RV Service: Better To DIY Or Hire A Tech

We all know that on occasion things will break when we use our RVs.  After all, it’s a house on wheels, and if our stationary home needs repairs every now and then, can you imagine what stress a home bouncing down the road goes through?

When maintenance or diagnostics are needed, you have two options:  do you make the repairs yourself or hire an RV mechanic to do the work for you?  And how do you accomplish either task when you are in new surroundings and don’t know a soul?

Here are a few tips to help you decide if do-it-yourself work is within your wheelhouse or if hiring an RV service repairman is what you need:

DIY RV Service

Do-it-yourself work can save you lots of money, but maybe not time.  But if you have the patience and willingness to learn new skills, there are a variety of ways to educate yourself on the repairs needed:

• Search YouTube videos to find instruction on what you need to fix.
• Take an RV repair course – there are many reputable courses that cover virtually every type of repair or maintenance skill needed.
• Search RV service mechanics forums to get help with diagnostics – many RV forums and private groups have members who are experienced and willing to share their knowledge.  In fact, you might find recent postings with the fix you need.

Finding Service Tech

If you conclude that hiring an RV repair shop to fix your rig is what is necessary, there are several ways to find dependable mechanics:

• Inquire with the locals – word of mouth referrals are the best way to discover those shops willing to handle your needs in an honest and timely fashion.
• Ask at the campground – local campgrounds know the businesses in the area, especially those that cater to RVers.  Ask the owners who they take their rig to.
• Check reviews on Yelp, SureCritic.com, and RVServiceReviews.com

Hire The Right Person for the Right Job

When you do find a RV service shop or mobile mechanic, it’s a good idea to make sure they are capable of doing the job needed:

• Qualifications – ask about their experience and credentials.  Do they have certification in certain areas of expertise?  Are they insured?  How many years have they been on the job?
• RVIA – Are they certified by the RV Industry Association, which sets the standards for building, maintaining and repairing recreational vehicles?

What’s So Special About an RV Master Technician?

If you are looking for the best of the best for RV repair services, find an RV Master Technician.  These mechanics:

• Have the most advanced knowledge possible, keeping their skills updated and improved with constant learning and certification
• Have an education level that is well beyond the standard that most mechanics maintain in the RV industry.

How to Find an RV Master Technician

An RV Master Technician is one who has gone through training designed by the RVIA.  These certified RV service techs are trained to work on all classes of recreational vehicles, and they not only utilize extensive hands-on mechanical training, but they specialize in areas like generators, hydraulics, appliances, plumbing, gas and electrical systems.

You can access a database of RV Master Technicians that work for dealerships on the RVDA website, but the best way to find these certified mechanics is to ask repair shops if they hire repairmen with the designation as RV Master Technicians.  Your motorcoach or trailer will be in good hands with them!