A couple of weeks ago, when we wrote about Amazon rolling out its new AI feature, Amazon Health AI, the majority of you told us that you wouldn’t trust AI for medical advice. Today, we’re back with a similar question…
You’re out on the road, something in your RV stops working, and you’re faced with that familiar question: Do I try to figure this out myself… or make the call and risk having to spend a ton of time and money?
Now there’s a new option creeping into that decision—artificial intelligence. Some RVers are starting to turn to AI tools to help troubleshoot problems, look up error codes, or even walk them through simple fixes before calling a technician. With repair backlogs still an issue in many places, it’s easy to see the appeal. (We wrote about this here.)
But let’s be honest… this is RVing. These rigs are complicated. Electrical systems, plumbing, propane—it’s not exactly something you want to guess your way through. And while AI can pull together a lot of information quickly, it’s not standing there looking at your rig, hearing that strange noise, or smelling something that seems off.
Still, for smaller issues? Loose connections, basic troubleshooting, figuring out what might be wrong before you head into a shop… some RVers are finding it helpful. Others wouldn’t touch it with a ten-foot sewer hose.
So what about you? Would you trust artificial intelligence (AI) to help diagnose or fix an RV problem before calling a professional?
Maybe you’d give it a shot for something minor. Maybe you’d rather skip the guesswork entirely. Or maybe you’re already using it and have thoughts either way.
Cast your vote below—and feel free to leave a comment. We have a feeling this one could get interesting. Thanks!
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I will read what AI has to offer but in the end it is my decision to do as I think best. AI is only as good as those that have programmed it which makes them no better than my brain and the experience I have gained in owning RV’s for many years.
Why not, I am a retired master heavy duty diesel mechanic and started using computers to help fix trucks over 25 years a go. We have built in AI that is used to make your vehicle operate and will turn on a check engine light if it detects a problem before you can even suspect one. With computers used to operate so many systems AI not only helps but is a requirement used by every professional technician.
As long as AI is advising and not taking over control, I’m all for it. As soon as it takes control, no way! And I had a 45-year career as an IT software designer.
Yeah, I commented under today’s AI article. You have to think about what it tells you, you can’t take it for granted. Trust but verify comes to mind. It did initially suggest that the fresh tank could be pressurized. Then you tell it that doesn’t make sense and hopefully the next person won’t get the misinformation. If I can get a clue and do it myself then I’ll save the $210/hr. You have to know your limits, if you’re not comfortable with it pay for it.
Trust but verify is the rule.
Thank past president Regan for that bit of advice.
Hi Jeff: I would suggest ” Verify, then trust”! This poll question seems slanted toward use of AI. I have extensive DIY knowledge of my RV – I would use that first – then if stumped I would turn to the Owners/shop manuals – then to AI as a last resort. When they can charge for it – it will be more reliable, IMO.
I’d rather use YouTube.
Where do you think AI gets it’s answers?
Sure I would use AI, but as a tool and NOT as a solution. A tool to rank probabilities and provide information to help narrow the possibilities. And then, I would decide whether to dig further into a solution myself or bring in a professional.
What is AI? It is a collection of data, words and numbers, where a computer program searches for this data, then sorts per language rules, and spits out sentence’s that are somewhat readable by folks. But sometimes the output is program Hallucinations.
Reader beware, you’re asking a machine to think like a real person.
I couldn’t answer the poll. I use AI in limited ways, mostly as a starting point. But I don’t trust it. Always double check anything that matters.
I will pat myself on the back for being mechanically inclined and am able to figure out most issues related to my 5th wheel. With that useless information, I’ve used AI to point me in the right direction, not always spot on, but gets the gray matter pumping.
I could see using AI to learn what questions I should ask when seeking help from a RV tech.
Yes because I have a mechanical background but not medical (no medical background)
The most common result is NOT necessarily the best result or even a correct result. I avoid AI as much as I possibly can.
The problem in the cartoon is the wiring is on the OUTSIDE of the compartment door. 😆
I trust my own troubleshooting ability and the experience of other RVers and techs.
If a problem is simple enough that I would feel comfortable using AI, I can figure it out on my own. If its too complex or outside my range of knowledge, I’ll turn to human expertise, as I wouldn’t trust AI to get it right. The bottom line is that I have no need for AI.
I also find it a bit weird and creepy when someone says “I asked my AI and she says…” I don’t ever want to feel like I have a personal relationship with a box of electronics.
I have a friend who I help out occasionally on RV repairs (and he helps me out as well). He relies so much on AI it drives me nuts. The last issue was electrical and AI gave totally bad advice making us waste a ton of time. The solution was so simple in the end. If we used our brains and experience first we wouldn’t need to rely on AI so much.
I’d try it first but wouldn’t believe it. Siri usually gives me something totally irrelevant to what I asked.
I don’t trust AI but because it’s the first response from Google, I read it first and continue for verification
Hi, Primo. Or, when you Google something, after you type in what you’re looking for, add a space and then type “-AI” or “-ai” (without the quotes), and it will skip the AI results as the first response. Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
As a software engineer and written many programs, I would not trust the agenda or abilities of most programmer these days. I would read any response and take it with a grain of salt. I pretty much know a lot about my RV (and how much my back can take) and know when to take it to a specialist
AI is only a general troubleshooting tool. No two problems are going to be the same.
If you have any doubt about the answer, go elsewhere.