full timing

[shannon62]

we are planning on full timing in near future & would like to know where we can repair or do maintenance our self on our rv? we were told some flying j`s will let you do repairs. any sejections? thank you.

[aidwilli]

Replaced all 8 fuel injectors in the truck last year around Christmas time while boondocking in Santa Fe National Forest. We constantly are working on the truck and camper. Big parking lots, auto parts stores, forests, gas stations, side of the road. All over USA.

[KAYPAY]

Dutch_12078 wrote:
I've done oil changes in a NAPA parking lot with the store manager's permission. The oil and filter were bought there of course. They even accepted the used oil for recycling.

great info thanks

[PawPaw_n_Gram]

Most commercial campgrounds in our experince allow mobile RV techs, and usually have good recommendations. Most federal, state and city/ county parks will also not have a problem with a mobile RV tech doing work. Last week, a park told me that I could have a mobile tech replace the fan motor in my AC, but could not do the work myself. Guess they want to make sure it is done quickly, without any obvious things taken apart over night. But I won't go back there, so I can't be sure.

I do my resealing and external checks all the time. Never had anyone say anything. I even repack the trailer bearings twice a year. But I have the tools and jacks, and can do both sides of the trailer in less than 30 minutes.

A bigger issue for us seems to be restrictions on washing the trailer, and truck.

I've found mobile techs are superior to taking the rig in for service or repairs. Simply because they don't get paid until the job is done. So they don't take something apart and want you to wait without access to the rig for weeks.

[doxiemom11]

We have done minor repairs at campgrounds and rv parks, never had any major to do. Most of the time they don't even know what you are doing. Oil changes also. Just don't make a big production of it. We have even washed our rig with no problem. There are parks that allow you to, or charge a minimal fee for the water usage.

[BarbaraOK]

What type of rig and are you talking about maintenance on house or chassis? For house problems, their are mobile RV techs (and also for some chassis problems) that some RV Parks will allow to come and work on guests rigs.

We don't do maintenance, we worked long and hard to be able to enjoy our retirement and that does not include a 6 gal oil change, etc. For morothomes, most places that do maintenance work/reparis have a place for you to stop for the night, often with power and sometimes water. They take the rig in the morning, push it out in the evening. We spent 6 weeks at the Coach Care facility in Elkhardt, IN, waiting on parts to get our rig fixed. Did lots of sightseeing during the days, laundry, shopping, etc.

[edbehnke]

too open of a question.

if you are handy you can do many things right at the rv park. Just keep learning on how to do many of the minor repairs yourself.

major repairs....well, you will have to find a repair shop. Most RV campgrounds have a list of repair shops.

The biggest problem you will run into, at times, will be getting into a shop and then ordering parts that you need. Weeks could turn into many weeks.

[valhalla360]

Define maintenance?
- Something major, messy or that looks like the clampets...they won't want you doing it because it looks bad to the other customers, could leave a mess and worst case, may make you immobile for a significant period of time when they have that site reserved for a future guest.
- Minor stuff (say replacing a cracked brake light lens), they likely won't take issue.

[Dutch_12078]

I've done oil changes in a NAPA parking lot with the store manager's permission. The oil and filter were bought there of course. They even accepted the used oil for recycling.

[Bill_Satellite]

It depends upon the repairs. Oil changes and similar are generally discouraged due to the high probability that you will leave oil residue behind. Emergency repairs are looked upon as an unwelcome, but necessary, evil. Repairs at any big truck stop is likely going to be discouraged on the assumption that you are creating a pretty high liability for a business required to keep things safe and control ALL oil and fuel spill within EPA standards.
If you have to change a tire that can likely be done anywhere. If you are planning to overhaul your engine it likely cannot.

[Lwiddis]

Landowners that want you changing your oil and repairing your rig on their property are few a far between and for good reason. Budget to pay for maintenance and repairs.

[K_Charles]

I don't full time but have done repairs in a campground, with permission. Service has been done in relatives driveways when we have been away a long time.