In this column, we summarize some of your emails and comments regarding RV service centers and repairs (we asked you to submit your stories here). We’ll tell you all: the best, the good, the bad and the ugly. At the end of this article, you’ll find a place to submit your own comments. I encourage you to do so.
Keep in mind, we typically only present one side of the story in most of these. Also, any remarks about service centers and mobile techs mentioned are the opinions of our readers and not necessarily RVtravel.com.
Here’s what you had to say:
How to locate good service centers and mobile techs
In this column a couple of weeks ago, a reader asked how other RVers find good, reputable RV techs. Here are some of our readers’ answers:
Andrew R. wrote, “When I am looking for service, I check the website RVServiceReviews.com in addition to a Google search for ‘RV service near me’. If more folks post descriptive reviews, it helps everyone trying to find a reputable service provider.”
Joseph W. said, “When looking for a mobile tech I go to Jayco Owners Forum. They have a list and every entry was placed there by an RV owner, of mobile techs. I like the Forum because I know that the people on the list have already demonstrated that they are worth recommending.”
Jim J. suggested, “The best way to find good (or excellent) mobile RV techs is by word of mouth. Here is the trick, get the information from people who are longer-term in that RV campground—be it staff or guests. Ideally from people who have used the tech more than once. Listen for answers that say more about quality work rather than inexpensive work. And even there, know that even good techs may have limited experience with the repair you need. And finally, yes, don’t be afraid to ask the tech service you contact about current licensure and insurance.”
Randy S. sent us this: “We have used two different techs (two different states) we secured through the RV Technical Association of America website (RVTAA) – RVTAA.org. We have found the techs to be very experienced and well-trained. Their site will allow you to filter the specialized needs you may be looking for. I felt that their fees were fair and we were very satisfied with the repairs.”
Broken leaf springs and back on the road in two days
Larry C. tells us about his positive experience: “Buffalo, New York, to Luling, Texas. Outside of Scott, Louisiana, I hit a rough patch of road. Broke leaf springs on the rear axle and it dislodged the holding tank that was hanging down. Called Brenden Dugan of Superior RV Mobile Service (SMS) and he had me back on the road in two days. He was fast and efficient. It was pretty extensive work as he had to take the underbelly off and reseal it when done.”
Another top-notch tech
Frank V. uses a great tech. He wrote, “Kamp Ratt in Elkhart, Indiana, is a top-notch mobile tech. Check with local campgrounds for Robert Hall aka ‘Kamp Ratt.’ He has done work for us several times and all was done very well and reasonable.”
Taken aback with great service!
Kenneth N. was trading in an RV and needed to swap out his stuff for the new one. He was pleasantly surprised and wrote, “Purchased a 2023 Grand Design Solitude 380FL. Upon the purchase, I had a trade. The dealer, Campers Inn RV, Myrtle Beach, SC, asked me when I could unload my possessions from my trade to the new Solitude, I told them I needed to get some people to help. The manager of Campers Inn told me not to worry and they supplied the help. Three employees from Campers Inn boxed my goods and transferred them to the new trailer.
“I was taken aback by the personalized service. The dealer did a great job. Plus, the manager called me the next day to ask me if my wife and I were pleased. Our answer was ‘Yes!’, and my solitude was spotless inside and out. We love it and we have had zero issues. Great dealer, and great 5th wheel.”
Three months to get in for service—”Did my own work”
Emmett S. finally just did the work himself. He wrote, “Most are made from the same factories regardless of what the names are. I bought a 2015 Keystone Hideout brand-new. Had trouble from the first trip. The stereo/TV didn’t work. I took it in, got a new one and went on a short trip. Didn’t work. It was three months before they could get me into service. I asked if they would just get me the unit, I’ll bring bad one in and put a new one in. They obliged and I did the work. Four screws and two wires about five minutes and it’s worked ever since.
“After talking to people at the campground I’m staying at, 90% said don’t buy 2020- current year 2023. All had leaks in the roof and bad service on other things.
