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:
Best way to get something fixed with a mobile tech
Geri S. was delighted when their RV refrigerator was fixed for $200. He wrote, “We were camping at Minuteman Campground in Massachusetts when our refrigerator stopped working. The office put us in contact with a person who would come and fix it. He came out and said he had to order a part, which came in the next day. Came back, replaced it and only charged us $200. We have not had any problems since.
“This might be the best way to go to get something fixed the right way and in a timely manner.”
They “cheat” the repair system
Michael E. gets their work done in Atlanta and he does not complain about the price. He wrote, “Well, my wife and I have ‘cheated’ the system. We only take our coach to NIRVC [National Indoor RV Centers] (Atlanta)!
“Best service with some of the best folks in the industry. Cheap? NO WAY! But you don’t bring in a $250,000 (or more) coach for poor-quality work.
“They usually get us an appointment in about a week (sometimes longer or shorter). The facility has all of the hookups, so we can stay for a few days.
“Like just about everything else in life: Simple tasks (oil change) can be completed quickly while more extensive service work may take several days.”
Recommendation for service in New York State
Richard F. wrote us about good service in New York. “Diederich’s RV Mart in West Coxsackie, New York. Good people, good service.”
About to buy a school bus or tiny house and get rid of all RV companies
Jason L. has an outside wall crack that the manufacturer denies ever happens. He wrote, “I have a 2019 Grand Design Reflection 311BHS. I have a crack on my outside wall at the kids’ bunkroom slide. There is only an 8-inch wall between the opening of the slide and the back of the trailer. I called GD up and made a complaint about this and THEY told me that they have never heard of this ever happening. So I mentioned to them that if they went on Facebook and saw what people are posting about the walls cracking, etc., they would realize they had an issue.
“All they kept telling me was I was out of my warranty and they will not do anything about this.
“We spend a lot of money on these rigs and to get this kind of customer service is ridiculous. These rigs are just getting more expensive, and I am about to just buy a school bus or custom tiny home that I can pull and get rid of all RV companies.
“Done wasting my money on garbage customer service.”
There are still some great companies out there to help
Jeff S. wrote about being in dire need when their motorhome ran into trouble. “A few weeks ago we were on our way home from Florida when the engine of our motorhome was misfiring and showing a flashing check engine light. We had little power and the motor was obviously running very rough without all cylinders.
“We pulled into Rush Truck Center in Orlando just after they opened. They told me there was normally a one- to two-month wait to look at motorhomes but agreed to help me because we were in a dire situation. I thanked the service writer and began to take apart the dash, etc., so the doghouse cover could be removed.
“After about 30 minutes, a tech knocked on the door and said he was going to look at our coach. We took our kids and dog into the nice family lounge and waited. After a few hours, we were told that the issue was a wiring harness that had been damaged by a mouse.
“They replaced it and we were on the way a short time later. We lost about five hours of driving time but we were truly grateful that they helped us out and got us on the road again. On the way out I handed the service writer some cash as a thank you. He was reluctant to take it but I felt it was necessary for what they did for us.
“There are still some great people and companies out there willing to help. You just have to find them.”
Great experience in Galveston, Texas
Donald S. wrote to us about his experience with Uncle Sam’s Mobile RV Service. He said, “We had a GREAT experience on Friday from Uncle Sam’s Mobile RV Service in the Galveston, TX, area. Our front Dometic A/C unit was tripping the circuit breaker. Sam came out and used his test equipment to bypass the circuit breaker and the thermostat to make sure it was the rooftop part that was failing. He explained everything as he went along. Once on the roof, he tested the capacitor and showed me it was good. Then I gave him my Extended Warranty information and he contacted them for authorization to replace the failed unit. He also had brought a new unit with him just in case it was needed!
“After about 1 1/2 hours total, my failed A/C unit had been replaced, the paperwork completed, and we had cold air again. It only cost me a trip charge, my deductible and the taxes, which seems very fair. Thank YOU, Uncle Sam’s Mobile RV Service!!!”
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:
##RVT1169
Yes, we found several reliable Mobile RV Techs in FL & TN that we ended up paying $150/hr to drive 60 miles and repair different RV components. Not so here in remote Upstate NY. We were quoted $2500 to replace a roof AC unit on our Catalina Destination trailer (never will I ever buy another FR Catalina). The cheap GE unit costs less than $1000 so that leaves $1500 in labor???? Ouch. The alternative would be to tow the trailer over 100 miles to the nearest authorized repair dealer, which leaves us with no place to live while its in the shop. We’ve opted to install a DIY mini split heat pump unit. Maybe we could turn the useless GE unit into a bird house or something???
Jason L’s suggestion about an old school bus conversion might not be so far off the mark. Maybe not a school bus, but a much older premium RV.
On a forum I am on, one member bought a 1990’s Prevost for under $50k. First he had the simple Detroit 60 and chassis completely gone through. Then he had the interior gutted and rebuilt for him. Finally he had the exterior refinished…mostly nice stainless polished and paint. When done, he essentially had a new Prevost for $250K.
Thank you, Nanci! 🙂 Have a great week, safe travels, and safe stays! 🙂