Took the van in for repairs (trailer, conversions, motor, diesel)

[fluffythewondercat]

We had a laundry list of stuff we wanted our regular RV guys to check out.

The inverter has been flaky, randomly going into an error mode for no reason we could see. We were afraid it would have to be replaced, which would probably run $700-$900. RV guys did some sort of reset on it and they say it's been running flawlessly for days now.

The electric step makes horrible grinding noises -- needed to be lubed, so they did.

We suspected the TV antenna was non-functional but it was getting signal inside their "barn".

For several years there has been a thumping noise coming from the roof when driving on the freeway. We were mystified. Turns out it's a cable that connects the solar panels that wasn't secured properly.

I'm going to pick it up today. Very happy the damage to my wallet won't be as bad as I feared!

Do you do your own repairs? Or do you have RV guys, too?

[Hemlock140]

We have a lifetime warranty that requires an annual inspection for $99, and we take it to the dealer where we bought it. So far the only thing wrong (and not covered) on our 24' trailer was some resealing of the roof edges, at about $150.00. Next time I'll buy some tubes of Dicor and do that myself.

[StealthRabbit]

I use a national RV specific model 'users' group GTG "get-together'

There are a few areas in USA where owners have shops (and lifts) and frequent 'tune-up' parties / Pow-wow where they help / mentor...

The Sprinter group is pretty active (IIRC)

[fluffythewondercat]

Originally Posted by StealthRabbit

I use a national RV specific model 'users' group GTG "get-together'

There are a few areas in USA where owners have shops (and lifts) and frequent 'tune-up' parties / Pow-wow where they help / mentor...

The Sprinter group is pretty active (IIRC)

Are you the one who has the Rialta or was that someone else?

I don't see many of those on the road any more.

We're both still working full-time, but when he retires and I take my show on the road I would love to get together with fellow Sprinter aficionados.

[jasperhobbs]

Originally Posted by fluffythewondercat

Are you the one who has the Rialta or was that someone else?

I don't see many of those on the road any more.

We're both still working full-time, but when he retires and I take my show on the road I would love to get together with fellow Sprinter aficionados.

There are a lot of Rialta's still on the road. 2 things I didn't like about them.


1) Low interior height. If they would have added a foot more, they would be great. Then again I am 6'4


2) The Volkswagen engine is not really reliable and costly to repair.

[StealthRabbit]

I have over 300k trouble free miles on VR6's (Rialta engines) and 3m miles on evil VW diesels (which my Rialta will become if the VR6 ever dies) I have (4) extra VR6's in the shop ready to install if needed - ('Free' spares from Diesel conversions of B4V (wagons)). These are for when I prefer a 52 mpg 'mini RV'. I enjoy the 1250 mile range between donut shops / fuel stops)

the silly automatic tranny in Rialta's...(who would ask a German auto engineer to design and Automatic transmission..?). only in the USA.../ NA... These trannies got full paid recalls in Germany!, not in NA.

Gotta add a $100 aux cooler or drop $5k into tranny every 150,000 miles

Rialta User Group has a cooler kit and does these by the dozen.

Interior height, The low headroom helps me to enjoy a 20 mpg class C under $20k, so I just stand under the skylight (which is positioned above the sink / counter). I spend VERY little time indoors while camping.
For commuting, it is ok to duck while rousting around the interior. Not perfect... another foot taller would have been nice. But was designed to fit in a std garage and parking space. (Which is nice when stealth camping (100% of the time for me))

[fluffythewondercat]

Originally Posted by jasperhobbs

There are a lot of Rialta's still on the road. 2 things I didn't like about them.

1) Low interior height. If they would have added a foot more, they would be great. Then again I am 6'4

2) The Volkswagen engine is not really reliable and costly to repair.

Ha. Wait until you get a Sprinter.

They're reliable but my last Service B was about $1,000. OTOH, when the blower motor went out, the dealership replaced it for free.

I'm hoping service will be cheaper once we move to Phoenix. Everything is insanely expensive in the Bay Area.

[fluffythewondercat]

Originally Posted by fluffythewondercat

The inverter has been flaky, randomly going into an error mode for no reason we could see. We were afraid it would have to be replaced, which would probably run $700-$900. RV guys did some sort of reset on it and they say it's been running flawlessly for days now.

Turned out the inverter was never the problem.

The problem was a relay that sent engine power to charge the coach batteries. The inverter was freaking out because the coach batts were low on charge.

We won't be able to get the part to fix this until after the new year, so I guess in the meantime if I want to use the microwave I'll have to find a place where I can pull over and fire up the generator. Needs to be run periodically anyway.

[jasperhobbs]

Originally Posted by fluffythewondercat

Ha. Wait until you get a Sprinter.

They're reliable but my last Service B was about $1,000. OTOH, when the blower motor went out, the dealership replaced it for free.

I'm hoping service will be cheaper once we move to Phoenix. Everything is insanely expensive in the Bay Area.

It might be a bit cheaper in Phoenix for the labor but parts are pricey for sprinters everywhere. I like idea of a sprinter rv but repair costs scared me away.

I have a good old 350 motor in my RV and repairs and parts are very reasonable. MPG is so so.

[engineman]

I have heard of folks putting Buick V6s into Rialtas, but I never had one, so I can not speak with authority.