RV Breakdowns to Business Owner | Lance’s Journey to Becoming a Mobile RV Technician at the NRVTA

For Lance from Seattle, Washington, life after retirement was supposed to be all about adventure. He and his wife set out on a four-month RV trip, excited to see the country and enjoy the freedom of the open road. But as any RVer learns, even the best trips can be interrupted by unexpected breakdowns.

“You can’t find an RV dealership that can see you in August,” Lance said. “It’s just not going to happen.”

When their RV broke down during the trip, Lance discovered how challenging it could be to get help while traveling far from home.

RV Breakdowns to Business Owner - Lance’s Journey to Becoming a Mobile RV Technician at the NRVTA

A Lesson Learned on the Road

The first breakdown happened in Shelbyville, Illinois, where a friend recommended the RV Technician Association of America (RVTAA) website to find a certified mobile tech. “I went online, found a technician in the area, and he came out to fix my problem,” Lance said. “I paid him, thanked him, and we were back on our way.”

But a few weeks later, his refrigerator stopped working while they were in Wisconsin — and this time, no one was available to help. “All the dealerships were six weeks out,” he recalled. “We were a long way from home, so I got on Google and YouTube, figured out what was wrong, drove an hour and a half for the part, and fixed it myself.”

That experience changed everything. “By the end of the trip, we said to ourselves, ‘If we’re going to keep doing this, I should learn how to fix our own RV.’”

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Finding the National RV Training Academy

When the couple returned home, Lance began researching RV education options and discovered the National RV Training Academy (NRVTA) in Athens, Texas.

“I found NRVTA on Google and saw more about it on YouTube,” he said. “Marcus and Jen from Changing Lanes were talking about it, and I thought, ‘You know what? That sounds like a good plan.’”

Within months, Lance enrolled in the RV Fundamentals Course, a one-week, hands-on training program that teaches RV owners and aspiring technicians how to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair RV systems safely. From there, he continued into the multi-week Certified RV Technician Program, where students earn professional credentials recognized by the RVTAA.

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Confidence Through Knowledge

In his first week of training, Lance realized just how much he had to gain. “I learned that I’d been doing a few things wrong,” he said. “Some of the things that used to freak me out no longer do. Now I understand what’s happening and how to deal with it.”

He credits the instructors and staff at NRVTA for creating a supportive and empowering environment. “The instructors explain everything clearly,” he said. “They make sure you know not just what to do, but why you’re doing it.”

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Turning Training Into a Business

Now equipped with a strong foundation of knowledge, Lance decided to take things one step further. “I thought, ‘I have all this knowledge, and I’m retired — why not start a business?’”

That’s how Roamin’ RV Tech was born — a mobile RV repair and inspection business that Lance plans to operate while continuing to travel. “It keeps me active, gives me something to do, and helps other RVers who find themselves in the same situation I was in,” he said.

He believes his story is proof that anyone, regardless of background or age, can gain valuable skills and independence through NRVTA.

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About the National RV Training Academy

The National RV Training Academy, located in Athens, Texas, is the nation’s leading hands-on training center for RV owners, technicians, and inspectors. Courses include:

• RV Fundamentals – A one-week course for understanding and maintaining RV systems.
• Certified RV Technician Program – A multi-week training that prepares students for professional certification.
• RV Inspector Training – A course for those who want to evaluate RVs for buyers and sellers.

Graduates can earn credentials recognized by both the RVTAA and the National RV Inspectors Association (NRVIA), paving the way for rewarding careers in the growing RV service industry.

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A Retirement That Keeps Rolling

What started as a frustrating RV trip has turned into a fulfilling second career for Lance. “I’m a curious person,” he said. “I want to know as much as I can — and now, I do. I just wish I’d done it sooner.”

Whether it’s fixing his own rig or helping fellow travelers stay on the road, Lance is proof that a few weeks at NRVTA can change how you live — and how you work — for years to come.

To learn more, visit NRVTA.com or call (903) 386-0444.