Fellow RVer and expert boondocker Dave Helgeson wrote, “Do you have a fear of breaking down in remote areas with your RV? This question came up during a Zoom meeting among RVtravel.com writers and staff. Given the sometimes-still-ongoing shortage of repair parts, trained technicians, lack of qualified service centers, potential supply chain issues, labor shortages and potential problems with obtaining emergency road service, it was deemed a legitimate concern.”
Is breaking down with your RV in the middle of nowhere a concern for you? If so, does it prevent you from traveling or staying overnight at places that are a little more removed? Does it worry you a lot, or just a little bit?
Some RVers say they’re willing to take the risk because the reward—peaceful, scenic locations far away from crowded campgrounds—is worth it. Others prefer to stay closer to towns or main highways, knowing help is easier to reach if something goes wrong. Your approach likely depends on your comfort level, mechanical know-how, and how much you like to venture off the beaten path.
Of course, there are ways to prepare for the unexpected. Some carry extra tools, spare parts, or even satellite communicators for emergencies. Others rely on memberships with roadside assistance programs, or travel in groups so they’re not completely alone if a problem arises.
If you do have a fear, make sure you read the rest of Dave’s very thoughtful article. It may help you soothe those fears. He knows what he’s talking about! Click here to read.
As always, thank you for voting. Feel free to leave a comment below. We always appreciate your thoughts.
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RVDT2750
One of the benefits of dragging a toad is it provides additional transportation.
I selected #2. However, that’s exactly why I have owned Coach-Net Premium Emergency Roadside Service since 2010. I have used them numerous times for my trailer, car, motorcoach and motorcycle. I will not own any other roadside service except for Coach-Net. One of my most remote service calls was on the Cassiar Highway in Northern BC where we had to have two tow trucks, one for the coach and one for the trailer. That would have cost us over $7000 without Coach-Net. Total cost, not one penny for a 200-mile tow requiring two tow trucks,
I too have had Coach-Net since 2002. I’ve only used them a few times but they have assisted me with flying colors each time.
I really think it relates to the type of RV and how you use it. My wife and I have a 45 foot class A and we are full time with no house. If something happens to our RV because we attempted to put it someplace it is not designed to go we may not have a place to spend the night. This doesn’t mean we do not use 2 lane roads, it just means they have to be paved and we do investigate the road to make sure it doesn’t have low bridges or switchbacks we can’t get around.
So yes I am concerned about breakdowns because our RV contains all our belongings and it is where we sleep.
It’s a trailer. Worst case I get it off the road, unhitch and we drive to find help. I carry just enough tools, spares, and supplies to do many temporary repairs. I’m not unconcerned, but the biggest way to reduce concern is good maintenance.
I go through great pains to make sure my RV is in tiptop shape before every trip. I know this won’t cover absolutely every possibility but it gives me some peace of mind. I also carry spare parts for things that could fail and prove hard to find in remote locations.
15 years fulltiming, first in a 5th wheel, & now in a triple slide truck camper. We primarily boondock, with lots of solar, battery, & water capacities. The farther away from civilization, the better, & over the last 15 years I’ve been able to train myself to handle pretty much any situation, repair, or concern. So, I don’t worry about breaking down in the middle of nowhere. As a result of not worrying, we have had some of the most amazing experiences in nature over the last 15 years of remote boondocking. We’ve awakened to elk right next to our camper & spotted a pure white “spirit” bear in the wilds of Canada. We frequently seek the farthest spot from a paved road.
Driving the Alaska Highway raises the concern level a bit. It can be a couple hundred miles between towns (where parts might take a couple of days to arrive (or more). Limited cell service and limited tow and repair options. This summer (2025) one of the RV repair shops in Whitehorse closed which limits options a bit more.
The very few times we’ve had problems, in our 8 years of f/timing, we’ve been super lucky and only had to call AAA once to “rescue” us…and they did! We make sure (as much as we can) that our rig is maintained and checked every time before we head out and it’s paid off for us.
Be prepared. Plain and simple.
Ages 20 thru 50 I had no fear at all and traveled places with no roads while camping in our ’63 and ’68 VW camper vans. i could and did repair most any breakdown we encountered. (Even when the clutch went out I could listen to the revs and snatch the next gear.) Now, with my body being somewhat older, and having a fancy Class B with a computerized engine and transmission, I have little faith in my ability to actually explore anymore. I’m so glad I explored when I did.
We have Coach-Net, so not worried about a breakdown as they will take care of us. My only worry is if something fails and there isn’t a wide enough shoulder to pull safely off the road and out of the way of traffic.
Thankfully, like others, I have Coach-Net and have used them with great success. That said, breaking down is not something I aspire to do. My 2015 diesel truck only has 67,000 miles but the complicated control systems require a level of trust that they will work at least until arriving back home. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work that way. The RV for us is a triple slide truck camper that after 9 years has never failed us. Its the truck under the camper that is problematic.
As the owner of a 1996 class-a, I did think about breakdowns when we got her, with 28K on the clock. Our rig previously was my parents, and has sat for years.
As a retired mechanic, we went through every major system from the brakes, to the refrigerator. And roof seal to suspension. With new hoses, belts, and numerous upgrades, we have only had one breakdown.
It happened on our first trip to Grand Canyon, when the generator stopped working. It did not ruin our trip, and was easily fixed with. a new coil and ignition module.
Yes, because no one wants to work on Class A’s anymore.
Tow service is only part of the cure if busted down somewhere.
I’ve kept my rig in perfect condition, but ya never know.