Finding A Good RV Service Department

Since I bought my RV back ten years ago, I've only had to bring it in to an RV service department three times.

The first time was to get a warranty fix on a "glued" roof vent. The second was to get the awning fabric replaced and some minor things done. The third was to replace a side marker light that got crunched by a four-foot pole. 

Currently, I haven't needed any servicing. If I do, I'll bring it to La Mesa RV in Albuquerque. I've used them once (for the second item above) and they got the job done in a few hours and did quality work. I bought my RV from their San Diego location, by the way.

I have also used a mobile RV repairer twice. Both times were in Lake Havasu City and with the same repairer. 

Finding a good RV service department is the topic of an article in RV Travel by Gail Marsh.

She begins it with:

We all have our “must-have” lists when purchasing a big-ticket item. We use these lists because they help narrow down our choices when, say, buying an RV. You may not want the same features on your RV that I do. That’s okay. Everyone is different. But one feature that all RV owners will undoubtedly want (and eventually need) is a good service department. Is that “must-have” on your list? It should be!

To read more, go here.

Is Your RV Model Older Than 10 Years?

Above, this sign greeted me at La Mesa RV. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This last February, my 2015 Winnebago Minnie Winnie 22R hit the ten-year mark. 

It seems like only yesterday that I bought it at La Mesa RV in San Diego. I flew to San Diego from LAX and the dealer picked me up from the airport. After getting the paperwork and insurance matters done, I drove it home to Tarzana, California. Along the way, I stopped in Mission Viejo to pay a visit to my Aunt Rose. I am glad I did for she passed away a year later.

Above, after getting the RV home. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To date, it has been the most reliable vehicle I've ever owned. 

RV Travel has posted a poll asking readers if their RVs are ten years old (or older).

They begin with:

Can you believe 10 years ago it was 2015? Oh, how young, sweet, and innocent the world was back then… Sigh…

Anyway, is your RV a model year 2015? If so, that makes it 10 years old this year! Is it a model older than 2015 or one that’s newer?

A lot can change in a decade—technology, road conditions, campground reservations, even the definition of “boondocking” seems to keep evolving. But for many RVers, a well-maintained rig from 2015 might still feel just right. Some even say RVs from a decade ago were built sturdier than some of today’s models—do you agree?

To read more and respond to the poll, go here. 

RV Sales Are Up—Kind Of, Sort Of

After the pandemic ended, RV sales had sunk, especially motorized ones.

Finally, after months of being in the doldrums, RV sales have bounced back. 

According to an article in RV Travel:

RV dealers have been singing the blues for a long time. High interest rates were killing them—having to pay “flooring” for unsold units. Customers were a seeming threatened species. Finally, a break. Statistical Surveys Inc., the industry bean-counter that tracks retail RV sales, says that for the first time in more than a year, more new RVs were sold in a month than in the same month a year ago. RV sales are up—kind of, sort of.

RV sales are up—at least for a month

There were 27,114 retail registrations in October 2024, a 2.6% increase compared to the 26,403 total in October 2023. Of course, things aren’t going to completely change overnight. Year to date, 318,193 new rigs have sold, based on retail registrations in 2024. That’s an 8% decrease versus the 345,988 total for the same period in 2023—to offset some of the sweet news.

To read more, go here. 

RV Dealer Makes Buyer Leave Over $2,500 "Dealer Prep/Walk Thru" Charge

Above, my Winnebago on La Mesa RV's lot. La Mesa RV photo.

When one buys an RV, be it a motorhome or a trailer, the walk-through with the dealer is usually part of the sales transaction before one drives it off the lot.

I purchased two Class C motorhomes and each time the dealer gave me a walk-through the unit explaining each system and feature. I have never been charged for such. I videoed the first one for future reference. 

When I bought my current Winnebago Class C, the dealer (La Mesa RV) even picked me up at the airport in San Diego, gratis!

I was perusing RV Travel this morning and an item caught my eye. A Camping World dealer decided to charge a customer $2,500 for a "dealer prep charge". 

