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Tequila's avatar
Tequila
Explorer
Jun 26, 2016

Well this was an eye opener

I am at the 3 day seminars put on at Okanagan College in Kelowna BC, Canada. There are held 3rd weeeknd in June and are well worth it, BTW.

I have found out this, a similar facility in Alberta and a smaller one in Florida are the only places in North America for properly training RV technicians. Apart from that there are 3 online courses in the US and a few 5 - 7 day training course. That's it. The RV tech course here is 6 months long

see http://www.okanagan.bc.ca/Page407.aspx

There is no way you can train an RV tech 5 days, anymore than than you can turn out an auto mechanic in 5 days. It explains some of the quality of work I have had done on mine.

It's surpirsing considering the size of the industry, I am guessing most RV techs learn on the job, not spend 1/2 a year in school then go to on the job training. A lot probably come from assembly plant jobs. It explains the butcher job by the dealer on my new RV after I picked it up. (RV Peddlar in Bakersfield who just went bankrupt) It's a real eye opener. I always assumed RV techs were like auto mechanics, they had been to vocational school, then served an apprenticeship. That does not appear to the the case in the RV industry,its a real eye opener. I am spending 3 days here in fairly intense seminars. At best I will be able to have an intelligent conversation with an RV tech. When I see schools advertising how to become an RV tech in 5 days, like this linkhttps://rvtechcourse.com/ it's scary.
Seeking Advice
  • CavemanCharlie's avatar
    CavemanCharlie
    Explorer III
    Jun 28, 2016
    If you are talking about Class A RV's and stuff like that then for mechanic work they should go to the repair shop that specializes for the manufacture of the vehicle. For example, if you have a Cummins engine go to a Cummins repair shop for engine trouble.

    For the electrical system on these high end RV's then yes, there should probably be more training.

    But,, for my 21 foot TT the systems are so simple that a high school drop out should be able to fix them after a few day course. IF,, !! he is the right high school drop out that is good with his hands and mechanically minded. A lot of kids these days are not. But, I have still met a few of them that are.
  • PawPaw_n_Gram's avatar
    PawPaw_n_Gram
    Explorer
    Jun 27, 2016
    I feel it is a mistake to try to compare RV dealerships/ maintenance/ service to the automobile industry.

    One is a matter of scale. For every new RV shipped, over 15 new cars are shipped. There are more models and variations of RVs than automobiles.

    RV manufacturers do not standardize their product line like automobile manufacturers do. You can find different components installed in two new same model/ mfr RVs sitting side by side at the dealership. Different components because supplier X had version one available for the build week for the first rig and another version for the week the second rig was built.

    RV manufacturers seldom warranty the entire rig. You have to talk to the company which made the axles, the frame/engine in motorized rigs, the furnace, the ac units, the fridge, etc.

    RV manufacturers don't create detailed service manuals, assembly manuals, etc. They don't stock millions of dollars worth of spare parts at regional warehouses or dealerships.

    Buying an RV and comparing service is much more like buying a home from a tract builder and comparing their service.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Jun 27, 2016
    You are partially correct when you cite only 2 training facilities

    Most RV makers also "Factory Train" but only in their product line.. Same of Auto makers.. You can go to mechanics school. or you can go to say GM Factory training.. But the GM school does not teach Ford (And the reverse is also true)

    Both however teach the concepts needed to cross diagnose.

    I've had general training, And verley likely could (per my brother who did) pass the certification test.. If I choose to take it.. But since I choose a desk job over a grease job.... I did not choose to take it.
  • Chris_Bryant's avatar
    Chris_Bryant
    Explorer II
    Jun 27, 2016
    The biggest problem in the tech field is that of pay- that $120/hr usually translates to ~$15-20/hr for the tech if lucky, and often that will be for the few certified techs at a dealership, with the majority not trained, certified or paid decently. Ad to that most mechanically inclined folks gravitate towards cars- better pay, more glamour, more job opportunities, while not having to learn about so many different trades- plumbing, electrical, mechanical. hydraulic, etc.

