So many "RV Dealerships" in central and north central Wisconsin but so few of them sell & service motorhomes. Is this common?There are so many RV Dealerships advertising their shows and special events in our TV viewing area. There are probably 8-10 in a 200 mile area or so in Central Wisconsin but I've only found 1 within the area that sells and services motorhomes. Fortunately it's right close to where I am but it sure limits my choices on service!Since my chassis and toad are both Chevy I thought I'd call our Chevy dealer and ask if they service Chevrolet motorhomes and then maybe I could get a second estimate on a tow package for the two vehicles but the Chevy dealer doesn't service MHs.The local dealer does have good reviews so that makes me feel better but being tied to them isn't so great. Is this the norm in most parts of the country when it comes to sales and service? What are other options? Truck stops? Can you get a good RV wash at a truck stop?

I live north-west of Milwaukee and only have a couple choices in the Milwaukee area. There are more as you head south of Milwaukee. I have taken my class C to an auto and truck repair center in Richfield and had good service. I also had my Dad's class A towed there for an engine swap. That turned out "OK". I think I would have to be desperate to take mine to an R/V store for service. If that is the only choice, it will have to do.

Our little town still has a gas station with a mechanic and he's an honest guy. Our kids participate in Special Olympics together. I think I'll ask him if he knows anyone who services MHs next time I see him. He must know some hole in the wall places since he's a lifer around here. He may even be able to do some things himself as we are and have been regular customers with him for about 15 years.

I have a very trusted independent auto repair shop that can do most of what I ask them. For the Allison transmission I go to a Ford dealer in Madison that has a big truck service department and is certified on the transmission.For bodywork, caulking and interior upgrades there is a real good place in Madison. PM me if there is an interest in any of the above.

Have you looked at 'RV Service Reviews' site? There seems to be quite a number in Wisconsin.RV Service Reviews

Thank you AJR I will keep you in mind. I'd like options for a place to get my tow package. I have to have the whole enchalada with a braking system to be California legal.Would car parts stores have anything for me in that department?

Very few "RV Dealers" sell & service motorhomes in Wisconsin

18 Replies

John_Joey
Explorer
Apr 23, 2014
mtrumpet wrote:
John&Joey wrote:
You hit on one of the reasons I'm not a big class A fan anymore. The issue becomes ten times worst when you go cross country and are out of your known home area. I think this is one of the reasons many older gas Class A's do more sitting then moving.

Your point eludes me. :h

Thousands of RV'rs travel across the country everyday. Regardless of where one travels, there's almost always a repair facility within reach. Sometime, it may not be in the most convenient location, but they are there.

You may have a different view point because you have a DP. Just like filling up is much less hassle for a DP then a gasser because you can ride the shirt tales of the truckers by using their big swing room pumps.

The OP has a Chevy, finding places that will work on gas rigs is never easy. Once you found the good one in your home area, then it's duck soup from that point forward. But break down on the road far away and more then likely you'll get from the dealers "no we don't work on those", or the local guys will say "I hate working on them, but if you're really stuck I'll do it (just bring cash.)" The truck repair places will work on them, but then again you're the odd duck out since they do diesels day in and day out.

Once you go thru that, it changes the way you look at Class A's.
mtrumpet
Explorer
Apr 23, 2014
John&Joey wrote:
You hit on one of the reasons I'm not a big class A fan anymore. The issue becomes ten times worst when you go cross country and are out of your known home area. I think this is one of the reasons many older gas Class A's do more sitting then moving.

Your point eludes me. :h

Thousands of RV'rs travel across the country everyday. Regardless of where one travels, there's almost always a repair facility within reach. Sometime, it may not be in the most convenient location, but they are there.
dayakster
Explorer
Apr 23, 2014
Goldencrazy wrote:
Wausau has a good dealer. Big dealer and friends have liked their service on slides. Previous posts have covered the east shore.

Yea, I'm fortunate to be close to King's Campers and Truck Country is just down the road from them. They are a truck dealers that services MHs.

I went into King's once and that was to get a quote for a tow package. They were really nice but didn't offer options.

King's is also the dealer that I dropped into and peeked into a few models in my price range during their Camperpalooza which unfortunately happened during a sub zero spell and they really didn't have alot cleaned up and ready to go for it this year.

I guess being near them is a lot better than being next to nothing! :)
mikeh449
Explorer
Apr 23, 2014
blue beacon for rv wash lower rate for rv tell them low pressure wash
Goldencrazy
Explorer
Apr 23, 2014
Wausau has a good dealer. Big dealer and friends have liked their service on slides. Previous posts have covered the east shore.
TechWriter
Explorer
Apr 23, 2014
dayakster wrote:
So many "RV Dealerships" in central and north central Wisconsin but so few of them sell & service motorhomes. Is this common?

I think the bigger RV dealerships will have service centers, but does it really matter?

I've owned two Class As, one new and one used, and I really didn't want to have either of them serviced at the place I purchased them because I knew there were better service centers around.

When my first RV was under warranty (1 year), I took it back to the dealer for a check up, but that was that.

My current Class A, a used Newmar, has long been out of warranty so . . .
- For the chassis, I go to Spartan's web site and use their Service Locator to find the nearest service shop.
- For my Cummins engine, I check Cummins Service Locator.
- For all other issues, I check Newmar's Service Locator.

BTW, when I lived in Green Bay, I used Accurate Alignment in Appleton for chassis work, Cummins NPower in Green Bay for engine service, and either Green Bay's Van Boxtel or Sheboygan's Horn's RV Center for non-engine/chassis work.
glen68
Explorer
Apr 23, 2014
Boyer truck in Superior is very good.

Glen
dayakster
Explorer
Apr 23, 2014
I'm 2 1/2 hours from both Madison & Germantown.

I guess I'll consider myself lucky that I have an RV dealer & a truck dealer who services RVs within 12 miles. :)
dougrainer
Nomad
Apr 23, 2014
What you state. Are you stating trying to find CHASSIS service at the RV dealers? VERY FEW RV dealers anywhere offer chassis AND Coach service. Doug
John_Joey
Explorer
Apr 23, 2014
You hit on one of the reasons I'm not a big class A fan anymore. The issue becomes ten times worst when you go cross country and are out of your known home area. I think this is one of the reasons many older gas Class A's do more sitting then moving.