RV Repair Service: How to Find the Best Shop
An RV service shop is an important part of your RV life. You need maintenance, repairs, and good advice from trusted professionals. Even the most dedicated DIYer needs help sometimes.
We know how hard it can be to find a shop you trust. Your motorhome, camper, or travel trailer is a big investment. You want your service and repairs done right.
RVers are a responsible bunch. You look for local RV service when you’re a new owner, when you move, or if you’re unhappy with your current service. A few of you wait until you need an urgent repair. It’s better to plan ahead.
So how do you go about finding the best RV service in town? The simple answer is to do some research. Let’s break it down.
Business License
It’s easy to assume that any shop servicing motorhomes and travel trailers has a current, valid business license. Never assume—check.
The RV repair company should have a license in good standing. This indicates that they are operating in accordance with local and state regulations. It shows that they take their responsibilities seriously and maintain a safe working environment.
A shop without a license might be cheaper, but they aren’t doing good business. You need a shop that plays by the rules.
Don’t Judge a Book by its Cover
It’s tempting to get your RV service from the dealer where you bought your vehicle. Sometimes that’s the best option. But it shouldn’t be your default. Every dealer is different and a shiny showroom doesn’t mean they provide the best service.
An independent RV repair shop might have everything you need and more experience. Don’t let the brand name lull you into thinking a dealer is automatically the best. Check dealer service departments just as you would any other RV shop.
Trusted Technicians
One of the best ways to evaluate the quality of an RV repair shop is to learn about its technicians. You’re looking for a business that takes technician training seriously.
There are a lot of different certifications out there for RV service. You’re likely to find different ones at different shops. What matters more than any specific certificate is that training is a focus for every technician.
Look for a shop with technicians and other employees that have been with the company for a while. A lot of turnover makes it harder for the team to work together, especially on big jobs like collision repair and renovations.
If the company does have new employees, ask about their training. It’s never wrong to ask questions about how the people who service your RV learn their trade. A good shop will be proud to tell you about their qualified, experienced staff.
Experience
Not every technician in a shop is going to have decades of experience. That’s perfectly okay. What you should look for is a combination of highly experienced technicians and those who are learning from them.
What exactly is RV repair experience? You’re looking for a shop that can service your vehicle. Ideally, they have experience working on your RV brand and type.
Every coach and trailer is unique. You’ve made changes, installed some upgrades, or had past repairs. An experienced team is best equipped to manage the details of RV maintenance and repair work for your specific vehicle.
Services Offered
When you’re looking for local RV service, try and find a full-service shop. You want someone who can handle maintenance, repairs, and upgrades if at all possible.
Once you build a relationship with a shop it’s hard to take your RV somewhere else.
No RV service company can do every single repair or customization.
The best shops know their limits and have a network of professionals they trust.
Their referral for specialty work is worth its weight in gold.
Depending on where you live, it may be a little difficult to find an RV shop for upgrades and remodels. Don’t be afraid to travel to have this custom work done.
Warranties and Insurance
Any RV repair company you choose must be able to work with your insurance company. Make sure they know about and honor any manufacturer’s warranties. Ask about warranties and guarantees on the services they provide.
You don’t want to find a shop you love only to learn that your insurance won’t cover their repairs. If you’re a new RV owner, look for insurance that isn’t tied to a dealer.
Customer Service
Visit RV repair companies you’re considering using. Look for a shop that makes customer satisfaction a priority. The best companies know that excellent customer service is the first step in establishing a trusted connection.
Companies that care about their customers as individuals are more likely to go the extra mile. They get to know you and your coach. That helps them predict wear and tear and recommend individualized maintenance plans.
Look for amenities like hook-ups so you can stay with your coach during repairs. Ask if the company is pet-friendly. It’s important to find RV service that accommodates your RV lifestyle.
Talk to the owners, take a tour, and ask questions. You should feel comfortable with the people entrusted with your investment.
Ask Around
The RV community is large and welcoming. If you’re an experienced owner you probably already have a lot of friends who enjoy RV life as much as you do. Those friends are a valuable resource when you’re looking for reliable, high-quality RV repair service.
Don’t just ask where they take their vehicle. Ask what they like (or don’t like) about the company. Ask about their technicians, experience, customer service, and pricing. Find out what kind of work your friends get done at their preferred shop.
If you’re a new RV owner you probably don’t have a network of campground friends quite yet. Not to worry. There are RV communities online for every imaginable type of vehicle. There are also local online groups of RV enthusiasts.
No matter where you find a community that fits, you won’t have trouble finding opinions. About everything. RVers are dedicated to their coaches and trailers and are happy to share the secrets they’ve learned to have the best experience possible.
Prices
We know, price is important when you’re looking for a place to service your investment. But beware of prices that seem too good to be true. As you look for an RV repair company, call around and ask for estimates.
You can ask about the cost of general maintenance and specific repairs. You may not be able to get exact prices if they haven’t inspected your vehicle, but they should be able to outline some basic costs.
Pricing is an area where talking to locals comes in handy. When you talk about their RV service companies, ask about the cost of general maintenance. Even talking about the price of specific repairs is helpful. While you might not need that exact service, it gives you an idea of the cost involved in using that company’s services.
It’s tempting to go with the lowest price around. But remember that your RV is a significant investment. Treat it well and it will last much longer and give you more great RV trips. A high-quality shop saves you money in the long run by preventing breakdowns and emergency repair.
Read Reviews
Online reviews are valuable, but not as your sole source of information.
Remember that people are more likely to leave a review when something happens that makes them unhappy. If a shop has a lower average star rating than others, take the time to read the individual reviews.
Sometimes a star rating is based on only a few reviews. Sometimes those reviews are about things the company cannot control. Sometimes a company has glowing reviews that are suspiciously vague.
Be a critical reader of consumer reviews to get the greatest benefit.
Combine online reviews with all the other forms of research we’ve talked about. Taken alone they can be misleading.
The Leisure Coachworks Experience
The right RV service shop can make the difference between stressful RV ownership and blissful RV ownership. Take the time to find a shop that fits your needs.
Contact us at Leisure Coachworks about our full-service shop. Located in Fontana, California, we service all major brands and work with most insurance companies. We handle everything from the smallest repairs to full bus conversions.
We value our customers and our experts make sure your RV matches your vision and hits the road in great shape. Check out what some of our customers have to say about their experience with our technicians.
Call or stop on by to check out our facility and see some of the great things happening at Leisure Coachworks.
