Fall is here, and there is a lot happening throughout the RV industry! From upcoming RV shows and industry events to recognizing outstanding professionals, highlighting valuable resources, and sharing information to help RV owners and technicians succeed, there is plenty to catch up on in this edition of the RVTAA Connection.
Fall Events Are in Full Swing
The next few weeks are packed with opportunities to connect with other RV professionals, see the latest products and services, and stay up to date with what’s happening throughout the industry. If you’re planning to attend any of these upcoming events, be sure to mark your calendar:
RV Component Expo October 14–16, 2026 455 E. Farver St., Shipshewana, Indiana
Myrtle Beach RV Show October 23–25, 2026 5031 Dick Pond Rd., Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Overland Expo East October 23–25, 2026 2300 Oak Ridge Rd., Shipman, Virginia
Fort Wayne RV Show & Blowout October 23–25, 2026 4000 Parnell Ave., Fort Wayne, Indiana
OC RV Show October 29–November 1, 2026 4001 Coastal Hwy., Ocean City, Maryland
Whether you’re attending to learn, network, promote your business, or simply see what’s new, these events are a great way to stay connected to the RV industry.
When an RV Owner Needs Help Right Now
One of the biggest challenges RV owners faces is knowing who to call when something goes wrong—especially when they’re sitting on the side of the road with a problem that can’t wait.
T
hat’s where 833-Fixed-RV comes in.
833-Fixed-RV is a free, nationwide hotline for RV owners who experience a breakdown. The call is answered by a conversational AI agent that helps determine what happened, where the RV is located, and whether a service van can physically reach the customer. From there, the caller can be connected to a vetted local technician while they’re still on the phone. These aren’t people looking for an appointment weeks from now. These are “need it now” callers—RV owners who are often stranded and need someone who can help them get back on the road. For technicians, that means an opportunity to connect with RV owners at the exact moment their services are needed. And while we’re talking about the professionals who keep RV owners moving, it’s also important to recognize those who have spent years making a difference in the industry. If you are looking for an RVTAA technician, be sure to visit www.rvtaa.org and select one of our directory partners from the directory drop-down menu.
Celebrating Those Who Have Made a Difference
The NRVTA Hall of Fame honors RVTAA and NRVIA members who have made a lasting impact on the RV service industry through their dedication, professionalism, leadership, education, and commitment to helping others. This year’s nominees represent a variety of experiences and contributions, but they all share one thing: dedication to making the RV industry stronger.
Bryan Carbonnell has demonstrated his commitment to both technical excellence and education throughout his career. As an RV
TAA Master RV Technician and former NRVTA instructor, Bryan has shared his knowledge with others while maintaining a high level of technical expertise.
Travis Gilley, also a RVTAA Master RV Technician, has spent years working in the RV service field and has built a reputation for understanding his craft and taking on the challenges that come with today’s increasingly complex RVs.
Steve Berry has built his career around exceptional service, integrity, and helping others. Through professional RV inspections, repairs, and education, Steve has earned the trust of countless customers while helping RV owners feel more confident on the road.
Lisa Carletti has spent nearly a decade connecting people, sharing knowledge, and helping others succeed. Her dedication to education, mentorship, and improving industry resources has made a lasting impact on RV professionals.
Brenda Puckett has contributed to the industry as an NRVTA inspector instructor and RV business owner. Through Queen Bee RV and Royal Flush RV, she continues to share her knowledge and support fellow professionals.
Jason Carletti has made his mark through technical expertise, hands-on training, and a willingness to share his knowledge with fellow inspectors. His work helping others better understand RV systems, technology, and inspections has strengthened the professionals around him.
We congratulate all this year’s nominees and appreciate the knowledge, leadership, and dedication they have brought to the RV community.
Recognizing the Technicians Making a Difference
That same spirit of dedication can be found throughout the RVTAA membership, and each month we have the opportunity to highlight a technician who is making an impact. This month, we are proud to recognize Chris Carter of C&S Mobile RV Services, LLC, as RVTAA’s Technician of the Month! As a mobile RV technician, Chris understands that RV owners don’t always have the luxury of waiting for an appointment at a dealership or repair facility. When something goes wrong, customers need someone they can depend on. Chris has built that kind of reputation with his customers. One customer, B.T. Vaughn, USMC (Ret.), shared:
“C&S Mobile RV Repair has never let me down with unexpected repairs. Knowledgeable with all types of repairs (RVs & Motorcoaches), when other big dealerships or shops couldn’t get it done or fix it properly, C&S always came through.” That kind of feedback says a lot about the trust Chris has earned. His willingness to take on a variety of repairs, find solutions, and help customers get back on the road is exactly the kind of commitment we are proud to recognize. Congratulations, Chris, and thank you for your continued dedication to your customers and the RV service industry!
For RV Owners: Ask for the Badge
Recognizing qualified technicians isn’t just important to the industry—it’s important to RV owners, too. When you’re trusting someone with your RV, you want to know that you’re working with a qualified professional. That’s why we encourage RV owners to ask for the RVTAA badge. RVTAA members receive a certification card that can be scanned to view their current credentials and certification information. Members are also held to a higher Code of Ethics and Standard of Practice, giving RV owners another level of confidence when choosing a technician. If you’re unsure about a technician’s membership, certification, or credentials, you can contact the RVTAA team directly to verify their status. Before you hand over the keys, ask for the badge.
