When you take your RV(in our case a 2003 Class C MH) to a repair shop how long will you tolerate it being there? We took it to this trailer repair shop(mainly they repair RV's) almost 3 weeks ago to have a water system repair (check valve in water heater), to buy a replacement for our damaged tow bar and to have an awning installed over a bedroom window. They claim that the awning material just came in and admitted that deer hunting may have delayed a little. Now, since its been there much longer than I anticipated, had to have them go ahead and "winterize" to prevent a freeze-up which I could have easily done myself. It's not that I plan to use it soon but I want to get it home before icy roads, etc. Now, they say it "may be done this week". I'm wondering if this should be my last trip there.

Jayco-noslide wrote:When you take your RV(in our case a 2003 Class C MH) to a repair shop how long will you tolerate it being there? We took it to this trailer repair shop(mainly they repair RV's) almost 3 weeks ago to have a water system repair (check valve in water heater), to buy a replacement for our damaged tow bar and to have an awning installed over a bedroom window. They claim that the awning material just came in and admitted that deer hunting may have delayed a little. Now, since its been there much longer than I anticipated, had to have them go ahead and "winterize" to prevent a freeze-up which I could have easily done myself. It's not that I plan to use it soon but I want to get it home before icy roads, etc. Now, they say it "may be done this week". I'm wondering if this should be my last trip there.Is this by some chance the trailer dealer in Lebanon, IL?

I suppose it depends on the repair shop and how they do business. I purchased my camper from a very good dealership (family run for long-long time) and have great service. I also use another RV dealership much closer to home. Both work the same way:I take the camper in when something needs to be done. (both) shops will evaluate the needed work, write up an estimate, and then I make an appointment, usually a couple weeks out (and there again, depending on the season of the year to). I take the camper back home with me.Meanwhile, they order all the parts, get everything ready, and on the appointed day, take the camper in. If for some reason a part is not ready, they (both) are flexible enough to reschedule giving more time for parts to come in. On one occasion, the part came in earlier than expected, and they called me and asked if I could bring the camper in earlier than my appointment (which I gladly did).Once in the shop, there again it depends on the repair being done, it could be a few hours to a couple days. I had a shower drain repaired (warranty), they had it "in shop" 3 days. I picked it up the 4th day, so I could pick it up on a Saturday and not miss work.I think generally, for almost every repair I've needed, I've had to wait about 2 weeks before either one could get me in. (there again, this was partly due to ordering parts). Then I'm OK with then having it in shop for a week. And both shops are VERY good at keep me informed of progress once in the shop. I think, if you take your camper in and leave it there, 3 weeks is probably reasonable. Next time, have them evaluate the work, order the parts, make the appointment for the repair, then take it in. This saves a LOT of frustration! Personally, I don't think RV dealerships especially like having customers campers sitting on their lots any longer than is necessary either, especially when they are responsible for safeguarding them and the liability they assume storing it on their premises.

Do you really trust them to winterize your RV?

Jayco-noslide wrote:When you take your RV(in our case a 2003 Class C MH) to a repair shop how long will you tolerate it being there? We took it to this trailer repair shop(mainly they repair RV's) almost 3 weeks ago to have a water system repair (check valve in water heater), to buy a replacement for our damaged tow bar and to have an awning installed over a bedroom window. They claim that the awning material just came in and admitted that deer hunting may have delayed a little. Now, since its been there much longer than I anticipated, had to have them go ahead and "winterize" to prevent a freeze-up which I could have easily done myself. It's not that I plan to use it soon but I want to get it home before icy roads, etc. Now, they say it "may be done this week". I'm wondering if this should be my last trip there.If you've been waiting 3 weeks to have them stick in a check valve and then want them to winterize it, they might have it done just in time for summer or maybe next winter.

go get your rv this is nosense, your risking a frozen unit.

