Want to go full time but still need some income. I am a electro-mechanical technician working primarily on computer equipment. My idea is to attend a RV tech school and then follow the seasons trying to find work at local dealerships.
Does anybody else do this or run into someone who does?
As I am doing my research I have heard that the Tech positions can be seasonal. I assume that holds more true up north. It would be perfect to spend the summer up north during their busy season and then head south with the snowbirds for the winter.
We have agood friend that attended RV Tech School in Florida, he was having a hard time setting up his own business so has gone to dealers and has had good luck getting on with them. One dealer gets him back each year.
Don / Sharon Smith
7th year fulltiming
1 high school sweetheart bride of 50 yrs. Sharon
1 long haired mini dauchound...Jake
1997 Beaver Patriot DP
2004 Jeep Rubicon
http://s168.photobucket.com/albums/u189/smithster_photos/
Saw one in a CG who was doing a lot of recall work. For instance, at the time, Dometic had a recall on certain year fridges. He was authorized by the manufacturer and went around the CG, offering to do the recall on site. Owner didn't have to go to a dealer, paid nothing & the tech got paid by the mfg.
He towed a trailer emblazoned with "Authorized Mobile RV Mechanic" or something like that & picked up a lot of repair business as well. Of course, some CG's don't allow on site repairs, but he never did engine or transmission work.
Finally Fulltiming wrote: Saw one in a CG who was doing a lot of recall work. For instance, at the time, Dometic had a recall on certain year fridges. He was authorized by the manufacturer and went around the CG, offering to do the recall on site. Owner didn't have to go to a dealer, paid nothing & the tech got paid by the mfg.
He towed a trailer emblazoned with "Authorized Mobile RV Mechanic" or something like that & picked up a lot of repair business as well. Of course, some CG's don't allow on site repairs, but he never did engine or transmission work.
This is definitely worth thinking about. I've always used mobile RV techs and have found them to be knowledgable, timely, reasonable and convenient as I live a long ways from a dealership. We can use more of them. Even on the road, mobile techs have solved a few problems for me efficiently and reasonably. Often thought of it myself before I became disabled. Good luck.
"WE HAVE MET THE ENEMY AND HE IS US"
TWO OF US + THREE FUR KIDS (36 lbs, 44 lbs, 80 lbs)
SADLY, HEALTH ISSUES HAVE FORCED ME TO GIVE UP TRAILERING. MY EXCURSION AND TT HAVE BOTH BEEN SOLD. IT'S BEEN A HELL OF A RIDE.
Finally Fulltiming wrote: Saw one in a CG who was doing a lot of recall work. For instance, at the time, Dometic had a recall on certain year fridges. He was authorized by the manufacturer and went around the CG, offering to do the recall on site. Owner didn't have to go to a dealer, paid nothing & the tech got paid by the mfg.
He towed a trailer emblazoned with "Authorized Mobile RV Mechanic" or something like that & picked up a lot of repair business as well...
I've met a couple of mobile rv techs that all seem to do very well chasing the sun. Work north during the summer, south in the winter. Once they set up in a location they are as busy as they want to be. Of course, they do good work and word of mouth really spreads in campgrounds.
Stacey Frank
'04 Mobile Suites 36 TK3 #1341
'99 Int'l 4700 Lo Pro MDT
'08 Lexus 400H
As an independent don't forget the overhead, you are going to be a self employed contractor and you will need to be bonded for your own protection. while you may advertise on your truck not having a central location you will have to rely on word of mouth and you will need access to a parts source, not all areas have RV part houses that stock a full line of repair parts. You may even need more insurance over the typical bonding insurance.
I have a friend who has his own Mobile RV Repair service; no fixed building, he works out of an RV Park where he lives. He does alot of repair but he is in the Fort Worth/Dallas area where he can get a stove, refrigerator, or Ac Unit within 3 or 4 days for wholesale cost. If your going to order though a secondary business, ie, Camper World or such, you need to be sure they will give you your wholesale cost.
Good luck be careful how much you get invested. Most RV Repair Companies are not going to pay you enough to make your investment payments, ie, Truck, trailer, tools, consumables, etc.
Good Luck.
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2008 F450 DRW 6.4 Diesel SDCC Truck and Trailer.JPG)
