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:
Can’t tell a book by its cover—nor an RV service center
Chris L. had a pleasant surprise at what he had thought was going to be a dubious RV service center. He wrote, “On my way back and forth to work (retired years ago) when driving thru one of my backroads workaround I noticed a sign for an RV service center. It looked pretty questionable since I couldn’t even see the place.
“Fast forward to last week when I called them about doing some (non-emergency) equipment installation. They had an opening for Friday and said to be there at 9 (much to my surprise). It looked kinda shady driving in on the dirt road. But, when I got back there, there it was. Lots of big trailers and 5rs. Turns out the owner worked for a Lance dealer years back and he and his brother had been wrenching/repairing RVs for years. Great people and a family operation!
“They had my rig in their building before I left. DW picked me up and off we went. Two hours later they called to tell me it was done. Had a MaxxAir vent cover and a new water pump installed. GREAT people. They knew/know their way around ANY RV!
“The owner was thrilled to work on a Lance camper given his previous history. Sometimes looks can be deceiving! They are local to me and when I need something that I can’t or don’t want to DYI, they are now my go-to guys! A BIG SHOUT OUT TO COX’s RV REPAIR in Bridgeville, DE! Reasonable rates, GREAT SERVICE and people!”
Couldn’t duplicate the issue for the service center? Here’s a trick
Cliff C. had an ingenious way to describe his RV furnace issue—he recorded the sound. He told us, “Last March temps dipped into the 30’s. The furnace is set to 58 and no problem until about 3:00, when we woke to a sound best described as a handful of marbles in a hub cap. It was loud, coming from the furnace. Even the folks camped in the next site were awakened and came to see if we were OK. We shut the furnace down and let it cool and then restarted it.
“In about five minutes the sound started again, faint at first and louder as the furnace got hotter. We cut the trip short and came home. The next week I called Shafer’s RV in Cropwell, AL. Steve said to drop by. I got there and we started the furnace. It ran for 45 minutes and not a hint of noise. Steve gave the furnace a going-over but could not duplicate the problem.
“November and cold weather and here comes the noise. This time I recorded it. Got home and called Shafer’s and they said just drop it off. Took it in. Steve listened to the recording and told us he would call us. Back home we prepared for the average 10- to 12-week wait we had always encountered from dealer service departments.
“The next day, Steve called and said we were fixed and ready to go. He found the squirrel cage had a broken rim and two vanes were missing. He found the missing pieces melted into the sides of the furnace. As the cage would heat up, the broken rim would contact the pieces stuck to the housing. Problem fixed. In on Tuesday, called Wednesday, and picked up Thursday. It doesn’t get any better. Shafer’s RV Service, Cropwell, AL.”
Top-grade work and honest
Ray I. has a glowing recommendation for a great service center and a warning about another. He wrote, “I could tell you about a horror story that quite honestly was so bad most people would not believe it happened. To make it simple, just don’t do business with Bretz RV in Montana.
“What I would rather tell everyone is if you need help or repairs in Billings, MT, contact Kurt at Kurts Repair, 4011 T Bar J Way, Billings, MT. Kurt had worked at two RV dealers before opening his own business and I firmly believe he knows more about RV’s issues than anyone I have ever met. Great Guy, top-grade work and is honest, which is probably why he is reasonably priced. Afraid he is getting harder to book because RVers are finding out he is great to do business with. However, I am certain he will help in emergencies. That’s just the way he works.”
RV drove in the wind like it was possessed!
Dennis O. found that his RV and crosswinds did not agree. He wrote, “While traveling west we experienced a lot of crosswinds which caused our anti-skid module to kick off the cruise control. I talked to the Newmar factory, and we found it needed an upgrade on the software. I also needed an alignment as it was not done when I bought the unit and had the Safe-T-Plus installed. It drove like it was possessed when a crosswind hit me.
“I called Ford customer service and they recommended several places in the Phoenix area. I called Sanderson Ford in Glendale and talked with Blake Scott, who is their RV rep. He made an appointment for me within a couple of days and they did a great job. Blake is a great example of the type of person that you like to deal with. He tells you like it is and keeps his word. I highly recommend them for F53 chassis work.”
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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Thank you, Nanci! This is at least the second time that Shafer’s RV in Cropwell, Alabama has been recommended. They have a mobile tech, which wasn’t mentioned this time. Safe travels! 🙂
All good service reports, just the way RV service providers should do business.
I wonder why the furnace noise wasn’t heard when the shop ran it for 45 minutes. Very odd.