Helping Technicians Work Smarter
Taking care of an RV involves more than having the right tools and knowing how to make a repair. For RV technicians, staying organized, communicating with customers, keeping appointments on schedule, and documenting service are all important parts of providing great experience for RV owners. That’s one reason RVTAA has partnered with Trackara Pro, a resource designed to help RV service
professionals manage the business side of their operations more efficiently. By helping technicians stay organized with customers, appointments, quotes, work orders, photos, routes, and mileage, Trackara Pro gives technicians the tools they need to keep their businesses running smoothly and provide a more streamlined experience for their customers. At RVTAA, we believe that providing technicians with access to the right resources ultimately helps them better serve the RV owners who rely on them, and we’re proud to have Trackara Pro as part of our Resource Partner network.
5 RV Problems You Should Never Ignore
RV owners often become very familiar with the sounds, smells, and quirks of their RV. That’s a good thing—because recognizing when something has changed can help catch a problem before it becomes a much larger repair. Here are five warning signs that should never be ignored.
1. Water Where It Doesn’t Belong
Even a small amount of water can cause significant damage inside an RV. Keep an eye out for water stains, discoloration, soft spots, musty odors, damp cabinets, or moisture around windows, slides, and roof penetrations. If you find water where it shouldn’t be, don’t wait. Find the source and address it as quickly as possible.
2. Unusual or Strong Odors
A burning smell, electrical odor, strong musty smell, or propane odor can all be warning signs. A burning or electrical smell could indicate an overheating component or wiring problem. A propane smell could indicate a leak. If you smell propane, take it seriously. If it is safe to do so, turn off the propane supply, avoid flames or sparks, leave the area if necessary, and seek professional assistance.
3. Repeated Battery Problems
If your RV battery continually goes dead, won’t hold a charge, becomes swollen, develops corrosion, or has unusual odors, don’t simply replace the battery and move on. The battery may not be the actual problem. There could be an issue with the charging system or another component drawing power. Finding the cause can save you from repeatedly replacing batteries and potentially prevent additional electrical problems.
4. Roof Damage
Your roof is one of your RV’s most important defenses against the elements. Regularly inspect it for cracked or deteriorating sealant, punctures, tears, loose components, standing water, and damage around vents, skylights, antennas, and other openings. A small roof repair is much easier—and usually much less expensive—than dealing with extensive water damage later.
5. Recurring Electrical Issues
A blown fuse or tripped breaker may seem like a minor inconvenience, but repeatedly replacing fuses or resetting breakers without finding the cause can leave a larger problem unresolved. Pay attention to flickering lights, outlets that stop working, repeated breaker trips, frequently blown fuses, sparks, or components that feel unusually hot. When an electrical problem keeps happening, don’t just treat the symptoms. Have the system properly evaluated. Pay Attention to What Your RV Is Telling You. Not every unusual sound, smell, leak, or change means your RV needs a major repair. But those changes are worth paying attention to. You know your RV better than anyone. If something doesn’t seem right, finding the cause early can make a significant difference. And when you’re unsure how to safely diagnose or repair an issue, that’s when a qualified RV technician can make all the difference.
Taking the RV Experience Beyond the Road
RV owners aren’t just looking for reliable repairs—they’re also looking for ways to make the most of their time on the road. That’s where AdventureGenie continues to make an impact. AdventureGenie was right in the middle of the action at this year’s Hershey RV Show, sharing daily updates across its social media channels and giving RVers a behind-the-scenes look at everything happening on the show floor. The team visited AdventureGenie partners, explored some of the newest RV models, previewed innovative products and services, and connected with RV technicians and inspectors who helped keep the industry moving. For RVers who couldn’t make it to Hershey, AdventureGenie provided a front-row look at the show through its social media coverage.
And there’s more coming.
AdventureGenie is planning several new product updates during Q4 2026, so RVers will want to keep an eye out for what’s next. As an AI-powered travel planning tool, AdventureGenie helps campers and RVers create complete travel itineraries in minutes, making it easier to discover destinations, activities, and experiences along the way. As an RVTAA resource partner, AdventureGenie provides RVers with another tool for discovering places to go, things to do, and experiences to enjoy while traveling.
That’s a Wrap on This Edition of the RVTAA Connection
From the people who keep our industry moving to the resources that help technicians and RV owners succeed, there is always something happening within the RV community. As we head into a busy fall season, we encourage our members to continue learning, connecting, attending industry events, supporting fellow professionals, and taking advantage of the resources available through the RVTAA network. We’ll continue bringing you the latest industry news, member highlights, helpful information, and resources in each edition of the RVTAA Connection. Do you have a question about RVTAA, our technicians, or something you’d like to see featured in a future issue? We’d love to hear from you! Send us an email at [email protected]. Your question, suggestion, or idea might be featured in the next edition!