repairs while full time

[fulltime5er]

What does everyone do when repairs are needed on your full time rig? I have heard horror stories of months to get the rig repaired. Is that normal?

[G_and_D]

carp65 wrote:
Find a good independent RV repair shop who will accommodate you and allow you
to live in your MH while repairs are being made or spend a couple days in
a motel.

Carp 65
I noticed you said "independent" repair shop. Is there a reason for the independent?

I have seen a lot written about CW or other franchise shops and seen the differences between one vs the other and I am not very impressed by their general lack of consistency and professionalism, almost like an unsavory used car dealer. This is my first impression and not based on extensive experience.

Is that the reason for the refrence?

[carp65]

Find a good independent RV repair shop who will accommodate you and allow you
to live in your MH while repairs are being made or spend a couple days in
a motel.

[MichiganTravele]

We had a tire blow out which caused a lot of damage to our 5th wheel on our way from Columbus, GA to Pensacola. After roadside assistance changed the tire and repaired the brake wiring, we called ahead to the Camping World in Dothan, AL where they repaired the wiring for the leveling jacks.

Once we arrived in Pensacola, the camp host recommended a local dealer. We made an appointment and the dealer gave us an estimate and ordered the parts. They will call us when they are ready to work on our rig. They say it will take at least two days to do the repairs and we can camp (with full hookups) in their lot. They get the rig from 8-5 and we can have it after five. In the meantime we are camping as planned.

We have RV insurance through Good Sam and They have trip interruption which (I think) will pay for (or subsidize) a hotel stay and provide a rental car.

It's all part of life on the road! 🙂

Bob

[2gypsies1]

You might want to post your dissatisfaction on this site:

RV Service Reviews

I did notice that Al's is not listed.

Good luck with the next one. Is it listed on this site?

NOTE: You can sort this alphabetically within the state or by city. Hope it helps.

[Regwood]

CindyBR777 wrote:
Believe me..Southern RV Supercent takes that long in Tyler. We had to call and call and call. Don't plan on taking any camping trips anytime soon when you put it in the shop because who knows when you will get it back. It doesnt matter how large or how small. Takes FOREVER!! Will never buy from them again because of this.

Well we took it to Al's trailer sales in Farmington, NM....And they called four days after having it and said, "We don't work on the interior and the motor" after telling us they could; and driving it down there and waiting just for the estimate. It cost us $500 for them to look at the converter and 2 batteries and then to just get it out of there and take somewhere else. NOT a happy camper right now. Also, told them the basement storages would not lock and asked if it would be kept safe? "Yes, it will be inside...and We've never had problems before" When we got there Monday morning to pick up the coach...It was parked outside across the street and not in the best neighborhood. Did a quick run through and everything looks ok, but who knows? Would Not recommend them to anyone! Insurance has been very good to us so far. Fingers crossed for the next repair shop to actually fulfill their promises.

[CindyBR777]

Believe me..Southern RV Supercent takes that long in Tyler. We had to call and call and call. Don't plan on taking any camping trips anytime soon when you put it in the shop because who knows when you will get it back. It doesnt matter how large or how small. Takes FOREVER!! Will never buy from them again because of this.

[Regwood]

2gypsies wrote:
TO REGWOOD OF DURANGO:

First, so sorry about your problems three days ago. Have you contacted a repair facility already? What was the timeframe given for repairs? Hopefully, it's not too long. Do you have a choice of where to take it for repairs or can you choose? If the choice is yours try to get it into a dealership that handles your make in case there are any hidden damages.

We would probably want to be close to the repair facility to be able to check their work in progress and gently prod them along. If you just leave it there and take off they might put it on the 'back burner'. Definitely explain that it is your home and your interim RV is just available for a short period of time.

We would definitely take out anything of value and things you'll need during the repair timeframe. You're very lucky that you'll have another RV to stay in. Best of luck!!!

We have contacted many in this area, unfortunately none of them are willing to do the work that will be needed. We found one in Farmington, NM; and looks like the one we will have to use. It is aprox. 50 miles away and since we are hosting we will not be able to be there as we would like. maybe 1-2 times a week. No time frame,they have to get to the estimate, then afterwards they talk to us and the ins. then they will get to it. The next closest one is in Albuquerque. And that one is just too far.
Thank you for info, and suggestions. We will make sure and stay on top of them as much as possible.

