Tips for Getting Your RV Serviced

RV service has the reputation of being dreadful. We’ve had some pretty bad experiences, mostly due to dealers being booked out months in advance or not returning the RV anywhere close to on-time or on-budget.

So when we have a positive experience, it’s important to share. By the way, we are not working with Woodlands Airstream and we paid retail and booked our appointment just like everyone.

However, we did let them know that we’re currently traveling full-time and downtime was critical, which is the first of many tips when getting RV service. Read the rest of the tips below…

Over the years, we’ve had several service experiences and we’ve learned a few things to help make the process smoother.

1. Communication is Key: It’s important to be very clear with any dealer or service center what is the critical items that need repair. In our case, the discoloration coming from below the bathroom floor was the main priority. Everything else was just extra.

We asked to speak with the Service Manager before dropping off to ensure the timeframe can be met and discussed in advance how to communicate throughout the process.

2. The Drop Off: We once dropped off our RV for service and the dropoff process was so dreadful, we should have left and found a new place. If scheduling your RV for service, or trying to get an ounce of attention when dropping it off, is a problem – it’s not going to get better!

Trust your gut when it comes to the early indicators of bad service.

3. Don’t be Afraid to Drive: Bad service nearby doesn’t save time. If you can find a good service center a few hours away, it might be worth the drive time. We almost always drive hours out of our way to ensure a positive experience. Spending a few extra hours driving is better than waiting a few extra weeks to get your RV back!

4. Mobile Service: Sometimes you won’t be able to find a dealer that can see you for a month. In these cases, consider a mobile technician. You may pay a hefty trip charge, but most mobile technicians have great experience and work efficiently due to being on their own with a busy workload.

5. Warranty: Depending on the type of RV you have and your budget, RV warranties can save tremendous money. Wholesale Warranties has been a partner of KYD since the beginning and does a great job taking care of the KYD Community.

Yet, sometimes it makes sense to forget about the warranty and fix it yourself. It’s easy to get caught up in thinking that the dealer *should* pay for something, but if it’s under a certain amount of money, consider how much your time and being away from RV is worth. This number is different for everyone, but sometimes it just makes sense to do it yourself or pay for it and avoid the brain damage getting the dealer or manufacturer to pay for it.

6. The Pick-up: If possible, review the service agreement with your service rep or technician. This way, you’ll ensure the list was completed and you know how it was repaired.

In many cases, dealers or service centers are great at washing RVs, and picking up a clean RV can make the pick-up experience much better. Depending on the amount of work you’re getting done, you might be able to get an RV wash discounted or free.

Pro Tip: If you’re getting service work done at the end of the season and thinking that a long service visit will save you some storage money… don’t do it! This is a great way to get your RV forgotten or get poor service.

Stick to the tips above and get your RV in and out as quickly as possible. This way, you’ll be an engaged owner and that expects proper service. And if anything wasn’t done correctly, you have time to resolve before your first trip the following season.