Owen SEWED Our BROKEN Ekko SEATBELT / What Can Go Wrong?

Maggie started it... she chewed the passenger seatbelt in our Ekko... not all the way through but pretty badly. So when we couldn't get it repaired due to the CDK ransomware issue Owen decided (notice not Lynn... she was never really on board with this) that we could use a kit from Sailrite to repair it. This is the story of that day, how I did it and did it work?
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〰️〰️ LINKS TO THINGS WE USE
〰️〰️ (to make it easier for you & help our channel)
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🚲 Bikes:
Lynn's Bike: bit.ly/4e2kVwH
Owen's Bike: Not available (Wolff Lyra ST)
Maggie's Toto Basket: amzn.to/4e4Sy0M
Our Bike Rack: amzn.to/4e3ytYO
Our Bike Cover: amzn.to/3XoArNF
Owen's eScooter: amzn.to/3V59Z8W
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🧑‍🍳 Cooking:
Cast Iron Trivet: amzn.to/3R9Ic64
Insulated Plates: amzn.to/3R9EF7C
Magma Stackable Pots/Pans: amzn.to/4c1tOF0
Blackstone Adventure Ready 14” Propane Camping Griddle with Side Burner www.walmart.com/ip/5028014375
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🏕️ Outside:
Nemo Chairs: amzn.to/3R5YtsM
Picco Chairs: amzn.to/4bZRg5q
Swivel Chairs: amzn.to/455f1Xm
Maggie's Outdoor Dog Bed: amzn.to/3Kxn4Tj
Maggie's Car Seat Bed: amzn.to/456kUDH
Folding Screen Room: amzn.to/45eFamL
Popup Fire Pit: amzn.to/3X5srAU
Solo Stove: amzn.to/4dYL0wF
Folding Table: amzn.to/4bKJiNY
Spare Tire Bag: amzn.to/3X6NtyR
Bote Inflatable Tandem Kayak: amzn.to/3V9vcOS
Folding Oru Kayaks: amzn.to/3Xd173s
Lynn's Grey Hat: amzn.to/3VsO2Cc
Lynn's Deb Hat: amzn.to/4b0MPGN
🏪 Our Amazon Store: amazon.com/shop/VanTrekkingLi...

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Hey thanks for watching this saga. We have an appointment in 2 weeks to get this repaired properly.

[@RV2Cycle]

Head to an auto junkyard for a replacement seatbelt. Seatbelt stitching is required to meet defined restraint strength, so. . . .

[@ginatayl]

I'm all about DIY. You did a great job!

[@dennysisk1100]

Good job, Owen

[@rv2travel]

You the man! My kind of engineering. Thanks for sharing

[@johndagricola]

To me, this is one of the bonuses of being retired AND handy. I’ll put in a couple of hours of work to save $900 any day!

[@pattyk8594]

It works! Have a great time on the next trip!

[@Kim-SCUSA]

Looks perfectly safe to me. Good job!

[@cathymisze3163]

Nice job! You are very talented!👍

[@sherriweber7105]

Great job Owen! I couldn’t tell the seat belt was chewed after you sewed it. Can’t believe what the cost is to fix it. Great video Owen and thank you for the video.

[@doreengardner2849]

$$$ Geez! I think you did it up just fine!

[@juliedavis3799]

Good job!

[@michaelbecnel63]

Jack of all trades.....Excellent job

[@susanstrickland6774]

You did a great repair job!! Saved $900, that's a considerable amount of gas. I believe it's safe. 🙂👍

[@netbuysonline]

You do what what ha gotta do, until you can get it right. 🎉 Time for a cool one. ☝🏼 😊

[@janetfolkerts5827]

At one point in life my husband and I hauled steel and I was in charge of keeping the tarps patched to prevent the steel from rusting. I used that gizmo /awl/needle until my hands were raw. There are times you just gotta do what you can do, making the most of what you have. THANK you for sharing, now enjoy your tall glass of ice tea.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

It's really cool hearing a lot other folks have done in the past like that. Tall cold drink of tea enjoyed thank you.

[@fishingfitzgeralds9493]

Great job Owen..look for a sewing Palm makes putting the needle thru real easy.. My father taught me how to sew leather and canvas when i was a kid .. still make things as a hobby. The cost for the seat belt is crazy.

