RV Tech Job's, any future?

[QRTRHRS]

My company's inhouse training oranization had a RV dealer and an education director for a local community college talking about jobs in the RV service field. This college is touted as being one of about nine across the country approved by the NRVTI.



The program seemed kind of vague as to how one would want to approach it. That is, it seemed to be a part time thing and one would want to be working at a dealer however low the pay at the same time.



I know I could do this kind of work. Just don't know if I would want to.



I am loosing my job sometime in 03' probably. Don't know enough to even start talking to head hunters about what's around and what might be viable. I only know I need to work another 10-14 years and want to do something rewarding.

 

[dmurdock]

I'd call a dealer and see what the pay is like... it might make the decision real easy (one way or the other)

 

[Moe]

RV tech

There has to be some large compensation to being an rv tech if the prices they charge are any indication, plus they are very picky about what they work on.

 

[rweis]

Local RV dealer here is charging $75 / hr for rv tech work. Don't know what the tech actually gets though.

 

[Okie-Go]

You could think about being mobil. I have seen guys working on rigs in campgrounds. Might take a while to get established but I bet you would stay busy. I talked to a guy in Colorado a couple of years ago and he very seldom has a day with nothing to do. Of course the more campgrounds in your are the better for the potential of making $$.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Okie-Go,



That was brought up. That would probably work better for me if I wanted to relocate. If I wanted to move, I would stay in my current field. After four years, I just able see some light as far as what I am doing with my property. Don't want to give that up.



The RV dealer that was speaking pays about 12/hour for someone with a brain but no certification. He said some of his top men might make 50k/year. Like most auto dealers, they pay flat rate.

 

[Ladders]

Here in NM

a few of the dealers cant keep tech's, they get better offers and the one I delt with last year had to move 2 techs from outside the state. They didnt last long (kommiefornia clled) and had to repay moving expenses, as the mgr said "I paid them enuff to pay us back within 3 months". So I figure you could make the bucks (w/certs) in the "right" area and with some experience. We talked aboout part-time electrical work for me and I didn't have the time he wanted (full day job) to work me (pay by job). Would have been on call but still couldn't drop full time work for a job that needed to be immediate.



I'd say to call some of the dealers that advertise in the RV mags and find out the situation across the country (pay, lack of or excess of tech's, moving expenses paid or ??, etc) using their 800 #'s. Nothing invested but some of your time and it may prove to be fruitful, get experience and start building your "mobile" based upon what you do the most of (gas, elect, gen rprs, etc). This should give you a gud idea if its what you want.



agn, just my 0. 015$ worth and you know what that means & costs.....





SOTSU!!

\\BF//

 

[bombero]

With us baby bommers buying RV 's fixing them is a good way to go. We go to LasVagas ever year and stay in one of the nice parks. Believe me the guys who have small busness make good money. Last year we needed a repair on our awning that cost $75 and took the tech about 20 minutes. I asked him if he learned all that Harvard!! No he went to a training school thru Camper World. Anyway good luck

 

[Motorhead]

People need GOOD RV mechanics. You have to be good on ALL systems, not just engine and chassis. I have worked on alot of them. They can be very frustrating to work on because no two are alike. The Boneheads that put them together run stuff everywhere.



Like anything else... If your are GOOD at what you do, you will have alot of work. Chris

 

[Briar Hopper]

Camping World has a RV Tech training & certification school. There is one other school in the nation, but the name escapes my memory...

Is there enough business/ jobs in that field? Heck, yes! The sunny states get the most RV's, naturally, but people in every other state do have RV's and want them serviced/repaired close to home, if possible.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Originally posted by Motorhead

People need GOOD RV mechanics. You have to be good on ALL systems, not just engine and chassis. I have worked on alot of them. They can be very frustrating to work on because no two are alike. The Boneheads that put them together run stuff everywhere.



Like anything else... If your are GOOD at what you do, you will have alot of work. Chris

Getting back to my original post and the RV dealer that was there, his shop generally does not do chassis or engine work other than add ons. They do light welding but anything serious gets contracted. This place moves a lot of units so they must be doing something right.



Thanks to all who replied but I was hoping to hear from someone in the biz'. I get a chance, I guess I will go post on the RV site's.