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:
Good service, friendly people
Orlan J. wrote about his positive service experience. He says, “We had the unfortunate experience of our A/C dying in Texas in July. We were camped at the Beaumont, TX, Elks Lodge and the host recommended Duvall’s RV [Editor: website not secure] in nearby Nederland. They got us in the next day and quickly found that the A/C fan had come apart. They got the part in the next day and worked with our extended warranty program for payment. Met the owner, who was very helpful in getting us back on the road. We also had them do a few other minor items at the same time. Good service, friendly people and experienced techs who knew what they were doing.”
Of course RV shops mark up prices
David H. responds to an email from a reader about marked-up RV parts prices. He wrote, “In response to Felicia K.’s note: Repair shops DO mark up the price of parts used in a repair. Just like the retail stores mark up everything. If she knew where to get the parts and how much they cost, why didn’t she provide them? But then there would be no warranty on the parts from the repair shop.”
RV dealerships are not the same as car dealerships
Bryan S. reminded us that RV dealerships are not the same as car dealerships. He wrote, “Many new RV owners presume an RV dealership is managed the same as a car dealership. It is not, and it never will be. Multiple OEM brands and types of units (Class A, B, C, and towables) take different skills. The dealership should require all of their RV mechanics to have proper training from the RV manufacturer or from a specific technical school. They can be hired as trained mechanics, or the dealership can invest in them and send them to the schools or training. The certificates or diplomas should be openly displayed in the sales area of the dealership.”
Nothing works, and she means nothing!
Michelle H. wrote about their terrible experience with a new travel trailer. “We purchased a new Cruiser RV Shadow Cruiser 27′ travel trailer. It was at a closeout price and thank goodness because it is horribly constructed. The toilet bracket broke on first use, the antenna didn’t seem to work and the air conditioning would not keep up. We took it to an RV center near Cedar Rapids, Iowa, while it was still under warranty. We did get these things fixed under warranty but they said they had to replace the A/C unit twice and the antenna was not hooked up.
“It took three months to get it back—not terrible, but no longer camping season here in Iowa. So we went to pick it up. The electric hitch wouldn’t work—finally noticed the battery disconnect was activated on the inside panel—fine. Put the toggle to normal and was able to hook up. The toilet is now in an awkward position. The thermostat is halfway pulled out of the wall. We did not camp again for six months, but I use the solar panel to keep the battery charged. The dealer we bought it from told us to never use the battery disconnect because it would mess things up.
“Checked basic systems before we left on our first trip. We got to the campground three hours away and plugged into electric—nothing. I mean nothing… the panel for the tank, levels, radio, awning, pushout. Checked all the fuses, and they seemed okay. Had the campground check the breaker at the box and changed it—nothing. A neighbor let us use their cord, nothing back to battery power for the night with no air, and dealing with a beeping and flashing refrigerator all night. Half of the lights worked and would dim and flicker if you turned on another.
“Called the RV center and scheduled to take it back the next week. They found our previous record and said they would take a look and call us before doing anything. They replaced the battery and the fuses, without calling. Didn’t warranty any of their prior work, didn’t warranty the less-than-a-year-old battery they replaced, gave us an almost $600 bill, and sent us down the road.
“Took it out for a weekend test trip and everything works, but now there’s a loud fan sound running in the fuse center that I’ve never heard before. I just have a sneaky suspicion that something else happened that we weren’t made aware of.
“We’ve had an array of travel trailers for the past 25 years and have never had a bad experience such as this. I thought we’d be treated better at a smaller place instead of Camping World, but they made up for the warranty work for sure! It really makes it hard to trust anyone.”
Mouse nest in the generator!
Paul S. is not happy with this Camping World. He wrote, “I have had 2018 Jayco 30X for five years. 18 months ago I made an appointment, waiting three months for an appointment. Delivered on time. I asked when it would be ready, and they told me they’d call.
“They put me off for four months more and did not repair the generator. I got it back with a mouse nest in the generator. Finally got it to a Cummins dealer and $2,500 later it was fixed. Not happy with Camping World in West Boylston, Mass.”
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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@Michelle H. – I am a little confused. There were this many electrical problems after taking possession, but none of them showed up in the delivery walk-through? Did you have, or take, the time to open doors, flip switches, operate appliances at the dealership?
Okay, I know a walk-through rarely finds everything. But I think I would figure out that nothing worked before I left the dealership with the rig. In fact, the sales manager and I would be having a rather serious discussion before I left the dealership without the rig.
Jim is correct, but it seems to me this RV is a lemon, and you should contact the manufacturer about returning it, and/or getting a replacement–not fixing this lemon. Google “RV lemon law”
If you can’t fix it yourself you better walk away because most RV shops will rob you blind.
Most rv dealers are just not qualified to fix a toilet, but they still want 2000$ to try. Then it sits in their mouse infested yard for months before the bosses retarded nephew backs it into a post. It’s a pathetic picture but it’s true.
Thank you, Nanci! 🙂 My Chrome browser would not load the Duvall’s RV website until I opened an “incognito tab.” Once I did, then it loaded completely. In case anyone wants the email address for Duvall’s RV, it is duvallsrv@yahoo.com. I see all the rest of the contact information is already on the list of recommended dealers, service centers, and mobile techs. Thanks again, have a great week, safe travels, and safe stays! 🙂
The best thing to do with dealers like this is to go to dealer and flush multiple tennis balls and wads of toilet paper down their crappers. You can also put tennis balls in toilet of new units which will not work out well for anyone. But some dealers and especially warren buffet need something like this to happen to them because they deserve a lot of crap for the crap they have done to society.
Thor industries neeeeeds a Very large class action brought against it. This is not a good corporation that does good things. Only crooked thie es hiding behind the laws.