The REAL reason RV service sucks - insider secrets from a RV technician

Hi Folks, I'm still editing my next undercover RV review video. In the meantime, let's talk about RV service.... it's pretty bad. As a certified RV tech that's worked both independently and in shops, I share 3 dirty secrets of the RV service industry and my 3 tips for how you can protect yourself from having incompetent techs break your already broken RV!

[shiftfocus]

I used a RV dealer for service precisely once, and it was all the motivation I needed to learn how to do most stuff myself.

[billz]

I am a reasonably handy guy with tools/repairs, having grown up on a farm, owned a couple of over-the-road tractor trailer rigs, etc., not a stranger to tools/fixing things. After six months as an RV technician, I can say unequivocally that what this guy says is true.
I have been about 85% on-my-own to try and learn how to repair many things. Throwing parts at the problem always wins vs actually diagnosing what the problem really is. There IS no standard in the RV repair industry. ☹

[ronbennett]

Great video. As a certified level 3 Technician from RVTI, it is true what you say. I run as an independent business and will be honest it's challenging. My goal and objective is to provide honest and high quality service. As a new certified technician, experience is crucial and I have turn down jobs where if I cannot provide a better out come for the customer I will try to refer them which usually is a problem to to the lack of service from service departments dealerships or the lack of technicians in general. The only way to provide high quality competent service is for new RV Technicians is to continue to seek education and build their skill set. I am fortunate to have connected to a two senior Service Response Team (SRT) and to follow certain of web sites such as this one who offer real information to consumers and reminders of what going on in the industry. Thanks

[cmprvn]

In Canada, RV Technician is a certified trade with government body oversight. So you need to do a four-year apprenticeship and three years of college, then you can write your Red Seal exam. Then, on top of that, each province has its own RV gas certification processes.

The above doesn’t necessarily mean we have better technicians, but there’s more oversight for training compared to the RVIA in the US.

What we still lack is trained technicians since there are only two colleges that teach it and a nearly two-year wait to get in.

Parts are our most significant issue being on the West Coast. Do you need a part for your RV specific to it or even just manufactured in Elkhart? That’ll be a 2-3 month wait because the warehouse is slow. Then, they probably shipped the wrong part, which will get held up at the border.

Service work, I believe, is an industry issue, starting from the top. Technicians are, for the most part, thrown into an environment where they have little chance of success, from seasoned ones to newbies, which is why most good techs leave shops to go out on their own when shops need to retain those techs to train the new incoming generation of technicians.

Keep up the great work! I enjoy your videos and perspectives. 🎉

[jcraigshelton]

Considering they make those things out of cardboard, plastic, sheet aluminum, it’s a wonder they all don’t fly apart going down the road.

[kaitlynnclarke]

Def just based in USA, in Canada it is completely different and have to go to school for awhile before being able to work in the RV industry, it is a long process but worth it at the end.

[hahahahahahahahahahahahaha]

I learn and do almost all repairs and maintenance.

[braydon]

As a fellow tech this was a great vid!!! Thanks

[BerryJonker]

Would you please review this travel trailer: Keystone Bullet 253RDS. It has a fantastic rear dinette layout, and is relatively light weight. I believe that this is the mid-level model of three similar models, including the Cougar 25RD (higher level), and the Passport 252RD (base level). Really enjoy all of your reviews! Thanks.

[OmahaWayne]

I have this dont break your rv course and it's an amazing help to newbies and experts alike !!!

My dealer was bish rv, on my PDI I found the drawer under the fridge was needed alignment to work right. They said the fixed it and I went on my way, the drawer was 10 times worse after the repair then it was when I reported it. I know I should have checked it before I left the dealership, but I was like its a simple drawer adjustment, any flunky can do that. I was wrong, lesson learned.

