Winding up a record breaking sales year for the RV market, 2018, is predicted to out pace the records broken in 2017. Many factors are fueling these record breaking sales trends, but one of the most surprising contributing factors, at least to the RV industry, is the rise of a certain demographic that are buying RV’s at a record pace. We are talking about Millennia’s and chances are if you are reading this blog, you may be one of them.
Because the millennial market is technically the youngest generation in the RV market today, the odds are good that you are buying a new or used RV for the first time, or you just purchased one and are facing some repair challenges.
Even if you grew up camping with your family, being an RV owner comes with its own set of repairs, maintenance and upkeep that you probably never realized that your parents were dealing with as they owned their units.
Make no mistake; RVs are a great way to enjoy the outdoors. More and more young travelers are buying RVs as they seek versatile and affordable vacation options. However, like any home, RVs can be a lot of work to maintain, new or used.
As a part of the millennial demographic, we know you did your research when shopping for and purchasing your RV or travel trailer. As the Dallas/Ft. Worth’s elite RV and coach repair specialists, we welcome you to RV ownership and would like to offer the following 5 most common repairs that we see everyday, that you probably never thought you might face when buying your unit.
1. Tire Blowouts
RV tires endure a lot of heat, sun and abuse, often carrying the weight of the RV across bumpy and rough terrain. As a result, tire blowouts tend to be among the most common RV repairs. To avoid tire blowouts, make sure you regularly inspect your tires. Inspect your tread wear, tire pressure, and look for any cracks or punctures in the tire that could lead to a blowout. Make sure to carry a spare tire when you’re on the road and be mindful of what tire pressure you should maintain. When RV tires do blow, they often cause quite a bit of damage to the RV or travel trailer in the wheel wells and storage compartments. Typically these damages are covered under insurance but they can cost thousands to fix.
2. Air Conditioning Failures
When traveling by RV in a state like Texas, you’re going to want a working air conditioner. Unfortunately, air conditioners are one of the most common RV repairs in Dallas. Make sure to inspect your air conditioning system periodically to ensure that it’s functioning properly. If your RV has a broken air conditioning unit it may be a bad compressor, overloaded circuit, or you may simply need a recharge.
Another problem we see if from impact damage from hitting low hanging branches, street signs or other overhead obstructions. Your travel mirrors might look like you’re clear but its hard to see those air conditioning units from the drivers seat. As a result a lot of people learn that their AC doesn’t work once they have arrived at the campsite.
3. Roof Leaks
Whether it is a pull behind camper, a motorhome, or a half million dollar coach, water leaks can kill these units faster than anything else besides a fire. Water is tricky too because often times you don’t see the problem forming until after the damage is done. Sun, rain, hail, branches, and other elements can all compromise the integrity of your RV’s roof and its sealants. Perform routine checks of your roof for any leaks or damage. A leaky RV roof can lead to bigger problems even when you are not using your RV if not taken care of. In many cases it is worth it to take your unit in for an annual sealant test.
4. Battery Failure
With so many electrical devices in an RV, battery failure is a common problem with owning an RV. Thankfully, this is rather easy to avoid and fix. You’ll want to regularly check the battery fluid levels and charge to make sure it is functioning properly. You should also make sure you periodically charge the engine battery; the easiest way to do this is to simply run your RV for about one hour every 7-10 days. It’s also a good idea to disconnect the battery cables when your RV will be sitting unused for long.
5. Collision Damage
Milennial Rv’ers and seasoned enthusiasts all face the same road hazards out on the open road. We see RV’s that have hit deer, been rear ended and most commonly, simply ran up against pole or post at some stopping point. All is not lost (most of the time) and your RV can be repaired back to new again and most of the time it is covered under your insurance.
RVs are a great way for young travelers to explore the outdoors without breaking the bank, and millennials and Dallas are taking full advantage of all they have to offer. And like any home or vehicle, it is important to perform regular inspections on your RV. RVs can be a lot of work to maintain, but keeping up with regular inspections and performing regular maintenance will help keep your RV in good condition and save money on more expensive repairs down the road.