Thought you might enjoy this article:

"The community of people who repair things is an interesting group, perched on a curious dichotomy. We are, by and large, people who prize self-reliance. Whether that spirit grows out of economic necessity, pure enjoyment, or something else, it is essential to the ethic of repair. At the same time, the community is very hierarchical, which means those of us near the bottom must learn from those above. Self-reliance alone tends to make you isolated and either snobbish (if you think you're good) or intimidated (if you know you're not). The only way out of these predicaments is to connect with other people who know more than you. In the first case they'll quickly put you in your place. In the second, they'll lift you up to where they are."

More:

https://www.wired.com/story/vintage-van-home-repair-way-of-life/

 

[VanFan]

Hit a pay wall, but I enjoyed the quote.

 

[bullfrog !]

First dealership I worked in had a tradition that anytime you asked a question of another mechanic you had to buy a can of soda pop and donate it to the yearly company picnic, I supplied several cases my first year! Lol!!!

 

[VanFan]

Well somebody's gotta do it. Good on you!

 

[user 22017]

Hit a pay wall, but I enjoyed the quote.

Darn. I'll try to find a free version of the article.

Edit: no luck finding a free version. I'd copy and paste it, but it is a long read.

 

[user 22017]

I found it via Pocket. I activated Pocket on Firefox and when I open my browser it shows a bunch of links to articles that I may find interesting.

More on Pocket: https://getpocket.com/en/firefox/new_tab_learn_more/

Edit: Seems there are no firewalls when I click through Pocket to the articles.

 

[INTJohn]

"Self-reliance alone tends to make you isolated and either snobbish (if you think you're good) or intimidated (if you know you're not). The only way out of these predicaments is to connect with other people…….”

(Not quoting Carla just the OP excerpt.)

Self reliance, independence, enjoying my own individual solitude has not made me isolated. I CHOOSE to be the way I am and the way I live and attract frankly waaay too many people most of whom I wish would leave me alone.

If someone confuses my Life’s self confidence, independence & individualism as snobbishness and/or arrogance their inferiority complex, frankly, is not my problem………

While most are dreamin to live;
INTJohnny boi livin the dream

 

[Overland One]

Darn. I'll try to find a free version of the article.

Edit: no luck finding a free version. I'd copy and paste it, but it is a long read.

I was able to read the article without a paywall. After the first few sentences of the article, there was a box that asked me to subscribe for $5 but I just hit the down arrow ( V ) and it went away and the rest of the article was available as I scrolled down. Very interesting and, that is a beautiful old dodge motorhome the author has. (1969 Dodge travco)

 

[rvwandering]

Thanks for the link! I love reading on-the -road stories especially when they are well-written. I found the author's blog. Here's the link if you want to read more about the Travco and this family's adventures: https://luxagraf.net/jrnl/10/

 

[PhilD1954]

are we talking about the big blue bus article?

 

[Cajunwolf]

I'm the fix-it type, and so is my brother, as was my father and grandfather. My great-grandfather was a significant part of the great cattle drives, shod his own horses, and was a gunsmith, blacksmith, and wheel right. I fix things, and I know stuff; no brag, just facts, and all that means is I'm confident in my craft; comfortable in my skin. Some might take it as snobbery, but they have issues if they think that. I'm more than willing to help someone out as long as they don't take advantage and well mannered. I don't turn the other cheek, but I'll always help a man or woman down on their luck. Been there and done that more than once. To be honest, some folks have this "entitled attitude" that crosses me the wrong way. Do it the good old-fashioned way, earn it, and only then will you know and appreciate it—just my 2 cents worth.

 

[bullfrog !]

Many people seem to think they can gain skills without physical efforts, craftsmen know better and have some scars to prove it! Lol!!!

 

[Cajunwolf]

Many people seem to think they can gain skills without physical efforts, craftsmen know better and have some scars to prove it! Lol!!!

At 69, anyone can look at my hands and see they've been ridden hard and put up wet, but my fingers can feel a difference of 0.001 across a crank journal. That is with enough Asprin in me to get around my arthritis from fixing crap all my life. It comes with the territory.

 

[user 22017]

are we talking about the big blue bus article?

Yes. The author restored a 1969 Travco and wrote an article about repairing things for Wired.

