Breakdowns happen — even to the best-maintained coaches. What separates a brief delay from a ruined trip is knowing exactly what to do in the first ten minutes. Here's the playbook our techs give every customer.
First: get safe. Coast as far off the roadway as you can. On the interstate, that means well past the white line and onto the shoulder, ideally on a straight section where approaching traffic can see you from a distance. Turn on your hazards immediately. If you have warning triangles or flares, deploy them — one about 100 feet behind the coach, one 200 feet back, one 300 feet back. On a motorhome, this is the law in most states, not a suggestion.
Second: stay with the vehicle. Get everyone out of the coach and onto the shoulder side, away from traffic. Do not stand behind the RV. Do not try to flag down passing cars. If you're in a dangerous spot, call 911 first — police can shut down a lane or push you to a safer location.
Third: document the symptoms while they're fresh. What were you doing when it happened? What did you hear, smell, or feel? Did any warning lights come on? Did the engine die, did a slide stop mid-cycle, did the brakes pulse? The more specific you can be, the faster a tech can diagnose over the phone and arrive with the right parts.
Fourth: call us. Our 24/7 emergency dispatch number is (817) 839-2733. Within minutes we can usually tell you whether it's a roadside fix, a tow-to-shop situation, or something you can limp home on. Most roadside RV failures — dead chassis batteries, stuck slide-outs, generator faults, blown tires, brake controller issues, even some hydraulic leaks — are repairable on-scene with our fully-stocked mobile service trucks. No tow needed, no shop visit, no week-long wait.
A few things to keep in the coach at all times: our number saved in your phone, a basic tool kit, a tire pressure gauge, jumper cables or a jump pack, a flashlight, a roll of self-amalgamating tape, and a small bottle of self-leveling lap sealant. These six items have saved more trips than any extended warranty ever has.
Finally — don't panic, and don't let a stranger 'help' with a repair you didn't ask for. Wait for a qualified mobile RV technician. We service the entire 100-mile radius around Cleburne, TX, 24 hours a day, every day of the year. One call and we're rolling.