Any rv techs on these boards?

Old-Biscuit wrote:
It's called 'Multi-Tasking' something MANNY folks are quite adept at.

I'm guessing that how much "multi" can be handled by one singular mortal depends heavily upon how demanding each task might be.

For example, there's probably very few folks on the planet that individually over their lifetime can mult-task as: An astrophysicist, a molecular biologist, a brain surgeon, a 100+ MPH baseball pitcher, and a Ferrari master mechanic. The reason being that each of these "tasks" is so complex.

So ... if one claims to be a master of many tasks, I tend to question either their assessment of their capabilities or the depth and complexity of the various tasks that they claim to be master of.

From my experiences over the years, I have found very few technician level experts working on issues for me that come up absolutely clean whenever I carefully ask questions about what they are about to do. It has nothing to do with whether or not "I personally know anything about their trade". It has everything to do with me listening attentively to their explanations and my detecting if something doesn't smell right. Very often we share together on what they are about to do and jointly come up with some tweek(s).

I stand by my position that collective knowledge and skill triumph over individual knowledge and skill every time. These forums prove it for me.

P.S. However, often RV construction or repair has little to do with knowledge or skill - collective or otherwise - but everything to do with the motivation for quality of workmanship of the one or ones doing the constructing or repairing.

pnichols wrote:
In all seriousness - how can one be, or honestly call themselves, "an RV tech" ... with so many system types and technologies involved?

The last time I checked ... it takes framing techs, plumber techs, HVAC techs, foundation techs, roofing techs, satellite techs, cable techs, landline techs, home theater techs, home security techs, gutter techs, siding techs, window techs, door techs, sheetrock techs, lightening rod techs, septic tank techs, and painting techs (did I miss any tech types - not counting engineering types) ... to properly construct a stick house.

How can you trust only one kind of "tech" to properly address all the issues in the coach portion of an RV?

What I've found is that the best way to personally take care of one's RV - or keep one's eye on an "RV tech" who is supposedly taking care of one's RV - is to first become an avid reader and absorber of what comes out in these forums. The ultra deep reservoir of collective knowledge and experience that resides here far surpases what any singular person on the Face of the Earth could ever have on tap - whether it be from that singular person's IQ, formal training, photographic memory, or on-the-job experience.

I guess you are one smart guy. I have 38 years experience repairing RV's. BEFORE that, I built RV's for Coachmen/Holiday Rambler/Shasta. So, I have production line experience and also HANDS ON experience repairing almost everything out there excluding the chassis. BUT, I can fix Cruise Controls and Dash AC systems also. The ONLY limit I stop at is the $750k and up Prevost type Motorhomes. Never worked on them and they have totally different systems. YOU CANNOT GET THE LEVEL OR KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE I HAVE FROM BOOKS OR READING AND THE INTERNET. MOST of the so-called Forum postings make a good laugh for me. People shotgun ideas out there left and right. Sometimes the pellet hits the right spot:B But, not before a LOT of misinformation or downright stupidity is posted. Doug

Reddog1 wrote:

dougrainer wrote:
The Forum's various Moderators Discourages KNOWLEDGABLE Techs from posting. They told me years ago that I could NOT post my level of expertise in my Signature. Doug

I am not aware of the specifics you are referring to, but I am a Moderator and have been for twelve years. The only time I have seen "KNOWLEDGABLE Techs" discouraged from posting is when they frequently hijack Threads, use the threads to promote their business, and discourage others from posting by showing an "all knowing attitude". They can also overexpose themselves by posting on almost every thread.

NOT being allowed to post my level of expertise in your Signature needs to be explained. If in your signature you stated you had x number of years experience in RV Repair, I doubt that would be a problem. If included your place of business and/or website, it would be a clear rule violation. My suggestion would be to use PMs and discuss the signature with Admin.

We have quite a few "KNOWLEDGABLE Techs" that post, and they do so with respect to the Forum and its members. They post as members and do not use RV.NET as a platform to promote their business.

I am the Moderator of the TC Forum.

Wayne
Moderator

This is what I had on my signature. I wanted it listed so people could research and see what and why my advice is based on. Doug

30 years RV Technician experience
MASTER Certified since the inception of the Master RVIA program
I was told to remove those. I have NEVER stated who I worked for or ever solicited work in all the years I have been on various forums.

pnichols wrote:
In all seriousness - how can one be, or honestly call themselves, "an RV tech" ... with so many system types and technologies involved?

