Should I Service Motorhomes?

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Should I Service Motorhomes?

December 29, 2023, 12:25:17 am

Hello all,
I am currently having a 40x60 shop built on a large property in central florida and it occurred to me that I now know this motorhome pretty intimately. I could certainly do all the routine maintenance for people but I am also planning a bulkhead rebuild on my own coach. If it went well perhaps I could try it for someone else. Certainly I could take snowbirds in for emergency fixes like seal leaks.

So the question is.. if you do this work professionally is it a good idea or bad idea to consider this? This would be a one coach at a time side gig. I'd probably mainly go after the big jobs. Bulkheads, fuel lines, air bags, etc. The kind of jobs that really benefit from an enclosed shop. The problem is that I am simply too slow and methodical to charge anyone by the hour. I would bankrupt every person to come through :-P I tend to only work 4-5 hours a day on big projects because I find doing it for too much longer than that leads to mistakes.

I'd probably be able to setup hookups for staying in the coach during the work. I know for most people that's a major issue. I am interested in getting into renovations too but I am not qualified to charge anyone for that yet, especially cabinetry work. Currently I am a software developer that runs an IT consulting firm. It's great work but I am just getting bored with it... Am I crazy?

Re: Should I Service Motorhomes?

Reply #1 – December 29, 2023, 12:53:00 am

As a one man show. I would think it would not take too long to get overwhelmed. Now that leads to overhead and employees and headaches😬 you read read my post in $286.00

Re: Should I Service Motorhomes?

Reply #2 – December 29, 2023, 04:59:34 am

Business related things....check with your municipality to make sure commercial activity is allowed on your property. You'll probably need additional insurance. You might need permits and inspections and you'll have related taxes to deal with.

It might be tempting to sail under the radar but if something goes wrong or if you get caught without licenses or permits it could get expensive for you.

Sometimes the 'work' is the easy part.

There may also be the issue of your passion turning into a job.

Re: Should I Service Motorhomes?

Reply #3 – December 29, 2023, 07:55:35 am

There are lots of insurance, license, legal hurdles. You know that.

I really like the idea of someone who knows the FTs well (on the forum) working on coaches. If you are far east, unlikely I would be in your neighborhood, but I still like the idea.

Years back, we had a hydraulic pump failure. It was not until late in the process that we discovered that rebuilding the pump was not the recommended remedy. Also, I literally had to take my shirt off, and show the shop how to reinstall the drive belt.

So many stories about wrong type of fuel lines installed, fuel pump hijinks, inappropriate fuel filters, overfills, underfills, bolt types, gotta have this and don't need that... And haughty shops refusing to listen to the owner. - around here "read it on the internet" means something.

Re: Should I Service Motorhomes?

Reply #4 – December 29, 2023, 08:11:11 am

Maybe think about just renting your shop space out for someone to work on their own coach. Then be an extra set of hands to help. You could do "help" as much as you need to. That way it might avoid some of the insurance and licensing fees?
Or just let people use your shop and help them and have a large "beer" jar for appreciative FT'ers.

Re: Should I Service Motorhomes?

Reply #5 – December 29, 2023, 08:58:35 am

Quote from: folivier – December 29, 2023, 08:11:11 am

Maybe think about just renting your shop space out for someone to work on their own coach. Then be an extra set of hands to help. You could do "help" as much as you need to. That way it might avoid some of the insurance and licensing fees?
Or just let people use your shop and help them and have a large "beer" jar for appreciative FT'ers.

Even (maybe especially) in this case, a serious look at liability insurance (and also how one's homeowner's insurance coverage might be impacted) is important.

Think very carefully before doing this and definitely review any plans with your insurance agent. Attempting to save a few bucks could bite you.

Re: Should I Service Motorhomes?

Reply #6 – December 29, 2023, 09:23:50 am

So with regards to zoning, my land is agricultural and the motorhome service could be lumped into "heavy equipment" service which is permitted. Still I am not tremendously worried about that as the business would have no signage, a gate and would be invite only. Quite simply, it's a friend visiting and that is all the county needs to know. On the state and federal level I'd pay my taxes accordingly.

That of course moves to liability insurance, something I have plenty of experience with and may or may not be tolerable. I know with my main business which deals with huge amounts of money the insurance costs aren't too bad.

That brings us to the hybrid approach some mentioned. Being helping hands, lending out the shop and tools. Not representing myself as or charging like an expert. That actually gives me the willies more than doing the work myself. I've seen people do incredibly unsafe things and if that's under my watch I become liable. I like the idea, I really do but I am far less worried about my work than others. This concept which is done in something called hackerspaces is usually an ongoing membership thing and requires basic safety training on dangerous tools like welders.

But yeah how to represent yourself to a customer as a semi-professional and protect from liability? That is a tough one. It's all fun and games until someone's wheel falls off.

Re: Should I Service Motorhomes?

