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:
Reader trusts our info and has two great mobile RV techs
Jim S. sent us a very nice email about RVtravel.com and their favorite mobile RV service. He said, “I am a subscriber to the RV Travel Newsletter. I most definitely depend on the information you folks publish. And I trust that info.
“Secondly, you have a very informative column which I read daily. I want to share some of my thoughts and experiences with both dealers and mobile RV repair services.
“I have a 2021 Keystone-made 5th wheel. Yes, I have encountered several major repair issues. Almost all were completely covered under warranty. I did find my dealer, Curtis Trailers of Portland, Oregon, to have a reliable and, I believe, honest, caring approach to their customers.
“I have, however, used one specific mobile RV repair service for over 12 years. That service is Manny’s Affordable RV Service. Based out of Coburg, Oregon (Eugene/Springfield area). Manny is very experienced in all areas of RV repair and maintenance work. He has been well-trained, and I feel most fortunate to have found him years ago. Manny is reasonably priced and always approaches an issue with the best possible solution for each individual situation. He is timely and keeps you informed when he is delayed. He is very good at returning calls. Manny’s number is Cell: 541-731-9137 or Office: 541-343-3492. His advertisement is: ‘No Games, No Gimmicks, Just Fixed.’ I highly recommend Manny. [Note: Sorry. I couldn’t find a website for Manny to link here. —Diane]
“In my travels, I have used a second mobile RV service that I found to be reliable and does good work. That is: Mobile RV Repair RVSPLUZ LLC, based out of the Caldwell, Idaho, area. The owner/technician is Hector. He is very reliable and good at getting you worked in. He is reasonably priced, and I am quite satisfied with the work that he has completed for me. His number is: 208-899-7786
“Like others who have written to you, I, too, wish there was a way to create a master listing for all the mobile service techs out there. In my opinion, they provide a much-needed service for RV travelers. Thank you for writing such a great column.”
A great twist on RV service
Keith N. writes to us about an RV service center that will diagnose and give you options. He wrote, “In Grand Junction, CO, there are two large RV service centers: Centennial and Transwest. Both are generally booked out two months, but Transwest has a policy where they will look at your problem right away (for a fee, of course) and tell you what’s wrong. You can then book an appointment or try to fix it yourself. We had a water problem that I couldn’t figure out so I asked Transwest to diagnose it. It was minor and they fixed it in no time. Their diagnosing policy allows you more options. Kudos!”
Misdiagnosed repairs? Ask for money back
Monique S. has learned to request her money back when repairs are bad or misdiagnosed. She writes, “I have had great service from some and horrid service from others. There are more horror stories than good. Always use your credit card because you can dispute it.
“It took $900 and two days (I live in my RV) from an Allison Transmission center to diagnose that the seal on the transmission filter disintegrated, which is why I had transmission fluid everywhere and the transmission light was on.
“$2400 and a week later, I have a new TCM. Before I drove a block away, the transmission light came on again.
“I called a mobile mechanic, who correctly diagnosed the problem as bad fuel injectors. I was able to get my $1000 and labor back from Allison Transmission and $400 back for the $1400 TCM.
“After spending $700 on new rubber slide seals, I figured I’d better pay a mobile RV tech to help me install it so I didn’t screw it up. This tech had five-star reviews on Yelp but no reviews on Google. He screwed it up! He cut it in places and it’s an inch short in other places. And it was installed incorrectly, so the ends stick up. Six hours of my own labor later to mitigate as much as I could…. I’m in dispute with my credit card to get my $340 back.
“I have a great RV technician in Apache Junction, Arizona, and I travel to him for repairs because he’s on top of it and he only charges $100 an hour. He does other mechanical work as well, but he’s not an engine mechanic.”
A good Yelp mobile tech
Debbie F. has found a mobile tech that they really like. She says, “My husband and I live in the Weatherford, Texas, area (30 minutes west of Fort Worth). We have a 2016 Dynamax Force that we love. As it gets older, it’s needing more and more repairs (don’t we all!!). We have found an excellent mobile tech who covers the area around here. Mr. Honey-Do’s, Anthony, has repaired our slide topper awning, slide out motor in the RV bedroom (an emergency when the slide was stuck out and a huge windstorm was heading our way). Also, a new water pump was installed and new faucets. He’s always polite, friendly and reliable. We found him on Yelp. What a guy!”
Traded 5th wheel in at a $20K loss
Melvin B. did not get the service he expected from Camping World. He wrote, “I have to agree with Marilee N. I bought a 2020 Forest River 5th wheel and paid Camping World over $1,500 for a complete inspection and PDI cleaning. I asked them to check the roof and the area around the slide as it did not look right. Two weeks after picking it up while on a short drive, the slide awning was pulling away from the side wall. Several other minor things were broken or not working. I took the trailer back to Camping World and was told, “What did you expect? It’s used and we can’t do any repairs.” They gave me $100 to replace a blind, saying they could not get the part, which was a lie as the part was available from the factory when I called. Needless to say, I traded the 5th wheel off at a $20K loss to another dealer and was glad to get rid of it. RV quality for those years is the pits.”
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:
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The $1500 PDI fee was likely just more dealer profit, not a service to the customer. Better off to spend the PDI fee on a qualified inspector if possible. If the dealer refuses to let an independent inspector evaluate a used RV, that will tell you a lot (and it won’t cost you anything).
Avoid CW like the black plague.
Thank you, Nanci! Safe travels and happy new year! 🙂 For whatever it is worth, I have compiled a list of recommended mobile techs and dealerships, and service companies since near the beginning of this column. I can share that with you and/or RV Travel if you’d like it. Just let me know. Thanks again!
Neal, how about sharing it with all of us too. You could write the article yourself and have RV Travel publish it in a column..
Will do, Bill! Thank you and happy new year! 🙂
That sounds great Neal. I will contact you by email. Thanks!
Is this the best way to solve an RV problem? Trade in the bad for someone else to have to deal with? I’m just thinking about the moral consequences of dumping a known problem off to someone else.
There are no moral consequences unless you hide the fact that there are problems. There’s nothing wrong with selling junk as long as people understand that they’re buying junk.
I bought a new rv from rv nation a forest river XLR boost and it was a piece of junk I lost 6k and it took me 2 years to get my money back as far as I’m concerned forest river RVs are junk. So does rv really stand for repair vehicle. I don’t believe there an honest rv dealership in the world.