Even a Mobile RV Service has Pros and Cons
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.
Firs, the pros of a mobile RV service
Convenience
Our time is valuable to us, so convenience is something we all look for. Having to call and possibly wait on hold to book a service appointment for days or weeks in the future can be frustrating. Then when your time comes, you hook up your RV, drive to the location, and fight for a spot in the parking lot. After you return home, you wait for a call so you can drive back, hook up, and return home.
The convenience of having a mobile RV service come to you is a major benefit!
Personalized service
RV service departments are busy places. There are often many service technicians performing many different jobs on many different RVs throughout the day.
Using a mobile RV service gives you more time with the technician who will be working on your RV. This is time to discuss symptoms, repair options, maintenance records, and so on. The technician will also have his or her attention solely on your RV. This eliminates the possible distractions that come with large service facilities. It is also more likely you can have the same technician working on your RV every time.
Safety
Driving or towing any RV is a big responsibility. Every time you hook up and hit the road there are many things that can go wrong. Safety checks and defensive driving are musts. These help limit risk but having someone else do the traveling is the safest option.
Cost
This consideration shows up on both lists because it might be cheaper to have the service come to you. The cost of driving to and from your service appointment can be a significant addition to your bill. In addition to fuel, consider the wear and tear on your RV and tow vehicle. There is also the possibility of missing work, meals, and other expenses if you are out for the day.
In some cases, your RV might be immobile. The cost of towing your rig to a service facility could eat into your repair budget. Save those extra costs and have the service come to you.
Now, the cons of mobile RV service
Cost of mobile RV service
Let’s assume the travel costs to and from your service provider are minimal or better yet, they provide pick up and delivery. Regardless as with all conveniences, there comes a cost. Mobile RV services are often charged at a premium to come to your location. Travel time and mileage are often charged, so rates may be higher than at a shop.
Parts availability
When service is provided at an RV dealer, the shops generally have large inventories of parts on hand. This allows them quick access to parts and generally speedy repairs. Although the mobile service company should have access to all the same parts, they likely will not carry a full inventory of parts with them. For this reason, a mobile service may have to make additional trips—possibly on different days—if certain parts are needed and not on hand.
No manufacturer network
If you are able to take your RV to a shop that is a dealer for your specific brand, they will have a few advantages, including direct access not only to parts but manufacturer information, specifications, and manufacturer technical support. The technicians may also often have access to manufacturer provided service training. This can often speed up repairs and/or troubleshooting for the larger shops.
In contrast, the mobile RV service may not have access to direct knowledge or information from the exact RV manufacturer of your RV. They may also not have previous work experience with your specific RV type.
Privacy
Some people enjoy their quiet time at home and prefer to keep their properties private. Having a mobile RV service come to your home may disrupt this. It will likely mean having someone in your driveway or backyard possibly making noise throughout the day and having to come and go for parts. If this sounds unappealing to you, dropping it off and forgetting about it may be a better option.
With obvious benefits to both mobile and traditional service shop options, the decision will ultimately be up to you and your specific needs and situation. Knowing the pros and cons of mobile RV services will help you make that decision and keep you and your RV on the road to adventure!
Thinking about doing the RV repairs yourself? Check out this video for an inside look at an RV technician’s tool bag:
Track your RV maintenance
Make sure you keep track of all your RV maintenance with an online tool such as RV LIFE Maintenance. Not only can you keep all of your documents and receipts in one place, but you’ll also receive timely reminders when maintenance is due and potentially avoid a costly repair or serious accident.
See also: Blue Moon RV Is Offering Free Remote RV Service
Kendall lives with his wife and their two cocker spaniels full-time in their RV currently in Mexico. He is one half of DashboardDrifters.com and the co-founder of RVSpotDrop, a web service for full-time RVers.
Electric heating rod on rv refrigerator burned out and had to be replaced. It was a real pain to slide refrigerator out to have access, but cost of parts was $26. Imagine what a mobile repair would cost. It was a lot of work, but we are retired and it took about 7 hours total unbolting refrig to have room to work behind the refrigerator.
As a fulltime RVer my coach is my home. For any repair involving the house a mobile tech is my first choice since 90% of the appliances and fitting are common to most RVs. And that is where I have experienced the most failures while traveling. For chassis work I prefer to go to a shop that specializes in my brand of chassis – Freightliner, they have the parts, the tools and the training. I will not go to a dealer where I must leave my coach unattended. It is my home! I cannot clear out things of value to me for a repair job. I know because after an accident we had to move out of the coach and I needed a rental van to haul away what we needed to live for a month or more.
Mobile RV service is where you really need to check references, ask around. I have seen shoddy work done with substandard materials. If possible be there to see whats being done and what they are using. Bedding sealants are not the same and lots are better than others. Pay attention. You may not be able to do the work yourself, but it least make sure it is being done the way you would do it.
I like doing my own maintenance. I’m careful & sometimes must take a “do over” but here’s the thing. I can do things an RV tech would not do. Example; 4 years ago I called a Tech to put in an tankless water heater, He said “no, they don’t make one”. I found a campsite unit & I did it. I wanted to upgrade my ’83 Coachmen 23′ to 50 amp service; again “Sorry, why do you want to?” “You’re running to much stuff”. So again it was up to me. I’m handy, read instructions, a bit of common sense & many prayers to Jesus!
Edward. Nothing wrong with doing the work yourself! If nothing else you will learn something for next time.
What is this “scheduled maintenance” you speak of? The local CW always creates more problems and doesn’t fix anything it went in for 🙁
Watching a lot of YouTube I’ve fixed what CW couldn’t and found the parts I was told were on back order like the converter on Amazon.
They replaced a relay which seems to have created a parasitic draw on the truck battery. Now I’m chasing that 🙁
I have had my 2005 Holiday Rambler at the dealer for service work and at a diesel truck repair shop for chassis work. I have used mobile repair techs while in florida for the winter months. Hands down, I would go with the mobile repair every time when possible. Dealer’s work was not the best (putting it mildly) and the repair shop was even worse. I used mobile repair techs for issues within the RV as well as chassis related items. One example was replacing my alternator this winter. Moved to a different spot in the park where I am staying and noticed an issue with the alternator. Tech came out, checked it, ordered new alternator and replaced onsite. Don’t be afraid to use these people!
Agreed Bruce. The service from the mobile techs is more personable and they seem more invested in the job.
I’m glad to hear that RV repair shops actually have a lot of parts on hand so they can get repairs done pretty quick.
I’m glad that you talked about that maintenance and repairs often get overlooked and rarely ever occur at a convenient time. I always overlook this kind of matter because it only matters to me that the RV is running. Thank you for the information about the RV service.
Thank you for the information about tracking our RV maintenance. It is a great idea to document all of the repairs done on an RV and its parts. We just had our water heater fixed by a professional because it stopped heating last year. We have not been keeping up on its maintenance for a long while. The receipt and journal for the repair are put in the same place. Maintenance is important for the longevity of our mobile home.
My issue with the mobile guys is that none of them (in my area) perform oil changes or filter changes.
Cummins wants $1700 for an oil change (engine and generator) and they are taking appointments in JULY. This is March folks.
The truck shops will not touch RVs.
If you are in an RV park 1800 miles from home and no reasonable alternate living space, MOBILE Tech is the answer. BUT be sure to check references, qualifications, there are bad ones out there.