Reply #7 – December 29, 2023, 09:54:18 am

My shop has turned to kinda your situation. I rent dyno time and have rented lift time. I have stopped taking more work. I have a long backlog on race and customer special engines .
All cars leave with hand torqued wheels. . Even if they were not removed.
My blanket insurance may cover some stuff , may not. All renters agree to have their own insurance and not hold me responsible.
A very short paper signed by all parties will aid that intention. It should be only a couple is sentences. Anything more in depth will make for loopholes. This agreement goes back to when my main income was renting race cars. It came from a lawyer client .

Re: Should I Service Motorhomes?

Reply #8 – December 29, 2023, 11:44:34 am

It's so rewarding helping people who appreciate it. Could easily turn into a PITA with All knowing customers. I would stay with smaller projects. Ive always laughed about the different stages of a big project. Newlyweds to divorced stages. If it's just business then all are tolerable. Low return projects can weigh heavy to complete under pressure.

Maybe get a new puppy instead? Build a Bronco? Looking forward to what you do!!!

Re: Should I Service Motorhomes?

Reply #9 – December 29, 2023, 11:53:29 am

In a past life I owned a heavy duty diesel repair shop. I had my attorney advise me on the insurance policies required to protect me and had them in place before opening for business. I also recommend incorporating the business for protection in case a claim were to exceed your liability coverage. Build these expenses into your rate.

Re: Should I Service Motorhomes?

Reply #10 – December 29, 2023, 02:15:46 pm

Having owned and operated a business for 30 years, it sounds great, but insurance is the key and I would recommend becoming an S corp for taxes and liability, just in case. I had completed operations insurance and that is pricey, but protected me once they leave the shop and something bad happens. You also have to look at where you are located, if close to Leesburg, you will have big competition with a full blown service tech.
Wish you luck, as it would be a great help to many and rewarding as well. I recommend this same format to DSD when I was there at his place and he was a blessing in disguise! Could not ask for a more giving and qualified tech on Foretravels! Keep us informed.

Re: Should I Service Motorhomes?

Reply #11 – December 29, 2023, 06:36:14 pm

I'm not sure why you would take on the hassle when you already have a higher paying skillset. I too work in software and when I take side gigs my rate is roughly what an RV shop charges but without any of the overhead, insurance, knuckle busting, dirty clothes, etc... and the jobs are typically more hours than your usual RV jobs.

If anything, I would think the money is in de/winterization, oil changes, fuel changes, etc... that's easy stuff that is hard to go wrong with and the casual RV owner is just happy to not be getting bent over by a shop with techs of unknown quality.

Re: Should I Service Motorhomes?

Reply #12 – December 31, 2023, 10:07:29 am

Seems like a lot of discouraging comments on this topic but I hope that doesn't dissuade you. I enjoyed your videos on the steering gear seal and generator insulation and look forward to the video on your basement floor/buikhead repair. If you enjoy the mechanical work (and you seem to) and you'd like to do something other than IT in your spare time I think you could definitely do well at this. "Bus Grease Monkey" seems to be making it work although that does seem to have grown into a bit of a larger enterprise. I'm sure that you would have a lot of potential customers coming from the forum here and on FB and you could pick and choose the projects that are best suited to your capabilities and available time. Another upside would be that many of your customers would be able to be that extra pair of hands that can often make a difficult task so much easier. That seems to be the biggest difficultly I have as I struggle to work on my coach by myself.

Re: Should I Service Motorhomes?

Reply #13 – December 31, 2023, 11:39:59 am

It would be great to have an alternative to the RV dealers and their (generally) bad attitude/poor customer service.

We live in the RV repair wasteland called the dry side of the Pacific Northwest. Would be nice to have a small shop around for repairs on the house portion.

But one more shop in the saturated south might be a tough go.

Re: Should I Service Motorhomes?

Reply #14 – December 31, 2023, 11:41:30 am

I have worked on coaches, one at a time, at our last 3 residences. I just operate under the radar- no early or late hours. At 76, who wants to work early or late?

Re: Should I Service Motorhomes?

Reply #15 – December 31, 2023, 02:09:01 pm

I love the idea.... Except you're doing it in the wrong state.
I'd be all over the opportunity in the Oregon area. Don't forget the pit.

Re: Should I Service Motorhomes?

Reply #16 – December 31, 2023, 03:41:04 pm

There is a lot of need for what you're thinking of doing. I have a friend that does small jobs at home and is mobile for some repairs.

Re: Should I Service Motorhomes?

Reply #17 – December 31, 2023, 03:49:47 pm

It's a great idea just as soon as you insulate yourself by incorporating and getting lots of liability insurance. Haven't had a to deal with it in nearly 20 years but balloon insurance and individual coverage rings a loud bell.

Re: Should I Service Motorhomes?

Reply #18 – December 31, 2023, 04:39:41 pm

I think it's a great idea and thought about it myself when my shop was open. When I lost my long time mechanic to an accident that ended any repair business for me. I'm not a mechanic by any stretch, I only understand the business side of operating a repair shop. Wish you success.

Re: Should I Service Motorhomes?

