Dealer service visits and storage areas?

[Tbos]

When you take your RV in for service do you empty out the storage areas? I take mine in next week for an unknown amount of time. Was wondering if I need to clear out the storage areas to keep honest people honest. Thanks.

[hankaye]

Tbos, Howdy;

I'd say yes. Reason, ... if it concerns you enough to ask then for your own
peace of mind the answer is to remove the items and then you can sleep
well while it's away from you.

hankaye

[mfifield01]

I've taken mine in twice. I didn't remove anything, but I waited while they worked on it.

[JRTJH]

I suppose, for me anyway, it depends on what they are going to be doing (where they'll be working), how long they'll have the trailer and probably most important, what I have stored in the trailer. If I've got some "high dollar" items, pricey tools, valuable jewelry, expensive fishing gear, "pilferable" clothing, etc, I'd probably remove it. But the "typical" camping gear, stuff that I'd leave outside the trailer while we're away for the day, folding chairs, camp stoves, grills, ground mats, awning stakes, chocks and similar items, I wouldn't bother. Of course that just me, some people would remove a set of 2x6 chocks while others would leave a $400 grill.

Within reason, I'd defer to your "trust" in the dealer for "low dollar items" and your "insurance coverage limits" for "high dollar items". If either is questionable, find a "little used corner" in the garage and stack it all there for safe keeping.....

[GaryWT]

The last time we were at the shop, we waited so no big deal. The first time we were on our way back from a trip so we put an item or two in the truck and moved an item or two inside the trailer itself. If the place you leave it does not have a locked gate then anyone can get into the outside storage do as said, don't leave anything too valuable.

[BirchyBoy]

For me, it's no different than taking my car to the shop. If I don't mind losing it, it stays in the glove box/cargo area/storage area.

[Tbos]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the quick responses.

[theallde]

I remove everything in the storage area for two reasons - peace of mind that nothing will be missing and a chance to clean out the storage area.

[CaptnJohn]

No ~~ I trust the techs working there.....

[GaryWT]

No ~~ I trust the techs working there.....

Not the techs that you worry about but the fact that so many have keys to your outside storage.

[chuckster57]

Most of us techs do have pass keys that will allow us access to the interior. Compartment keys haven't changed much in the 25+ years I've been RVing.

If your unit is dead bolted, our pass keys won't work. There are about 3 or 4 different compartment keys, and when you picked up your RV odds are you got the key to your neighbors compartments too.

I opinion only: if you can't trust that your stuff is safe, you shouldn't trust the work being done either.

[mazboy123]

do what works for you. keep it simple.

[bsmith0404]

Biggest question that needs to be answered is what type of work is being done. If you have items in the storage area that prevents the techs from doing the work, they will have to remove them. most places will charge you for having to unload and load the storage area. That also adds the risk of items being lost, damaged, or stolen. I remove everything, I look at it as another opportunity to clean, organize, and possibly eliminate some weight of things I don't need anymore.

[chuckster57]

Very true. Warranty time paid doesn't include unpacking/packing gear. Some dealers may use a "porter" for this so the tech doesn't use up the time, but I bet it's the exception to the rule.

If I unpack, I try to repack the same way, but you may be looking for a while the first trip out if I packed it differently.