The consequences of purchasing the wrong parts for your RV can range from minor performance issues to serious long-term damage to your camper. However, finding the right parts for your RV isn’t always as easy as it sounds. Luckily, this guide from Boyer RV Center can help make the RV parts buying process go so much smoother. 

The Risks of Buying Non-OEM Parts

While a minor difference in specifications between a part and the component it is replacing can be difficult to spot, it can still have serious consequences. That is why purchasing non-OEM parts can be such a gamble. OEM parts, in contrast,  are essentially identical to the parts they are meant to replace, which reduces your chances of experiencing compatibility issues to nearly zero. 

Check Your RV's Warranty Coverage

RV warranties can vary a lot in terms of coverage. If you have an older RV, chances are good the part won’t be covered. However, since warranties can make paying for repairs so much easier, it never hurts to at least check. You could stand to save a lot of money if you find that the part in question is covered under warranty. 

Difficulties Finding Parts

One reason why an RV owner might settle for non-OEM or lower-quality parts is a lack of availability. Those with RVs manufactured by smaller companies are at a disadvantage here. That’s because larger RV manufacturers tend to have more production capacity and form relationships with more dealers. Not only are more parts available for RVs produced by these larger companies, but they are available in more places as well. 

The age of an RV’s model is also a factor in finding parts for it. RV manufacturers typically stop producing spare parts for a model a few years after they stop producing it, creating a limited supply. That’s to say nothing of RVs manufactured by brands that have since gone defunct, thus making the OEM parts supply even more limited. 

Shop RVs and RV parts at Boyer RV Center in Erie, Pennsylvania. We also offer servicing, parts ordering, and winterization. We hope you’ll come visit us soon!