 

[Cajunwolf]

Yes. The author restored a 1969 Travco and wrote an article about repairing things for Wired.

I'ne read that, a great and educational read. You have to be able to fix it yourself or wealthy enough to pay someone to do it for you.

 

[user 22017]

I'ne read that, a great and educational read. You have to be able to fix it yourself or wealthy enough to pay someone to do it for you.

I can't fix much of anything, but I have a great deal of respect for those who can.

My dad retired from International Harvester, East Moline, IL plant. He spray painted combines. I noticed that him and his coworkers networked to get things done on their vehicles and their homes. The only things my dad paid to be done was a new roof and getting his house rewired. If they didn't know how to fix something, they called someone who did.

Once cars got computerized that changed.

 

[Overland One]

I can't fix much of anything, but I have a great deal of respect for those who can.

My dad retired from International Harvester, East Moline, IL plant. He spray painted combines. I noticed that him and his coworkers networked to get things done on their vehicles and their homes. The only things my dad paid to be done was a new roof and getting his house rewired. If they didn't know how to fix something, they called someone who did.

Once cars got computerized that changed.

I miss the old days sometimes.

 

[Cajunwolf]

@Carla618
Each person has unique talents; just like fingerprints, no two are the same; that blending of genes from different sources randomly; it's what makes the universe work. You have things/talents you do very well and are most happy when doing, and that gives one pride in craftsmanship, that giving a crap, quality over quantity, craftsmanship. Does that make sense? I remember my maternal grandmother, a farmer's wife, made the best pie one could put in their mouth. We're talking church lady blue ribbon winner at the county fair forever good. The woman could make a damn pie. When asked about her trick, she always answered, "one crumb at a time." I learned from her, but that's another story. The "one crumb at a time" taught me everything about being a craftsman once I understood what she meant. She did it one step at a time, the same way every time, using the best ingredients and experience born from doing it hundreds of times, perfecting the steps, and she loved making pies or baking things in general. It was her talent. Well, one of many.

As a side note, Moline, Il is interesting because, and I'm paraphrasing from Wikipedia...

Minneapolis-Moline was a large tractor, farm, and industrial machinery producer based in Minneapolis and Hopkins, Minnesota, Minnesota, known for its Minneapolis-Moline tractor line. It was the product of a merger of three companies in 1929:

Minneapolis Steel & Machinery (MSM), which was noted for its Twin City tractors, and Minneapolis Threshing Machine Company (MTM), also produced Minneapolis tractors.

Minneapolis Threshing Machine Company (MTM) also produced Minneapolis tractors.

And last but not least...

The Moline Implement Company is formerly known as the Moline Plow Company. It had manufacturing facilities on Lake Street at Hiawatha Avenue in Minneapolis, MN, Hopkins, MN, and Moline, IL. Originally known as the Minneapolis-Moline Power Implement Company, and later shortened Minneapolis-Moline Company.

As an industrial mechanic, I have worked on Minneapolis-Moline stationary power plants running generators, pumps, mining draw works, and crushers, and I also wrenched on tractors. The power plants were the tractor engines modified for a particular task. They were solid American iron, the best in the world, and built to last; people in those days wanted their money's worth; people nowadays charge it, not knowing where it comes or goes. They have a device that makes all of their decisions for them. My, but we have changed. It was an honor to care for and work on these machines. You are working with something built by a true craftsman, and for the most part, by hand.

 

[user 22017]

As a side note, Moline, Il is interesting because, and I'm paraphrasing from Wikipedia...

Very interesting I grew up in Moline. You probably know that John Deere's HQ is there.

Lots of bitter folks in the Quad Cities due to how the workers at IH and the company itself were treated by a new CEO (and others, I'm sure) in the early '80's. You can read about it here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Harvester#Downfall

 

[Cajunwolf]

Very interesting I grew up in Moline. You probably know that John Deere's HQ is there.

Lots of bitter folks in the Quad Cities due to how the workers at IH and the company itself were treated by a new CEO (and others, I'm sure) in the early '80's. You can read about it here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Harvester#Downfall

John Deer and International are based there for Moline's agricultural manufacturing skilled labor pool. Just like if you want to start an RV company, there's no better place than Elkhart, Indiana. You already have a skilled labor pool, and nothing will get built without skilled workers.