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:
Highly recommended service in Ontario, Canada
Holly S. sends us her recommendation about great service north of the border in Ontario, Canada. She wrote, “Highly recommend Camp-Out RV, Stratford, ON, for amazing RV service. Staff/techs are knowledgeable, skilled, fair, and friendly. Always have gone the extra mile to ensure any of our service repairs, under warranty or not, are top-notch.
“I also highly recommend Gary and his staff/techs at Dee Jay Trailers, Havelock, Ontario. They are professionals and have always gotten the job done when promised.”
Best to get a second opinion and go to non-“name brand” shops
Noah N. sent us this advice: “It’s always best to get a second opinion. For my Vista F-53 Ford chassis, the local Ford dealer said I needed four rear tires. I took them to ‘Rice Tires’ and they said not so, and I got another 12,000 miles before replacing them at Rice. Rice also does my routine chassis work at a lower price from the Ford Service Center and either of the local RV service centers. Lesson learned. Chassis work can be less expensive and much quicker at non-‘name brand’ shops.”
Who will repack wheel bearings?
Bruce B. is finding it hard to find someone to do the work. He wrote, “You cannot find anyone that wants to repack wheel bearings. It is a nasty job and not a quick fix and needs to be done at least every two to three years. The most abused item on all travel trailers.”
Extremely pleased with this mobile RV service
Steve M. sends his recommendation for mobile RV service. “We ‘accidentally’ damaged our power awning while camping at ‘Cadillac’ [Mitchell] State Park. Jensen’s (Jensen’s RV Center) came over on Sunday morning with a trailer to pick it up. Had to order a replacement during supply chain issues but they got it done for approximately half of what the dealer quoted. Extremely pleased with the service.”
Do RV dealers all go to the “School of Shame”?
Frank S. wants to know. He wrote, “RV dealers must all go to the same ‘School of Shame’. I live in Florida and had the worst experience with General RV of Ocala and Optimum RV. Between buying and service, it was an ongoing nightmare. Get a good mobile tech.”
From trusted source to house of horrors
Robert W. has lost all faith in Camping World. He wrote, “RE: Camping World. The longer that I RV, the less I trust Camping World. What used to be a trusted source of all things RV, has turned into a house of horrors. From terrible customer service to outrageous prices. They are now a last resort.”
Great research and good negotiating
Thomas E. put his time into researching prices and RVs. He writes, “Bought our first new RV in over 30 years. I did my research, selected the destination model and options we wanted, then went to look at one 65 miles away. They were asking MSRP and offered a $4K discount. After showing them prices of $12K to $15K less, they matched the second lowest price. OK.
“Then came the delivery, doc fees, and dealer prep. So I called the other two places. Their total fees were similar—hidden fees? With tax (out the door) we were still $14K less than MSRP. If I was willing to drive 800 miles in winter weather we could have saved another 5%. Turns out there were seven items (little things) on the walk-thru punch list. But it took the techs four hours to get around to fixing all of them.
“As far as we can tell, it was in perfect condition when we left the lot. So far we’re satisfied with the purchase, the price, and the overall quality and workmanship. We’ll see how well it holds together when we drive it 1,700 miles over this country’s potholes and misaligned bridges to its ‘destination’. The warranty won’t cover the suspension and tires (but there is roadside assistance), and I’m unsure whether damages to other components will be covered.”
Horrible service
Kevin S. said sales were good here, but follow-up and service itself was horrible. He writes, “We have had a horrible time with service from Unlimited RV of KC. We bought a new RV last year at an RV show. Their sales are great, but then service from the damages started from the day we picked it up.
“The worst thing is they did a walk-through on day one. It was about 32 degrees out, the RV was in the building, and they prepped it for us to take home. Two hours later we were home, to learn that they didn’t winterize, so there were broken valves and ice hanging out of pipes! It took three trips to make this almost right. There is still a list of wrongs, and they suggest we take it 10 hours away to manufacturer. So your choice, but don’t buy from Unlimited RV is my suggestion.”
Buy only RVs that were built before 2008?
Bill S. says, Yes! He wrote, “I have been warning everyone I know for years not to buy anything built after 2008 for the exact same reason. Based on what I have seen my friends go through, I would still say nothing built after 2008.”
Jerrod H. disagrees! He wrote, “I disagree!!! My 2020 Forest River XLR NITRO was built in 2019 pre-covid and is AMAZING!! I believe it is the 2021-23 that they really went to s*it.”
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:
##RVT1148
I will have to agree with Bill S. on buying newer than 2008. We have a 2006 and have been looking to get newer but the brand new ones are a mess and even trying a used unit from before covid they all have to have the furniture recovered because they all used cheap fake leather that flaked. I keep thinking that I will find a precovid unit in good condition.
If can locate a NuWa Hitchiker fifth wheel in good condition you will not be sorry…one of the best brands ever built.
I disagree with Jerrod on 2021-2023 poor build quality assumptions. I am tired of hearing this debate. Not sure if RV Travel has done an article on this being a real thing, or not (I may have missed the article, if so)? But, as a person who owned a “pre-covid trailer” (2016) and a “covid trailer” (2021) from the SAME manufacturer, my real world experience was not any different, quality-wise, from eight years ago or three years ago. I’d dare say, there were even some quality improvements during that time. I think many (not all) comments like this are hearsay, not actual experience as a customer, which is probably how it all got started in the first place. Now, as for service quality……
Buy anything anymore and expect poor service…if you get good service then be very surprised….especially any RV business.
Thank you, Nanci! 🙂 Well, it certainly is a mixed bag of quality and problems. So far the two biggest problems with our 2022 New Aire were 1) misunderstanding during ordering process that resulted in production failing to install a window, and 2) a design problem that results in a superheated bedroom after a day of summer travel. The first was rectified (added) during a warranty visit to Newmar. The second continues because Newmar’s engineers say, “What problem? That’s no problem.” We’re working with our chassis tech, Les Glenn, to fix. Otherwise, very pleased with Newmar’s (3 to 5)/22 build. Safe travels! 🙂
Here on the west coast LES SCHWAB TIRES has been repacking my trailer bearings for years
I must be “One in a million” ! Purchased a used 2018 Forest River Micro lite Flagstaff travel trailer from Arlington RV in E. Greenwich, RI in Feb. 2022. I am 100 % pleased with it and the walk thru when purchased. There is absolutely nothing wrong with it ( other than my own fault of camping on a huge incline causing the refrigerator to need replacing ) I’ve made past purchases from them and have never had a problem.
I also have a Microlite, 2019 and mine is a peach. Pimped it with lithium, select comfort queen bed and goodyear tires but no major issues since purchase. The dealer sucked and still does but I have been doing the maintenance myself
Repair Centers and OEM’s can’t win.
When the shop fixes a problem, it’s “what they’re paid to do”. Yet when complications arise, the echo chamber of vitriol goes into overdrive.
It’s no wonder why fewer and fewer are willing to service RV’s. So many RV owners buy steak yet expect it hand cooked by a chef in less time than McDonald’s and at the Walmart price ELSE get a one star review.
TLDR: RV’s will need repairs. If you fix it yourself, you can skip the drama and laugh at the karma of the dissatIsfied. If you lack the skills, that’s not CW’s fault….