Here's what was written:

Charge for a walk-through?

Joseph W. was buying a Class C and the dealer was going to charge for a walk-through! He wrote, “We were looking for a Class C and were ready to spend over 100K. The Camping World salesperson told me that there was a $2,500 dealer prep charge. When I asked, she said it included the walk-through. I told her I was walking through the door right out of the store. I found a dealer who does not charge for a walk-through. Guess where we will buy?”

I would have done the same.

To read more, go here. 

Tips, Advice On RV Recalls

Above, at Campland On The Bay during the San Diego recall trip. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since I bought my 2015 Winnebago Minnie Winnie 22R, I had to deal with two recalls with it.

The first one was a possible defect with the house door lock. I took the motorhome down to La Mesa RV in San Diego (where I bought it) for an inspection and/or needed repairs. We made the trip into a fun one. We stayed at Campland On The Bay (it was a disappointment) the night before the appointment time. The matter at La Mesa RV was done before we even finished breakfast, so we headed over to Sea World for the rest of the day. That wasn't a disappointment.

The other recall I had to deal with was with the Kidde fire extinguisher that came with the RV. It was one of the recalled models and it was replaced. No muss, no fuss.

The topic of recalls is covered in an article at RV Travel.

They begin it with:

FOMO stands for Fear of Missing Out. The world of recalls is one place where missing out is a real risk.

Recalls of any product can be a pain in the neck as well as a pain in the pocketbook. Yet to RV travelers, these notifications are also an important warning that your travels, and even your life, might be in danger.

It’s always good to know that the product is defective before you find out the hard way. It’s also a nuisance that takes a bite out of your RV timetable. If you’re lucky, you get an email or letter telling you that something you own has been recalled. If you’re diligent, you check for recall information on a regular basis of your choice and learn of recalls that might apply to you.

What comes next can be a real headache. When Kidde fire extinguishers were recalled a few years back, I spent an hour rounding up all my fire extinguishers from the house, car, RV, garage, and boat. It took hours to find and copy off the model and serial numbers, and then fill out forms online. With foods, you have to go to the pantry and freezer to check dates, UPC’s and other codes. It’s better-safe-than-sorry time. It may also be an opportunity to get a full refund, a replacement, a coupon for a discount on your next purchase, or even a settlement in dollars.

Vehicle recalls can mean hours in a dealership’s waiting room while repairs are being made. Recalls of smaller items might require shipping the product to a special address. Even if shipping is at the manufacturer’s expense, you have to go online to print out paperwork and a shipping label, then box up the product and return it. In the case of some foods and other small items, it’s easier just to throw it away, chalk it up to experience, and be satisfied that you were prevented from using a defective food or product.

 To read more, go here.

RV Sales Down = Shorter Repair Wait Times?

Above, the service appointment list at La Mesa RV in Albuquerque. I was
at the top having a new awning fabric installed. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since I bought my motorhome in 2015, I never had any issue with long repair times. It usually took only a few hours to get whatever needed work done. Granted, the work I needed was minor. Others have not been so lucky. Some had to leave their RVs at the repair shop for days and, incredibly, months.

According to RV Travel, since RV sales have gone down, repair wait times are getting shorter. If this is truly the case, that's great news!

They begin with:

As shipments of new RVs stagnate at a hair above 30,000 a month, posting a near-50% decline year-to-date over 2022, the dealers who sell those RVs likewise are getting a severe haircut. May sales revenue dove 26% from May of last year and was down 28% compared with May of 2021, according to a recent report from the RV Dealer Association (RVDA). But here’s a bright note amid the gloom: All that loss of sales business may mean it’s taking less time to get your RV repaired.

To read more, go here. 

Finding The Best RV Size

Above, I was able to park the RV and car in my apartment parking space. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Seven years ago, when I was shopping for a Class C motorhome, I already knew what I wanted.

There were several factors I had to consider. One was how much interior space did I require. Second, I had to consider how many feet was available for me to park it at my apartment building and still had enough room for my car. Third, the brand.

