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 ?

[hitchup]

thecampingman: I wouldn't encourage anyone to work "under the table". The consequences of that are worse than paying the Insurance, Permits, Fees, etc. We've been in business in 2 states in the last 35 yrs. The last time was 17 years ago and I always kept the books.

That's why DH chooses to end his remaining working years employed by someone else. He's turned down job offers, because we don't need the headaches of being an Independent Contractor.

[thecampingman]

hitchup wrote:
What taxes?

We've never been charged sales taxes on any Mobile Tech work. Only for parts that we bought ourselves and DH DIY'd. If you're working in FL or TX, there's no State Income Tax, so might as well grow the business and be legitimate.

Federal, State & local. Plus ordinances, permits & certifications many of which you wouldn't be aware until you're cited. These laws are passed under the guise of eliminating the fly-by-night service people. (IE: roaming RV repairmen) Actually they are enacted to eliminate competition. And if a local spots you and reports you to the local authorities they'll drain your bank account quicker than you can blink.

I have a one-man business. My DW is a skilled accountant, bookkeeper and tax preparer. (No they're not all the same) She works very hard to keep me legal. While stationary, in Ohio.

A transient legal service man is practically a contradiction in terms. I would be very cautious how I presented myself to customers and the manner in which I received payment.

Just sayin'........

[hitchup]

What taxes?

We've never been charged sales taxes on any Mobile Tech work. Only for parts that we bought ourselves and DH DIY'd. If you're working in FL or TX, there's no State Income Tax, so might as well grow the business and be legitimate.

[thecampingman]

No, I wouldn't go for the certification. To become an official certified legitimate repairman you would need to set up a business. That would involve collecting and paying taxes, liability insurance, and any local ordinances. This varies with every municipality, county, state you work in. It'd be virtually impossible to comply with everything.

I'd work "under the table".

[Shelbs]

scbwr wrote:
The big question would be as to how much of an investment you need to make to be well equipped with everything you need to make most repairs, as well has have an inventory of most often needed parts. Then, can you carry any overhead until you've built a reputation and network of campground owners that will recommend you to campers looking for a technician. In some areas, you may be in competition with techs that already provide mobile service. I used to live near a tech in Newfane, NY that had an independent shop and also did mobile work (RV Mobile....John...great guy!). If you decide to do it, you need to have some good advertising handouts that campground owners will keep on display and handy, and really try to establish a reputation through campground owners. Good luck!

Forgot to mention this: There is a company that publishes a large percentage of the campground maps/ camper guides in the country. In our area, they publish almost every campground map within 75 miles of me. This is a project for my upcoming week: to talk with the salesperson about advertising. We all look at these maps and the ads when we check in for ideas on where to eat dinner, etc. So the exposure is quite good. Cost effectiveness may be another story

[Shelbs]

weathershak wrote:
Great idea, but wont insurance cost a fortune?

In a word: yes! Based on my business and friends who are doing the same thing in other parts of the country, insurance is roughly $2100 to $3k per year.

[Shelbs]

Interesting thread, especially in light of our situation. We are full-timers and we recently "settled" in the St. Augustine, FL area. I am in the process of starting a new business as a mobile RV Tech.

There seems to be several guys in the area who have been doing it for awhile. But there also seems to be a lot of business. Our marketing strategy is to:
1)Build a good website. More and more people travel with a laptop and will go online when they have a need. We are backing this up by registering with as many listing sites as we can, such as Yelp, MechanicAdvisor, etc

2)Exposure. I bought a 12 foot service trailer that now bears my logo, phone number, etc. I hook it up daily and drive it around to campgrounds. I go into the office and ask if I can leave my business cards on their front counter. Usually, they have no problem with it. The exposure on the road is huge! Plus, getting to know the folks in the office the a great beginning of word of mouth advertising. After all, if you have a problem, there is a good chance you will go to the office for help! So if I am liked by the guy in the office, there is a good chance he (or she)will pass along my info.

3) More exposure. When not traveling around, I will park the truck/service trailer in front of my site during the day. I have landed two jobs in the last week by doing this. The other way to get exposure is to park it in the parking lot at Home Depot, Lowe's, Harbor Freight, etc. I see tradespeople do it all the time.

My wife thinks a sign on the RV is a good idea. Not sure how the neighbors or the park owners will react to that. Ticking people off is not good for business! As a buddy of mine in the same business tells me all the time: Do quality work at a fair rate, treat people with respect, and the business will come!

If you visit Northeast Florida and need help, Let me know!
www.sunbeltmobilerv.com

[hitchup]

We're in the group that has nearly always used Mobile Tech's over taking our unit to a dealer.

We've had the factory send us parts and if DH can't do it himself, the factory will authorize warranty work if the Tech gives them a call. Which is a win win for us.

[rockportrocket]

We have a mobile tech or 5 at the park that I call mostly home. He likes all of us fulltimers/snowbirds, follow the weather. He lives in Colo during the summer heat, and in our neck of the woods during the winter. He is without doubt the most reliable of techs (or as some call themselves, rv repairmen) in the area. I and many others put off our repairs that we can live thru, until he arrives in Oct. From Oct thru Feb, he is constantly busy. Even the rv places in town recommend him over their own shops.

That is what you need to strive for.

[weathershak]

Great idea, but wont insurance cost a fortune?

[pawatt]

Check with this guy, jetcare. Member who does just what you ask.

[pawatt]

The mobile techs I have had contact with generally do better work than the dealers and are in great demand.

[doxiemom11]

As camp hosts, we see many campers that pull their tt or 5th wheel with their pickup trucks advertising their business. I don't know how they could keep you have having a business name/logo and type of service the business is on your vehicle. They will not however let you put a sign up on your site. This may work if you park someplace for a few months at a time. I have also seen ads on Craigslist under the rv section for mobile tech service. We have not needed mobile service --- keep fingers crossed....but we would certainly use one if the person was experienced and could show some type of licensing, certification.

[Us_out_West]

Some places we've been to have a message board on a wall in the office and people leave their business cards. Also overheard someone ask the desk person if there was an RV Mobile tech around and she recommended 2.

Also have seen Mobile techs in CG's with nice signage on their vehicles.

They are around and glad of it in case we need them.

[Alfred622]

Out of curiosity, do campgrounds allow advertising? That is, could a motorhome have a sign on it reading "Mobile RV Technician" to let people in the CG know of the service? Most places I camp (basically State/National parks) people walk the campground loop in the evening. Such a sign would certainly attract my attention...especially since I need a new starting capacitor for my A/C!