The Three R's

Repairs, Replacing and Remodeling ... all of which Wolf needs on our return. Fortunately not all of it was out of our pocket. The first chance we had after our return, we went to see Ashley and Jeff at our local Camping World service department with our list of Timmber Wolf problems: windshield gasket leak; slide-out gasket; the yellow streak; front side windows; leveling system alarm; chronically bad tail light and shore cord plug damage.

That latter item was a brand new problem. We had had Wolf plugged in at the house while we got stuff out of it and then headed for Camping World with me following in the car. To get in position, I went around the block while Geoff turned left out of our driveway. I came around the block just as Geoff was passing by at the end of the street and bopping along on the road behind him was the power cord we use to plug in to shore power! Wish I had gotten a picture of that!

Unfortunately we had not bothered with the hats with the communication gear and I had to resort to the flashing lights, beeping horn etc methods. I finally got the chance to pass him and pulled in front of Wolf with flashing lights etc and he realized I wanted him to stop. The bouncing along the road had shredded the side of the plug so it got added to our list!

Original recliner, ours was black

The windshield gasket leak problem actually belonged to another local company that Camping World had coordinated with when the windshield was replaced and it took a few weeks to get that taken care of. Most of the rest were pretty standard problems for them, if not for us. The body repair work came under our insurance and some of the other items came under warranty so although our pocket took a hit, it could have been worse!

While Wolf was detained at Camping World we decided to do a couple of changes in the living area so it would suit us better. Wolf in his original state came with a recliner in the space behind the front passenger seat and after our first trip in 2016 we decided we didn't like it and removed it totally, using one of the nifty folding rocking chairs we got from Gander Mountain.

Layout Schematic for Wolf, a 26 foot Fleetwood Flair

This left an empty space behind the passenger seat which was more useful than the recliner had been but one of our issues like most RV'ers is storage space! We had a cabinet put in in that space which looks well with the kitchen area cabinetry and adds counter space as well as cabinet space without blocking that window.

The inside has just a simple single shelf but that makes it a flexible storage area for whatever we need to put there but it is shallow enough to not impede our floor space. Although it is not yet attached on the side of the cabinet near the entry door, we had a grab bar added to help us old folks get in and out of Wolf.

Original table area

The original floor plan shows an area in the slide out opposite the entry door holding what we have usually had referred to as a banquet area with a table and benches that can be turned into a sleeping space. We don't need any more sleeping space and if we ever need something more than the bed in the back, there is a platform over the driving area that lowers, providing bed space for at least two more people. Then benches did have storage space but it was awkward to use and worked only for the sort of thing you probably won't need but should have just in case.

The benches in Wolf had darker patterned cushions on the benches but otherwise looked like the image to the right. They were uncomfortable, not only for us, being the larger people that we are, but even for little skinny people like my sisters.

We finally decided the best thing for us would be to replace the table and benches with a couple of lightweight recliners anchored to the floor of the slide out. This also removed the higher bench back that made traversing from the front to the back awkward when the slide was in with this added openness freeing movement even when Wolf was on the move. We have folding tables that will work for meals when we aren't outside at a picnic table in an RV park. We have gotten some narrow shelving that fits behind the recliners and a similar unit with a couple of drawers that fits between them. We added magnetic latches to the drawers so they won't slide out on the move. We've not actually traveled yet with this arrangement but will soon.


One more change to Wolf is not so visible. This Fleetwood Flair is basically an entry level Class A motor home and the mattress was definitely very basic and, for us, not particularly comfortable especially as usage made permanent dents in it. After considerable research and discussion we ordered a new mattress and took it to Camping World so those nice young strong people could put it in place and haul the old one out!

It is amazing how crunched down those mattress people can make a mattress for shipping! It certainly made it much easier for us to get it into our Outback and to Camping World. Again, we have not actually traveled with it yet so we will have to let you know how that works out. Most anything would be better than the one that came with it!

There have been a few other minor things done and we have learned a bit more as well. One thing that would annoy Geoff no end was that the flip up door on the rear basement compartment would not stay up and kept landing on his head. All this time the answer was right there, a magnetic catch attached to Wolf's exterior all this time without our realizing it!

We've had or are having done some regular maintenance, inspection etc of things like the air conditioning and the refrigerator. All preparatory to this year's traveling!