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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 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. And remember, it can take a few moments for the poll to load, especially if you have a slow Internet connection, so stand by.
I built mine from the ground up so fixing it just takes a little longer
I can fix ANYTHING on my RV (given enough time and money).
I could put the Roman Empire back together if I had enough duct tape and baling wire.
My wife is a Nationally Certified RV Tech! We got this!
Reminds me of my 2nd tt. Before I could get it home I had to crawl under it and reroute the cable to the TV because it would not reach. ( brand new) I pulled all the windows and resealed them . Braced the fresh water tank & fixed the pickup so that it could pickup the bottom 9 gallons of water. The slide I could not fix to my satisfaction. Sold back to the dealer.
Current TT I’ve replaced the 2 slides gearbox’s and repaired the slides floor. ( gearbox’s are prone to destruction due to NO limit device )
I’m near my limit as crowded campgrounds, crowded trails ,disrespectful people & all the maintenance & repair on both TT &TV.
I am proud to say that in 46 years of RVing I have never had a dealership or a repair tech. work on any of my rigs. VW westies x3, travel trailer x1, coleman popup x1, vintage 5th wheel x1, custom toy hauler x1 but at my age I am wondering for how much longer will I be able to keep up with the tasks. RVing is a hobby that requires alot of attention to the equipment.
Crazy but I still own and use most of them. As one of the YouTubers says “Love Your RV” and always park indoors when not using. I can hear if coming. How do I park all of that equipment indoors, I have lots of buildings. Leaving a RV in the weather all of it’s life will destroy the rig over time.
I can fix most anything RV related, but leave the engine and drivetrain to the dealerships. The thing that motivated me to do my own repairs was watching friends pay ridiculous fees for half assed repairs by “technicians”.
Agree.
I way able to fix almost everything for years. When we got our Diesel Pusher I soon realized that things have gotten more complex and my physical handicaps prohibit me from doing other things. I still do temporary repairs that will get me to somewhere I can get it fixed but will pay someone else to do it right.
Depends, if duct tape will fix it, I’m great – anything else, I’ll need help 🙂
I can fix almost anything with 3 or 4 trips to the hardware store.
• First trip to buy what I think I need
• Second trip to buy what I really need. (Maybe parts, maybe tools)
• Third & sometimes fourth trips to buy parts to fix what I broke trying to do the original repair.
I’m in my 70’s and have never had to call a pro to finish the job. (That’s cause for revoking your man-card.)
But sometimes its been close and cost more than a pro would have charged.
toughest part is exactly that – parts. waiting for plumbing part now. manufacteurs are way behind with COVID.
1963 VW Westfalia- I could do EVERYTHING. 2014 Roadtrek – I can take care of the coach, but not a thing on the computerized drivetrain.
My hubby can fix about anything — but over the last few years has decided he truly has retired so we hire repair people to do the bigger jobs. We’ve been carrying tools (a lot of them!) since we started full-timing in 2009 and in our first real stop, exploring the town, we came across some motorcyclists who’d stopped because one of them had problems. It was great to be able to say, “Hold on. We’ve got just the tool to fix that.” 🙂
In an earlier life (~1973-1980) I was an auto mechanic. Since DW & I married we have completely renovated a 1920’s home and our much smaller ranch-style retirement home. So I have the tools and the skills to tackle nearly everything, but also the wisdom to know I don’t always have to if I don’t feel like it. There’s a moderately-sized but 30+ lb. tool box in the MH but I seldom need it outside of preventive maintenance done at home.
My wife and I bought a 2005 Itasca Spirit about 4 years ago. I’ve done most of the small maintenance jobs like oil changes and transmission fluid changes along with the filter replacements. I’ve done the air conditioning tune ups and replacement of vent fans. I did a carb change out & tune ups on the Onan generator. We have done upgrades & redecorating of the interior & added a solar charging system. I found out that I had a long standing leak into the over cab compartment of the rig which required me to tear out all of the wooden deck in the overhead. I was reluctant at first, but after watching numerous posting on U-Tube I knew that I could do this. I organized my work in small stages and stayed with it. After about 5 weeks of work- I got it done. It was hard work but it was doable. Being a building maintenance man by trade was helpful as I had all the necessary tools I needed.
After all … I AM my extended warranty!!!!
At one time I could fix just about anything. Now I only dream about it. After my back fusion 4 years ago it’s only going down hill.
I still attempt some things. But end up on regretting it. Enjoy life..
Frustrated by my own lack of ability, I can design a computer system to analyze complex scientific data, but I can’t take apart (let alone put together) an RV furnace.
I have recently gone to rving full time. I built a 20′ cargo trailer into my shop trailer. I brought everything I could ever need, from my 850 lb Maximizer tool box to my 75 plastic tubs of alphabetically organized parts, a scooter to get around on, air compressors, welder, torches, and even a sandblaster and pressure washer. I’m set for almost anything. The downfall is that it also weighs around 12,000 lbs, but gas is cheap right now.
You are literally the only other person I’ve ever heard RV travel with a welder. A few years back I had to borrow a welder in the next town when my trailer couldn’t move, and ever since carry a breadbox size buzzbox and 240/120 adapters to use it with 12KW RV pedestals or even my 3.6KW genny.
I could do almost all repairs needed. Replaced retractable steps adjusted slide outs, replaced awning and cooling sys repair on my class A. Now all I can do is drive, at 75 years body has given out and all I can accomplish is being the driver. My Onan gen went out, service told me I would need over $2,000 so MH been parked for two years while I save up for repairs. Discouraging to say the least, as we would leave Texas, every spring and not head home till the geese headed south. Hope I can get on the road again before my health takes another down. Love the open road and freedom of RVing. Happy trail to all, God bless your travels.