From Ski Instructor to RV Technician – How NRVTA Gave Chris the Confidence to Fix His Own RV

For Chris, a ski instructor from Colorado, the outdoors has always been home. But after years of traveling and living full-time in an RV, he realized there was one thing missing — confidence in maintaining the lifestyle he loved.

“I’ve been RVing for about five years, and I did it full-time for three with my fiancée,” Chris said. “When something would break, I always had to rely on someone else to fix it. I wanted to understand how everything worked.”

That’s when a friend told him about the National RV Training Academy (NRVTA) in Athens, Texas.

Discovering Hands-On Learning at NRVTA

“When I first heard about NRVTA, I wasn’t sure I could wrap my head around all the technical stuff,” Chris admitted. “But the Fundamentals course during the first week completely changed that.”

Under the guidance of lead instructor Todd Henson, Chris discovered that RV systems weren’t as complicated as they seemed.

“The way Todd breaks down each topic is incredible,” Chris said. “He makes it easy to understand even the most complex systems — from air conditioners to refrigerators. Once you see how they work, you realize, ‘Hey, I can fix this stuff.’”

For Chris, the turning point was the hands-on experience.

“You’re not just looking at one unit,” he explained. “You’re diagnosing 15 or 20 air conditioners, refrigerators, and other systems. You take them apart, identify the problem, and fix them again and again. That repetition builds confidence.”

Building Confidence Through Experience

Each week at NRVTA reinforced Chris’s belief that anyone can learn to maintain and repair their RV with the right instruction.

“Working with real equipment — not just looking at diagrams — has done a lot to increase my confidence,” he said. “Now I can diagnose and fix issues on my own rig, and even help other people who run into trouble.”

The program’s structured yet supportive approach helped him move from curiosity to competence in just a few weeks.

A New Level of Freedom

Today, Chris feels more independent than ever. Whether he’s parked near the slopes in Colorado or exploring a new destination, he knows he can handle whatever comes his way.

“I think NRVTA is an incredible option for anyone looking to get into the RV industry — or even if you just want to understand your own rig,” he said. “The skills you gain here are invaluable. It’s been awesome.”