This might be a stupid questions but here it goes. For the most part I assume the basics of 5er are all the same parts wise ??I bought a 2015 Jayco Eagle 5er a few months ago from a dealer 10 hours away. The unit only had a 30 days warranty so I knew any future work would be done by my home from another shop. There is a Jayco dealer close to home but the reviews and feedback on them is AWFUL.There is another dealer I have bought parts from and serviced my previous used 5er with ( 1997 Prowler ) and I really like and have a great relationship with them. They are a Winnabego and some other make dealership. I know they work on everything and I assume it would be fine to have them work on my Jayco even thought it so new ? I assume the slides and other components are more or less standard and they could get parts from anywhere and fix what needs to be done as things arise ?Do all of you mostly service at a shop that is a dealer for the 5er you own outside warranty or use different shops ?

If I couldn't fix it myself then I used any repair shop that could.........independent and/or mobile

I avoid my Houston mega-dealer as much as possible. Only used them for warranty work. I've had terrible service at 2 of their 3 Houston area locations. They have several dealerships across Texas and the best I can tell they all are terrible.If you have a good relationship with a particular dealer I would use them. I use a family owned and operated repair shop. They just do repairs and have a parts showroom, no RV sales. They have been in business 30+ years and if they can't fix them they will be out of business.

There are very few things in a trailer that are brand specific. Fortunately in 9 years mine has never been in the shop. But if it needed anything, I would not hesitate to take it to any RV repair facility that had a good reputation.

There is a dealership about 5 miles from my home that majors in Keystone RV. Yet, in their lot for service is every kind of camper imaginable! It's interesting to just stop in and walk around and see all the different campers. Some are absolutely awesome!So yes, I would think a repair shop with a good reputation will gladly take any make or model or style of camper. Otherwise, they would not have a good reputation!

If it's warranty work u need make sure the mfg will pay for an independent repair shop. If so then pick whoever u like. I know Heartland will authorize warranty repairs by just abt anybody.

How many of you use other brand Service Shops ?

Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Sep 20, 2016
If I couldn't fix it myself then I used any repair shop that could.........independent and/or mobile
TxGearhead
Explorer II
Sep 20, 2016
I avoid my Houston mega-dealer as much as possible. Only used them for warranty work. I've had terrible service at 2 of their 3 Houston area locations. They have several dealerships across Texas and the best I can tell they all are terrible.
If you have a good relationship with a particular dealer I would use them.
I use a family owned and operated repair shop. They just do repairs and have a parts showroom, no RV sales. They have been in business 30+ years and if they can't fix them they will be out of business.
BB_TX
Nomad
Sep 20, 2016
There are very few things in a trailer that are brand specific. Fortunately in 9 years mine has never been in the shop. But if it needed anything, I would not hesitate to take it to any RV repair facility that had a good reputation.
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Sep 20, 2016
There is a dealership about 5 miles from my home that majors in Keystone RV. Yet, in their lot for service is every kind of camper imaginable! It's interesting to just stop in and walk around and see all the different campers. Some are absolutely awesome!

So yes, I would think a repair shop with a good reputation will gladly take any make or model or style of camper. Otherwise, they would not have a good reputation!
avvidclif1
Explorer
Sep 20, 2016
If it's warranty work u need make sure the mfg will pay for an independent repair shop. If so then pick whoever u like. I know Heartland will authorize warranty repairs by just abt anybody.
bpounds
Nomad
Sep 20, 2016
I've used an independent for body work, and they did a great job, although it was a sheet metal style trailer. I would at least discuss the job with them for our flat wall trailer. They are not a selling dealer, so they make or break their bones on quality of their work. Also, for body or structural work, talk to your insurance agent for references, even if your insurance won't be paying a claim.

For appliance type stuff, a mobile repair guy would probably be my first call. I've never used one, but if my heater goes out, I don't see why I would haul the trailer somewhere and leave it for god only knows how long. At least with mobile, if you can get them there, it will be a speedy repair.

Fixing stuff myself is always my first option. It isn't rocket science, but you do have to know your own limitations.
Us_out_West
Explorer
Sep 20, 2016
avvidclif1 wrote:
If it's warranty work u need make sure the mfg will pay for an independent repair shop. If so then pick whoever u like. I know Heartland will authorize warranty repairs by just abt anybody.

I believe the OP bought his rig used from a dealer that put their 30 day dealer warranty on it...not a Manufacturers warranty.

But I get where you are coming from if the rig was under factory warranty.
kalynzoo
Explorer
Sep 20, 2016
For 40+ years I have used a mobile mechanic (many of them) or local independent shops. With the shops, I would bring in the RV, have them diagnose and order parts, and bring it back when they are ready to work on it. My few experiences with dealers after purchase have usually resulted in the RV getting a lot of sunshine waiting for parts.
RustyJC
Explorer
Sep 21, 2016
I'd use an independent shop or mobile repair service before a dealer's service department. The independent shop and mobile repair service live and die by the quality of their service; to many dealers, servicing what they sell is apparently an inconvenience, and it shows in the quality (or lack thereof) of their work.

Rusty
ACZL
Explorer
Sep 21, 2016
I would explain to the dealer whom you like and have used in the past for repairs etc, that you bought this newer coach which is out of warranty and would very much appreciate it if you and your shop could take care of it when issues crop up....

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