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Many RVers worry that altering their camper or motorhome in any way may cause it to be ineligible for warranty coverage. I asked Jessica Baker of the RV extended care provider Wholesale Warranties to weigh in on this question, and she shared the following advice for making sure that your remodeled RV can still be covered under an extended warranty. -Ashley Mann
Guest post by Jessica Baker of Wholesale Warranties.
You’ve done the hard part when it comes to searching for the perfect home-on-wheels, and you finally purchased a used RV that has a layout you love. Â
The only problem is, the outdated aesthetics of the RV aren’t exactly what you had in mind when imagining your dream rig. DIY upgrades are certainly in your wheelhouse, but you want to make sure those modifications won’t render your motorhome ineligible for extended warranty coverage, especially with the price of repairs skyrocketing.
So how can you make tweaks on your rig to enjoy a gorgeous custom RV and ensure you won’t be footing huge repair bills?
RV extended warranties are for mechanical and electrical components of your rig. A good rule of thumb when considering making updates to your motorhome is that if the mechanical function isn’t affected, the modification most likely won’t affect your coverage.
On the flip side, when it comes to any plumbing or wiring – it’s best to either keep things as they were built, or go back to the manufacturer directly for an upgrade to ensure your policy will still cover these items.
This is because manufacturers specify that a unit is built a certain way. When upgrades are added to mechanical and electrical components, they can affect the function of the rig as a whole.
For example, many RVers choose to modify engine parts get better gas mileage. However, this changes the intended function of the engine. In this case, coverage would be void for the part itself and any other components the modification is affecting.
Although you’re limited with mechanical and electrical mods – there are a world of possibilities when it comes to aesthetic upgrades!
Let’s go through some examples of modifications that won’t affect your warranty policy.
Coat hooks, shelves, or wall decor mounted with screws doesn’t affect anything mechanical, and therefore would not affect the policy in any way.
Updating the windows with new curtains, curtain rods, or window shades would do nothing to the way your rig functions – so those changes are totally fine to make!
What about paint and wallpaper? A-Okay!
Organization hacks are a necessity for tiny-living RVers. So hang your baskets, shelves, and extra storage without worry! It won’t change how your motorhome mechanics operate.
Even bigger changes, such as updating kitchen cabinets, won’t change the coverage you’re able to get on your rig.
Lights and light fixtures are not typically covered under warranty policies, so as long as they don’t affect other electrical parts – you can change the bulbs and fixtures as you please!
Think about the flooring on a rig. Will that affect the way the RV moves? No! So you’d still be covered if you wanted to rip out that outdated carpet and give your rig a glow-up.
If you’re still unsure if your mods will be covered, you can always give your warranty provider a call to talk it out. Your policy is here to give you peace-of-mind, not limit your lifestyle!
At the end of the day, a personalized, used rig is a great way to affordably break into the RV lifestyle. However, without the manufacturer guarantee that comes with a new rig, the cost of repairs can be daunting on any budget. An extended warranty can alleviate those repair woes, and get you on the road with confidence.
If you’re ready to purchase an RV extended warranty for your home-on-wheels, you can get a free, no-strings-attached quote here.
*Coverage on upgrades is case-per-case, and it’s always recommended to confirm with your warranty provider prior to making mods that will affect mechanical or electrical components.
For RV renovation inspiration, check out my RV Renovations & Decor Resource Page!
So sensible!
Yay! So glad someone covered this. Great to know, because you hear different things from different people.
Any suggestions to remove bunks and make a desk with the upper bunk folded up?
Hmm, I don’t have any personal experience with it, but it sounds very doable! I do have one blog post about someone who converted a corner bunk room into an office; I know it isn’t exactly what you’re describing but might give you some ideas. You can read it here.
I also can’t say how it would affect your warranty, but I would imagine it would depend on whether you had to reroute any plumbing or electrical wiring.
Good luck coming up with a creative solution!
Thank you. Would adding a larger sink with two basins instead of one affect the warranty?
Hi Elle, I can’t say for sure. I don’t think so unless you were filing a claim for water damage related to that upgrade, but if you want to be sure you could call your warranty provider to ask.
So painting the cabinets won’t effect my extended warranty ?
You could call your warranty provider to be sure, but I don’t believe so as long as you aren’t interfering with the function of the RV.