9 Tips for Choosing the Best RV Repair Shop

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Are you trying to find a good trustworthy RV Repair Shop?

Well, join the club…

But there are some things you can to do ensure you find a high quality RV Repair Shop that you can trust for the long haul.

Read on to learn how you can use these 9 Tips for Choosing the Best RV Repair Shop:

1. Ask for the Repair Shop Business License
2. Read RV Service Reviews
3. Talk to RV Campground Owners or Managers
4. Check the BBB for Complaints
5. Evaluate How the RV Mechanics Are Trained and Certified
6. Get an Estimate and Understand Repairs
7. Avoid National Chains If Possible
8. Choose Local Shops over Dealers
9. Inquire About Warranties and Guarantees

Whether you’re purchasing an RV, travel trailer, or 5th wheel, you must keep up with regular repairs and maintenance to keep the unit operating. Even those who regularly tend to their rig will encounter broken parts in need of fixing. Because of these unavoidable circumstances, RV owners should be proactive. Always keep an eye out for crooked RV mechanics. Understand the repair and stand by your reasoning. Doing so will also prevent you from getting scammed out of money. Also, prepare for these circumstances. Learn about the service, staff, and overall quality of the business by researching the shop. If you’re not positive where to start, then that is okay! Discover more by reading the following 9 Tips for Choosing the Best RV Repair Shop.

1. Ask for the Repair Shop Business License

Ensuring that a repair shop meets all licensing requirements makes all the difference. Each state has a set of guidelines that the business must abide by to prove their credibility. Having this documentation guarantees that the state inspected their working procedures.

Avoid businesses that have expired licenses or those that do not have them at all. These places may not have up-to-date equipment and tools or safety measures. They also may have unfair cost estimations or dangerous hazardous waste disposal methods.

Inquiring about these papers prevents you from getting involved in a scam or unsafe situation. Check that these licenses have not expired and evaluate for proof of inspection.

2. Read RV Service Reviews

Online reviews have become the crux of the business world. In just a few clicks, people can access both positive and negative responses from customers. RV service reviews can make or break an organization. This factor makes them a critical component for companies.

If you plan to take this route, however, make sure you are looking at the right ones. Many repair shop websites post customer reviews to boost their reputation and instill trust. They choose specific responses and only display those of satisfied clients.

To find the most accurate and beneficial information, choose only reputable, unbiased websites. Seek out trustworthy answers through Google Review, Angie’s List, or Consumer Reports. Customers usually post their experiences in detail. They also add their overall rating of the business to help you decide.

 

 

 

3. Talk to RV Campground Owners or Managers

When looking for dependable reviews, look no further than RV campground owners or managers. Often, these people have a great deal of insight into this topic. Between servicing their unit and talking to customers about their experiences, they have a good idea about local RV service centers.

They may even give you tips about the company. Or, they may personally know the shop owner and refer you for discounts. Stay cautious in these situations, however, as both may be working in tandem. Always find out the most information by asking as many questions as possible. Also, request specifics about their encounters with the business to ensure validity.

4. Check the BBB Ratings for RV Repair Shops

The BBB, or Better Business Bureau, is a non-profit organization that began in 1912. Founders wanted to oppose buying strategies that businesses used to trick their customers. Certified firms and companies fund the BBB, allowing them to provide consumers with free and trustworthy information.

Start by looking up the desired RV service center on their site. Each company page lists its history, complaint history, and legal reports. The BBB reports all complaints to the corresponding business. Then, they request them to make the necessary changes. Most companies comply for a good reason. They understand that many people trust and use BBB. Therefore, bad reviews may negatively affect their business.

However, not all companies follow these suggestions. By researching their page, you will stumble upon a thorough review that will assist you in choosing the right RV repair shop for you.

5. Evaluate How the RV Mechanics Are Trained and Certified

Like any business, a service center needs qualified RV mechanics to function correctly. Stay away from those who seem desperate for employees or advertise a quick and effortless hiring process. Evaluate their workforce and make sure they are not understaffed. These signs may indicate that a shop has trouble keeping employees. A few concerns might be unfair treatment, pay, or other matters.

Ask about and request a mechanic with the most years of experience. Make sure they have attended a certified technician school. They also should have their Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) accreditation. Mechanics must endure training and two years of work experience to receive their ASE. Then, they must take the final exam. The test covers just about every vehicle-related topic. As a result, it proves their expertise in the field.

6. Get an Estimate and Understand Repairs

Repair shops typically base their costs for RV service and parts using a consistent method that must be approved by the licenser. Each place has a unique way of calculating your final price. Therefore, shop around to make sure you’re getting the lowest rate. Keep in mind that the average RV repair costs usually range from $500 to $2,000 per year.

