What Do You Do When?

[loknload]

What do you do when you have an RV that needs service but the place you have been doing business with for the last 10 plus years will no longer service it for you because you didn't buy the MH there? Have had a lot of service work done there and spent some big money there on parts and supplies, now they tell me my business is no longer wanted?
I don't get it? I have always kept my business to these local mom and pop establishments, never bought anything online unless I couldn't get it from them.
There is one other RV dealer local and is very close to me which I have done business with as well but they too will not service my coach since I didn't buy it from them!
I guess these people have all the business they need and bugger with the old parts and service customers! My coach needs about $300. Dollars worth of batteries, won't buy them from them if they won't switch them out!
I was actually considering downsizing to a smaller coach come spring but won't buy from either of them now. Guess I'm just going to sell it and be out of the traveling RV life!
Ok that was my rant of the day!

 

[S&WIowegan]

Trade your old RV in for a new one from the dealer that pissed you off the least. Life will be serene again.

 

[Watchdog]

Trade your old RV in for a new one from the dealer that ****** you off the least. Life will be serene again.

 

[nachogrande]

MORE TO THE STORY?

They worked on it before and now they won't, at both places? No shortage of places to buy batteries & DIY. Local recycling centers (dumps) take old batteries. I'd ask them straight out, WHAT CHANGED? Was it something I said/did?

 

[loknload]

They just don't want to service anything they didn't sell, more or less they are saying they do have to much business and can't take care of their super valued big spending customers.
Yes,I can change these batteries out myself but since my recent health issues I no longer have the strength in my left side anymore, these batteries are heavy for their size plus they are in an awkward spot to get at.
I'm at an age and in a condition that there are things I don't want to be bothered with anymore and this is one of them, plus The one thing I wanted the service providers to do was to check out the converter and the charging system to make sure there was no problem at that end of the line!
My son wil be giving me a hand tomorrow to retrieve the new ones and get them in position to hook up.

 

[tennexplorer]

The first thing I would do is leave them a bad review on Yelp and Google.

 

[Squarebutt]

Most mechanics that work on cars should be able to change your batteries. They can order from the same distributor that brings them their car batteries and have them in a day or two.

 

[Jack Flash]

Glad to hear your son can help you. Otherwise, you might go to a place that specializes in batteries (Like Interstate) if you have one near by. They usually install what they sell.

 

[oneounceload]

A regular auto repair place can't change the batteries?
Around here, we also have guys that are mobile mechanics, they come to your driveway. You might see if that is available if you're buying the batteries yourself.

 

[bgrone]

truck dealership

Many rv's use the same size batteries as large trucks, you might check with a Kenworth Peterbilt or Freightliner dealer. Freightliner manufactures many RV chassis .They may not want to work on any issues other than powertrain but most around here would install batteries and the large dealerships can sell you a high quality battery at a price far less than Interstates. I quit selling Interstate when their prices went sky high.

ASE Master Heavy Truck Technician for 40 yrs

 

[loknload]

The house side batteries are deep cycle golf cart batteries more or less.
Now there are some specialized RV batteries such as maintenance free gel cells and such and they can get quite pricey.
I'm sticking with what I had which were standard wet cell deep cycles and they were good for 5 years of service.
My son and I will get them in, we did them before, I already have them out since I had to clean out the compartment.

 

[gregintenn]

Most auto parts stores will install a car battery. I would expect they'd put them in a motor home as well?

 

[wingriderz]

They worked on it before and now they won't, at both places? No shortage of places to buy batteries & DIY. Local recycling centers (dumps) take old batteries. I'd ask them straight out, WHAT CHANGED? Was it something I said/did?

Very true on batteries .Any Auto parts store .Makes me very mad. I was a service mananger for a very big R V dealership in Florida. We never ever did business like that.The RV business can be rough being some customers where full time R V ers . We always bent over backwards for all . Sounds like you need to find a new dealership. Also post all this non sense too all you know that R V. Good luck

 

[Retired LTC USAR]

Can you imagine a car dealership not servicing a car they did not sell?

 

[Tom S.]

Can you imagine a car dealership not servicing a car they did not sell?

No I can't, and there has to be more to this story. Perhaps the dealer is limited in the size of his operation and can only handle the customers he sells to. It could also be the number of mechanics he has on staff. Perhaps he has lost one or two recently and can't find replacements. I know of a couple auto shops around me who, since the economy picked up, can't find good mechanics though they've been looking for over a year. This is also a busy part of the season, with clearance sales going on and people having their units winterized. I will also add that RV's don't come close to matching autos in quality, and he could be swamped in warranty work for units sold this past spring and summer.

It could also be he's had some bad experience with customers who didn't buy their RV from him and just wants to remove that segment altogether, but I find that hard to believe. Every business is there to make money, so it has to be he's making all he is capable of handling for whatever reason.

 

[model3sw]

Makes no sense a qualified repair shop refuses you service in such a lucrative specialty field as Motor Homes unless there is another dynamic here you have not mentioned. e.g. the vehicle is very old and the repair shop (from a liability stand point) won't service you Motor Home for fear of a lawsuit. Seems the older they get the more expensive the up keep, maintenance and repairs as some repairs are not as simply as a simple parts swap.

