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:
Dealer called our RV a “COVID camper”
Marsha M. has had a slew of problems and is writing to tell others about issues with RVs manufactured during COVID. “I’m writing in hopes to use this platform to find other RVers that bought campers that were built during COVID. We bought a 2022 Forest River Crusader and have had nothing but problems. It was our first brand-new camper and by far the worst.
“The first year it spent mostly in the shop for repairs and when we got it back, the hot water system went and the belly filled with water. We have water damage and we can’t figure out where the water is coming from.
“Our two most recent camping trips we had to buy a $600 part to get the slide to work. Then, most recently, we had a blowout on the same wheel that’s had two blowouts already. This one tore out wires and part of the siding. So we’re once again without a camper, and this time of year it takes months to get an appointment.
“As you know, our camper depreciated in half the minute it went off the lot, so we’re stuck with a camper that we don’t trust. It pops a fuse almost every time we open a slide, there’s something wrong with the electrical that the repair shop couldn’t figure out, so it’s really not safe.
“We had a business during COVID understand how hard it was to get product and employees, but our customers didn’t get a bad product and if they did we made it right. The last straw was when one of the dealerships called it a ‘COVID CAMPER’, so now it has a name.”
Camping World gets a lot of bad press, but not this one
Ellen L. is happy with this Camping World and writes, “Camping World has a lot of negative press. We had Camping World in Summerfield, FL, mobile service do some repairs and maintenance for us and they were wonderful. Jennifer (at the office) and Steve (technician) were excellent in explaining what was needed. The part was ordered for the toilet and installed in a timely manner. We also had other routine maintenance done and are extremely satisfied.”
Inexperienced RV tech works out okay in the end
Cynthia B. said they only had power for 24 hours but the service center backed up their work and took care of it. “My husband and I had a local RV repair shop install two lithium batteries and a battery monitor in our 2012 Class C Thor Fair Wind 28Z. This involved the purchase and installation of an inverter and all the wiring, etc. Six weeks later we went camping at a recreation area along the Snake River here in Idaho. We had power for less than 24 hrs. Thankfully, with the truck engine running, we were able to start the generator and pull in our slide.
“From home the next day, I called and explained what happened to the office guy who had helped us. Although they were three weeks out, they got us in much sooner.
“Long story short, it was finally determined that the converter our coach came with needed an upgrade in order for it to charge the lithium batteries on shore power. It was the correct model number if it had been four or five years old instead of twelve! The office guy was just too new at lithium battery installation to know that. The part will be installed this coming week for the discounted price of the part, only.
“We were very impressed that their technician went to work on it right away while we waited and watched. He was soon joined by a more seasoned employee who recognized the problem. We believe that the resolution of our issue is absolutely fair and will be returning to Wilson’s RV Repair in Caldwell, ID, as needed.”
Experience nothing but positive service at these two service centers
James C. shares his positive review of their Airstream RV work. He writes, “We have a 2021 Airstream Classic 33 that we purchased in December 2022, and have been on the road full-time since. We did not have to wait more than a week to have soft starts installed at Airstream of Virginia just prior to hitting the road.
“We were passing through the Tampa area and Airstream of Tampa took us in immediately to adjust our hitch. We were in and out in less than an hour. We also scheduled (six months later) an annual inspection at Airstream of Tampa. Our experience with the service departments at these two dealers was nothing but positive. The technician who worked on our rig in Tampa (Mike) was especially knowledgeable and a real professional. My guess is Airstream dealers are like any others. Some days you may not have a satisfying experience, but I don’t agree with whitewashing Airstream service as being a problem.”
The best (the only!) place to take an RV in Channelview, Texas
Daphine R. has a rave review of the shop they take their RV to. She wrote, “If you’re anywhere near Channelview, Texas, the ONLY place to take your RV is Channelview Supply Company. Channelview is a suburb on the east side of Houston. We’ve used them for over a decade and found them to be honest, thorough and the best group of folks to deal with. They’ve fixed jobs as small as reattaching a curtain rod to repairing the coach where I hit a concrete road divider. I can’t recommend them highly enough.”
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.
“Camping World gets a lot of bad press”….and rightly so since they are nothing but a corporation bent on profits for shareholders, which is a huge problem in America anymore.
”Profits for Shareholders” is wonderful to behold.
The phrase “Covid Campers” isn’t just limited to the quality of the rigs, it extends to the people in them as well.
People who have never camped cluelessly buying RV’s and then complaining about how long it takes others to repair their abuse, neglect and ignorance never gets old.
The rv industry needs someone like Ralph Nader to take them on and the best place to start would be with Thor and all of their product lines. Another great place to sue would be Camping world as they do not care about their customers either only Profits. I would join a class action against thor in a second.
Check out Liz Amazing on YouTube. She is taking on the RV industry, one ‘covid camper’ at a time. https://lizamazing.com/
Thank you, Nanci! 🙂 We are about to test-out a mobile tech couple in Columbus, Mississippi. I will send you my report on them next week. Meanwhile, have a great week and safe travels! 🙂
There is another “covid camper”, someone used the RV while they were sick and needed a place to live and recover. “only used once and in perfect condition”.
Years prior to COVID my late brother (an RV tech and service manager) told me to NEVER buy a Forest River product. I followed his advice, with no regrets.