How long in the repair shop? | Good Sam Community

23 Replies

2gypsies1
Explorer III
Dec 04, 2015
Oops..wrong post.
bigred1cav
Explorer
Dec 04, 2015
take it in winter let them store it i dont care how long it takes during winter
GaryWT
Explorer
Dec 03, 2015
I have had trailers in 2 times for repairs. The first time we had a list of things and dropped it off after a trip and told them that our next trip was in 3 weeks so they needed to have it done and it was.
The second time, they ordered parts ahead of time and I made an appointment and waited for the repair to be done, about 4 hours.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Dec 03, 2015
To the OP. Did you state when you needed it back, or was it at their convenience on the repairs. If you bring in a camper in the late fall, maybe they assume that you don't need it soon.
Next time make an appointment and set an expected completion date.
Deb_and_Ed_M
Explorer II
Dec 03, 2015
The few repairs we needed - we took the MH in, it was assessed; we took it home. They called when the replacement parts were in (about a week later) - we made an appointment to bring the MH back, and the repair took about 4 hours. I think there was one time when we brought the MH the evening before the repair appointment, simply because that's what was convenient for US.
temccarthy1
Explorer
Dec 02, 2015
I had a tree limb fall and pierce my slideout roof in early October on my almost new 2014 Bullet TT. insurance claim with Geico. They bumbled around and passed the buck to different agents that took 10 days before they came out and assessed it. Then the estimate was very low at only $495. I was suspicious since there was a 6 " hole clear through the roof and then realized they left out the wood part of the roof, only had the rubber cover! Called my selling dealer to make an appt and brought it there. They did an estimate that was $2000... 4 times higher! Geico sent another agent to the dealer, that took another 5 days since 70 miles away and he concurred that dealer estimate was correct.They approved the $2000... Then parts were ordered and even though dealer said "it will take 3 days to fix" here I sit SIX weeks later and not finished!.. Lots of excuses like other damage claims and "busier than normal" at this normally slow time. Long story short---- it will be 2 MONTHS from when I had the damage when I finally get it back.( Keystone dealer in Turnersville, NJ) Will never take it there again and not happy with Geico either. Apparently from what I read on these forums, not many dealers in the RV business are worth their salt with problem being extremely slow service.. Much different than the big 3 car companies who have a much higher level of service! No one would ever wait 8 weeks to have car damage repaired from a collision. I have had several ( deer, fender bender) and had it back in 1 week with far more than $2000 damage!
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Dec 02, 2015
I think, regardless of the outcome, I would be looking for another shop. Making an appointment, taking it in at the appointed time/date, and then waiting 4 weeks is absurd. No good excuse for something like that.
Jayco-noslide
Explorer
Dec 02, 2015
No, not in Lebanon. Forgot to mention that I did call for an appointment and it was scheduled about 10 days from the call and it's been after I took it in for the scheduled appointment now actually closer to 4 weeks I think. I did have them go ahead and have them winterize because didn't feel I had a choice. The dealer is about 50 miles away. I think I will ask them to only charge me for the anti-freeze. If they will do that and everything else goes well I may go back and next time be more specific about my expectations. Or, may look for another shop (none available less than 40 miles and they don't do much with motor homes.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Dec 02, 2015
As full-timers we made an appt. for servicing as we traveled, then pulled in the previous night, stayed on their lot and the work was finished the next day. They always let us stay again that night and we left in the morning.

Probably when you just leave a RV at a service place they will take their time with it. Try having them get the parts in and make an appt. for service and stay there while it's being done.
tatest
Explorer II
Dec 01, 2015
Mine has not been in the shop more than a day because I don't drop it off until they are ready to work on it. When you drop it off with the timing of the work being indefinite, the amount of time waiting at the shop can be indefinite.

You've made yourself a low-priority customer. If the shop is busy, three weeks is not unusual for taking care of the "work on it when we can get around to it" customer.

I've made the same mistake with auto service. For 30 minutes work, on a drop off, they'll say "bring it in first thing in the morning." When I call after work, they'll say "we'll have it finished in an hour" which means now is the time to schedule it to a technician to have the work done.

Now retired, I'll usually go with "while I wait." That gets shop priority, they don't like you hanging around. The work you wanted done could be done in probably less than two hours, once they start. If you brought it in on a "while I wait" basis after the parts arrived, it would be out in less than a half day.