Berkshire preventative maintenance

[JTN8]

So the end of July will be 1 year since I've owned my 2014 berkshire 390BH and I was wondering what y'all do for preventative maintenance, fluid changes etc... I looked on freight liners web site and I saw the 6 month inspection sheet and 12 month inspection sheet. I called my local freight liner service center and they quoted me $350 for an oil change, chassis lube and full inspection. I also called my local cummins service center and they quoted me $175 for the oil change, $50 for the fuel filters and another $50 for the motorhome chassis lube. I've changed the oil my self for the generator and that was easy but the engine makes me a little nervous. So I was wondering, are these prices average and is any of the Preventative maintenance things easy to do your self or should I bring it to one of the service centers? Obviously the freight liner inspection sheet is long and in depth and pretty sure I can not inspect all of the things on there so my other question is should I stick with freight liner service center or use cummins service center when doing the inspection? Thank you in advance for any of your experiences with the above questions.

Jason

[NO3putt]

For us we take to an authorized Frightliner/Cummins dealer. (They are both) Every year we have the following:

Oil change, engine & generator
Fuel filters
Lub
Chassis inspection, brakes checked, water tested,
For around $450

As needed:
Air filters
Air dryer serviced
What ever is listed in manual based on miles

They found a front brake seal leaking.
They found rear brake pad chunking

A good dealer is the best thing you can find.

[JTN8]

Originally Posted by NO3putt

For us we take to an authorized Frightliner/Cummins dealer. (They are both) Every year we have the following:

Oil change, engine & generator
Fuel filters
Lub
Chassis inspection, brakes checked, water tested,
For around $450

As needed:
Air filters
Air dryer serviced
What ever is listed in manual based on miles

They found a front brake seal leaking.
They found rear brake pad chunking

A good dealer is the best thing you can find.

Thank you for the info!! Sounds like the pricing is about the same and I think I should stick with freight liner even though a little bit more than cummins, I want my chassis inspected properly. Thanks again!

Jason

[Mmnsc]

Have you thought about having you service done at the FL facility in Gaffney SC. They do great job, know what they are doing and provide overnight parking with hook ups. Also a great opportunity to attend camp freightliner. Just my opinion

[JTN8]

Originally Posted by Mmnsc

Have you thought about having you service done at the FL facility in Gaffney SC. They do great job, know what they are doing and provide overnight parking with hook ups. Also a great opportunity to attend camp freightliner. Just my opinion

Little far for me for service, I have a Freightliner service center close to my house. I am planning on attending the camp in October though, but don't want to wait that long for my service. End of July will be one year and I'm just under 6k on mileage right now.

Jason

[dan-nickie]

I thought my book said the first service should be at 6 months?
Are you guys skipping that one?

[JTN8]

I did see freight liner has a six month inspection on the chassis, but the first service for oil and oil/fuel filters are 1 year, unless I read it wrong.

[dan-nickie]

So, did you get an 'inspection' at 6 months.
What does everyone do at 6 months if anything.

My 6 months is coming up but only have about 2000 miles.
Does it affect warranty?

[Superchief]

FL changed the 6 month to 1 year (per Mike (Instructor) at Freightliner Camp).

[JTN8]

I did not get one at six months, looked at the inspection sheet on freight liners web sight and it was the same as the one year. I figured I'd take care of it all at the one year mark when I needed all of the fluid and filters changed. I did change the oil and filter myself on the generator once I hit my break in hours though since cummins wanted $100.00 to do it and it cost me less than $25 to do it myself... Very very easy if you air up the bags and crawl under the generator when pulled out. I'm sure I could change the oil myself in the engine too, but not sure about the fuel filters..... Not sure how hard they are...

[Phil57]

I think the important filter on the first service is the Transmission filter the small screw on one.

[JTN8]

Originally Posted by Phil57

I think the important filter on the first service is the Transmission filter the small screw on one.

Is it easy to find and replace?? I haven't gotten under the coach much to really look where everything is located.

Jason

[Mbh818]

Had my first service done at a Speedco in utah during our maiden voyage. Was around 7000 miles. Speedco is like a jiffy lube for truckers. They were great. In and out in less than hour. Changed oil, filters, lube, etc for about $260 if i remember correctly. Not sure where you are located or if there is a Speedco nearby, but I was happy with them.

[Phil57]

Jason I haven't done mine myself but it's a twist on filter like a oil filter and just as easy to do.

[JTN8]

Originally Posted by Mbh818

Had my first service done at a Speedco in utah during our maiden voyage. Was around 7000 miles. Speedco is like a jiffy lube for truckers. They were great. In and out in less than hour. Changed oil, filters, lube, etc for about $260 if i remember correctly. Not sure where you are located or if there is a Speedco nearby, but I was happy with them.

Thanks for the info, I'm located in Suffolk VA (near Norfolk and VA Beach area), I'll need to see if there is one around. Haven't heard of them before.

Jason

[JTN8]

Originally Posted by Phil57

Jason I haven't done mine myself but it's a twist on filter like a oil filter and just as easy to do.

Thank you! I'm usually pretty handy with most of the easy maintenance stuff. The chassis inspection and lube will definitely be done by a professional, but if I can save some money and do the rest myself I definitely will. That money saved could be a couple of camping trips!! LOL!!

Jason

[boowho]

Originally Posted by dan-nickie

I thought my book said the first service should be at 6 months?
Are you guys skipping that one?

Be careful with FL truck shops that have not had custom chassis (MH) training.

First, the truck mech's HATE to work on MH's.

Secondly, last year I mentioned the "initial" 6 month service that FL recommends, and all I got was the old "dear in the headlights" look. This was FL of Arizona, and they had no idea what I was talking about.

Boowho??

[I-RV]

Originally Posted by JTN8

So the end of July will be 1 year since I've owned my 2014 berkshire 390BH and I was wondering what y'all do for preventative maintenance, fluid changes etc... I looked on freight liners web site and I saw the 6 month inspection sheet and 12 month inspection sheet. I called my local freight liner service center and they quoted me $350 for an oil change, chassis lube and full inspection. I also called my local cummins service center and they quoted me $175 for the oil change, $50 for the fuel filters and another $50 for the motorhome chassis lube. I've changed the oil my self for the generator and that was easy but the engine makes me a little nervous. So I was wondering, are these prices average and is any of the Preventative maintenance things easy to do your self or should I bring it to one of the service centers? Obviously the freight liner inspection sheet is long and in depth and pretty sure I can not inspect all of the things on there so my other question is should I stick with freight liner service center or use cummins service center when doing the inspection? Thank you in advance for any of your experiences with the above questions.

Jason

Although I have done all my auto servicing, I have found it too much to tackle the MH. Although an oil change is obvious, it is important to change the fuel filters each time and the tranny filter the first year and every other year thereafter. Besides the Cummins engine, there is a zillion things to do on the chassis. I have attached a service matrix and several schedules. You should also acquire each maintenance interval service sheet which will itemize all the service items for each interval.

If you use Freightliner for service, I would advise using an "Oasis" Freightliner Service Center. They are geared for motorhomes. The best Oasis is in Gaffeney, SC. Also, join www.Access Freightliner.com. If you do not use FL Oasis, make sure the service center quotes and does do the schedule sheet. Most do not have an idea what to do.

[JTN8]

Thank you for the attachments!!

Jason

[dan-nickie]

I RV curious what the significance of the highlighted lines are?

Dan
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2014 Berkshire 390RB-60