Um, getting ready to get ripped off...

[duckwonder]

Hi All,

I have a 2004 Pleasureway Van, Ford Chassis.  A mobile mechanic is coming tomorrow supposedly to help me with roof leaks, install a Weboost by removing the tv antennae and using that space, re-secure some hanging weather stripping from a window and a storage bay, seal a crack on the freshwater tank and put a plug on that (it was a stick in there before), and do a PDI of sorts to make sure I have no propane leaks and that the battery is good to go.  Would you guys pay $1200 for that???

Already do not have a good feeling about it.  I wish I could do what you folks do to do it myself but I am new, and honestly, don't know a thing.  He gave me a ballpark number for the work on the phone and then doubled it when he saw the van (no different than what I said on the phone).  The van looks great, it's not in bad shape, this is the minor stuff I need to do to be fully road-ready.  I just feel frustrated and feel like the guy is full of, well, you know.

Can anyone point out some ways I will be able to tell if this guy is doing it right?  Any help is much appreciated.  Hope you are well.

 

[TMG51]

Well, no, I wouldn't pay $1200 for that, but that's because I would do the work myself. It does sound high to me and I'm not surprised that a mobile mechanic would quote you high. From his perspective, he doesn't know what he's going to get into and he wants to make sure he makes a profit so he lumps a $1200 figure on there. You might have better luck hiring a handyman sort off Craigslist. Word of mouth can be the best for these things sometimes, if you have anyone to ask.

 

[Ballenxj]

If you have already contracted that person to come out and do those repairs, now is not the time to be asking if that is a fair price, especially from people on the internet that have not seen your van.
 My advice to you is to have a positive vibe while this person is working on your van and hope for the best. People can pick up on that.
Good luck to you, and let us know how it turns out.

 

[jonsun]

he probably doesnt really know how to check a battery. Which is something you really need to learn yourself and the tool to do it is under $10. a propane smeller is something that would also be a good investment for you. $20 on amazon. Should be a solid days work from there.... $300 would be reasonable. rehanging weather stripping is some goop from home depot so the only work to actually do is the tank and weboost.

 

[duckwonder]

Well, no, I wouldn't pay $1200 for that, but that's because I would do the work myself. It does sound high to me and I'm not surprised that a mobile mechanic would quote you high. From his perspective, he doesn't know what he's going to get into and he wants to make sure he makes a profit so he lumps a $1200 figure on there. You might have better luck hiring a handyman sort off Craigslist. Word of mouth can be the best for these things sometimes, if you have anyone to ask.

I'm asking you.  But thank you.  These items are so straight forward that you don't need to see the van.  It gave me pause when he ballparked it and then doubled it.  There is nothing that is out of the ordinary for him to see on the van to say, "whoa, no way, I'm going to need double what I asked," and I am in an area where RV type help is pretty much non-existent.  I'm sort of an introvert anyway so no, there are not too many people I can ask.  I've been watching videos and it's as if my brain does not digest the technical stuff and physically, I can't do some of the physical stuff, like on the roof.  I just feel like I am doomed.  All I want to do is see the country before I die.

 

[duckwonder]

Hi, this is along the lines of some good feedback for me on this.  I watched some videos about the battery.  It seems like I will need a voltmeter and to learn how to use that and a hydrometer, which I feel better about despite the acid issue.  I really Am trying.  I have never heard of a propane smeller, so because of your response, I will now be able to look into that, thank you.  I'm not confident on the weather stripping at all, I know, lol.  The weboost, clearly I need help with that.  The tank, I have looked for a stopper for that drain and don't know enough of how to tell if it will be the right one.  As far as the tank, can't I just slap some silicone on that crack?  I have a caulking gun and can use that.  I'm sorry, in general if I sound upset.  I am upset.  I feel like my dreams are ridiculous because I'll never be able to do it.

 

[bonvanroulez]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]He gave me a ballpark number for the work on the phone and then doubled it when he saw the van[/font]

When a contractor, mechanic, repair person or whoever does this, it's a not-so-kind way of saying they don't want the job, or dont want to do the work. I absolutely wouldn't want someone with that attitude wrenching on my vehicle.

 

[duckwonder]

When a contractor, mechanic, repair person or whoever does this, it's a not-so-kind way of saying they don't want the job, or dont want to do the work. I absolutely wouldn't want someone with that attitude wrenching on my vehicle.

Truth-telling, I like it, thank you.

 

[duckwonder]

If you have already contracted that person to come out and do those repairs, now is not the time to be asking if that is a fair price, especially from people on the internet that have not seen your van.
 My advice to you is to have a positive vibe while this person is working on your van and hope for the best. People can pick up on that.
Good luck to you, and let us know how it turns out.

Have not contracted, he came out to see it and then doubled it.  I did not know that was code for hey lady, I don't want to do it.  But now that I do, he won't be doing it.  Which probably means I am stuck here forever.

