Rookie RV'er question - how to select an out of town repair facility?

OL

oldryder1

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 8, 2017
Posts
622
Location
Avon MN
So ? imagine I'm somewhere far from home and have a serious mechanical failure or, worse yet, an accident.  I have towing coverage but am wondering what resources exist to select from possibly multiple repair providers to get one that is competent and fair. 

I have RV Trip Wizard but that doesn't seem to have repair facilities or associated ratings in their database.  (I'm new to that software so maybe it's there and I don't know it.)

Thx to anyone taking the time to offer advice.

mark in MN.
 
Mark in your post you said that you had a towing coverage, I think where you will be towed will depend on your towing provider. Our provider is Coach Net and when we had our breakdown our RV at the time was Freightliner chassis. Coach Net had us towed to the nearest Freightliner dealer.
 
When we broke down, Coach-Net  found 2 places to take our coach to. They gave me the choice, I picked one and Coach-Net arranged for the tow.
 
I never take my RV to be worked on. I have a mobile mechanic come to me.
 
I was pleasantly surprised by GEICO when I added the RV coverage. Unlike car towing (50 miles) the RV coverage is "to the nearest suitable repair facility" I asked if that meant somewhere that only does RVs and she said it could be like a big truck repair facility and the mileage is basically unlimited. This would be awesome along some stretches of I-70 or I-80 out west - there's a lot of nothing in large parts of Utah, Wyoming & Nevada...

I had a break down with a 26' U-haul last year.  They towed us to a semi-trailer type truck repair facility. I think with the RV I would start googling "truck & semi truck repair facilities while I was waiting for the tow. Unless of course the GEICO center already has a list of "nearby" places. If you have a major breakdown you are going to be pretty limited in choice of where you end up I would expect.
 
That's totally understandable but what about a blown engine or transmission?

My Uhaul breakdown was full on transmission failure somewhere in east Tennessee...

SeilerBird said:
I never take my RV to be worked on. I have a mobile mechanic come to me.
Click to expand...
 
You will have very limited choices if towed. Basically it's the nearest "qualified RV repair" and the roadside provider gets to decide who is qualified. If the shop has a sign hanging out that says "RV repair", it will be considered "qualified".  If you have a chassis problem, almost any shop that claims to fix trucks will be Okayed. Basically, if the shop claims to ability to do the kind of work needed, any misgivings you may have about Billie-Bob's RV Repairs and Swimming Pool Co. will be ignored.

IF you are paying or are given an option, I suggest checking RVservicereviews.com for feedback.
 
I disagree that you will be taken to whoever has a sign out front saying they do rv repair.  I have been very satisfied with CoachNet calling ahead and finding out if the facility they are towing me to can do the service I probably need.  Last time, for example, I needed a new battery and had some underneath wiring damage from a blown tire.  They took me to a truck repair facility that had the battery I needed and who could fix my wiring issues. 

If you need repair that does not need towing, your best bet is to ask around your campground for recommendations. 
 
I agree with Judy JB. The places CN found for me were completely qualified to do the work.
 
JudyJB said:
I disagree that you will be taken to whoever has a sign out front saying they do rv repair.  I have been very satisfied with CoachNet calling ahead and finding out if the facility they are towing me to can do the service I probably need.  Last time, for example, I needed a new battery and had some underneath wiring damage from a blown tire.  They took me to a truck repair facility that had the battery I needed and who could fix my wiring issues. 

If you need repair that does not need towing, your best bet is to ask around your campground for recommendations.
Click to expand...

I've needed a CoachNet tow twice in the last decade.  Both times they took me to a qualified shop, then a few days later they asked me how the repair went for future referrals. 
 
oldryder said:
So ? imagine I'm somewhere far from home and have a serious mechanical failure or, worse yet, an accident.  I have towing coverage but am wondering what resources exist to select from possibly multiple repair providers to get one that is competent and fair. 

I have RV Trip Wizard but that doesn't seem to have repair facilities or associated ratings in their database.  (I'm new to that software so maybe it's there and I don't know it.)
Thx to anyone taking the time to offer advice.
mark in MN.
Click to expand...
mark in M
If you have a CoachNet membership, (See: coach-net.com), a phone call to 877-801-0333 will find you any service you might need, (RV appliance/electrical/mechanical repair, medical and/or towing, etc)...at no additional charge....(for FREE).

They will even ask you if they should make an appointment for you.


 
mel s said:
mark in M
If you have a CoachNet membership, (See: coach-net.com), a phone call to 877-801-0333 will find you any service you might need, (RV appliance/electrical/mechanical repair, medical and/or towing, etc)...at no additional charge....(for FREE).

They will even ask you if they should make an appointment for you.
Click to expand...

And that appointment will usually get priority service - they want to keep Coachnet happy for future referrals.
 
I agree -- Coach Net has been great at arranging appointments (no charge), as well as getting service to me when needed (they usually pay the travel, I pay the service, if it's a mobile repair guy). They've also been good at just having a tech explain some things that I can do.

And the service I have includes ALL my vehicles, not just the coach.
 
http://rvservicereviews.com/Index.asp

https://www.truckdown.com/

  Generally speaking, engine problems to the engine builder (Cummins, Cat etc), transmission problems to the transmission builder (distributor shops such as W.W. Williams etc) and chassis problems to the chassis builder (local Freightiner shop etc). All these have websites you can search for locations.
 
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