A few words about those of us who are not mechanics and tend to run the other way from some of the posts which imply that almost anyone can do such and such themselves. We have RVed with different types of RV's for over 40 years and there's always something not working or needing repaired or replaced. We do very little of it ourselves. Learned a lot and we can winterize and use Google to figure out some things but mostly depend on RV shops or mobile repair. So, I'm saying don't let a lack of skill keep you from enjoying the pastime. It can be costly so don't get into it if you never have some "extra money" or can responsibly use your credit card. Whatever goes wrong, there's always someone who can fix it.

Voltmeter and learn how to use it.....even if you can not FIX the problem you can help to ID the issue.Service Manuals for the specific Brand/Model of appliance will help 'understand' how things work.It really is just doing a little research and reading up on a subject.

DIY RV mechanics are broken into 2 groups - those that do it to save money and those that simply enjoy doing it. I am a fairly handy guy and have tackled many things on our various RV's. That said, there is a LOT I leave to the professionals. If you are in the camp of having others do the work, 2 critical pieces - find a shop you can trust and does good work, and be prepared to pay - sometimes a LOT. Pretty simple, but I would agree, don't let RV's be intimidating. Technically you don't need to tackle anything yourself, but having someone else do it costs money.

If you have deep pockets, you can certainly farm everything out but it will cost a pretty penny.I suspect the vast majority do the simple stuff themselves and learn enough to be knowledgeable when farming out tasks.

Also make this be part of the thought process when buying a unit. The more complicated it is, the more will need fixed, and the more the repairs will cost. Also, learn how to manually do things like open the slide so that if you have an issue, you can still finish your trip and enjoy yourself.

Jayco-noslide wrote:Whatever goes wrong, there's always someone who can fix it.Maybe.. depends on how close you are to that someone. I would never, and have never, trusted any mechanic or shop to do any electrical work. They simply don't know what they're doing. Turning wrenches..that's different.

Mechanically Challenged RVer | Good Sam Community

22 Replies

toedtoes
Explorer III
May 30, 2019
STBRetired wrote:
I think you are missing Jayco-noslide's point. You don't HAVE to DIY to enjoy RVing. I do a lot of DIY because I enjoy it. If someone doesn't enjoy it they should not feel like they are less of an RVer than those of us that do. Yes, it will cost more money if you have others do the work for yoou, but that is just one more thing to consider when you decide if you can afford RVing.

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STBRetired
Explorer
May 30, 2019
I think you are missing Jayco-noslide's point. You don't HAVE to DIY to enjoy RVing. I do a lot of DIY because I enjoy it. If someone doesn't enjoy it they should not feel like they are less of an RVer than those of us that do. Yes, it will cost more money if you have others do the work for yoou, but that is just one more thing to consider when you decide if you can afford RVing.
et2
Explorer
May 30, 2019
At 199.00 labor rate I can certainly do research and read manuals to do what repairs I can. My experience with one chain dealer is they're rip offs, and the techs many times are hacks when it comes to repairs. I'm not paying that labor rate to have something done half bass. They'll charge you the full hour even if it takes 20 minutes and you get your rig back with more problems than you went in with.

It's amazing what you can do if you read and give it a try.
Veebyes
Explorer II
May 30, 2019
There is always something new to learn. The past few weeks I have been learning roof top AC. Thoroughly cleaned it & changed out the fan motor. Not hard but hot up there on a sunny day. Hate to think what a repair place would havecharged.
D_E_Bishop
Explorer
May 30, 2019
Jayco - No Slide, My towed just gave up the ghost after 240,000 miles. I rebuilt my first chevy six in 1949, I was 9 years old but a couple of months ago when the Suzi gave up and had two pistons at the top of their cylinders, I called a young friend who is working on his ASC license and after talking to him and knowing we didn't have the space to do the repairs and that I can no longer do them, I sold the Suzi and I'm looking for a better(hard to find) towed.

You sound like you know where you're at and I think you have profited in the long run.
D_E_Bishop
Explorer
May 30, 2019
Jayco - No Slide, My towed just gave up the ghost after 240,000 miles. I rebuilt my first chevy six in 1949, I was 9 years old but a couple of months ago when the Suzi gave up and had two pistons at the top of their cylinders, I called a young friend who is working on his ASC license and after talking to him and knowing we didn't have the space to do the repairs and that I can no longer do them, I sold the Suzi and I'm looking for a better(hard to find) towed.

You sound like you know where you're at and I think you're going to profit in the long run.
Katdaddy
Explorer II
May 30, 2019
YouTube and this forum are your friends. A lot of projects are scary, until you watch someone else do it and see how simple it really is.
Matt_Colie
Explorer II
May 25, 2019
Jayco,

You do realize that many of us were born knowing all this stuff.
RIGHT ;);)

First, the choice of not having slides was a good one.

Second, not doing things that you don't know how to do will keep you out of trouble.

Third, you seem to be literate and I would guess have an IQ over 80...
That may put you ahead of the people that you might have to pay to do some things.

You said that you learned how to winterize the unit. That is a very good start. That proves that there is more that you can do. So, collect all the documentation for the unit and everything installed or regularly carried. In your spare time, pick up the binder that you put all of that in and read one. If there is some that recently required attention, read that one first and look at the bill. Many of the better manuals have trouble shooting trees in them. If you can understand them, you are halfway there.

Next, buy a tool box that fits someplace convenient in the unit. Buy a collection of tools that you feel you can use. If they don't even cover the bottom of the tool box, that will be a good start. Next time something needs help, look at the book and see if you can figure it out. If no, no loss. But, if yes, think of what you may have just saved.

I do all my own work. Right now, my own coach is up on stands in my barn because it needs some attention. This is kind of a special case because it is a vintage classic and the nearest place that might get it right is 130 miles away. But, the real reason I do my own work is not just to save time and money, it is to get it done right the first time. If it isn't right, I don't have to take it back, either.

Matt
Veebyes
Explorer II
May 25, 2019
You Tube is your friend. When you don't know or are not sure YouTube will almost certainly help
Bobbo
Explorer II
May 25, 2019
MarkTwain wrote:
Suggest you also look at Good Sam Emergency Roadside Service. After you break down, they will tow you to a qualified RV shop who can fix your RV. Been a member for 29 years:)

Also look at CoachNet.