Twenty-four students braved snow and ice to attend Dometic’s live training Nov. 29-30 at the Holiday Inn in Lakewood, Colorado. The supplier will host two-day live training events at over 25 nationwide locations through April 2023.
During the training, Dometic instructs RV technicians about Dometic air conditioning, water heaters, furnaces and refrigeration. The two-day program focuses on operation, common issues and accurate diagnosis of a wide range of Dometic/Atwood products.
In Denver yesterday, techs immersed themselves in sessions covering air conditioning and water heaters.
“Class can be fun,” said Dillon Scheetz, Dometic field auditor and technical trainer. “It is a great way to learn and expand your knowledge.”
Techs came from across the state to glean information about the latest technology and techniques. They devoted part of the day listening to lectures, but they spent much of it fingers-deep in diagnostic equipment troubleshooting air conditioning and water heater simulators.
The program is designed to educate seasoned and new RV technicians, as well as inform technicians of new technology and products and common issues experienced in the field. Technicians receive hours towards RVIA certification, depending on whether they take one day of the course or two.
RV Technician Tylor Fallon, Humphrey RV in Grand Junction, Colorado, has been an RV technician for two years. He primarily works on fifth wheels. He said he discovered he had a passion for learning at a supplier training.
“I loved it and learned a lot, so my supervisor offered me a spot here in this class and I am going to learn more,” he said. “I really love going through what is coming out next, so I can look forward to it…the new thermostats coming out and the different changes to ACs. Going to these types of classes helps a lot.”
Scheetz said one of the biggest class benefits is technicians can use their knowledge to fix other suppliers’ products in addition to Dometic’s.
“If I can teach them water heaters today, and they can go and diagnose Suburban water heaters, or anyone else’s tank water heaters, it would be very possible,” he said. “It transfers all the way through.”
Shop foreman Vinnie Ariniello of Humphrey RV in Montrose, Colorado, who has 25 years of experience in the industry, said he is attending the class primarily to learn diagnostic information to bring back to his technicians.
“I am learning some new diagnostic tips and tricks that I don’t already know and expanding on what I already know,” he said. “There are always changes in the industry.”
Scheetz said he likes to interact with the technicians and discover what they are experiencing daily in their jobs.
He likes to support students beyond class and gives them his contact information in case they “get in a tough spot” in the future.
“I get to interact with all the technicians and I get to talk to them and see…you know, what have you been seeing on the field,” he said. “What are you struggling with? How can I better assist you?” Scheetz said if he does not know an answer he will connect the techs with someone who does.
Most technicians in the class work at dealerships. A few students run their own businesses, Scheetz said.
Scott Cavenah is the owner of Blue Line Mobile RV Service, LLC. Cavenah hails from a family of police officers. He has 31 years of experience as a police officer, is getting ready to retire and was inspired by his brother-in-law to become an RV technician. He has been in the industry for 18 months and is currently pursuing his passion for doing RV inspections, fixing water heaters and refrigerators part-time.
Cavenah said he is taking the class to keep up his NRVTA certification.
“Some of this is repeat for what I have had and some of this is new,” he said. “My big thing was, being Dometic, I want to try to learn what the new systems are. I want to see what the 12-volt fridge is and learn more about their water heater.”
Technicians enjoy the change, working with each other and sharing knowledge in-person in the classes rather than talking to each other on the phone, Scheetz said.
A general knowledge of basic electricity and testing equipment is recommended for the classes, but not required. Attendees are responsible for bringing basic tools such as screwdrivers, pliers and multi-meters.
For questions, or to obtain a registration form, please contact Dometic’s training department at [email protected].