 

[user 423]

I have looked for a stopper for that drain and don't know enough of how to tell if it will be the right one.  As far as the tank, can't I just slap some silicone on that crack? 

Can you take a pic of the drain and post it so maybe we could give some feed back? There are repair kits available for tanks and may work OK depending on where the crack is and how big.

 

[Ballenxj]

Have not contracted, he came out to see it and then doubled it.  I did not know that was code for hey lady, I don't want to do it.  But now that I do, he won't be doing it.  Which probably means I am stuck here forever.

I'm sorry, apparently I misunderstood? When you wrote,

I have a 2004 Pleasureway Van, Ford Chassis.  A mobile mechanic is coming tomorrow supposedly to help me with roof leaks, install a Weboost by removing the tv antennae and using that space, re-secure some hanging weather stripping from a window and a storage bay, seal a crack on the freshwater tank and put a plug on that (it was a stick in there before), and do a PDI of sorts to make sure I have no propane leaks and that the battery is good to go.

I apparently mistakenly thought you said he was coming out to work on your RV.

 

[duckwonder]

Yes, when it's daylight, I will do that.  Thank you for your kindness.

 

[duckwonder]

I'm sorry, apparently I misunderstood? When you wrote,
I apparently mistakenly thought you said he was coming out to work on your RV.

Supposedly he is coming, I told him I can't do that price.  He said he'd come by in the morning and if we can agree, he'd do the work tomorrow.  Everything in his demeanor is telling me he does not want to do it.  And it probably does not help that I find it hard to trust repair people.  He probably IS picking up on that.  I'm not made of money.  I was having a hard time at $600.  I don't even think he'll show, but if he does, we'll have a talk about all this.

 

[duckwonder]

Can you take a pic of the drain and post it so maybe we could give some feed back?  There are repair kits available for tanks and may work OK depending on where the crack is and how big.

I'm having some trouble posting but I'm calming down.  Yes, that sounds like a good idea and I will try to do that tomorrow during the day. Repair kits?  Awesome.  Thank you for your kindness.

 

[jonsun]

I would tell him just the weboost, weather stripping, and tank. all I can afford is $300. Maybe do $400. That's $50hr. If not someone here at some meetup will surely take you on.

frankly there's no real way to fix that tank. just buy a new one. What exactly is he going to do, JB weld it? a $5 pack of epoxy justifies that kind of price? Then you got a water tank with chemical epoxies leeching in there that will probably break because they're not meant to bend like that tank will do. Not to mention to properly apply it you have to scuff the surface which he cant do on the inside.

pulling a vhf/uhf antenna for that weboost thing is like no worse than a 30 minute job. I mean all the mounting to the roof is already there.

 

[highdesertranger]

first off what area are you in? maybe someone can give you a hand. nothing you listed is real hard. BTW don't use regular silicone on your tank, it's not food grade. also there is no reason the stuff you listed should keep you from hitting the road. I we all waited until everything was 100% none of us would ever get on the road. highdesertranger

 

[trailsailor]

When I need to decide if I can do something myself then youtube is my friend. Some things that I think may be beyond my skill are really quite easy when I can see it being done. Some recent examples are installing new fuel filter, cleaning the mass air flow sensor, and adding r134 to the a/c.

When I either just don't want to do something myself or it is beyond my skill then Yelp is my friend. I have located 2 mechanics in different states and both were excellent. You can tell a lot by reading others' opinions and be pretty confident going in that you aren't going to be ripped off.

 

[sometimesido]

I would like to add to what trailsailor above said. I'm no mechanic, but my wife and I searched through google, watched youtube videos to do a diagnostic of my daughter's car and fixed most issues that doesn't involve engine block and transmission.

example: figured out why A/C wasn't blowing anymore, replaced switch under the hood.
check engine light, bought one of those 15 dollar Bluetooth OBD scanners on Amazon, replaced valve cover gasket from watching youtube videos, check engine light gone.
engine overheating, search, youtube video, Haynes manual, replaced thermostat/coolant. no more overheating.
etc.

most of the issues, other people with same cars had same issues. so, it was online somewhere with a fix.

I understand rv/van living stuff is a little different, but I believe the issues you mentioned can be learned to do yourself. Not as fast, but certainly cheaper and the knowledge you gained will be "valuable down the road." 

If not diy, seems like there are number of people in this thread trying to help you.  $1200, let alone $600 seems way too steep.

 

[tx2sturgis]

I see a need for an honest, traveling nomad/mechanic to assist in these situations.

I realize one person could not help every one in the country, but if we had several of them, it might be a start to something good.

 

[duckwonder]

15694[/ATTACH] slow2day pid='330342' dateline='1505268269']
Can you take a pic of the drain and post it so maybe we could give some feed back?  There are repair kits available for tanks and may work OK depending on where the crack is and how big.

Hi.  I am going to post an update at the bottom of the thread and want to take your suggestion with the pictures.