When it comes time to upgrade your RV, a savvy shopper will find that you can get the parts cheaper online. With so many process videos and how-to articles available, it seems like we can do anything now. However, sometimes you might run across a more technical problem, and you’ll find yourself faced with the choice, “Can I do this myself, or should I schedule an appointment at an RV Service Center?” That’s where Northgate RV can help.
RV Warranty
Before we dive into which updates you should and shouldn’t do, it’s important to take a moment to talk about warranties. You may have gotten an RV warranty from the dealership, but that warranty is most likely separate from the warranty extended by each appliance manufacturer.
By doing a project yourself, you could adversely impact the manufacturer’s ability to honor a warranty. That’s why it’s always important to check your warranties before jumping into a project. Now that that’s out of the way, let’s take a look at some DIY service successes.
RV DIY Service Successes
When it comes to do-it-yourself service, the only true limit to what you can do is your level of technical ability. You have access to all of these new ideas, and we encourage you to take on new challenges such as routine maintenance and facelift upgrades with your RV. Let’s take a look below at some of the DIY projects we’ve seen our customers have a lot of success with.
Routine RV Maintenance:
We’ve seen many of our customers complete some amazing renovations on their RVs, but sometimes the unseen, routine maintenance tasks have the largest impact and can save you the most money. These projects include things like adding lubricant to your slide outs, cleaning your water heater, regularly checking and filling your tires, and minor roof maintenance. All of these actions will help keep your RV running in great condition for many years to come.
Facelift Upgrades:
One thing we love to see around here is your DIY RV upgrade photos. So many of our creative and talented customers have completely revamped their dated RVs and turned them into mod lodges or contemporary cabins. Whether you painted the cabinets and upgraded the bathroom, or if you completed a total remodel, the work you do never ceases to inspire us, and that’s why we want you to keep doing it.
However, sometimes these projects can quickly get out of hand. For example, when adding solar panels and converters to your batter, it may seem easy enough. But a faulty solar panel setup can put you and your passengers in danger, which is why it’s always best to call on your local RV Service experts if you aren’t comfortable with the technical level required in your project — it may even save you money in the end.
RV DIY Fails
If you type “RV DIY fails” into google, you’ll find loads of videos from RVers like yourself who got in over their head. They’ll tell prophetic stories of well-meaning projects that took a turn for the worse. Or maybe it’s a project that should have only taken two hours but ended up taking eight hours due to being inexperienced with this particular type of install.
In the end, when you’re deciding if you want to DIY or schedule an appointment, we would advise you to consider the following questions:
- How much money do the materials cost?
- How much money would it cost for a service provider to complete the upgrades?
- How much time will it take for me to complete the upgrade?
- How much skill will it take to complete the upgrade?
- Am I willing to make the upgrade?
If, after asking yourself these five questions, you still feel confident enough to take on the upgrade as a DIY project, then you should do it! And, you can rest assured knowing that our experienced staff at Northgate RV is standing by should you decide that you’d rather make that appointment.
RV Service Experts When You Need Them Most
If you do decide to schedule a service appointment with Northgate RV, you can count on our expert team to offer you fair rates for your routine service or new-part installment. We have two, convenient Georgia locations, and we’re open six days a week so we can best serve you. If you can’t find the part you’re looking for, we might be able to order it for you.
In the event you’ve decided that your RV is beyond repair, we may be able to offer you a trade in value — feel free to search our inventory if you’re interested in upgrading. Either way, we invite you to contact us today to see how we can best serve you and your RV.
