Four Tips for Minimizing the Cost of RV Body Repairs

Blog

RVs provide a versatile mode of transport that allows you to travel for long distances in a mobile home. However, like any other mode of transportation, RVs are not immune to body damage when you bump in things. Unfortunately, RV body repair can be a big investment depending on the extent of the damage.

Nonetheless, there are various ways you can minimize the amount of money you spend on RV body repairs. Here are four tips that can help you get the most out of RV body repairs.

1. Consider DIY

Like vehicles, the body of an RV is composed of several metal boards attached to the frame of the RV. Thus, most of the RV body repairs involve replacing the damaged panels with new ones. In most cases, it is possible to buy a replacement panel and fix it on your RV without the need to hire a body repair contractor. Thus, if you can DIY the RV body repair, you can save money by eliminating the need to spend money on labor costs.

2. Consider Using Second Hand Parts

When buying replacement body panels for your RV, you can either buy brand new panels or opt for second-hand panels. Used panels are often derived from broken-down RVs in salvage yards, and thus they are substantially cheaper than new panels.

Most people may be under the impression that second-hand RV body panels are no good. However, it is pretty easy to find a relatively new body panel if you conduct due diligence when looking for a second-hand body panel. In most cases, if you apply a fresh coat of paint on a second-hand body panel, no one can differentiate it from a new body panel. Thus, buying second-hand replacement panels instead of brand new panels can help you save some money on RV body repairs.

3. Consider Buying Directly From a Manufacturer

If you still want to use brand new body panels as replacement parts, you have three options. You can buy new body panels from an auto body shop, an auto body parts dealership, or directly from the manufacturer.

When you buy body panels from a dealership or an auto body shop, the price usually includes a markup so that the dealer or auto shop can make a profit. Thus, if you buy directly from the manufacturer, you spend a little less money than when you buy from the other two options. Hence, you can save money by buying directly from the manufacturer because the manufacturer's quote price doesn't include a markup.

4. Get Multiple Estimates

If you cannot DIY your RV body repair or the extent of the damage requires you to hire an auto body shop, don't pick the first shop you come across. Instead, consult multiple auto body shops on how much the repairs will cost. By getting multiple estimates from different auto body shops, you are in a position to pick the most reasonably priced one.

To learn more about affordable options, contact RV body repair services. 

Share

15 July 2021

maintaining the brakes on your car

When is the last time you had your brakes checked? Are you waiting until you hear the brake pads grinding into the rotors before you do anything to replace them? Does your car pull to one side when you press on the brakes? Do you feel a shimmying in your steering wheel and brake pedal as you press the pedal to stop? If you have any of these issues, it is time for you to learn how to care for the brakes on your car effectively. Taking preventative measures and getting repair work done before serious problems arise will save you money over the years.