The last time I checked ... it takes framing techs, plumber techs, HVAC techs, foundation techs, roofing techs, satellite techs, cable techs, landline techs, home theater techs, home security techs, gutter techs, siding techs, window techs, door techs, sheetrock techs, lightening rod techs, septic tank techs, and painting techs (did I miss any tech types - not counting engineering types) ... to properly construct a stick house.

How can you trust only one kind of "tech" to properly address all the issues in the coach portion of an RV?

It's called 'Multi-Tasking' something MANNY folks are quite adept at.

As a Construction Track Superintendent I HAD to know all the trades in order to keep building on schedule and not let the 'subs' get by.
As a Control Operator in Power Plants I Had to know all the various trades (mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, line-protection etc) in order to keep plant on line AND allow safe work to be preformed.

YES..RV Techs have to know ALL systems.
And manny do a very good job at it.

Muti-Tasking

In all seriousness - how can one be, or honestly call themselves, "an RV tech" ... with so many system types and technologies involved?

The last time I checked ... it takes framing techs, plumber techs, HVAC techs, foundation techs, roofing techs, satellite techs, cable techs, landline techs, home theater techs, home security techs, gutter techs, siding techs, window techs, door techs, sheetrock techs, lightening rod techs, septic tank techs, and painting techs (did I miss any tech types - not counting engineering types) ... to properly construct a stick house.

How can you trust only one kind of "tech" to properly address all the issues in the coach portion of an RV?

What I've found is that the best way to personally take care of one's RV - or keep one's eye on an "RV tech" who is supposedly taking care of one's RV - is to first become an avid reader and absorber of what comes out in these forums. The ultra deep reservoir of collective knowledge and experience that resides here far surpases what any singular person on the Face of the Earth could ever have on tap - whether it be from that singular person's IQ, formal training, photographic memory, or on-the-job experience.

Wayne,

Thanks for posting a logical approach the forum takes re Techs. (I was disappointed to see the post that created the need for your response, as it clearly does not jibe with what I have observed here as an outsider to the RV world.)

There are a large number of wannabee techs everywhere including here. Not trying discredit them but a lot of things posted are based on a guessing game and hold little factual value. I've seen this many times. That's ok, it keeps discussion going but can sometimes derail getting accurate info.

Having said that, yes, there are many very good, knowledgeable techs here on the forum, such as Chris Bryant and others. Every post I have read from Chris has always been accurate and factual.

Then there are many other non techs, who have many years and decades of hands on experience at virtually every aspect of RV service and repair. By this they become an expert in their knowledge, skill and ability, but hold no formal education or training in this subject. Some people just naturally have been blessed with an ability to put their hands on things and fix them.

I don't claim to be a tech or an expert on RV's, but after working at a trailer factory in the 70's, and repairing RV's for 40 plus years, I've gleaned a little skill at it. Sometimes, an aptitude and ability coupled with years of experience can be much more useful than a couple years worth of education and a piece of paper that says you're qualified to fix stuff.

dougrainer wrote:
The Forum's various Moderators Discourages KNOWLEDGABLE Techs from posting. They told me years ago that I could NOT post my level of expertise in my Signature. Doug

I am not aware of the specifics you are referring to, but I am a Moderator and have been for twelve years. The only time I have seen "KNOWLEDGABLE Techs" discouraged from posting is when they frequently hijack Threads, use the threads to promote their business, and discourage others from posting by showing an "all knowing attitude". They can also overexpose themselves by posting on almost every thread.

NOT being allowed to post my level of expertise in your Signature needs to be explained. If in your signature you stated you had x number of years experience in RV Repair, I doubt that would be a problem. If included your place of business and/or website, it would be a clear rule violation. My suggestion would be to use PMs and discuss the signature with Admin.

We have quite a few "KNOWLEDGABLE Techs" that post, and they do so with respect to the Forum and its members. They post as members and do not use RV.NET as a platform to promote their business.

I am the Moderator of the TC Forum.

Wayne
Moderator

Bare in mind this is commercial forum and they have their sponsors to promote.
But PM still work.

The Forum's various Moderators Discourages KNOWLEDGABLE Techs from posting. They told me years ago that I could NOT post my level of expertise in my Signature. Doug