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:
Waited 1, 2, 3 and 4 months, and no follow-up!
Mark G. finally went to an independent shop after no follow-up from Camping World. He wrote, “Visited Camping World. Needed electric work and was told I needed a new A/C. I agreed and asked them to order it. I was told they were back ordered and they’d get back to me. One month. No call. I called. Two months. Three months. Four months. Nothing. I finally went to an independent shop.
“I finally called Camping World to inquire what happened. I was told the shop worker was moved to a different job. He never placed my A/C order. No one followed up. No one called. Same sloppy, ‘Business is great, who cares?’ attitude. Marcus Lemonis, you never answer your phone. You never made it right. God help Overstock.”
Outstanding mobile tech bailed them out
Michael F. writes to us about two breakdowns and two times being rescued. “Obtaining great service is definitely a challenge, especially when you’re on the road far from home. As bad luck would have it, two years in row following our path from Florida to the north to escape the Florida summer heat, we experienced two major breakdowns.
“Both of these occurrences took place outside of Bowling Green, Kentucky. First, it was the full wall slide on our 2022 Thor Aria that would not function. This year one of the two A/Cs quit in blistering 100-plus temps.
“In both situations, mobile tech Luis Pons from Bowling Green, Kentucky, bailed us out.
With many years of experience, his knowledge is paramount to efficiently remedying any RV problem. He is quick to respond, which is greatly appreciated.
“I highly recommend him if you are in need in that area. He can be reached at 270-792-4378.”
RV in for service and RV shop accidentally cleaned it out! They thought it was a trade-in!
Chester M. will not be going back to this service center. He writes, “Where to start… We took our brand-new Passport 268BH in to get some of the defects we found at purchase fixed from our dealer, Bogue-something-or-other (I won’t ever go back). New countertop, if I recall. We scheduled a trip but they called and said they could get it done, no problem. We’d done a short shakedown, so this was the first big one. Big mistake, but we were prepared for it.
“We were, however, not prepared for almost all of the personal items in our RV being removed (dishes, utensils, ice-maker, instant pot, pans, my underwear and socks…) The manager claimed they thought it was a trade-in and so they ‘accidentally’ cleaned it out. I suspect it’s not the first time they’ve made this mistake, but I don’t have any proof. Anyway… I had to meet their cleaning lady in a parking lot to get a box of most of my stuff back.
“I’ve spent a ton of time already fixing stuff on that trailer. Really low build quality. They put the toilet floor flange on all cattywampus so it cracked immediately. Good luck getting a replacement on the road! FYI, you can just buy a 3″ threaded ABS adapter at any hardware store and just use a closet flange for residential, but you have to build a platform to raise the toilet an inch or two. On the plus side, the toilet is actually attached to the RV for once and doesn’t rock.”
Three roof leaks in new camper
Steven B. knows he should have stayed away from this dealer. He wrote, “Just bought my first new camper. A budget-friendly Coleman 17R. I swore I would always stick to used RVs due to all the horror stories.
“During the first walkthrough, I found three water leaks. Pointed them out and was quickly told that they just pressure-washed the dust off the outside and blew it off. Really? I raised my voice and they called a tech to fix it. Returned and found another leak. Two hours later we arrived home to rain. The next day two of the leaks are still there. I knew I should have stayed away from Camping World.”
Dealer nothing short of a waste of time
Connie R. began seeing dark spots on the floor that would not clean off. She writes, “I bought a NEW 2023 Forest River TT. I had it for maybe a month and noticed a small dark spot on the flooring. After several attempts to clean it, I decided that it wasn’t that kind of issue.
“I notified the dealership who I purchased it from and was consistently told that they were waiting for the factory to approve what needed to be done. Since then, more and more dark spots have appeared and some of the older ones seem to have grown larger!! Once again, after notifying the dealership, I got exactly the same reply… someone had mentioned (I overheard the shop guys talking) that it was probably the glue that was used.
“Of course, speed up to the present, I have MANY MANY issues along with the floor in the bedroom having a very weak spot to the point where my son will purposely walk around it. This week, I am going to have to call a mobile tech, too, as my son noticed that I seem to have MULTIPLE places where water is dripping underneath!!!
“OMG!! The dealership has been nothing short of a waste of time!! Now, a single, retired lady on a fixed income is going to have to try to find a way to pay for repairs that I feel are a result of poor factory workers. It would be nice if companies stood behind their workmanship, but apparently, those days are gone. Because of all my issues from the beginning, I would NOT recommend Forest River!!”
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:
##RVT1167
Some of these stories are almost unbelievable. Almost.
Connie R. Call Forest River directly. Be firm, but polite, and move up the management chain. DO NOT let them get away with not doing needed warranty work. That is what these crooked RV Mfgs try to do. Enough people give up and put up with this mistreatment that it makes it profitable for them to continue the abuse. Hold their feet to the fire!
Thank you, Nanci! 🙂 Thank you, too, to Michael F for expanding the list of recommended techs, especially those of the mobile persuasion. 🙂 Do those who complain about dealers or service centers include the name, but it gets scrubbed to avoid legal hassles? If not, then I do wish the names would be included. Thereby a second list, of those who should be avoided, could be compiled. Access to be extended only after the secret handshake followed by the current knock-knock joke are given. 🤔😯 😉 Thanks again, have a great week, safe travels, and safe stays! 🙂