From Tire Shop Owner to Mobile RV Tech: Why Every RVer Should Take the NRVTA Fundamentals Course

After 20 years of owning and operating a tire shop in the Florida Keys, Ryan and his wife were ready for something new.

“I’m pretty mechanically inclined,” he said, “but like a lot of people, when you open the bays on your RV, you see all those components and have no idea what you’re looking at.”

That curiosity — and a desire for more freedom — led Ryan to the National RV Training Academy (NRVTA) in Athens, Texas.

Learning How Every System Works

“When I first got here, I couldn’t have told you what a Schwintek controller was,” Ryan admitted. “Now, after seven weeks at NRVTA, I can open a compartment on my RV, know exactly what I’m looking at, and understand how it all works.”

Through the RV Fundamentals Course and additional training, Ryan learned how to diagnose, repair, and maintain the same systems that frustrate thousands of RV owners every year — including slides, air conditioners, water heaters, and electrical circuits.

He describes the experience as eye-opening: “The instructors are knowledgeable, they walk you through everything, and you actually get to see and touch the parts while they’re working. You can move slides in and out, test components, and see real-time results. That’s where it all clicks.”

Freedom to Travel — and Earn

For Ryan and his wife, the decision to come to NRVTA wasn’t just about learning maintenance — it was about creating a lifestyle.

“The reason NRVTA made sense for us was that it gave us the ability to fix our own coach while traveling around the country,” he said. “We can go to the cities we want, stay in the climates we enjoy, and make money along the way.”

Graduates of NRVTA often use their new skills to start mobile RV service businesses, giving them the flexibility to work anywhere there’s an RV in need of help. For Ryan, it’s the perfect combination of independence and purpose.

Breaking Free from the 9-to-5

“If anybody out there is sick of the nine-to-five grind and doesn’t feel like they’re being compensated for their worth,” Ryan said, “have the confidence to take this class. It’s worth it. I can’t say enough about NRVTA.”

His message resonates with many students who come to NRVTA looking for a second career or a way to support their travel lifestyle. The hands-on learning, combined with the business foundation taught through NRVTA’s partnership with the RV Technician Association of America (RVTAA) and the National RV Inspectors Association (NRVIA), gives graduates the tools to succeed on their own terms.

Why the Fundamentals Course Matters

Ryan’s advice is simple: “I can’t see any RVer who wouldn’t benefit from at least taking the Fundamentals class.”

The RV Fundamentals Course is a one-week, tip-to-tail program that gives RV owners a deep understanding of their rigs — from electrical systems and appliances to safety and troubleshooting.

For Ryan, it was the best investment he could have made. “Now, I know my RV inside and out, and I have the skills to keep us rolling no matter where we go.”