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:
Careless and unforgivable lack of quality control from RV factories
Bryan L. has had one delay after another because of mismanaged parts. He wrote, “I had a mishap in September that caused a puncture in the sidewall of our Hideout trailer. The insurance claim was finally approved almost six weeks later. When that was approved, Traveland RV in Duncan, B.C., ordered the parts and notified us when we could take the trailer in for repairs in early January. We were told repairs would take about seven days.
“This is where the difficulties began with no fault of the repair shop. The parts sent by Keystone were too small for the repair. New parts were ordered and arrived a week later. Unfortunately, these were damaged, so replacements were ordered and arrived a week later. When I was expecting to receive the call to pick up the trailer, I was told the wrong decals were provided by Keystone. A week later the decals arrived—wrong ones again.
This type of carelessness is unforgivable but also indicative of the lack of quality control leaving the RV factories.”
Bought a Tiffin for this reason
Kenny L. is happy with his service and repairs. He wrote, “We bought a Tiffin for just this reason. The Bob Tiffin Service Center in Red Bay, AL, is not out of the way at all. You call ahead and get paperwork emailed to you, be placed on the list, and get in timely for repairs and service. With all the problems at the dealers, I can’t imagine it any other way.”
Don’t trust Camping World for any reason
Jay A. wrote about his learning curve. “I have learned some valuable lessons in my first four years of camper ownership. One of them is never to trust Camping World to make any repairs for any reason. My camper was in for warranty repairs on three occasions and Camping World demonstrated total incompetence every time. The most dangerous was leaving my propane tanks on the tongue not connected or secured so they easily could have fallen off while moving.
“The other thing I have learned is that you really need to learn how to maintain these things yourself. If you are not handy or willing to get dirty, then you should not own any type of camper or RV. I consider it a labor of love and the knowledge and understanding of my camper provides me with peace of mind and confidence to handle most surprises.”
Service department said, “Take it or leave it”—and hung up
Gary D. got great service from a mobile tech after not having any service. He wrote, “2020 Entegra Esteem 29V. Had a minor issue with the front slideout and extended warranty authorized repair at Camping World… The service staff was rude on the phone and told me three weeks before I could bring it in and leave it. Once it was there, they’d get back to me within 30 days with a diagnosis. Well, when I responded, I told her that it was June and half the camping/traveling season would be lost. She said, ‘Take it or leave it, that’s it.’… I hung up.
“Called Happy Camper Mobile RV Service [based in Ham Lake, MN] and they booked me right away and solved the problem in an hour! Straightforward communication, conscientious care of all components, clean, efficient, and very professional.
“Since then they are the only folks that touch my motorhome! First-class service from honest and ethical pros… HIGHLY endorse these guys!”
Not mentioning names but… DIY saved $5,755!
Steve M. did the work himself after the diagnosis and saved a LOT of money. He wrote, “I won’t mention any companies, there’s only a few. I paid $500 for analysis of my pump system for slides and jacks. They said it was a ground problem and electric solenoids that would cost $6,000 to replace. I installed a dump pump I purchased from Amazon for $245. Been working fine for two years.”
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.
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Last week’s Service Centers and Repairs Report:
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Thank you for conscientiously gathering the “good, bad, and ugly” comments each week and editing them for our consumption, Nanci! This column never fails to capture and hold my interest because the experiences can vary so widely. Have a great week and safe travels!
👍👍 Yes indeed, it’s one of my favorite weekly columns as well!!
“Don’t trust Camping World for any reason” Quote of the century.
Gulf Stream Coach is dragging its feet. We agreed to disagree about a panel is or is not covered by their warranty. They agreed to settle for a certain sum. I accepted to get this over with. 2 weeks, no check. Got the check #, confirmed the address and a promise to mail within the week (this was a Monday). 2 weeks have gone by and still no check. Another email. If not here within a week I will pick up the pieces and restart legal action.
In the 5+ years we have owned our “luxury” RV, EVERY parts order from the factory has been mis-addressed and /or contained incorrect parts, EVERY ONE! Clearly by now, the factory knows they have a systemic problem, yet they do nothing to correct it.
Had a similar problem as the Keystone with our Jayco. We dropped our camper off in the fall so that the front could be repaired under warranty. Jayco sent out the same wrong part about 5 or 6 times before they got the right one. Barely got the camper back by spring. Not long afterwards, the same part failed again. We dropped it off in the fall and again they kept sending the same wrong part. Considering the large and awkward size of the part, they must have spent thousands of dollars in shipping alone.