From Power Lines to RV Lifelines: How Bill Riggs Reinvented His Career After 38 Years

After nearly four decades in the electrical trade—including years as a project manager—a nationwide reduction in force meant a hard reset for Bill Riggs, and that path forward wasn't obvious.

Then came the nudge that changed everything: his wife suggested the idea of becoming a certified RV inspector. Today Bill runs Associated RV Services, LLC in Houston, Texas, offering certified RV inspections, fluid analysis, and safety evaluations—work he launched in 2023 and built on top of his technical background.

Reinventing His Career

Starting over after 38 years in any field takes guts. But Bill didn't just retrain—he dove in completely. He earned his NRVIA inspector certification and RVTAA technician credentials, then opened a business focused on helping RV buyers make smarter, more confident decisions.

What keeps him going now? "Meeting some really cool people from all over the country and other countries." After decades in the electrical trade, connecting with RV owners and fellow enthusiasts has brought a fresh sense of purpose to his work.

What Buyers Need to Know

Bill has inspected RVs all across the Houston area, and he's seen it all—hidden dealbreakers, overblown concerns, and everything in between. Here's what stands out from his experience:

The biggest red flag? "If a seller refuses an inspection, walk away." Bill's firm on this one. A trustworthy seller has nothing to hide and welcomes transparency.

The costly stuff hiding in plain sight: Internal engine issues often only show up through fluid analysis. Miss those, and you could be facing major repairs down the road.

Not as scary as it looks: Cracked roof sealant. Bill sees buyers panic over this all the time, but here's the reality: "A lot of times it looks cracked and worn but there's no water intrusion. It simply needs to be cleaned and touched up on a regular basis."

That said, Bill still recommends getting photos of the roof sealant before the inspection, especially the termination strips at the front and rear. It's a quick check that can save everyone time and anxiety.

Bill's Approach: Evidence Over Assumptions

When Bill encounters weathered-looking roof sealant, he doesn't jump to conclusions. His process is methodical: check for actual moisture intrusion first. No moisture? Then it's a matter of routine maintenance—cleaning and touch-up—not a crisis. This is exactly the kind of calm, evidence-based guidance that helps buyers separate real problems from cosmetic wear.

Why Inspections Matter (Yes, Even on Brand New Rigs)

Bill recommends a certified third-party inspection for every buyer, and that includes brand-new units fresh off the lot. Why? Because manufacturing and transport can introduce twists and torques that cause early fit-and-finish issues. And with pre-owned rigs, you rarely get complete maintenance records. An inspection gives you "a full list of the problems or issues" so you can make an informed choice, not a hopeful guess.

Sharing What He Knows: Bill's Books

Bill isn't just an RV inspector—he is also an educator. He's written extensively about RV maintenance and repair, creating resources that help owners avoid the costly mistakes and ruined trips that come from not knowing what maintenance their RV actually needs.

His book DIY RV Maintenance 101: An Illustrated Handbook for RV Owners walks readers through proactive maintenance routines for every major RV system—the kind of regular care that most owners never learn about until something breaks. The companion title DIY RV Illustrated Repair Manual focuses on troubleshooting and fixing issues when they do arise, with step-by-step instructions for tackling everything from electrical glitches to appliance malfunctions. And for those who want to go even deeper, Bill's created a 15-book RV Owners DIY Series available on Kindle, with each book diving into a specific system.

It's a remarkable body of work, and it all comes from the same philosophy: RV owners deserve to understand their rigs, and with the right guidance, they can handle far more than they think.

Quick Tips from Bill

• Always get a certified third-party inspection—new or used.

• Request roof photos early, especially termination strips.

• Have a fluid analysis done to uncover hidden engine issues.

• Don't panic over cosmetic wear—but do verify there's no actual damage.

Connect with Bill

If you're in the Houston area, you can find Bill Riggs through his RV Help profile. Not nearby? RV Help can connect you with a certified inspector wherever you are.

And if you want to learn how to maintain and repair your own RV, check out Bill's books on Amazon. They're the education most RV owners never get—until they really need it.