I settled on a Winnebago Minnie Winnie 22R Class C that was 23 feet in length. It fit the criteria that I set for myself. All I had to do was to find the one with the interior color scheme and best deal. I got it from La Mesa RV in San Diego. The price we settled on was $1,000 over my initial offer.

There are those who want an RV but don't have a clue on the best RV size for them. Fortunately, RV Lifestyle posted an article with the top 10 tips on finding the best one that suits them.

They begin with:

When it comes to RVs, size does matter, but only on an individual level. Bigger isn’t necessarily better. Smaller isn’t necessarily smarter. It comes down to what the best RV size is for you. 

But how do you determine the right size? What if you buy an RV that’s too big? Or too small? How do you find the “goldilocks RV” that’s just right?

Since there is no single right answer, you have to decide based on guidelines instead of hard-fast rules. The following tips will help guide you, pointing you toward the perfect RV size for you and your travel companions.

To read more, go here. 

Poll: How Far Did You Go To Buy Your RV?

Above, the sign that greeted me upon my arrival at the dealer. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

How far did you travel to buy your current RV?

That is the topic of a poll in RV Travel. 

For me, I traveled a little over 100 miles but under 300 miles to find the RV I wanted. None of the Winnebago dealers in the Los Angeles area had what I wanted, but an RV dealer in San Diego did. After negotiating on the price and paying the deposit, I flew down to pick it up. The dealer, La Mesa RV, picked me up at the airport and brought me to the dealership. 

There, we completed the paperwork, payment and insurance and I drove it home.

RV Travel begins their poll with:

Nowadays, it can be hard to find the RV of your dreams (or, maybe in reality, the RV you’ve settled on). Dealer lots are empty and new RVs are accounted for sometimes years in advance. If you find the RV you want, it’s best to snatch it while you can… even if you do have to drive a ways to get it.

Did you buy your current RV locally or travel farther away to get a good deal, or maybe a specific brand and model you really liked?

After you vote in the poll, please comment below and tell us exactly how far you drove (and why and where!) to buy your current RV. If you can remember, that is…

To vote in the poll, go here. 

How To Replace RV Awning Fabric

Above, making use of the awning in Quartzsite, Arizona last year. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Sooner or later, the fabric to an RV's awning will need to be replaced.

I had to replace mine a little over three years ago as a small tear was beginning to get larger and if it completely tore during a trip, it would be a major hassle. A leaning telephone pole rubbed against it as I was parallel parking. I didn't see the leaning pole.

I had it replaced at La Mesa RV. I am not so "mechanically inclined" enough to do the work myself and I was still recovering from an arterial stent procedure.

But, if one is mechanically inclined, Do It Yourself RV posted an article on fabric replacement on a step-by-step basis.

They begin with:

RV awnings are great because they can provide shade as well as shelter from rain and snow. However, because they’re exposed to the elements, RV awnings end up taking a beating over time. At some point, most people need to know how to replace RV awning fabric.

The fabric used for RV awnings is usually some form of canvas or some other heavy, waterproof material. These fabrics are quite sturdy and durable, but everything will start to wear down eventually. If you notice that your awning’s fabric has become cracked, faded, or ripped, it might be time to start thinking about replacing it. Luckily, this process is fairly straightforward, and most people can do it at home with just a few basic tools.

The replacement process will vary a bit depending on whether you have a manual awning or power RV awning. For the purposes of this article, we’ll mainly be covering manual RV awnings, but the procedure is fairly similar between the two types. Follow along with our step-by-step guide on how to replace RV awning fabric, and you’ll have a new awning in no time!

To read more, go here. 

Are RVs Tax Deductible?

Above, at La Mesa RV in San Diego. I didn't any consider tax
deductions when I made my purchase. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of the last things I even considered (actually, not at all) when I bought my 2015 Winnebago Minnie Winnie was tax deductions. 

I didn't finance it, I paid cash for it.

But, there are those out there in the hinterlands who are considering buying an RV and may be wondering if the purchase can be deducted off one's income taxes.

