Sometimes we ask poll questions that we fear your answers will make us cringe. This is one of those questions. We REALLY don’t want anyone to click on any of the high-number options below, but we know some of you will. As they say, “RVs ain’t cheap!” Actually, that’s what we say…
The reality is that RV repairs can range from simple fixes to major overhauls. A leaky faucet might be an easy DIY project, but replacing a roof, transmission, or entire electrical system is another story entirely. Anyone who’s had to sit down after seeing a repair bill knows just how painful it can be.
For some RVers, the most expensive repairs often come after unexpected damage—like a tree branch puncturing the roof or a blowout that takes out the side of the rig. Others have faced staggering bills for things like slide-out mechanisms, engine rebuilds, or replacing a fridge that decided to quit in the middle of summer.
And let’s not forget about labor costs. Even if you can source parts at a reasonable price, the hours it takes a shop to tear things apart and put them back together can push the bill into the thousands. It’s no wonder some RVers joke that owning an RV means you need to keep a “repair fund” right next to your travel budget.
What’s the biggest bill you’ve ever received for any type of repair work done on your RV? Was it $1,000 or less? $5,000? $10,000? Dare we ask… $20,000?
After you vote, please tell us what repairs needed to be done for it to be the biggest bill you’ve ever received for repair work. Thanks!
MORE POLLS YOU MIGHT LIKE:
- In general, which type of RV are you most interested in reading/learning more about?
- Do you run your RV’s air conditioner when away from your rig?
- What is your favorite way to eat eggs?
- If you had to rate your life as an RVer, how would you rate it?
- Will your next RV likely have more or fewer slideouts than your present one?
RVT1225
We own a 2008 Motorhome. We recently had it repainted, which cost $21k. Still cheaper than buying a “new” motorhome
We bought a new 2019 Viking. There were a few minor “adjustments” that needed to be made. After that just regular maintenance once a year. Way less than $1000!
Not exactly a repair. An upgrade- Had an Air Force 1 tow system installed in our DP.
I have never received a bill for repair service, I have been able to do all repairs myself on my 2016 fifth wheel.
Had the turbo & EGR go bad on our ’08 DP, bill was over 12K. Fortunately our extended warranty paid for the turbo (EGR not covered, why? I have no idea) so we ‘only’ paid 5K out of pocket.
$7K for a water damaged slide floor. Our insurance didn’t even blink. Our out of pocket was the $100 deductible.
Purchased a 36 foot 2003 diesel pusher that needed a complete roof replacement to include all the decking. Chose the spray on since it was guaranteed for life. Lesson learned, always have a professional inspection before the purchase. This bone head mistake cost me $10,000
We have a 2015 32′ Motorhome and the leaf springs had no more spring. We upgraded to heavy duty leaf springs. On our last trip the dash AC went out and needed lots of new parts. Total for both repairs was just over 10K. A truck service center did both repairs at the same time. On the same trip our living room AC went out. We took the RV to an RV repair center and ended up with a new AC. Fortunately that repair only cost us $500 because we have an extended warranty.
2018 Grand Design Reflection – a deer ran into the front driver’s side/corner, middle of the day on a 50mph highway. He missed the truck and we could use the trailer, except the side compartment door was bent out of shape!. $13,000.00 damage and in the shop July to December. All damage was covered by insurance.
Tree branch damaged roof and ladder. Insurance company said $6000 damage and recommended repair shop. Total ended up over $16500, (no water damage). Out of pocket was $650.
Insurance is like brakes on a car…waste of money until you need them..
In 46 years of RV ownership I’ve only had someone else do the work three times. Two of those were warranty, so no cost to me. The only one I paid for was a new board for the propane fridge which was under $100 installed.
Most expensive part I installed myself was a new heavy-duty slide motor ($1300) for my very large and heavy flat floor slide. Took me about half a day to swap out the old one which required jacking up a 25′ long slide to relieve pressure and disassembling then reassembling the drive system while laying in the basement bays.
$38,000 to replace roof, windshield, awnings, etc. Hail damage during 2022 when resale value was inflated so not totaled by insurance company. Paid $65,000 for the mh in 2016. New 2015 Thor Vegas.
Contaminated diesel fuel from a Pilot/Flying J in Iowa, following torrential rains. It didn’t show how bad it was, along with maybe some more bad fuel along the route in Montana. In Billings we stopped at a Freightliner facility where they kept our motorhome for 3 days and supposedly did the required work. It cost me 100 gal of diesel fuel and $3800. Then, after a trip up 87 to a campground, I discovered a plethora of mistakes they made. On our way out, going back to I-15 we spent the night in their parking lot where this time they saved all my fuel, uninstalled the tank and reinstalled it correctly. They gave me six fuel filters since I would need them. 18 hrs of work that day.
We have a 2019 Bighorn traveler 5th wheel. This year we had a metal stud break in the wall beside the slideout on the passenger side. The slideout had to be removed and, they had to cut into outside of the 5th wheel to repair it. The cost of repairing it was $8000. Hopefully that is the last stud that breaks.
We had a major breakdown that would have cost $5K if my husband hadn’t been able to do the job himself. It ended up costing about $1K.
$13,000 for a rebuilt Allison transmission on our motorhome, about two thirds of that was covered by the extended warranty. Repair included replacing the transmission cooler, which had a leak contaminating the transmission fluid with coolant.
Thank you for the question, RV Travel! The biggest bill lies in the near future and will be paid by our insurance company (less our deductable). Where it actually ends is an open question that will be answered next month. Currently it is greater than $40,000 and involves the replacement/rebuilding of the entire front end of our RV. Once Newmar has more than the video of me hitting the moose and pictures of the external damage (which was remarkably little), then we’ll all know how close to $40,000+ it is. Have a great week and safe travels!
Generators are (arguably) the most costly and frequent RV repair.