[johnstangel]

I know exactly what you're talking about. I took my RV to Camping World in Idaho Falls and they were going to consign it for me well after 2 months I get a phone call from the service manager and he says hey you have about 2500.00 worth of leaks and repairs on your motorhome that need to be repaired before you can get it sold. I almost blew a gasket when I dropped it off I had been living in it for 6 months full time and it was just fine. So I go to see what was the list and I find out that the idiots had put compressed air to the system in the parking lot in the middle of the winter. I told them give me my RV back and canceled the contract. It ended up costing me only 295.00 to fix all the broken pipes and faucets they broke and to change out an expired fire extinguisher. I found out later that they fired the guy that did the damage because he was costing them more than he was producing. Stay away from Camping World.

[defendthefaith]

Took my MH to Discount Tire in Charlotte, NC. RV dealership & Ford dealership had a 3 month wait!! Discount Tire got me in & out in 1 hr.

[henrykrecklow]

I've owned 2 RV's in the last 12 years one MH and now a TT. I've never had any major issues with either one. But like you said I've done the basic maintenance and I have taken care of them. When I sold the MH to a dealer ship the guy they sent to pick it up said it was probably the best maintained RV he had seen in quite a while. One big problem I see are people getting into RVing with no clue what their getting into with that rolling earthquake.

[mikebrant]

Ford is another issue. Motorhomes that are not vans are almost all For F-53 chassis, and these are having a LOT of safety recalls, most of them quite serious. In my case, dry differential, sway bar falls off (two recalls for the same issue), vehicle shipped without front end alignment (new 2 year old tire), misrouted and pinched cables (new harness and three month delay for a harness locally available for $18).
Add to this safety issues caused by the coach builder. In my case fire in the CPAP cabinet (I was right there, and damage was negligible because I was there - and conscious. Investigation showed 12 AWG wire filed down and forced into stab connection for 14 AWG wire - manufacturer actually tried to glue it back together!) I replaced all outlets because 12 AWG wire used by filing down the wire and forcing it into the stab connection. Then the overhead fold-down bed fell on my head while driving. It fell slowly and gently, but - terrible design! Black tank arrived from dealer with poop pyramid included. Radio disappeared into the dash while driving - investigation showed zero supports, held in place by a 1/16" plastic dash panel. I repaired with four inches of 1x1 from a local hardware store.
Then there's the things that are just crazy. I had to repair a dashboard panel because it drooped and got damaged by setting the parking brake. It needed a zip tie. For lack of a zip tie I had no headlights, turn signals, brake lights, wipers, etc.
All of these are potentially quite serious. Frankly, I'm appalled.
(Former manufacturing engineer and electrician.)

[kathryncoker]

Not in an RV yet but planning to be. Your videos are EXTREMELY helpful in prep for that experience. Thank you!

[kelliescraftythumb]

I work at an rv dealership and this is all so totally correct. But another problem we have is some people are just so afraid to do their own maintenance on anything and something so simple they have to bring it in. And they dont realize how much movement it makes going down the road at 60-75 mph. Then they blame things that are wrong all on our store when we dont actually build the campers. I wish more people would watch people like you to learn how to fix things themselves before making a big deal about things. I want to ask what would you do if it was your house?

[WireEd]

I bought my TT two years ago. I did all the warranty myself: trim work, fix doors, plumbing, DC as will as AC. Enjoyed doing the work!!

[johnhaithcock]

Great tips. Every new rv customer should watch this video. I have been full time for 6 years and your tips are right on. I use mobile techs when required but most of the time I do the work myself. When I was brand new I took my RV back to where I bought it and it was a nightmare. Kept my RV for 3 months, didn’t fix it and I called my manufacturer who said they had shipped the parts weeks ago. The dealership had lost the parts. We found the parts in an attic. The dealership tried to blame the manufacturer. I am going to watch all your videos.

[StevenTamburello]

So far for me, Fretz RV in PA and Maple Shade, NJ Mercedes Vans center has been fantastic for me. Great video. Thanks.

[derraldbuis]

I know this all too well. After inspecting our brand new travel trailer we noticed the door did not close properly. They had their tech come over to adjust it while we went inside. We came out to a bowed door that was not bowed when we went inside. Thanks Camping World for making us go through warranty rather than doing it in house and taking responsibility for your tech.