Are you handy? Can you fix just about anything that breaks? How about with your RV? Do you carry a well-supplied tool kit and lots of spare parts, so that if your RV needs repair you are equipped to handle just about any problem that comes along?
Hey, maybe a trip to a parts store is in order, but once you have a replacement for what’s broken, you can do the repair. Is that you?
Or are you a bit more challenged when it comes to fixing things that go wrong? Most of us, we suspect, are somewhere in the middle.
But how about you? Are you Mr. or Ms. Handy Person, or Mr. or Ms. Klutz?
Inquiring minds would really like to know. So here’s your opportunity.
Remember, it can take a few moments for the poll to load, especially if you have a slow internet connection, so stand by.
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RVDT2695
My Motorhome is a 2000 Bounder Diesel Pusher. I have had to fix most everything myself, except the engine, and the drivetrain. I’m not a diesel mechanic, and I leave the drivetrain to the shops. However, the electrical, the electronics, the plumbing, the mechanical, and everything else that needs attention are done by me.
Chassis is for professional work. Everything else is fair game.
My only limitation is my physical strength, I have rebuilt Engines and other power train components in the past, but can no longer do the heavy work. With the proper documentation, most anyone who can read should be able to do any repairs that don’t require special tools and equipment.
I have bought basic no frills camping trailers, stand up headroom with air, microwave, fridge wet bath. I have fixed everything that has needed attention and if any appliances go out I can go to Home Depot or Walmart and replace them myself. We chose these trailers for that reason and haven’t been disappointed. Unfortunately it was a small factory and when the owner died they sold off the assets.
Can and want to are two different things. Not having appropriate tools (even if I can ‘make do’) is another consideration. If the repair will be covered by warranty or insurance and might need re-repair (my labor isn’t covered – twice). And knowing what I don’t know is my biggest skill.
I can figure out what’s wrong with most things, but what it really comes down to is at 73 am I able to fix it. That’s what determines who fixes the problem.
I am with you except that I will be 92 soon. I just can’t do the things that were once doable.
So far, I’ve been able to fix 99% of any problems – if I can get the necessary info from a learned human source or tech manual. I have been able to figure stuff out as well. “So far” – is the key phrase because at 89 next week I don’t bend as easily or am able to get up from a down position. Father time, rather than ability, is the limfac in this discussion for me!
In twenty years of FT in a diesel pusher, I have yet to find an RV Tech qualified to carry my tool box.
We used to be pretty good, but it seems to get harder the older we get. Can’t understand it….
Thank you for the question, RV Travel! I vacillated between the second and third responses before settling on the third one. DW’s Dad was a machinist. She and he worked on her first car about every weekend that she owned it to keep it running. Alternately, I passed tools to Daddy and held stuff while he repaired them. Her capability and willingness to tackle repairs exceeds mine. Corporately, we are gaining capability and willingness, but defer to professionals more than your average reader. Have a great day and safe travels!
My limited capabilities are now physical not so much unknowing. The other side is being able to pay somebody else had diminished my willingness to do-it-myself. People sometimes get upset when I say, “why should I when I can pay someone else to do it*.
On my ’63 and ’68 VW camper vans I could fix EVERYTHING. On my 2014 Chevy based Class B, I can’t even find everything.