RVing with no mechanical capability
I have seen a lot of people suggest that one should not purchase an RV if one is not at least somewhat handy mechanically. Well, I am not handy mechanically at all and I'm also an old guy who cannot b...
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That was us when we started RVIng back in the late 90's. Not a mechanical or electrical nodule in our bodies. Alas, over the years and several issues, upgrading, a lot of googling, and now we comfortably do the small stuff ourselves. Like greasing U bolts, maintaining batteries for Solar, winterizing, doing our own oil and filter changes, servicing our generator replacing filters, spark plugs etc. We just evolved over time as costs to pay door rates escalated Now with bad backs and aging it's not as easy so we try to find and direct some of the younger generations to learn and help LOL.
The two engine replacements of course we had to be towed into the shop and each year now, we have professionals check our 17 year old Motorhome over for safety issues, chassis checks etc.
Basically if you can use a screwdriver, pliers, funnels, spanners, and search you tube for your problems, you are over half way into keeping yourself going.
For what it's worth, in the early years with a newer rig, it used to grieve me when things broke or went wrong, now hubby and I take the attitude with everything as it happens and say "Tis wot Tis, and we can't control it so we need to deal and accept it".
Best advice we ever got was to always have an emergency fund. We try to keep ours currently, as close to $10K as we can for an A class gas motorhome (we'd do less for a non motorized vehicle). Replaced engines x 2 depleted it but we built it back up again slowly. Saved our bacon big time. We are personally finding our lack of tech knowledge is putting us off a lot of the newer more complicated at times rigs of today - for us the KISS principal works well for all systems "Keep It Simple Stupid". Far easier for repairs and replacements we find, when there's less to go wrong.
The two engine replacements of course we had to be towed into the shop and each year now, we have professionals check our 17 year old Motorhome over for safety issues, chassis checks etc.
Basically if you can use a screwdriver, pliers, funnels, spanners, and search you tube for your problems, you are over half way into keeping yourself going.
For what it's worth, in the early years with a newer rig, it used to grieve me when things broke or went wrong, now hubby and I take the attitude with everything as it happens and say "Tis wot Tis, and we can't control it so we need to deal and accept it".
Best advice we ever got was to always have an emergency fund. We try to keep ours currently, as close to $10K as we can for an A class gas motorhome (we'd do less for a non motorized vehicle). Replaced engines x 2 depleted it but we built it back up again slowly. Saved our bacon big time. We are personally finding our lack of tech knowledge is putting us off a lot of the newer more complicated at times rigs of today - for us the KISS principal works well for all systems "Keep It Simple Stupid". Far easier for repairs and replacements we find, when there's less to go wrong.