RV Life takes a look at this question and they begin with:

When you think about RVs, you probably think about fun, freedom, and adventure. And the least fun, free, and adventurous thing you can think of is probably taxes. But there is an interesting question here: are RVs tax deductible?

In fact, there are a few ways you can use your RV for tax deductions. If you:

• Bought your RV in the current tax year
• Use your RV as your primary or secondary home
• Use your RV for business purposes

Or if you have any combination of these, you may be able to make some deductions on your taxes. Let’s look at all the different ways this is possible.

To read further, go here. 

Finding A Good RV Service Department

Above, La Mesa RV in San Diego. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of the things that RV owners need is a good service department for those times when something in the rig goes haywire.

Luckily for me, I bought my RV at La Mesa RV in San Diego which, as it fortunately turns out, has a dealership in Albuquerque. For the times I needed work done, they performed just fine as did their San Diego location when I had some recall work done.

For normal maintenance things (tune-ups, oil changes, trip checks, etc.), I have a mechanic in Gallup.

RV Travel has an article on finding a good service department that includes a list of things to look for.

They begin with:

We all have our “must-have” lists when purchasing a big-ticket item. We use these lists because they help narrow down our choices when, say, buying an RV. You may not want the same features on your RV that I do. That’s okay. Everyone is different. But one feature that all RV owners will undoubtedly want (and need eventually) is a good service department. Is that “must-have” on your list? It should be!

To read the full article, go here. 

Why Your Local RV Dealer Won't Honor Your Warranty

Above, the San Diego La Mesa RV dealership. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Over the years, I have read in various RV forums that some dealers will refuse to do warranty work on RVs not purchased there, even though the make of the RV is the same a the brand(s) the dealership sells and services.

Their attitude is, "We only do warranty work on RVs purchased here."

This has not been a problem for me as I bought my Winnebago from La Mesa RV in San Diego and there's a La Mesa RV in Albuquerque. 

RV Travel discusses why some dealerships refuse to do warranty work for units not purchased from them.

They begin with:

You bought a new RV and you got a great deal out of state. But now you have a few things wrong with it and so you take it to the corner dealership where you saw the RV the first time. Now they’re saying they won’t work on it. What’s going on? Are they trying to rip you off?

Actually, this is fully legitimate and well within the agreement between the manufacturers and the dealership. So what’s going on?

To read more, go here. 

New RV Inspection Service In RV Manufacturing Capital

Above, The Beast at La Mesa RV in San Diego. Photo by La Mesa RV.

Fortunately for me, when I bought my Winnebago Minnie Winnie 22R six years ago (can it really be that long ago?), I had no manufacturing problems except for one, a "glued" shut bathroom roof vent that was fixed under warranty. It only took a couple of hours to fix.

Other people have not been so lucky. Some have had major problems with their brand new RVs that had to be addressed (a friend is in that category) by the manufacturer, sometimes multiple times. Many repairs have taken weeks or months.

Now there's an inspection service that may help with manufacturing problems before the rig hits the road to a dealer.

RV Travel reported:

You don’t need to look far to find dissatisfaction among folks who’ve bought new RVs. It’s a matter of, “For the money we’ve spent, to have to send the thing back for service immediately is ridiculous.” This is a common refrain. But at least two RV manufacturers may alleviate some of that. A new RV inspection service has just opened in the heart of U.S. RV manufacturing country. General RV Center has thrown open the bay doors at its Bristol, Indiana, inspection plant.

One of the two manufacturers who signed on is Winnebago, by the way. Kudos to them!

To read more, go here.

Best Time To Buy A RV

Above, upon arrival at the dealership, I was greeted by this sign in the lobby. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was during the month of February five years ago (time sure does fly) when I bought my 2015 Winnebago Minnie Winnie 22R. I got a good deal from La Mesa RV in San Diego and when it was ready, I flew down to pick it up. The dealer sent a driver to the airport to transport me to the dealership. The final sales price was only $1,000 over my initial offer, which was way below the unit's MSRP.