[2gypsies1]

TO REGWOOD OF DURANGO:

First, so sorry about your problems three days ago. Have you contacted a repair facility already? What was the timeframe given for repairs? Hopefully, it's not too long. Do you have a choice of where to take it for repairs or can you choose? If the choice is yours try to get it into a dealership that handles your make in case there are any hidden damages.

We would probably want to be close to the repair facility to be able to check their work in progress and gently prod them along. If you just leave it there and take off they might put it on the 'back burner'. Definitely explain that it is your home and your interim RV is just available for a short period of time.

We would definitely take out anything of value and things you'll need during the repair timeframe. You're very lucky that you'll have another RV to stay in. Best of luck!!!

[Regwood]

We were hit by lightning 3 nights ago, the insurance company is willing to cover everything...but, exactly how do we handle this. Never have come across something like this. The damage took out quite a few electrical boards frayed wires inside of coach and we are camp hosting a national forest. O and BTW, we are full timers. Our daughter will let us use her rig until ours is fixed. And the closest is in a different state over 50 miles away. But what about stuff inside the coach? do we need to get everything out? And what happens from there? Any help would be helpful.
Thank you,

[luvstorv]

We have been full timing since 2009 and we badly damaged one side of our fifth wheel when it was brand new. We called the company we purchased it from and told them our situation as we are full timers. They took a look at our rig and ordered all the parts needed and called when all the parts were in. We took the rig in and they told us it would be two weeks because there was a lot of work to be done. We drove to a beautiful area in Texas and stayed in a hotel for two weeks. When we returned home they were still working on our rig because some of the parts arrived later than they said they would. This company loaned us a bumper pull trailer, free of charge, and we stayed at an rv park until our fifth wheel was ready. It took 5 weeks for the repairs to be completed. Our service adviser kept in touch with us with updates on how the repairs were going.

Another time, we had a minor issue and spent the night in the company's parking lot with full hook ups free of charge.

Sometimes it depends on what type of work your rig needs and the company you take it to. We were very fortunate that they loaned us the trailer to stay in.

Good luck!

[luvglass]

We've had a few instances where we have had to wait some days or a week waiting for parts, but we just brought the rig in then and had the work done in a day. In almost 8 years we have not been out of the rig overnight unless we wanted to be. It's really not a problem to worry about.

[Aridon]

Certainly possible to be stuck in some extended stay situation for repairs. Especially in high demand areas in season.

Our experience has been with mostly smaller stuff. A/C needing replacement or transfer switch burning up.

In each of those cases, we simply called a local place, explained the situation and said we know they were really busy but could they fit us in since this was our home. Every time they said be here first thing in the AM and expect to stay the day and we'll see what we can do. Finished, paid and home the same night.

Be nice, accommodating and grateful. Generally these places don't see that and they'll try and take care of you.

[2gypsies1]

It would depend on what kind of repairs to be made but a week or more is excessive. What you need to do is tell them that you're full-timers and you need to sleep in your rig nightly. If they can't accommodate that then find a repair facility that will. We've never heard of that request being refused. During the days you sitesee, roam the mall, go for hikes, enjoy a few hours in a shady park with a picnic lunch and book, go to movies, bowling, etc. Just pretend you're on vacation. 🙂

[phil_crouch]

We had to wait over the weekend for parts to arrive once... The MFG wanted to send it regular mail and we talked them into overnight express but had to pay them and extra $10 for that to happen..

Over the weekend, the repair shop let us stay at their place with water/elec hookup.. In over 9+ years of fulltiming, that was the longest we waited for repairs..
Since we were fulltiming, really didn't bother me and enjoyed the stay using our tow vehicle to get around town during that time..

But, we did have a very large fir tree fall thur our house one time, had to move outa it for a month or so while they fixed the roof and other damage it done..
I would consider it about the same if something happened to the RV, just get a
motel room and wait for repairs to get done..
Repairs can take a long time with a stick house too... Just ask someone who went thru a hurricane or tornado or floods...