Depending on what size and type MH you have, the batteries could get tricky as to correct type for each pair.

On larger Diesel Pushers there is one pair are the chassis / engine batteries, the other set the "house" batteries. Each Pair is differently rated. Big mistake here is that sometimes, when replaced, the wrong type batteries are re-installed. They are usually not standard automobile batteries although they appear somewhat the same.

Looks and ratings are two different animals. Don't judge this book by the cover nor assume the batteries you NOW have in it are correct. Go back to the manufacturer's manual for battery specs.

I usually get called after one of these MH is in a bad crash or if it burned. Mostly, the larger Diesel Pusher types. AND, no matter how expensive they are, new, I'm not impressed with some of the features especially the accessory, generator and battery wiring.

It seems MH owners have more complaints on a a new MH than any other type vehicle, and (to me) seems justifiably so.

Don't try to save money with the batteries. Find a battery or electrical specialist who is familiar with the battery set up on your type MH.

Some of the older ones the wiring gets shabby so replace whatever is worn, brittle, chaffed, degraded or just appears fatigued.

Also, on the larger MH's the 4 battery tray is on a ball bearing sliding tray. Release locks on tray are usually right and left lower.

This is NOT a do it yourself job, even if you think you're a good mechanic.

Have a full safety inspection ... and ... all wiring, that you have none chaffing the steel battery box or area where the main cables exit the battery box. All cable ties, routing grommets and clamps are not broken worn or misplaced.

Don't be surprised if you see degradation of rubber / plastic parts at / near the battery box.

I suggest you do NOT do it yourself, here.

In this response I am Sal of AAFS Associates, Inc. Home

 

[loknload]

I can understand wanting to take care of the customers that bought their RV from them. If the work load got to great then don't except any new ones,but don't discard loyal good paying customers that have had the service in the past and bought all their supplies and parts from you.
As I stated above my wife and I were thinking of downsizing to a smaller Class C RV so now they P.O.ed a loyal customer who was interested in buying a new unit from them. I don't think that will happen now.
There are no other local RV dealers nearby here and they have the market.
If I want to buy a new unit I will look for a close dealer in the next county over since I do live on the county line.
I bought my current unit from a dealer to far away for their service figuring I always had these folks nearby. Unfortunately when I purchased this one neither of the local dealers had anything of interest so for that I am now penalized?

model3sw, I've been in the building maintenance profession just about my entire career and have worked with bigger battery systems then this.
Replacement batteries are as original and all wiring connections and associated equipment will be inspected on install. Anything that needs replaced will be. As a past firefighter as well I'm no piker to safety issues regarding fire prevention issues either.
This motorhome is an 05 and has been taken care of very well, in fact when people look at it they think it's new so this wasn't an issue of age or parts supply.

 

[model3sw]

model3sw, I've been in the building maintenance profession just about my entire career and have worked with bigger battery systems then this.
Replacement batteries are as original and all wiring connections and associated equipment will be inspected on install. Anything that needs replaced will be. As a past firefighter as well I'm no piker to safety issues regarding fire prevention issues either.
This motorhome is an 05 and has been taken care of very well, in fact when people look at it they think it's new so this wasn't an issue of age or parts supply.

Unfortunately, age on working parts, rubber and assorted wear items are not always true to one's visual perception. Looking new does not negate the 13 years (Model year to Model year) that have passed since new.

The shake rattle and roll of the vehicle moving and just time & natural elements break down rubber and plastic insulation.

This is a 2005, caught fire in 2010 after batteries replaced by qualified automotive electrical specialty shop. Insulation on + cables through steel box was chaffed by missing grommets that had worn out and fallen off.

 

[loknload]

model3sw, We can only be safe and observant so far and whatever happens, happens. In all my years with these things I've always tried to stay on top of things and keep them in top operating condition.

 

[Rule3]

Drive it down here to Florida, there are many places that will be glad to overcharge you

You still driving a 05 model??, time for a new one.

 

[JSR III]

They are probably anti gun and saw your NRA stickers on the back!!!!

 

[427mach1]

Whenever you buy your next RV, make sure you contact the two dealerships in question and explain to them that you won't buy an RV from a dealer that wouldn't service your old one. Make them understand that their actions cost them a sale.

 

[loknload]

They will be informed at that time. My business is no longer needed or wanted now so be it!
I guess so much for being loyal to the local family run business?

 

[chaparrito]

Sounds like a management/ownership/business plan change to me. Find somebody else, after letting them know your NEXT MH purchase will not be with them.

 

[SweetMK]

AND,, it is possible that the MH dealer guy was having a bad day,,,
if you go back next week, things might be different.

I NEVER cut off my nose to spite my face,,,
one bad incident will not stop me from going back.

MY happiness is of utmost concern,,
take the service guys 2 dozen Krispy-Kremes,,
then go back the next day,, they may look at you through different eyes.

I did EXACTLY that when I bought a high hour JD tractor,, and needed advice.

Those service guys almost salute when I walk in about 10:30 in the morning.
I have always received the answer I needed,,

So, it cost me a few dozen donuts,, this is a different world,,, now.