What should I check before buying a mobile RV repair business?

A mobile RV repair business is close to a one-person trade. The van, the tools and the owner’s skills are the business, and you should ask where the customers come from, such as campgrounds and word of mouth. A car mobile mechanic is the nearest comparison, but RV work has its own parts, travel and seasons. Most of your review is about what transfers to you.

The van and its outfit

Look at the vehicle, its maintenance history and what is inside it. Check whether the tools, diagnostic equipment and stocked parts belong to the business or to the owner. Ask what is leased or financed. Ask what the van’s shelving, power and tank equipment would cost to replace, and whether a second vehicle is needed to keep the same pace of work.

How much depends on the owner

Ask who does the repairs. If it is the owner, ask which credentials they hold. Requirements vary by province, so check what the work requires where the shop operates and whether you hold them or can get them. If there is a second technician, meet them. Customers who trust a person may not stay with the name on the van, so ask how many are repeat clients.

Campground and park relationships

Many mobile technicians get steady jobs from campground and RV park operators, storage lots and dealers. Ask for the list, how each arrangement started and whether anything is written down. A friendly handshake with a manager can end when the manager changes. Speak with a few of them, with the seller’s agreement, before you decide.

Routes, seasons and records

Ask for the travel radius, the route pattern through the season and how many jobs a technician can do in a day. Review booking and dispatch records, invoices and any missed or cancelled calls. Look for the quiet months and ask how the owner fills them. Check insurance and any claims history too.