Mobile RV Repair

[Stevesmith812]

I am getting ready to become a full timer but still want to generate some income. Would any of you folks that have been full timing consider using a mobile RV service for work needed on your rigs?

I have been a service tech for most of my career and do all the work required to my own rig. I'm talking about services like AC service/repair or water heater/furnace work. Wouldn't be working on drive trains.


Just trying to figure out if it worth getting the official service tech certification ?

[letscamp12]

That sounds like a great plan! Many full-timers look for mobile RV services for maintenance, so your skills could be really valuable. Getting the official service tech certification might help you stand out and give potential clients more confidence in your work. It could definitely be worth it if you want to generate income while traveling.

[cburks1961]

Where are you located?

[way2roll]

Not sure if you're aware but you are responding to a post that's 11 years old. OP hasn't been on here since. We've asked the administrators to lock down old posts but there is no support on this new forum. 

[John_Joey]

IMO Mobile RV techs are the only way to go. The problem is most work by word of mouth, or via the campground's recommendation.

I think you may have a hard time finding work if all you're doing is rolling in and out of campgrounds hoping to find work. Hard to build a reputation for good work when you're only in an area for a short time.

[janesurzosky]

I think no tech certification is waste and people do need RV repair services, so it's definitely worth it. You should also try and get in contact with some ac repair technicians, like AA, who would boost your confidence. Just go for it, don't think much, you will definitely succeed in your life. All the best!

[Ron_Butler]

You bet you will find work!! Anyplace that RVers gather, there will be someone needing some kind of work done! Especially in the southwest during the winter or any other place that the snowbirds flock too in the cold weather!

While we were traveling fulltime, ran into this fellow and his wife traveling with a tractor and one of those small freight cabs on the back and pulling a 5th. wheel. He was doing so well on the road, the just closed down their RV park in the Carolinas and kept traveling!!

The other thing to look into is attending large rallies. Again, if they see your truck/rig, you will find work!

I have told my mechanic up in Puget Sound to load up his truck and head south. He would probably make more money in the warm winter, than in the grey, cold drizzle of the northwest!!

Good luck and will look for you. In fact, will be looking up a mobile guy when we get to Newport OR in the next few days!!

[JOMO]

Shelbs I just saved your website in my favorites

[carp65]

We have used mobile techs on several occasions. I just ask the park manager
who they would recommend. Have been pleased with the service and promptness
of their response. Beats going to a dealer!

[bigmichael]

As 6+ years FTing, we can also be added to the list of folks who use mobile RV techs almost exclusively (with the exception of the factory service center).

When you are FTing, leaving the rig somewhere for weeks on end, as I read on the forums so much, is simply not an option. And for many things, waiting weeks to get an appointment is also not feasible. In 6 plus years, we have only been out of the rig overnight for repair one time, and this was for a total of one night. (and that was our old Excel in which the company did a repair and put us up in a motel for the night so they could keep it in the bay).

As someone else mentioned, the techs we have experienced have done very good work, and could get to the problem within a day or two. They tend to get known around the parks, and I suspect the ones who don't know what they are doing don't last long as the RV parks are like very small towns--word spreads very quickly. I also think they tend to have many more years of service on the average than many of the people who revolve thru some of the service centers.

[gordypig]

I have a couple of buddies that work for Camping World up north in the summer and follow the sun in the winter (sun belt)to another C.W. their wives also work as cashiers.

[Thunder_Mountai]

I've been watching this thread for the past couple of days and have to chime in. Decades ago I did some work under the table. I was under employed working 2-3 jobs trying to get by as a young married couple. Mostly is was painting, finish carpentry, selling firewood, etc.

Later while working full time, we had several sideline businesses including tutoring, antiques, antique appraisal, estate sales and Native American arts and crafts. These were all above board and legal.

What I learned from my accountant in that the Schedule C is the small guys friend. We charged off home office space, utilities, cars, tools, computer equipment and even a fiver for staying on the reservation and hauling Native American crafts. Yes, the sales tax, insurance, etc. were a pain sometimes, but I didn't have to worry about hiding cash or getting caught. Sometimes we made a profit, paid our taxes including self employment taxes and sometimes we lost money. Never got audited. I still have a Sears table saw that I bought in 1975 or '76.

Now, to address the issue of mobile tech services. They have saved our bacon more than once. Usually, the campground keeps a list of available techs. At Canyon Vistas in Gold Canyon, AZ they keep a list of mobile techs at the front gate that includes specialties. They have to be bonded and insured to be on the list. Everyday you see them going in and out of the gate busy as little bees making good money. I used one guy last year and had a long conversation with him. He makes the north/south run every year. Only works part time and picks and chooses the repairs. He had a nice new 3500 truck and tool trailer with all painted up with his name a contact information. Bet you a dime to a dollar it was a complete charge off for his business.

Working on RVs is a high risk business in my opinion. I just couldn't see working on someone's million dollar class a without coverage. It's not worth the exposure. If you caused bodily harm or death, you could do time in jail and/or face financial ruin.

If you were legal you could charge off you training, tools, etc. You can also charge off a portion of travel expenses, truck, trailer, etc. If you are a full timer, I guess you could probably depreciate your RV as part of the business. I would really like to hear a CPA chime in on the advantages of being legal.

[thecampingman]

I'm not suggesting he do any thing criminal, or even illegal. There are avenues where a person can perform tasks for pay without becoming a full fledged business. Especially if it's not your primary source of income.

Ohio has declared this threshold to be $600.

The man I had do some repair on my RV last winter in Florida didn't advertise, worked for cash and come to think of it, I don't really know his name. He saved me having to take my 5er to Camping World for a minor repair. Saved me some money too.

Setting up a business takes skill in accounting & bookkeeping. And like they saying goes "In for a penny, in for a pound". They're linking all computers, comparing IRS to Worker's Comp. etc. You have to do it all. Not really worth it for a few bucks. In fact you'd be hard pressed to make a profit.

What I would do is take a box of chocolates to the park manager. Ask them if it's OK to help people change out a water heater element, rewind a spring in an awning etc. Then if it's all right with them post a phone number on the bulletin board.

[Shelbs]

Dad used to tell me "Honesty is ALWAYS the best policy." That advice keeps me on the straight and narrow! That, and an overwhelming fear of the IRS and the Florida Dept. of Revenue

[murphy38]

I would use it, I think if you treat people fair you could do well with it.