Do It Yourself RV has an article on when is the best time to buy a RV. From the article, February is a good month to make a purchase, even though sales start to pick up during that month.

They begin with:

Are you in the market for a new RV? We don’t blame you. Being an RV owner is a fabulous thing. It gives you the freedom to go out and explore the country on a whim, and you can do so without breaking the bank. Besides that, you have the ability to stay off-grid, and because you take your bed, bathroom, and kitchen along with you, you’ll be comfortable wherever you roam.

All that said, there are many things to consider before purchasing an RV. First, you’ll have to decide whether you prefer a driveable rig or a towable one. You’ll need to look at the various floor plans to figure out which is best for you, and you’ll want to consider the features in the RV you have in mind.

 One of the most important factors, however, is the cost.

Most people are going to be looking for the best deal they can get. After all, unless you’re made of money, you probably aren’t going to want to throw a bunch of it away unnecessarily. Fortunately, there are good deals to be had out there, and there are plenty of tricks that allow you to find those good deals. The best trick? Knowing the best time to buy an RV as well as where to get it.

Let’s dive in and discuss the very best time to buy an RV. From there, we can talk about the best places to shop as well, so you can mark your calendar and plan a trip to get the RV deal of a lifetime.

To read more, go here. 

Back Home

Above, inside Bluewater Outpost during my stop. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After attending to business in Albuquerque yesterday, I headed on home.

The haircut I got from Michelle was a lot better than the one from the shop in Arizona a few months ago. I also made a stop at La Mesa RV while I was in Albuquerque.

Along the way, sunflowers were blooming along the side of Interstate 40. At one point, some raindrops did fall for a little while, but they evaporated almost right away.

One stop was made 32 miles from home at Bowlin's Bluewater Outpost for some coffee. I did some browsing in the gift shop but didn't see anything that really caught my eye.

I then press on and stopped at the Flying J to check my mailbox. After that, I headed on home.

When I finished unpacking, I put The Beast into the GOCO Beast Barn.

RV Video Tour Tips

Above, La Mesa RV Center in San Diego in 2015. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One thing the coronavirus pandemic has done that is actually a positive thing: it has boosted sales of RVs all over the country.

Since social distancing is putting a crimp in RV shopping, the RV video tour on YouTube and elsewhere is a big help in making a purchase decision.

When I was looking for a Class C motorhome to buy, I checked out a number of brands and floor plans before settling on a 2015 Winnebago Minnie Winnie 22R. I located the one I wanted at La Mesa RV in San Diego.

One of the things that helped in my decision was this video tour by Bullyan RV:

Once I closed the deal with La Mesa RV, I flew down to San Diego (they picked me up at the airport) and brought it home.

Do It Yourself RV has an article on what to look for in a virtual RV tour video.

They begin it with:

With the need for social distancing, shopping for a new RV has become a little trickier over the last few months. However, it’s a good thing that so many RV dealers, private sellers, and manufacturers are now offering online tours. In fact, they are upping their game with 360-degree views, high-quality video tours, drone footage, and interactive walkthrough tours. 

For example, check out the wonderful video introduction by Alexandria Camping Centre in Canada. They are focusing their videos as custom tours for each customer. Their walkthroughs have high-quality video production and show great detail of some beautiful rigs, all while being closed for safety purposes. 

Another good example of some excellent video tours are the ones created by Traveling Robert. He films tours of many types of rigs at various RV shows and discusses many of the small details. Do It Yourself RV has featured Robert and his video tips in a previous post. 

Now that online shopping is one of the most important ways to shop for anything, it’s also important to get as much as you can out of an RV online tour. If you are in the market for a new or used RV, contacting the dealer or the current owner for a video or high-quality photo tour is necessary. Here are a few things to look for during one of these virtual tours.

 To read more, go here.

Five Years With The Beast

Above, The Beast a few days after buying it. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Five years ago today, I flew down to San Diego to pick up my new 2015 Winnebago Minnie Winnie 22R motorhome (known as "The Beast") at La Mesa RV. I bought it online and got a good deal (I only paid $1,000 more than my first and only offer).

