After nearly two decades of RV ownership, we’ve experienced our fair share of dealership service appointments—some smooth, some challenging, and some outright frustrating. Getting your RV serviced can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Here, we’re sharing practical, tested tips based on our personal experiences to help you have a smoother, less stressful experience when getting your RV serviced at a dealership.
You can listen to us discuss these 6 tips for getting your rv serviced in detail on The RV Atlas podcast, wherever you listen.
Build a Relationship With Your RV Dealership
One of the most valuable lessons we’ve learned is the importance of building a solid, long-term relationship with a trusted RV dealership. Unlike cars, RVs often require specialized expertise and unique maintenance considerations. If possible, try to establish a relationship with the dealership where you purchased your RV. Service departments often prioritize customers who bought their RV onsite, so sticking with your dealer for routine maintenance can improve your experience significantly.
We’ve found dealerships are more accommodating and quicker to respond to issues when there’s an established history and relationship.
Plan Your Service Appointments Strategically
Timing is crucial when scheduling your RV for service. Dealerships typically experience seasonal surges in spring and summer. Planning maintenance during off-peak seasons, such as late fall or winter, can drastically reduce wait times and improve overall efficiency. We learned the hard way that booking a maintenance appointment in April can lead to extensive wait times or rushed service due to high demand.
Make sure to book appointments well in advance, ideally months ahead if possible. Avoid emergency repairs by proactively scheduling annual inspections and regular preventative maintenance.
Bundle Non-Emergency Repairs to Minimize Downtime
One of our favorite tips for managing RV service appointments is bundling non-emergency repairs together. This approach helps prevent unnecessary downtime and prolonged stays at the dealership. Rather than taking your RV in each time a minor issue arises, consider maintaining a running list of smaller concerns that don’t require immediate attention.
A faulty cabinet latch or a broken handle, can often wait until scheduled annual maintenance or a more significant service visit. Doing so prevents repeated trips and the inconvenience of your RV sitting idle at the dealership awaiting minor repairs. This method also simplifies your RV maintenance schedule, making it easier and more efficient to plan your travels and maximize RV usage.
Clearly Document Your RV’s Issues
One significant mistake many RVers make, ourselves included in earlier years, is failing to clearly document and communicate their RV’s issues. When dropping your RV off, provide the dealership with a written list of specific issues you want addressed. Clearly documented concerns help technicians accurately diagnose and fix problems, eliminating unnecessary back-and-forth.
We’ve learned to take photos and even brief videos of the issues we’re experiencing. This helps to clearly illustrate problems, especially intermittent ones, allowing the technicians to address them efficiently and effectively.
Understand Your Warranty Coverage Thoroughly
A common pitfall for many RV owners, especially new ones, is misunderstanding warranty coverage. Before you go in for service, thoroughly review your RV’s warranty documents. Understand exactly what’s covered, including the terms, mileage or time limits, and procedures for filing warranty claims. This proactive approach has saved us from unexpected out-of-pocket expenses and frustrations during the service process.
We also suggest clearly communicating to your dealership your intention to utilize your warranty. Provide documentation when necessary to streamline the approval and service process.
Prepare for Extended Service Times
Another mistake we made early in our RV ownership was underestimating how long service appointments could take. RV servicing can often involve waiting on specialized parts or manufacturer approvals, making the process lengthier than standard automotive service.
Always inquire about expected timelines. Plan accordingly by making alternative accommodation arrangements, especially if your RV is your full-time home or if a scheduled trip is approaching.
You can significantly reduce service time by communicating thoroughly with your dealership in advance of the appointment. Those pictures and videos that you send can help the service center order parts in advance so everything is ready to go when you drop your RV off to be fixed.
Conduct a Thorough Post-Service Inspection
Never leave the dealership without conducting a careful inspection of your RV to confirm all requested work was performed and done properly. It’s easy to overlook this step, but we’ve learned from experience that this is essential. Test appliances, systems, and repairs while you’re still onsite. This can save you unnecessary return trips and frustration later.
Recommended Camp Cookbooks for Kids (and adults!)
Someone asked for camp cookbook recommendations for kids. You can see read more about our favorites here, but this is a brief rundown of the ones we discuss on the podcast:
- “Out There: A Camper Cookbook” by Lee Kalpakis
This engaging cookbook emphasizes creative, delicious, and approachable recipes tailored specifically for camping adventures. It’s ideal for campers looking to expand their culinary skills with minimal fuss and maximum flavor. - Cookbooks by Linda Ly
Linda Ly, a two-time guest on The RV Atlas, offers exceptional recipes designed with campers in mind, combining fresh ingredients and practical cooking techniques:- “The National Parks Cookbook: Recipes from Acadia to Zion” features recipes inspired by iconic U.S. National Parks, connecting campers with the culinary spirit of these beloved outdoor destinations.
- “The New Camp Cookbook” is a modern approach to campground cooking, filled with fresh, tasty recipes perfect for outdoor adventures.
- “The Route 66 Cookbook” provides nostalgic and delicious recipes inspired by the iconic American highway, ideal for road-trippers and campers seeking culinary adventures.
- Cookbooks by Emily Vikre
Emily Vikre brings a creative twist to outdoor cooking and drink preparation with:- “The Family Camp Cookbook”: Family-friendly and fun recipes perfect for camping meals that adults and kids will equally enjoy.
- “Camp Cocktails”: Delicious and creative drink recipes designed specifically for enjoying in the great outdoors.
- “Fireside Warmers”: Cozy, warming drink recipes ideal for chilly evenings around the campfire.
- “Outdoor Cooking with Edye Featuring the Omnia” by Edye Beans
Specifically designed for Omnia Oven users, this cookbook offers versatile recipes that significantly elevate your camp cooking experience. It’s ideal for RVers who want to explore the full potential of this unique and practical cooking tool. - “The Outdoor Adventure Cookbook” by Coleman
Created by the iconic camping brand Coleman, this cookbook provides simple yet flavorful recipes optimized for outdoor cooking. It’s an excellent resource for campers looking for easy-to-follow meals. - “The Outdoor Cook” by America’s Test Kitchen
This authoritative cookbook offers thoroughly tested recipes, ensuring foolproof and delicious results at the campground. It’s particularly suitable for campers who appreciate detailed instructions and reliable outcomes. - “Camp Cooking” by the National Museum of Forest Service History
A cookbook rich in tradition, providing historic and nostalgic recipes inspired by America’s National Forests. Ideal for campers interested in culinary history and heritage recipes. - “The Best of Lodge Cookbook”
Perfect for fans of cast iron cooking, this collection from Lodge includes exceptional recipes designed specifically for use with cast iron skillets, Dutch ovens, and griddles, enhancing the campfire cooking experience. - “Project Griddle” by Stephen Raichlen
From the renowned author of the BBQ Bible, this cookbook delivers innovative recipes specifically tailored for griddle cooking. It’s a must-have for campers who use a griddle regularly and want to take their outdoor meals to the next level.
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See you at the campground,
Stephanie + Jeremy