Reply #19 – January 01, 2024, 09:58:41 am

Thanks for all the comments guys. It has occurred to me that it's not a money maker and more a labor of love. Which is exactly why I'd try to keep it a one at a time thing. Regarding the scorp and insurance thing, the good thing is that my current business is already that and I am already very familiar with all of that. None of that scares me or is even time consuming at all really (except at tax time).

What scares me is that I know in reality those liability release documents have no teeth. At the end of the day if someone wants to sue you, they sue you. Just like with software there are various ways to protect yourself. Video cameras, documented procedures, etc. Customer signing off on the details, not just a liability agreement would probably hold a lot more water. Of course if you made a genuine mistake it would also highlight it. I'm sure a lawyer would be screaming at me for suggesting this

We wouldn't want to avoid court and have a quick settlement based entirely on what really happened now would we! Ultimately in my software world if a bug cost a million dollars I would sleep 100 times more soundly than if my mistake took a life.

But I suppose my question was more rooted in the wisdom, perks, and negatives of moving from a desk job to a blue collar style job. More of a slower paced retirement style thing. Even so you've all given me a ton to think about. Thanks!

Re: Should I Service Motorhomes?

Reply #20 – January 01, 2024, 10:35:17 am

What about flipping foretravels instead?

Re: Should I Service Motorhomes?

Reply #21 – January 01, 2024, 10:55:27 am

Quote from: Elliott – January 01, 2024, 10:35:17 am

What about flipping foretravels instead?

I thought about that but I think for the most part I can make more money tying up that kind of capital in other ways. Plus the difference between the service you would do to sell a coach vs an owner can be stark. I'm not sure I can leave important service items undone just to ensure a profit. The problem with these coaches is that you can usually find 10+ problems on any coach. Most of them have multiple fixes or bandaids that could be applied. Some repairs are expensive and time consuming yet offer little real value. It's tough to make those decisions. Better to let someone else do it

I drove mine around for around 3 years with obviously bad air bags. They needed replaced... but they didn't NEED replaced. For a flip it would be tough to know the right decisions to make. If a coach comes in with dead batteries, should I replace with lithium or just gel cells? Should I send it out with a 20+ year old xantrex inverter or put something more modern in there?

I do want to learn the cabinetry making skills required to do full renovations though. I already have the knowledge but not the experience and the raw materials are expensive so I only want to practice on real jobs. In the end it would be nice to do residential fridge conversions, lithium and solar upgrades, in addition to the maintenance.

Some kind of hybrid approach would probably be pretty neat. I buy a coach, fix the necessities and list it for a base price. I list all the repairs needed and the time frame I think they might last until it's critical. I list all the possible upgrades that the coach could get. The new owner can decide which things they want done. And I can do any renovations before it goes out to the owner. You could also do something that reflects the big deal of buying an rv from across the country too. In depth videos, pictures, etc posted online so people can make a serious decision before laying hands before ever seeing it.

Re: Should I Service Motorhomes?

Reply #22 – January 01, 2024, 12:37:43 pm

Quote from: Mark D – January 01, 2024, 10:55:27 am

I thought about that but I think for the most part I can make more money tying up that kind of capital in other ways. Plus the difference between the service you would do to sell a coach vs an owner can be stark. I'm not sure I can leave important service items undone just to ensure a profit. The problem with these coaches is that you can usually find 10+ problems on any coach. Most of them have multiple fixes or bandaids that could be applied. Some repairs are expensive and time consuming yet offer little real value. It's tough to make those decisions. Better to let someone else do it I drove mine around for around 3 years with obviously bad air bags. They needed replaced... but they didn't NEED replaced. For a flip it would be tough to know the right decisions to make. If a coach comes in with dead batteries, should I replace with lithium or just gel cells? Should I send it out with a 20+ year old xantrex inverter or put something more modern in there?

I ultimately came to the same conclusion. You'd have to try to build a reputation for doing a great job and then charging a premium. I do think there's a market for it with Foretravels though. If you were really transparent with what you did and how you got to the price point, I think there are a number of people that'd be willing to pay for a well sorted rig from a reputable rehabber.

Re: Should I Service Motorhomes?

Reply #23 – January 01, 2024, 01:17:48 pm

I would think flipping coaches would be scary. Simply because of people and their tastes, desires. All one has to do is watch HGTV where a prospective home buyer loves a homes features and floor plan, but won't buy it because it has white walls. So one would be guessing at what a buyer might want when it comes to a remodel.

It even effects me. If our coach had been equipt with solar and lithium and the $15K + premium that system would have brought back then. We would have walked away. Simply because it has a gen-set. And I'm not afraid to run it.

I would venture to say that your time would best be spent fixing and remodeling per customer request.

Re: Should I Service Motorhomes?

Reply #24 – January 01, 2024, 03:04:53 pm

Mark, I wish I knew your secret to having enough time to take on extra projects. Seems like I can't even make enough time to get my own extra projects done. And yes, you finish one project and start 14 others you found along the way.

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