RV repair: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What rv repair is

A technician diagnoses and fixes RV systems, including the chassis, plumbing, electrical, appliances, slide outs and roof, at a shop or at your campsite. You need it when a system stops working, leaks, or fails a pre trip check before a trip.

Signs you need it

  • Water leaks around a window, the roof, the slide outs or a plumbing fitting
  • The generator, the inverter or the house battery is not charging
  • The refrigerator, furnace or water heater stops working
  • A slide out binds, sticks or does not seal when retracted
  • The chassis shows a warning light, a brake issue or a tire problem

What the pro does

  • Inspects the problem system and checks related parts for damage
  • Tests the electrical, plumbing or propane systems with the right tools
  • Explains the fault and gives a written estimate with parts and labor
  • Replaces or repairs the failed part, such as a seal, a pump, a valve or a board
  • Tests the system after the repair and checks for leaks or faults

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • The system involved and how many systems are affected
  • Whether the work is at a shop or at your campsite
  • Whether the RV is a motorhome, travel trailer or fifth wheel
  • Whether the chassis, the engine or the brakes are involved
  • Whether the slide out, the roof or the appliances need special parts
  • Whether the damage from water or a leak has spread to other areas

What a written quote should spell out

  • The system diagnosed and the test used to confirm it
  • Each part, its brand and whether it is new or used
  • Labor for each repair step
  • Any sealant, adhesive or consumable used
  • Warranty for the parts and the labor

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Can you show me the leak or the fault during the visit?
  • Do you check for hidden water damage in the walls or floor?
  • Is the work done at a shop or at my campsite, and what do you need from me?
  • Do you have the parts in stock, or will the repair wait?
  • What warranty do you give on the repair and the seal?
  • Will the repair affect my warranty from the RV maker?

Red flags

  • Says a leak is fixed without checking for water damage behind the walls
  • Will not show the source of a leak or the fault
  • Recommends a large roof repair without an inspection
  • Works on the propane or electrical system without the right tests

What you can do yourself

You can check for leaks around windows and seals, clean the roof, test the batteries and check the tire pressure and condition. Do not work on propane lines, the chassis brakes, or high-voltage electrical connections yourself. Hire a pro for slide out repairs, roof work and any system that involves gas or a fault you cannot find.

Licenses and permits

A license is usually not required for RV repair, but some areas have rules for propane, electrical and business work. Check with your state or local licensing agency and ask the shop to show any registration or certification it holds.

RV repair questions

Why does an RV leak in one place and show damage somewhere else?

Water moves along framing and insulation. A technician should check for hidden damage around the leak, not only at the spot where it shows.

Can an RV repair be done at my campsite?

Some work can. Ask the technician whether the job needs a shop, a lift or specific tools.

Will a repair void my RV warranty?

It can if the work is done incorrectly or with the wrong parts. Ask the shop how it handles the warranty and keep the records.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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