[@vancandew7375]

Guess it comes down to how much you love your wife😂😂😂only kidding I know how much you love Lynn👍

[@markmckewin6979]

Owen, Glad you decided to get the belt replaced. $900 hurts for sure, and while it may look safe as others have said, this is not a diy repair. Seatbelts must meet certain requirements that don't include a diy sewing job. God forbid if something would have happened, the cost of the new belt wouldn't have matter at all.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Totally agree

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

I agree with your statement… We have decided to get it fixed properly.

[@donaldtharp]

Awesome work. Great problem-solving.

[@richardburguillos3118]

Good job. Better than not having. Good idea to have it fixed. We NEVER laugh at you…. We laugh WITH you 😂😅😊

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

We appreciate you not laughing AT us…. Thanks for the comment.

[@jkandtherv4979]

I'm here for the comments! Seriously, great job Owen. Ya gotta do whatcha gotta do!

[@teresap.5991]

I thought you did a great job 🎉🎉🎉 looks sturdy and safe.

[@michaelcox6559]

$900! Yikes , I would do the same, good job

[@David-jo4gt]

Looks good to me. Happy tails and safe travels.

[@barbaraw.3236]

We aren't laughing at you we are laughing WITH you. Maggie is an expensive dog,😂 $900.00 dollars Geez Louise, only real dog lovers would go through more than one seat belt.🥰 Good luck,tell Maggie she has the best parents ever.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

This was Maggie’s 3rd seatbelt. So yeah she is an expensive dog but we still love her to death.

[@mikelane4060]

Nice job, even short term I would feel better if it was stitched around the edges and criss crossed. Happy tails!

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

I did add a few more stitches off camera but only after Lynn returned and inspected it to say it was safer than the tape was.

[@RV_Tips_Tricks_Travel]

Many years ago I had a pup that did that twice. To my surprise State Farm paid for it both times.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

You know I didn't even think to ask insurance to pay for it. Thank you.

[@RV_Tips_Tricks_Travel]

@@VANTREKKINGlifestyle I didnt at first, I was just talking with my agent who was also a dear friend and told him about it and he said no sweat we will pay for that.

[@vancandew7375]

Not sure that would save you money, time a person pays his deductible and then your premiums would probably go up?? So really not sure if it’s worth it??

[@grillinandchillinwithdeb]

Great job, was wondering if you are still going to get it replaced maybe go to junk yard or something like that to get used on but not one that's been in accident. Maggie hugs please ❤

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Thank you. We have an appointment tomorrow to get it professionally replaced and repaired.

[@judystreich7333]

My life in a nutshell....But you’re worth it Maggie 👍

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

She is for sure

[@RoadsofLife]

You can never pick a right day... it's the south and it is ALWAYS hot!!! 🥵 One question though... how on earth did Maggie chew up that belt and you didn't notice her doing it?!? Be seeing you!

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Maggie chewed the seat belt one of the few fines we left her in the van. She’s been known to do it to our other vehicles too.

[@janetfolkerts5827]

@@VANTREKKINGlifestyle Apparently she has figured out that the belt is a 'restraint' and she wasn't going to let that hold her back.

[@robertb2468]

At best that repair is only half the strength of factory. The factory wraps all web ends around some sort of end bracket or clip end and then sews it, that increases the stitching breaking strength by a factor of 2. Plus they really use a lot more of small spaced stitching than you did. Sincerely, New England northern hillbilly. :)

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Good info to know. This was only a temporary fix to allow us to make our last trip. We now have an appointment next week to repair it properly. Great advice from our NE hillbilly friend!

[@Tatiacha]

@@VANTREKKINGlifestyle sew an X corner to corner that's what they do on pocket corners and such it increases the strength considerably

[@Rashnak66]

my pooch got under the passenger seat and chewed the wires --> airbag warning light my pooch also somehow got her leash wrapped around the cruise control stalk and broke it --> $1400 repair but I love her anyway

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Wow! Guess it could have been worse. But actually in our old car, an Outback, she chewed both seatbelts and it was about that much to replace them... but like you we love her anyway too.

[@jjones5424]

Looks ok, but maybe some duct tape would be good too. 🤣

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Duct tape was the first fix. We’ll see how it goes we may have to spend the money to get it repaired by a professional.

[@richardg8651]

You should buy some anti chew spray for your seatbelts so Maggie doesn't have at the belts again. You can get this product at pet stores, vet clinics or on-line.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Great suggestion... thank you

[@rantandraver6634]

So this is what they mean when they say hard up for content?

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Not really hard up, just sharing the aspects of owning an RV and traveling with a dog.

[@kevinjones6638]

KUTGW

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Geez I'm old... had to look that text combo up. Thanks