RV Tech
What If It Breaks?
By Alan Lidstone
Equipment problems on the road today's, with the RV itself and all it carries, can be more serious than minor mechanical problems that are fixed in a few hours. We hope to give you some suggestions to avoid problems and resolve them at less cost if they do occur.
- Keep your RV, and any toad or tow vehicles properly serviced. Most RV repair facilities will tell you that many expensive repairs are frequently due to RVers ignoring scheduled maintenance, noises, leaks, and erratic equipment operation.
- Know what the warranty coverage is for everything you take for RVing. This includes the RV and installed equipment, personal electronics (cell phones, computers, digital cameras, etc.), sports equipment (motorcycles, ATVs, snow–mobiles, etc.), and your toad or tow vehicle.
- Consider extended warranty coverage for your RV, personal electronics, and complex sports equipment if you are concerned about paying for repairs out of your pocket. Keep and carry copies of all vehicle (RV, toad, or tow vehicle) service because warranty or extended warranty coverage for vehicle repairs may require proof of manufacturer recommended service completion.
- Carry the operation and service documents, as well as copies of warranty and extended warranty information (including policy number, phone numbers to report problems, etc.) on the road for your RV and installed systems, and covered personal items. We recommend that you carry copies of proof of purchase for personal electronics items that are still under warranty.
Note: Many operation and service manuals provide trouble shooting instructions which may resolve or pinpoint the problem, and provide warranty coverage and contact information.
All RVers should consider signing up for a road service plan for their RV and toad or tow vehicle that provides assistance for flat tires, dead batteries, lockouts, minor mechanical repairs, and towing. Excellent emergency or road service plans for RVers are available from the Good Sam Club, Camping World, AAA, and many automobile insurance carriers, such as USAA, offer reasonably priced coverage to their policy holders.
A continuous service plan or extended warranty coverage for your RV that applies after your original RV warranty coverage ends can provide peace of mind regarding big out–of–pocket repair expenses. Information about this option to limit the cost of expensive RV repairs is available from your RV club, such as the Good Sam Club, FMCA, or Escapees Club, Camping World, your RV dealer, and other RVers. Some of these plans can also provide coverage for your tow vehicle or toad.
Extended Warranty Coverage is becoming more necessary for personal and consumer electronics products. While goods manufactured in China may be inexpensive, the emphasis on low cost conflicts with providing quality and trouble–free products.
Note: The results of the global economy are reflected in the situation with wireless mobile phone and data card products costing $200 –$600 that only come with a 30–day warranty from the wireless mobile carriers, such as Verizon, Sprint PCS, and AT&T (Cingular). After 30 days, you must contact the manufacturer for limited warranty coverage, not the wireless mobile carrier that sold you the product and may have obligated you to a 12– or 24–month contract.
Most people call Customer Service by phone to report a problem with a consumer electronics product. If your first contact by phone does not provide a satisfactory resolution of your problem, we recommend you use E–mail to provide a written record of your problem and the specific action you would like the product or service provider to take.
You may also want to consider the following for new electronics products that are expensive, or require a minimum service contract period (as with wireless mobile products or satellite TV equipment):
- Purchase electronics equipment and products from manufacturers that provide customer service and technical support from a U.S.A. location, such as Gateway, Brother, and Winegard.
- Carry month–to–month warranty or repair and replacement coverage that allows a convenient replacement of any defective product at no cost to you (see note below).
- Purchase extended warranty coverage that allows the option of bringing the defective product in for repair or replacement to any authorized seller location, such as a big box store like Staples, Office Depot, or Best Buy, or to RV suppliers and repair facilities such as Camping World.
- Purchase repair and warranty coverage for computers that provides service in the home (or at your RV), in lieu of shipping or bringing the computer to a repair location.
- Purchase repair and warranty coverage that will overnight a replacement product to you, along with a box to return the defective product.
Note: We recommend you obtain repair and replacement coverage (for an additional monthly fee) if you are changing wireless mobile carriers, getting new cell phones, or heading out for an extended trip. A phone that works fine at home may not be satisfactory on the road. You can cancel the coverage and the monthly fee when you no longer require it.
Remember, Safety First, and Happy RVing!!!
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