Keeping Adventures Rolling

Owned by Chad Stursma and his wife Jaclyn, Pella RV Service offers mobile repair work across Central Iowa and recently expanded to accommodate even more projects. Chad summed up his mission simply:

“My goal is to keep people camping,” he said. “When a family gets to the campground and realizes their A/C isn’t working, I want to be the guy who keeps them from packing up and heading home.”

With nearly 20 years of RV repair experience under his belt, Chad knows firsthand how hard it can be to get timely repairs, especially during the peak camping season. Many dealerships are booked out two to three months, making it nearly impossible for campers to hit the road on schedule.

That’s where Pella RV Service comes in. Chad offers mobile repair work across a 45-minute radius around Pella—and farther, if the job can be done efficiently in one trip. His services range from routine maintenance to emergency fixes, all performed with a focus on flexibility, responsiveness, and a true understanding of RV life.

He primarily performs mobile service—meeting customers at their driveways, or campsites. “I typically go to where the people are and work on their RVs before they go camping,” Chad said. “I fix everything from appliances to sealants—whatever they need.”

To accommodate larger and more complex jobs, Chad recently expanded his workspace, renting a bigger bay at Fox Ridge Storage. This move allows him to work indoors year-round and tackle projects like roof repairs, A/C installations, and full sealant jobs—repairs that require precision and protection from the elements.

 

“Having a covered space means I can do more complex repairs in all types of weather—and do them right,” Chad said.

Chad’s top four service calls?

Plumbing - Air Conditioners - Water Heaters - Sealants (which, he emphasizes, should be a top maintenance priority for RV owners)

And while Chad’s days are full—he also works at Vermeer Corporation—his evenings and weekends are dedicated to keeping RVs road-ready.

“Sometimes we get a lot of 7 p.m. calls,” he laughed. “That’s when people need me—that’s when I go.”

And what about first-time RV buyers? Do they know what they’re getting into? Chad laughed: “Most of the time, no. You do run into people not being very forthcoming with issues when selling an RV. Funny enough, some of the more simple, less expensive RVs tend to have fewer problems. The more electronics and lights and fancy things you get, the more things that can go wrong.”

 

Chad has also built strong relationships with local campgrounds, making regular visits throughout the season to introduce himself and ensure campers know help is just a call away.

Chad’s road to 20 years of experience in the RV repair business was anything but typical. A Pella High School graduate, he started out in an electrical apprenticeship with Menninga Electric right after high school. After his apprenticeship Chad joined the Army, where a chance encounter at a job fair introduced him to RV service work. After more than a decade in the dealership world, Chad returned to Pella—and brought his skills with him.

“It always makes me laugh. You don’t hear a lot of kids say they want to repair RVs when they grow up,” he said. “But the opportunity fell into my lap and it made sense for me, and here I am.”

 

It’s also a true family affair. Chad and Jaclyn’s three daughters lend a hand—sometimes quite literally—helping with jobs that require an extra set of hands like awnings and A/C units.

“The girls are a great help,” said Jaclyn. “This has definitely become a family business. I love that the kids get to learn new skills through it.”

From proactive maintenance to last-minute repairs, Chad encourages RV owners to plan ahead when possible.

“A lot of people don’t know they have a problem until it’s too late. I always tell customers: be prepared. Don’t wait until the day before your trip to check if everything works.”

In a competitive industry, Chad says the camaraderie among RV techs has been refreshing. He’s quick to refer clients to other technicians when needed, and others do the same.

Pella RV Service is more than a business—it’s a mission. One that keeps families on the road, under the stars, and making memories.

“We love Pella. We love serving this community,” said Chad. “And we love keeping people camping.”