Most of these macho types that claim to fix their own...then have to have it towed to get actually repaired.
I am in your category. I have velcro on my shoes...I can hardly tie a lace.
So..there are some truths talked about here...having an RV can be expensive, no question. As is a boat or a wife/husband. Take a pet to the vet? Oh man..now we are talkin big bucks.
The trick I have found is...remembering that there are two distinct components. The living part..the actual RV..and the vroom vroom part..that which makes the RV go somewhere. RV repair shops are $$. One of the ways to mitigate that is go on-line shopping for the busted 'thing'..fridge, hot water tank, furnace, etc. By all means...do your counter shopping too..then find a shop that will install what you show up with. They won't warranty the item..just their work, but you will be shocked what the $ difference is.
For the vroom vroom part...your local wrencher can handle it. Besides, unless you have the very $ scanner, you can't even determine what's wrong, let alone fix it.
I do carry a cheap scanner so when I get a code? I can a) have some idea what it is..and b) cancel it, for the time being. Until I get home for the wrencher to do his magic. Don't be fooled into thinking you can change a tire on the road. Have a GOOD emergency road service contract.
The biggest key to keeping it on the road? When something quits or gets bent...fix it, ASAP. The longer you wait..the more that needs attention..and pretty soon you aren't taking care of it because the bottom line...welll, lets say, just fix it sooner than later.
Do NOT lend it out...or rent it. Not ever.
Gary Haupt