    I do agree the training sucks- I attend every refresher available, but they are few and far between.
  • Chuck_thehammer's avatar
    Chuck_thehammer
    Explorer
    Jun 27, 2016
    You do not want to know/see the auto service or motorcycle service (dealership) entry people training (or the lack there of)....

    FYI, when a new motorcycle is delivered to a dealer the final assembly of wheels brakes etc.. are by kids after school... with NO knowledge of any mechanics.. maybe bicycle stuff..

    I Know .. I worked at New dealerships.. motorcycle and Cars.... delivery preparation is done by the lowest paid . lowest schooled. including high school dropouts. same with quickie oil change places.

    ASE certified, Honda motorcycle certified... and now retired.


    FYI, I was a high school dropout.... went to night school for GED... then to Honda for there training... then to ASE.... only way to earn fair money is schooling. MY OPINION.


    Just to be FAIR... not all dealerships use low trained personal.. but you Pay for this service.
  • jplante4's avatar
    jplante4
    Explorer II
    Jun 27, 2016
    I took the inspection course, which was a good overview of RV systems. It helped a lot because I do most of my own work and it saved me from making a some dumb mistakes.

    After you pass all the mastery tests, you get an NRVIA emblem to put on your business cards. I dropped a few off at the local RV shop (the shop is so busy he doesn't have time for inspections) and throw him $50 for a referral. I think I've done 2 inspections and a bunch of "I just bought this motor home and don't know anything about motor homes" jobs.

    BTW, if you join the inspection connection network, they charge something like $1300 for an inspection and you get half. All they really do is act as a referral service. No one is going to pay $1300 for an inspection.
  • JaxDad's avatar
    JaxDad
    Explorer III
    Jun 27, 2016
    icanon wrote:
    Jack of all master of none...
    Yep you got that right and that is why we have so much junk on the road!


    It's also why many jurisdictions require additional certification and credentials in order to be able to do work on RV's.

    Ontario is one such place, in fact the reg's are so tight up here that without additional certification it's illegal for Ontario technicians to work on US spec. units.
  • LarryJM's avatar
    LarryJM
    Explorer II
    Jun 27, 2016
    K Charles wrote:
    The link for the school you posted is only for maintenance and inspection but I bet when they get out of that 5 days they will tell everyone they are masters of the trade.


    Yep I noticed that right away and those two links were the old apples to oranges comparision which sort of calls into question how much the OP understands what he is trying to convey. If one doesn't see the difference between and RV SERVICE TECH training that "includes Electrical, Plumbing, Carpentry, Joinery, Refrigeration, Gas Fitting, Appliance Repair and much more" vs. an RV MAINTENANCE TECH where in "This five day intensive will provide you with the RV Knowledge you will need to gain your credentials to begin your own RV Inspection business. Some graduates will go onto to join the ranks of RV Inspectors who are contracting with RV Inspection Connection." Then there isn't much to discuss. Even the longer course is only an entry level program which seems to lead to an apprenticeship program for an actual trade and career and not just a somewhat sideline business such as an RV Inspector.

    I'm not going to waste my time, but my red flag goes up on this claim about this college being only one of three in N.A. to offer this level of training.

    Larry
  • owenssailor's avatar
    owenssailor
    Explorer
    Jun 27, 2016
    jplante4 wrote:
    The whole concept of an apprenticeship is from a by-gone era. Now everyone gets the minimum amount of formal education and they're off. Part of the immediate satisfaction generation.


    This is definitely not true in Ontario. For a large number of trades the candidate must do both an on the job apprenticeship program and also in school classroom training training on the technical aspect of the trade. Without the hands on apprenticeship time successfully completed the candidate does not get the accreditation.
  • path1's avatar
    path1
    Explorer
    Jun 27, 2016
    I always assumed RV techs were like auto mechanics, they had been to vocational school, then served an apprenticeship


    I wouldn't assume that!

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