Finding a Motorhome Repair shop in Ireland

Ireland is a small country particularly if you're looking to have a motorhome repaired. I can count on one hand the number of good professional repair shops that I could recommend.  If there is a job that you just can't DIY what are your options.  There was a time in the not to distance past where it would be just a matter of ringing your nearest or trusted (they were not always the same) dealer to make an appointment that suited you then would be looked after within a week or so. But with the surge in motorhome/camper van ownership the dealerships/repair shops are overrun with work plus they are encountering the same problem that many sectors are experiencing with being unable to find experienced staff to increase capacity. If anything over the past few years the availability of good quality repair shops has declined with Donagheys in Letterkenny one of my favourites closing down completely. At the moment if you contact the same trusted repair shop or dealer looking of a quick repair you will more than likely be asked to go on a waiting list with a 6 to 8 week lead in time. Not ideal but this is where we are at .

 Over the last 15 years or so I have had to use the services of most of these repair shops or dealers. While I never got a bad service some were better that others, there are also many I have not used below is a list of the ones I have. I have no connection with any of the business other than that I have left large amounts of my hard earned cash with them.

  All my campers to date with one exception have been on a Fiat Ducato base with the other being on a Ford Transit base which didn't last as I just found the Ford a bit agriculture for my taste. If you think of Fiat and are of a certain age your first thought will be of the fix it again tomorrow rusting hulks that Fiat turned out in the 70s and 80s I have to say when I was getting into the motorhome hobby I thought the same but Fiat commercial particularly the Ducato van is a world beater, out of the 4  I have owned I never had a bad one. I have used my local mechanic for general servicing but as my current van is still under warranty I bring the van to a main dealer. Its worth noting for anyone new to motor homing that problems relating to the base vehicle should be addressed by a garage and not your motorhome repair shop as chances are if the motorhome repair shop take in a van for mechanical repair they will give it to there local garage and charge you a premium for the trouble unless your van is under warranty then of course you bring it back to where you bought it .  

 There are two garages I can highly recommend, the first is Brian Reynolds cars in Drogheda. They are main dealers for a number of marquis one of theses is Fiat. They went above and beyond to held me when I had the dreaded airbag light problem on a previous van, they sourced a new ECU for me when I was drawing a blank with many others. They have recently reinstated their 5 ton ramp so can now again take motorhomes after a brief period when the ramp was not working .

The second is Auto Maintenance Services in Santry Dublin these guys are on top of their game. They are specialist in Alfa Romeos but are also a Fiat professional centre they also have a 5ton+ lift, I  have only used them for regular servicing to date just to keep up the warranty,  I will revert back to my local man and DIY servicing at the end of the warranty period .  

For repairs or mods to the caravan part of the motorhome in no particular order theses are the dealers I have used. Firstly the nearest one to me is Maynooth Motorhomes I have used theses guys a number of times and was always happy with the service the only negative is that they are extremely busy , recently when I contacted them to do some work on my van I was but on a call back list. I'm still waiting for the call ! 

Many years ago I bought a van from Anchor Point in killiloe I found them quite good to deal with, when we needed some work done under warranty there was no problem they just took the van back in and completed the work. They also have a very nice showroom to visit, they seem to always have lots of stock on display.Be carful when you go in there "just for a look" I have never left empty handed ... and one time came away with a new motorhome when I only went in for toilet fluid .

Not far down the road from Anchor Point you have Derek Walsh Campers these guys know there stuff, they are a one stop shop for body repair, damp/leak repair accident damaged and anything else camper van or motorhome you can think of, they recently sorted out a problem I had. A big plus was that they were able to take me in within a week of contacting them. As this was a job that needed sorted I was delited with this inspite of the fact that this would mean a 4 hour bus trip home. I can defiantly recommend theses guys. They also do sales and seem to have lot of stock on display but the showroom is not as polished as Anchor Point. 

Next is Leisure Technical Solutions in Lisburn. If you like your gadgets this is the place to go , check there website for the full list , I used them to fit an outside gas point and a refillable lpg system I also got some great help and advise when fitting my lithium battery. My next job will be fitting a wifi antenna to the van I haven't decided if I will diy it or use these guys to have it fitted but either way I will be putting in a call for help and advice before in do anything . 

So that's the ones I have had direct dealings with over the years. There are a few others I would have no problem recommending again in no particular order firstly Thompson Leisure in Dromore they have grown into probably the biggest dealer in the country at the moment they always have plenty of stock and have a huge workshop , I have bought some small bits and pieces from them over the years and was all ways happy with the items .

 Cara Motor Homes in Newcastle west are a big dealership with an excellent workshop I have never managed to get a spot when I need a repair as they are always super busy with long lead in times.  The small bits I did buy from them were always in order, I did try to buy a van there once but we were not able to agree terms .

 Pat Horan motors in Borrisokane also comes highly recommended I have no experience of theses guys but hear very good things about them , Tristan Horan is very active in a number of FaceBook groups and is very generous with his time giving help and advise on motorhome/camper van issues .

The final company I want to mention is Cosy Campers this is an online store for all things camper related , we are all used to going to amazon and other on line stores for a good deal on motorhome/camper gear ,Cosy Campers is an Irish store that can match any deal you can get on Amazon or the like, plus you will be supporting an Irish firm. I use them all the time for various bits the main one being a solar kit which I fitted myself.

 There are a few other repair business {but not too many mind} I have not mentioned this is purely because I have had no dealings with them and not in any way a reflection on there work either way. 

So that's about it as I said inspite of the big demand for all things camping there is not a lot of choice when it comes to finding a repair shop to repair or upgrade a motorhome. I would be so bold to say if you were to set up a good professional repair/upgrade business specially in the greater Dublin area it would be a sure thing for a successful business model.  

Until next time happy camping ... and don't forget to wave.