Before allowing a company to do work on your RV, be sure to ask for an estimate. Most places will provide you with a written invoice that tells you exactly what they plan to fix. When they do so, ask them to give you a description of each repair. This small step will prevent you from getting more repairs than you need. It will also help you understand the replacement or repair.

RELATED READING: Check out our article Is The Good Sam Extended Service Plan Right For You? to learn if an extended service plan can save you money on your RV Repairs.

7. Avoid National RV Repair Shops If Possible

People tend to be more trusting of nationwide chains. However, well-known shops often lack experience and have high employee turnover rates. While this may not seem like an issue, it poses a couple of problems.

First, recruiting, interviewing, and hiring mechanics cost an immense amount of time and money. Second, the technician manager often takes on this responsibility. Together, these factors lead to less managerial supervision and increased company spending. Shops may charge more on RV service and parts to make up for this imbalance. Also, with less guidance, RV mechanics may slack off or not repair your rig correctly.

8. Choose Local RV Repair Shops over Dealers

While everyone has unique preferences, many people choose local RV repair shops over dealerships. Granted, dealers provide brand-specific services, making them potential choices in certain situations. But, for the most part, local shops give you a better deal and quality RV service.

Aside from charging much less, local shops typically provide excellent customer service and take pride in their work. Dealers often have quotas to meet and focus much more on numbers. Local RV shops, on the other hand, genuinely want to give you exceptional service at an affordable price.

RELATED READING: Check out our article called Coach-Net Roadside Assistance Review to see how Coach-Net roadside assistance works. You never know when you will find yourself in a jam!

9. Inquire About Warranties and Guarantees

Before anything, you should read and understand your RV’s warranty. Many have coverage up to a specific mileage or time frame. Knowing what the manufacturer covers can save you money on RV repair parts. That said, be sure that the shop honors your warranty.

Also, look for the RV repair shop’s guarantee. They should explicitly state their policies, which typically consist of a money-back offer or additional services if you are not satisfied. By making these statements, it shows that the company cares about both their work and customers.

RELATED READING: If you are considering using a Mobile RV Repair Service check out our article called 7 Tips for Saving Money on Mobile RV Repairs for more info!

 

Should I Buy an Extended Warranty for My RV?

Yes – but not from a dealership! Unfortunately, your odds of suffering a major mechanical breakdown go up with every passing year. Based on RV Warranty claims records, more than 3 out of every 10 RVs will need major repairs in only their second year on the road. This skyrockets to 8 out of 10 in their fifth year, and virtually ALL of them in their eighth year! Today’s RVs are increasingly more complex, and with more things to go wrong, the need to protect your investment is more important than ever.

Our RV Warranty plans allow you to change your mind! If you’re looking to sell your RV to a private party, you can absolutely transfer the policy to the new owner. Additionally, if you are trading in your RV, or getting out of RVing altogether, you can cancel your policy for a pro-rated refund.

We bought a warranty through Wholesale Warranties for several reasons:

• We can cancel the warranty at any time and get a pro-rated refund
• We can transfer the warranty to the new owner if we decide to sell our RV
• There are no mileage caps on our policy
• We can use repair shops all across the country
• We can use a mobile repair company right at our campsite
• The price is way better than most dealerships
• We could finance the cost of the warranty
• With parts and labor prices increasing all the time, we have peace of mind

You owe it to yourself to at least check out a warranty and get a free quote to see if it is right for you. It just takes a few minutes and you will learn a ton about protecting your investment. We only recommend products we use ourselves and we highly recommend you get a free quote from Wholesale Warranties.

 

Conclusion

Price and looks aren’t always the best way to determine the best RV repair shop. Low prices could mean mediocre RV work, leading to a dangerous situation. Likewise, even an upscale shop might have insufficient service with excessive rates. By researching your local RV service center, you can save time and money while ensuring quality care.

Waiting until the last minute also puts you at a disadvantage, as being panicked in a time restraint may lead to hasty choices. In turn, choosing convenience over quality may lead to expensive, poorly done repairs. Therefore, you should always make sure to shop around before an incident occurs.

There is an exception to this rule, however. When you’re on vacation, you probably do not plan to have a breakdown or need a repair. Although keeping the potential in mind may save you in the end. Before leaving, have an idea about the repair shops in your travel location. Or if it’s too late to do that, at the very least, make sure to ask the right questions.

Nonetheless, keeping up with your regular RV maintenance will decrease the number of unexpected issues. Preparing and inspecting your rig before trips may also diminish the need for RV service and repair work along the way.

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