RVing with no mechanical capability

Mechanical ability is not some sort of genetic attribute. Most of us learn how to do things the same way we learn other things. We have someone show us, or we spend time reading and learning on our own. If you are not willing to do that, you can count on spending a lot of money fixing simple repair and maintenance issues.

When my hot water heater stopped working, I googled and found common explanations and fixes. I tried cleaning the sensor which sort of worked. Then for $15 the next time it failed I replaced the sensor and fixed the issue.

On my last trip, the door latch broke and I was trapped inside. I got out a screwdriver and removed the latch. I was lucky. There was an RV parts place literally within one mile. With the help of the clerk, I bought the correct replacement and installed it within 5 minutes using all of 4 screws.

When my solar controller stopped working, I went to the nearest Camping World. I should have bought a new unit and put it in myself. Instead I had the technician install it. He screwed up and hooked up the wrong wires. The new unit fried and I had to stay another day while they sorted out their mistake.

If you are willing to apply a little effort, you can perform most repairs and maintenance requirements. If not, I have no idea what you expect to hear from others but you can count on spending more money and having to be at the mercy of wait times and incompetence at the RV repair centers.

theoldwizard1 wrote:

All valid points ! But finding a mobile tech or getting scheduled into a big RV dealer are major issues.

Mobile techs in particular...we've found that if they know you are traveling, they are often willing to move you up on the list but even if you take it into a shop, they often work with you if they know you are in a bind.

As others have said, money can solve most problems but lots of simple things, you should be able to figure out yourself.

We do a mix depending on if it's a job we feel capable of but sometimes it's more hassle than it's worth.
- Rebuilt the water pump and replaced the toilet seal over the last week.
- Sent the RV tech up on the roof to reseal (I've never been comfortable that the roof is designed to handle my big butt)

PS: Youtube is great to see how something goes together before you tear yours apart.

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.

K Charles wrote:
You hire someone to fix stuff in your home. You have a car that you don't repair yourself. It's the same thing. Things inside the RV that brake down don't usually leave you stranded, fridge, heater, water pump, water heater can always get fixed later.

Really an excellent example. Of course, most of us do hire people to fix and do maintenance with our homes and vehicles. I know some people who are handymen but will not touch their car as they know nothing about today's cars. The only difference is that my car has a 10 year warranty which helps a lot.

Wow. All great information that I will use to make a decision. I'm retired and am not wealthy. However, I do have enough to take care of things that need repairing or maintenance. It's the big ticket items that have me a little nervous. I would imagine that steady maintenance and upkeep could mitigate any big ticket items. We would not be boon docking unless it was at Walmart for a night which should limit any repairs needed in out of the way places like a desert or BLM property. Think I'll go for it and see how it goes.

Many people enjoy RVing with absolutely no idea how to fix anything. I say just do it. If something breaks use google to find a local mobile tech to fix it.

Owning a RV is similar to owning a boat. Always something needs attention. Usually that something is fairly simple to deal with. The biggest problem is finding the Roundtooit.

Knowledge is key & YouTube is your friend.

If you pulled a drawer out and the handle was loose could you tighten the screw and make it tight again? Can you take a tire off and hut the spare on? That's about the extent of anything I've ever needed to fix on the road.

evanrem wrote:
Money will solve most rv problems. I’m not in your situation but people are always happy to help out and it’s not like there are a ton of problems. Go look at some Rv’s and get a feel for them.

MFL wrote:
If you are in an area where a mobile tech is readily available, that is a good option. They will come to you, get the job done quickly, often cheaper than an RV dealer. Problem is with many RV service shops, is they are busy, so your rig may sit for weeks waiting for repair.

All valid points ! But finding a mobile tech or getting scheduled into a big RV dealer are major issues.

I recall watching a video about a single guy touring the US in an older Class C. Transmission died. Got towed into a reputable repair shop but it still took them 2 week to get the correct parts and repair it. Luckily, they let him stay in his RV which was parked behind the shop.

Just have a fat wallet to go along with your RV. I can barely change a tire, but I was capable of doing my own solar.

As said, do what you can, pay for the rest. There's no shame in it.

I noticed you're buying used. Make that as near to new as you can afford. The older they get, the more problems you can expect.