Owner of an RV and handyman

 In the thrill of contemplating a life as an River, it may not occur to some that the new lifestyle necessitates the assumption of various non-recreational roles. The handyman is one of these roles (ladies included). I mention this not to put a damper on your enthusiastic plans, but to prepare you for the certainty that comes with living in an RV, regardless of how new it is.

If you're good at fixing things around the house, you'll have no trouble doing so in an RV. Prepare to get handy or bring a handyman with you on your RV vacation if you rely on someone else when even the simplest thing goes wrong.

Do you believe that by throwing money at it, you can get rid of this role? Please, no! Even if your budget allows for all preventative maintenance and repairs, services may not be available at all times. Consider the difference between being able to conduct your own RV repairs and needing to spend a day or two of your vacation at the shop.

Even though an RV is much smaller than a typical home, it requires more frequent maintenance. This is also true for brand-new recreational vehicles, although new homes are often trouble-free for the first several years.

I've come to the conclusion that the two qualifications for becoming handy are an interest in solving a problem and a lack of fear of machines based on my own experience and observations of people on both sides of the handyman fence. Knowing your boundaries, or knowing when a situation is beyond your abilities and being willing to seek professional assistance, is a close third. The finer talents of being a handyman can be gained with time and experience after you have the aforementioned three traits.

The idea is to be cautious while tackling an unfamiliar problem, not to be so terrified that you won't try. Do you intend to pierce a wall with your drill? Examine both sides of the wall, as well as any items around it, to the best of your ability. Do not proceed without consulting blue prints or an expert if there is a potential that utilities may be running through that wall.