Sierra Valley Mike
Calpine, CA, USA
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Joined: 11/26/2004
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We had just pulled into the Tunnel Mountain RV park in Banff when I saw ATF fluid drooling from the rear of our 1992 Monaco Dynasty. It was from the hydraulic pump that powers the steering and the cooling fan. After looking in the local phone book we called a garage that advertised 24 hour service for trucks and busses. The owner showed up the next day and took the pump (which I removed). After four days of phone calls that were either not returned or answered with rude and insulting comments we finally got the pump back. I had even offered to pay this person for his time and effort if he would just let me pick up the pump.
Not only was he incompetent, he did extensive damage to the pump. Including breaking off the aluminum mounting flanges, which he did have welded back on at a legitimate shop in Calgary. We had to pay him $500.00 (Cash)to get the pump back, not knowing that he had really ruined it.
Then we paid to be trucked to Calgary where we had Precision Hydraulics fix the pump correctly.
The name of the shop that screwed us: Gary's Garage in Canmore!
Avoid him like the plague.
Mike
'92 Monaco Dynasty
Sierra Valley, one of the last "rural" places left in Northern California.
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Big_Eck
Cold Canada
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Joined: 09/27/2001
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sue him!
2004 Holiday Rambler Endeavour 40 foot 3 slides
10 year friend of Bill W
Driven over 200 New units of all kinds and descriptions
"...there are two types of rv'ers, those that camp and those that camp at a NASCAR race..."nascarcamping.com
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johny_maple
Upwind of Toronto
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Joined: 05/16/2003
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Hi Mike. Do you not belong to AAA or RV organization with a similar network? We've never had a serious problem so have never needed to call CAA but if we did, that's who I would look for. Our biggest problem has been the lack of cell phone service in "remote" areas. I put "remote" in quotation marks because I'm referring to certain locations on the heavily-travelled Trans-Canada Highway that are between coverage areas. I agree with the sue-them response by another poster. However, being in the USA may deter you? And legal procedings may cost more than what you paid out in the first place?
j_m
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grizzlygiant
Coeur d'Alene, North Idaho, USA
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Joined: 08/12/2004
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Competent service in the Tunnel Mountain area (Banff) seems to be a common problem. I was ripped off by the mechanic at the Shell station in downtown Banff when he replaced an alternator, later finding the problem a simple loose connection at the starter. He would not let me go until I paid for the alternator and all the unnecessary labor to replace it (near $500 Canadian). Such situations are a black eye on the beautiful Canadian vacation land.
North Idaho
2008 Heartland Big Horn 3400RL fifth wheel
2007 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 5.9 Cummins
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FirstResponder
Whistler, BC Canada
Full Member
Joined: 09/09/2004
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I'd write a letter to the newspape and chamber of commerce. We had a similar situation recently.
While just about to enter Yellowstone we noticed we had a battery problem, the guy in the booth says, oh yeah there's a service station about 40 miles ahead. We made the decision to turn back to Jackson. Our MOHO lost power at the only gas station between Yellowstone entrance and Jackson! The guy in the gas station says, oh you can stay at my friends campground blah blah blah (said campground gets bad reviews on this forum). We called AAA and they sent the truck etc. Well this is where it gets good we were told from teh driver that.... AAA is not honoured in Yellowstone and that if we had gone in they would have only been able to meet us at the gate and we would have had to pay for a tow from the Yellowstone service station to the entrance! Anyone heard of AAA not being honoured in a National Park?
Flat Creek Automotive who rescued us were great.
First Responder
Ski in the Winter
Travel in the Summer
31' - 1994 Itasca Sunrise
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1MTNEST
St. Albert, Alberta
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Joined: 11/02/2004
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Very sorry to hear of problems that happen in Canmore or Banff. These two towns are full of RV's 12 months of the year. My wife and I travel there at least 5 times a year. We did require a minor repair this summer with the 5th wheel and I believe the name of the place was Mikes Garage in the industrial area. He provided good service. It is unfortunate that the rv service is limited. Most people travel to Calgary to have repairs done, but this is impossible when you break down.
2008 Sliverado LTZ, Z71
2008 Montana 3400
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garymkrieg
Emery, SD
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Joined: 04/14/2002
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Please record your experiences in Banif at http://RVServiceReviews.com so we can all benefit.
Gary
2005 Allegro Bus 40QDP
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AlbertaBear
Foothills of Alberta
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Joined: 02/09/2003
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Well, I live and work right there and I will tomorrow take this article to the local papers.
Really sorry to hear about the rotten service.
Bjorn & Laurie
Kaela 7 & Sydney 4 1/2
04 Open Road 321 RBHS TT
04 Dodge Ram 3500 CTD HO QC 4x2 SRW LB Laramie 6 Speed.
Predator Chip, BD E-brake, Spacekap topper, Reese Dual Cam HP, SmarTire Road Voice, Vizualogic Headrest monitors,
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cruiserjs
Aurora, CO, USA/ Mesa AZ/ openroad
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Joined: 07/02/2003
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Also report to the local Better Business Bureau and Cahmber of Commerce.
These types of folks seem to like the heavy tourist areas (Banff,Yellowstone, Yosemite etc.) Sure does make having raod service through AAA or Caaa or Good Sam etc. worthwhile.
Colorado Cruiser
Cruiser CF29CK 5th wheel; 2009 GMC Sierra 2500HD, 2wd, short bed
wonderful lifetime traveling companion/spouse
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NBCamper
Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
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Joined: 04/23/2005
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I happen to be visiting family in Canmore at the present time. I will drop in to that garage and let him know the disaster he has created for himself through "bad press" on the Good Sam site. It will be my pleasure.
Asking directions won't get you back to the "Road Not Taken"!
Happy Trails!
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