Traveling with Tools

One of the guys camping next to us was in a small converted utility trailer pulled by his Jeep. That's where his girlfriend and him stayed. The trailer was a work in progress.

Next to the trailer was a good sized tent. That tent was packed with totes full of tools and materials. The guy was traveling with more tools and gear than most people have at their workshops at home. I knew that guy was going to be someone interesting to talk to. He certainly was. That man was always working on a big project.

I don't have anything like that tool collection with me, but I do have tools. Since I've been on the road I've been able to reconfigure a number of my van's systems. You can't do that with a single rusty screwdriver.

It's surprising how many people don't even have basic tools. They don't know how to change a light bulb in their taillight. Forget about having to replace a corroded wire or anything that needs screws and glue. Every time they have a problem the big RV goes into the shop.

Here's the dirty secret about RV dealerships. They have huge sales departments and tiny repair facilities. RVs don't have the same legal protections as cars. Each system has their own warranties. Those vehicles come with huge piles of paperwork. When something requires a lot of paperwork, it's never a good sign. Saying “Yep, we are going to cover everything,” doesn't require a lot of paper. That's only needed when companies are trying to avoid covering anything.

Generally, it takes long enough to get something fixed that the camping season is over. If you aren't prepared to do your own work, you are going to wait a long long time. Of course, since the warranties and repairs are so poor, you might just be ahead of the game building your own custom rig. At least you'll have tools and know how to fix it.

-Sixbears