Is A Mobile RV Repair Service Right For You?

Above, the door lock assembly that needed replacement last year. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Over the years, I've only had to use a mobile RV repair service twice. Both times it was necessary was while I was in Lake Havasu, Arizona.

The first time was in July 2019 (the trip that I had my heart attack in Wells, Nevada). One of the roof vent covers broke apart from weathering. I called a local mobile RV repairer and he came and fixed it in a jiffy as a rain storm was about to hit in a few hours.

The second time was last year, also in Lake Havasu, when the house door lock assembly broke due to the door being slammed by high winds. The same mobile repairer came and fixed that, but I had to stay a couple of extra days as the part had to be ordered. 

RV Travel posted an article on whether a mobile RV repair service is right for you.

It begins with:

Imagine you’re enjoying an RV getaway. You’ve parked your rig in a quiet campground and enjoyed several days of relaxation. Alas! Like “all good things,” the time has rolled around for you to roll out. You push the button to bring in your slide-out, and instead of the reassuring rumble of the slide coming in, you get a “crunch!” and the slide won’t budge. Your relaxation has ended—there’s no way you can head out with an extended slide-out. Is a mobile RV repair service right for you?

In this case, a mobile RV repair service may be the ONLY solution to your problem. But there are other times when having the repair tech come to you will beat having to take your rig to the shop. For full-time RVers, who don’t have any other “home,” being able to stay settled in the comfort of your rig is a blessing.

But there are some things a mobile tech may be great for, and others not. What are those? And how do you find a mobile RV repair service tech? How much will they charge? Let’s tackle those questions.

To read more, go here.

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.

I Wasn't The Only One With RV Door Problems

Last evening, I watched a video by the Nomadic Fanatic (Eric Jacobs) that was posted about 10 days ago.

As the video related, Jacobs had the same problem with his RV door lock as I did last week. Mine was caused by high winds in Lake Havasu slamming the door several times (I forgot to secure it with bungie cords). I had to have the door lock part replaced by a mobile RV repairer. It was expensive, but I was stuck. His door lock was the same as mine. 

His RV had other problems that manifested the same time, causing much frustration.

Here's the video: 

Trip Extended

Above, the door lock and handle assembly. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This trip hasn't gone without a hitch.

The RV house door lock and handle damaged the latch assembly when winds banged the door on it. We discovered this problem when the door wouldn't close. Then, after getting it closed, it wouldn't open.

I contacted the RV mobile repairer that I used in 2018 to replace a roof vent cover while in Lake Havasu. He did a good job and was reasonable. Fortunately, he had a cancelation and was available.

Above, the door with the lock and handle assembly removed. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

He found that the latch assembly was broken and checked around to see if a replacement was available. It wasn't.

The part is on order and should arrive tomorrow. I should be back on the road by Thursday. In any case, the trip duration has been extended.

Finding Mobile RV Service Technicians

Above, this is where I had to have a mobile RV tech come
out to replace a RV roof vent. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Cell phones and laptop computers come in very handy (as long they have Internet access) in emergencies.

Suppose one is on a trip and something gets broken on the RV that needs immediate attention. One good way of getting things fixed fast are mobile service technicians. Instead of going to a RV repair shop (usually connected with a dealer) and wait and wait for service, all one has to do is call a mobile RV repairer and they will come to you.

I had to use one once while I was in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. One of my roof vent covers broke apart and the service tech came out and replaced it. That was mighty handy, reasonable and fast.

RV Life has an article on how to find a mobile RV service technician.

It begins with:

Mobile technicians can provide on-the-road or at-home maintenance and repairs for your RV. So, how can you find mobile technicians in your area?

Getting your RV serviced or maintained has always been a cumbersome task. You have to connect it, travel to the service center, steer your vehicle into a designated area amidst a sea of other RVs waiting for servicing, disconnect, and repeat the process once your vehicle is ready.

Mobile service techs have changed that, and you can now have your RV serviced in your own driveway or at a campground. Emergency roadside repairs are also much better suited for trained professionals with all the tools and many of the parts readily available.

To read more, go here.

Mobile RV Service

Above, The Beast at my friend's in Lake Havasu City. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Two and a half years ago, after getting back to my friend's house in Lake Havasu, Arizona following my heart attack, I found that the forward roof vent cover had broken apart from weathering. It got so brittle that it broke apart. That was bad enough.

What was worse, a summer storm was about to hit the area. So, I contacted a mobile RV repair service.

Within a couple of hours, the repairer showed up and replaced the roof vent, cover and all. It all cost about $80 (parts & labor), but I found the service to be worth it. The storm came and I had no water leakage issues.

RV Life has posted an article on the pros and cons of using a mobile RV service.

They begin with:

Although critical to the life of your RV, maintenance and repairs often get overlooked and rarely ever occur at a convenient time. This is why it’s important to have scheduled maintenance and a plan should untimely repairs happen.

Here we break down the pros and cons of a mobile RV service. Weigh the options and decide if this service is right for you.

In my case, as I was still weakened by the heart attack and the procedure of having two stents put into a coronary artery, having a mobile service come out was a godsend to me. Had I been able to bring the RV to a dealer, the cost would have likely been the same. 

As in everything, whether using a mobile service really depends upon how good the repairer is. I was lucky to have found a proficient one.

To read more, go here.