3 ways to get RVs repaired FREE
I had Ford Model A and Model T cars when I was in high school, and I could fix almost anything that went wrong with them.
And, of course, there was always something breaking.
But now, all vehicles are way more complicated and more expensive to repair. Whether it's your RV, truck, or toad, here are a few secrets that will almost eliminate repair costs
One of the most frustrating, inconvenient, and expensive things we as RVers have to deal with is that things break.
And, of course, when RV repair shops charge $195 an hour or more, it doesn't take long to run up a large bill for even a minor problem.
The simple solution to reducing RV maintenance costs is to fix things yourself. You may think you're not very handy with tools or don't know anything about fixing things on an RV, but those problems are easy to overcome.
Here are three ways to get your RV repaired free of charge (or almost free)
#1. YouTube videos are lifesavers for RV owners
YouTube videos are one secret weapon we didn't have back in the old days.
First of all, YouTube videos cover almost anything that can go wrong with an RV. You can usually find several covering the same topic. Watch a few of them, and you will be an expert (or close enough) on how to fix the problem you have.
#2. RV online forums
Now there are online forums covering almost every type of RV. Get on a forum for your RV, describe your problem, and plenty of people will explain how to fix the problem.#3. Mobile RV techs to the rescue
One of the things I used to be concerned about when working on something on my RV was, what if I got it torn apart and couldn't fix it and couldn't drive the RV to a repair shop?Your ace up your sleeve when thinking about this is that you always have the option to call a mobile RV tech. They're not free, but in most cases, they're way cheaper than most RV repair shops.
One of the best things I like about mobile RV techs is that I get to watch them and ask questions. And most things that break on an RV are going to break again, but after watching the mobile RV tech repair the problem, I'll be able to fix it myself the next time.
At regular RV repair places, I'm not allowed to go back into the shop. They usually say something about insurance regulations. It's a polite way of saying they don't want me back in the shop.
Even if you're not handy with tools, here's a list of a few things you can take care of yourself.
- Caulking on the roof. Water leaks can cause major damage. Watch some YouTube videos to learn how to do it. Take the time to do it right. Remove the old caulking.
- Water leaks in the plumbing. These are usually easy to fix but sometimes hard to track down. A drip can cause a lot of damage. Check all of your plumbing from time to time. Look around the water pump and behind the water manifold. Also, check under the sink in the kitchen and bathroom.
- Check the water level in your batteries.
- Oil your jacks, hinges, and everything that moves.
- Check the pressure in your tires and check the fluid levels frequently.
- Keep your RV clean inside and out.
- Keep a roll of Duct tape and several kinds of glue handy. There is always something that a little glue will fix, but use the right kind of glue for the job. Different problems take different types of glue.
Two things to keep in mind
#1. Every time you complete a project, you will have learned something and be able to do it the next time a lot easier. And unfortunately, most of the things you fix will have to be fixed again sooner or later. You can never fix something with RVs and expect it to stay fixed forever.
#2. Even when you fix things yourself, if you have to buy parts, those are not free, but you can get most RV parts on Amazon, and that's way cheaper than buying them through an RV repair shop.
Bottom line: If you like to work on your RV, there are always things that need to be fixed. And if you don't like to work on your RV, there are still things that need to be fixed. Consider a change in attitude, and enjoy the challenge of learning how and then fixing things yourself. It's a good feeling when you do a little research, diagnose a problem, and successfully repair it yourself.