mister_d
Livonia, MI - hardly qualified to be a
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Joined: 09/17/2006
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I was reading a post about one of our fellow campers that was turned down for repairs by local RV dealers (because of where he had purchased from) and it got me thinking. Our unit is out of warranty. Previously, I've always taken it to the dealer where we purchased from, but now that I'm paying for any repairs, I was wondering what my options would be.
2007 Rockwood Roo 23ss
Derek '77
Tina '78
Brianna '04
Dominick '07
Maximus (slobbering camping buddy)
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Youngguy
PA
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Joined: 05/22/2007
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I am a die hard DIYer. There are very few things that i wouldn't attempt to do on my own. any parts you need can be had from the INTERNET, usually at a reduced cost over what a local dealer would charge. Oh and with a great resource of RV experts (aka the forum) at your disposal pretty much any job should be doable
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skipnchar
Topeka Kansas USA
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Joined: 12/17/2003
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Most RV dealers that HAVE a service department make money from performing service work. If they don't want your business it's PROBABLY because they don't think they can make money from you which would mean they are probably not very good at what they're doing there. I purchased from RV Direct and have two or three CHOICES where I have my trailer worked on. My ONE warranty issue was handled by one of those dealers also. Good luck / Skip
2004 F-150 HD 3,050 lb. payload
Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
We have enough YOUTH...how about a fountain of SMART
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mister_d
Livonia, MI - hardly qualified to be a
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Joined: 09/17/2006
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skipnchar wrote:Most RV dealers that HAVE a service department make money from performing service work. If they don't want your business it's PROBABLY because they don't think they can make money from you which would mean they are probably not very good at what they're doing there. I purchased from RV Direct and have two or three CHOICES where I have my trailer worked on. My ONE warranty issue was handled by one of those dealers also. Good luck / Skip
Ok Skip, but what about choices other than an RV dealer. I'm assuming RV dealers would have the highest price tag - is that wrong? If I am, shopping around dealers (for me) wouldn't be a big deal, but I'd still like to know if there are other service/repair shops available and if so, are there owners that turn to them.
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hershey
Albuquerque,(fulltime) NM, USA
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Joined: 06/04/2003
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My limited experience with service done other than a dealer was by a mobile RV repairman who serviced the various needs of the RV community where he lived. He was honest, reasonable...much more reasonable than a dealers 100 bucks plus an hour and I'd recommend him anytime. I've heard other good stories of similar mobile repairmen in other parts of the company.
hershey - albuquerque, nm
Someday Finally Got Here
My wife does all the driving - I just get to hold the steering wheel.
Expedition - Suzuki Grand Viagra
NASCAR 20 - - 99
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Retired Phone Man
Covington, Louisiana
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Joined: 03/19/2007
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A good source is the web site of you manufacture. I have a Gulfstream and found a local authorized RV repair shop that also does warranty for everything in my rig. The dealer I got my rig from has really bad service dept. I thought only the salesman lies but the service reps are experts at it.
2007 Toyota Tundra SR5 Double Cab with 5.7L V8 and Tow Package.
2007 Gulf Stream Ameri-Lite 21MB
Peaches - Lhasa Apso/Mut Mix
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chasfm11
Dallas/Ft Worth Areas
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Joined: 02/28/2004
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Our dealer wasn't always the highest price. In fact, parts that I've bought through him for appliances (sail switch for Atwood furnace) have been cheaper than I could get any place else. My problem with him is that the repairs were inconsistent (meaning that he didn't fix the problem several times) and an "appointment" was only to get in line to bring the RV to his lot. It could sit for 2-3 more weeks before being looked at.
We, too, have a mobile RV tech. He charges $85/hour (versus the dealer at $110) and he is excellent. I do almost all of my own but if I were stumped, I'd go to him over the dealer now.
As far as options go, once the warranties are over, you have unlimited options.
2000 Georgie Boy Landau 36'DP Cummins 5.9, Allison 1000 5sp
1994 Saturn SL1 Toad, Falcon2 Towbar, BrakeMaster Toad Brake
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silverfoxn
Georgia
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Joined: 03/06/2006
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There are a lot of RV service shops around if you have the time to look them up. Some are listed in Trailer Life Campground Dr. The place where I store my fiver does repairs that are much better than the local RV dealers (2) that are close by. Just make sure that they have been schooled by some kind of RV repair school and are licensed to repair RV's if that is a state requirement.
Jesse & Karen Norris with Kirby our chow-chow
2005 HitchHiker II LS 29.5 LKTG
2005 Dodge Ram 2500 Turbo Diesel
Martinez, Georgia
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kirk37r
Millville, New Jersey
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Joined: 09/23/2007
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One thing that you need to take into consideration, When you call A dealer for warranty work they get paid by the manufacturer,(and not the 100.00 -125.00 an hour that they get for A paying customer) I too ran into a situation finding A dealer to do warr work when the place I bought from closed down, There is really no one to make A RV dealer perform warr work like there is with cars and trucks,
BUT you can rest assured if a shop puts you off for warr work, They will be more than glad to bring you right in if you have A problem that you will be paying cash to repair.
And yes there are independent guys out there that will work on units at A site or in your yard. We have 2 very goods ones near us. My cousin used 1 last year and he was quick, knowledgeable and fair on pricing.
Happy Camping!!!
PS You will find that A lot of the little things you can or will learn to fix on your own.
Sorry about the Rant this issue just fires me up!!
2007 Wilderness Yukon 300RLS TT
2007 Silverado 1500 5.3 4X4 Extended Cab, Z71 & Z85
2008 Tahoe LS
Reese WDH W/Dual Cam, Prodigy Brake controller
Putnam XDR
Carol & Kirk Sometimes 3 Grandkids
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LarryJM
NoVa
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Joined: 11/09/2007
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mister_d wrote:I was reading a post about one of our fellow campers that was turned down for repairs by local RV dealers (because of where he had purchased from) and it got me thinking. Our unit is out of warranty. Previously, I've always taken it to the dealer where we purchased from, but now that I'm paying for any repairs, I was wondering what my options would be.
I'm on my third TT in the last 32 years and for the first time am having to have a dealer work on it and it's a warranty item so no cost to me. To be fair I did have to have the Prowler factory install a new roof on my previous 1981 Prowler that was put on improperly, but got a good deal on it. I would highly you do whatever you can yourself which should be a lot using the resources of sites such as this and spending the time learning via the internet resources that are out there.
Larry
2001 standard box 7.3L E-350 PSD Van with 4.10 rear and 2007 Holiday Rambler Aluma-Lite 8306S Been RV'ing since 1974. TRAILER MODS
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