The work of an RV technician
Ever wonder what's involved in the day—to—day life of an RV tech?
Sales of RVs are at new highs and the whole industry is growing for many reasons—one of which is the increasing amount of baby boomers discovering the RV lifestyle. For instance, over seven per cent of Canadians own an RV and there are over a million RVs on the road in Canada.
At Work: From leaking faucets to electrical repairs and everything in between, RV technicians deal with a variety of issues; Tony Legere (above), apprentice RV tech at Runners RV in Cranbrook, B.C., is shown performing a diagnostic test on a hydro—flame furnace.—photo by Reg DeYoung
An RV offers all the amenities we require in regards to kitchen, bathroom, sleeping and other living areas. These self-contained units are equipped with electrical, plumbing, LPG and cooling systems. Today's RVs are considerable more complex and expensive then those days when an RV was just a step ahead of a tent.
As with all things mechanical you will, from time to time, experience break—downs or other problems with your RV. This is where your local RV service centre will be able to help you to get back to enjoying your RV. The service manager or one of the service writers will be the first person you speak with and he or she will make out a work order describing the issues or problems you are experiencing. Then your rig will be in the hands of an RV Technician. A tech must be versatile and adaptable—a “Jack—of—all-trades” so to speak.
Many functions of this trade will overlap other trades such as an electrician, plumber, gas fitter, welder or even a lino/carpet installer. An RV tech will sometimes work on high-end bus conversions with on-board satellite and levelling systems or a leaking faucet in a tent trailer and everything in between.
In the busy summer months they are under pressure to repair an RV in the quickest and most cost effective manner as possible with sometimes two or three work orders already in progress. Techs are often required to work weekends, evenings and the occasional holiday to ensure the customer will enjoy the sometimes long awaited and anticipated vacation time.
The training involved in this career usually begins with an apprenticeship course offered at a community college or other institution with a time frame lasting between three to four years. In Canada there are courses available at Okanagan College in B.C., SAIT in Alberta and Georgian College in Ontario. The “On—the—Job” training is usually followed by further up—grading at the same facility in the slower winter months.
After the apprentice technician has served the designated amount of time in the industry he or she can write an exam to grant he or she with a Trades Qualification Certificate or better known as a Journeyman status. At that time they can further there recognition in the industry by obtaining an Interprovincial Red Seal Certificate that gives them better mobility to work in other provinces. A RV technician can also upgrade or learn new skills by taking part in either factory offered training schools or attending service seminars put on by the RVDA of Canada in all provinces.
Many techs will also improve there skills by becoming RV LPG Gas certified if they chose to write the government exam. This gas ticket will allow he or she to repair, alter or service propane appliances up to a certain amount of BTU's.
In my own experience of an RV Technician I enjoy the challenges and always look forward to meeting folks that have never owned an RV and this is there first purchase.
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