When I arrived at the airport in San Diego, a representative from La Mesa RV picked me up and drove me to the dealership.

Above, La Mesa RV in San Diego. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

All I had to do while there was complete all the purchase paperwork, hand over the cashier's check, obtain insurance, do the systems check run-through and buy a few things at their accessory store.

Then, once all that was completed, I drove it off the lot and headed back to Los Angeles.

Above, my aunt Rose and I during my stop in Mission Viejo.

En route, I stopped in Mission Viejo to pay a visit to my aunt rose and cousins and show them the motorhome.

The Beast has been the most reliable vehicle I've ever owned.

RV Buying Tips On Finding The Right One

Above, The Beast at La Mesa RV.

When I bought "The Beast" (a 2015 Winnebago Minnie Winnie 22R), I already narrowed my choices down weeks before.

I decided on Winnebago as they have one of the best reputations for RV manufacturing. Plus, I chose the size and layout ahead of time. The size was easy. At the time, I had a two-vehicle parking space at my Tarzana apartment and anything longer than 23 feet wouldn't allow me to park both the motorhome and my car.

When I decided on the make, model and color scheme, I checked all the local Winnebago dealers and none had what I wanted in stock. Then I took a look online at La Mesa RV in San Diego and they had exactly what I wanted. So, after negotiating on a price, I flew down and picked it up.

Above, the "shake-down" trip to Las Vegas. The Beast at Circus Circus RV Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

RV Life has an article on "How To Find The Perfect RV". It depends upon what you want and what you consider to be "perfect".

They begin with:

If you have worn out a set of tires driving all over to attend RV shows, collected so many sales brochures that you had to hire a librarian to catalog them, and visited so many RV manufacturers websites that you can’t remember the difference between a Foretravel and a Forester, then you have analysis paralysis and I have a tip for you. 

There is no such thing as the perfect RV—it will always be a compromise. 

If you get one large enough to have all the features you want and storage to take everything with you, it will be too big for some campgrounds and the fuel mileage won’t be ideal. It may not fit your budget either. 

Conversely, if you get a smaller RV that’s easier to drive and park in rural campgrounds, you probably won’t be able to have the desired master bedroom suite, three 55” TVs, 100-gallon freshwater tank, and two bathrooms. 

So how do you decide which RV is right for you? Prioritize your needs into categories such as; “must haves”, “important”, “would be nice, but can survive without it”, etc.

To read more, go here. 

Four Years

Above, The Beast at the Double J Campground near Springfield, Illinois. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Time certainly does fly!

Most people say that time flies faster when one gets older. I am starting to see what they mean.

This morning, I received an email from La Mesa RV in Albuquerque congratulating and reminding me of an anniversary.

Above, this morning's email from La Mesa RV in Albuquerque.

It has been four years this month since I flew down to La Mesa RV in San Diego to pick up The Beast. I had selected the unit online and negotiated a price with the dealer. I flew from LAX to San Diego and they picked me up at the airport and brought me to the dealership.

After handing La Mesa the cashier's check, completed the paperwork, got insurance and spent their $100 voucher in their store, I headed off on the road back to L.A.

Along the way, I stopped in Mission Viejo to give my Aunt Rose and cousins a tour.

Four years later, The Beast runs great and it is still under 35,000 in mileage.

New Awning

Above, The Beast with its new awning. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today, I posted a photo of the new awning at the Minnie Winnie Owners Facebook page. I was asked, "What happened to the old awning?"

My response:

Well, not too long after getting the RV, I was parallel parking it on the street and I didn't notice a telephone pole was leaning towards the street. It rubbed against the awning and did something to it. Years later, due to weathering, it started to separate more. A good wind would tear it further. It was not repairable, so I got a new fabric.

Getting a new awning fabric was one of the things I had done yesterday at La Mesa RV. The hardware was in excellent shape, so it wasn't necessary to replace it.