“So I’m fixing and learning new things on my almost 9-year-old used Hideout. The stupid vent for the refrigerator blew off during a summer thunderstorm and water rushed in under the fridge. Luckily I was there and put every towel down to stop the flooding of the entire trailer. After four attempts I finally got the correct pieces and spent about two hours just peeling the putty off the base and roof. The rest was about 15 minutes of work. I’m disabled and shouldn’t be doing any of this. Good luck.”
Build relationships and use smaller shops
Anthony B. has had numerous RVs and has some sage advice for RVers. He said, “We have seen, read, and heard so many horror stories and misadventures folks have had, and we agree it should be better. I’ve commented on this forum before and only hope some of my long-winded comments are helpful. We have RV’d for almost 40 years, and have owned trailers and eight motorized rigs. Driven across the country about a dozen times, and put in more than 200,000 miles. We’ve had many issues over the years and dealt with many dealers and a couple of factory-direct repairs. in my opinion, there are good and bad products and dealers.
“I’ve found the smaller repair shops are better than the dealer I purchased from. And you can get to know the local shop, you can get to know what they do well, and what to go elsewhere for. After all these years I’ve learned how to fix many items myself, or at least diagnose and discuss with the shop or mobile tech.
“Our present motorhome will be three years this coming May. Nearly 40,000 miles, many issues with ‘accessories’ not built by Winnebago, but we’ve never been stranded or without our coach for more than four weeks. Usually two. We went through three difficult summers in our native Arizona, but our coach has held up well and we do not regret buying it. I would say if you still enjoy the RV lifestyle, keep looking for reputable repair shops, and talk to their service managers and even the techs who work on them. You can build relationships and expectations on both sides of the counter. Good luck to all.”
Editor’s note
Note from RVtravel.com: If hiring a mobile tech, a small or mega service center, make sure that they are experienced in the issue and have insurance in case something goes wrong. Also, check their warranty policy on the work they perform. Check reviews too and read between the lines—if the review sounds way too good to be true it might be. Compare with several reviews and not just the ones on their website.
Questions for you about RV service
We’ll continue to share stories of your RV service experiences. We want to know:
- Have you had good luck with great service or not so much?
- Did you get good service from knowledgeable technicians?
- Are you waiting to get into a service center or have a mobile tech come out?
- What has been the average time to get an appointment?
- Has your RV been in a service center for a while?
- Are you able to get any mobile techs to come out?
- Are the service centers able to get parts?
- When you do get the repairs done, is the price reasonable?
Please fill out the form below and tell us what your experiences have been like. It can be a horror story, an opinion about what’s going on, a positive experience, or anything else related to the topic. We want to know the great, the good, the bad, and the ugly!
Check back next week for more on RV service centers. See you then.
Last week’s Service Centers and Repairs Report:
##RVT1134
People need to avoid the large chain dealers. Their only goal is to take your money and run.
Owned by shareholders and run by a board of directors only looking to turn a profit.
Selling
RV sales makes money. Repairing them costs money. The turn over of good techs at these big companies just shows what they are interested in.
I worked for a large hospital in the facilities department. The last director they hired had absolutely no idea how to run a maintenance department. He was only hired because he accepted the low ball salary. BTW, his previous job was a salesman for a large sporting goods company.
I bought my trailer from a small family owned dealer and their customers come first.
Unfortunately, too many family-owned dealers/shops are being sucked up by the big corporate retailers that aren’t customer focused once the sale is made. In my area virtually all the privately owned family dealerships are gone. Very sad.
Thank you, Nanci! My list of recommended mobile techs grows, thanks to your efforts. Thank you!
Thank you again for this weeks mostly positive reports!
We were a couple days into our trip from AZ to CA. Arrived in Bakersfield with not issues, but the next morning one slide wouldn’t retract. We were supposed to be 6 hours away that evening and we don’t like to travel after dark. I started calling local mobil technicians. I was very please that people responded to my call. One tech couldn’t see me that day but put me on the list for first thing in the morning. One called back when he was available, but by then I had a tech on the way to the RV park. He arrived, started trying the steps recommended, no luck, just before the final step of disconnecting the motors, he pulled the power plug on the control module and reinstalled it. Succes