Cost of service

[seeg]

I owned a twin disel powered boat for years (Volvo D-6's) and did all my own maintenance, fuel filters, oil filters, air , coolant, etc. When I suggested to DW that the motorhome should be easy in comparison (no impellers to change, no zincs, and much easier access) she said let the local Cummins people take care of it. They quoted me $284.00 for the gen set and over $400 for the engine ,an ISB 6.7 360. The genset included the air filter and the engine service included checking coolant , serpentine belt, etc. Do these figures seem high to anyone but me? What do you pay for service?

[NO3putt]

Dan,

A bit high compared to what we pay, oil, chassis lub, all filters, (oil and gas) inspection of entire chassis around $500 for both engine and generator at our local FL/Cummins dealer.

We budget $1,000 each fall for our yearly preventative maintenance, air filter some years, air dryer others, there is always something beside the oil change each year.

Skip

[silver]

After going to camp freight-liner I do it myself. Spend less than $100 per year and I know what has been done. As you stated it is not hard. The money I save goes for diesel.

[JTN8]

Sounds high to me too, I do the generator myself for maybe $40 ish.... I take it to my local FL service center for the chassis lube and all the oil and fuel filters and it was around $375ish I believe.... Gen set is very very easy!

Jason

[seeg]

Called FL and they'll do everything including the chassis lube for $400-$500. Sounds better. I had the DW talked into doing it ourselves this weekend but with temps in the teens I'd rather let them do it than freeze doing it myself. And, I probably would have taken it to FL for the chassis work anyway. Apparently they have some sort of package pricing for lube , oil and filter changes as their hourly rate is $189.00. I'll have to raise my hourly rate to keep up.

Thanks for your replys.

[Gottawonder]

$189, because $200 would seem unreasonable



Gottawonder

[glevron]

Just had mine service @ Kent Mitchell oasis dealer in hammond, La One yr service, 6k miles. Oil & filter change, fuel filters changed, transmission filter changed & chassis lube. $332 Did generator myself!


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[Campin Cajun]

Originally Posted by glevron

Just had mine service @ Kent Mitchell oasis dealer in hammond, La One yr service, 6k miles. Oil & filter change, fuel filters changed, transmission filter changed & chassis lube. $332 Did generator myself!


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Not a bad price for all that.

[gasman94]

FL Oasis dealer in Mattawan, Mi. 37 point inspection, lube, fuel filter, water separator, coolant test, washer fluid ad 16 oz. bio kleen power service fluid (16) oz.......$189
I did my own oil change and gen oil change.


Rich

[I-RV]

I applaud all those doing there own maintenance. I hate to say what I paid at the Freightliner Oasis in Gaffney with seeing all of your low dollar figures. I paid for 5 hrs. of service. They got me on a $163 air dryer kit and $80 air filter. This was my 24 month maintenance.

I am wondering however if everyone is following the Freightliner maintenance schedules. I have attached two schedules. I for one do not understand Freightliner calling for changing the power steering fluid, its fluid and rear axle fluid every 12 months. Also the tranny filter for the 2500MH, every other year.

Some of this appears to be excess, but I wasn't about to argue, considering my investment.

[gasman94]

I had gone to Gaffney for Camp FL and had the list that they gave us for service intervals. When I brought it to the Oasis dealer, he said that the 37 point inspection that they do would be fine. I was really happy with their service and of course, their prices.

[seeg]

Update. FL charged me slightly over $600.00 for a chassis lube and engine maintenance. I paid $20.00 a gallon for Shell Rotella,(5 gallons) $7.00 for grease, $21.82 for fuel water separator element, $11.63 for a lube filter, $37.22 for a fuel filter, $42.70 for fuel/water filter and $318 for labor. They didn't do the gen set because it only had 12 hours on it and said Cummins recommended against it. And I thought Volvo parts were expensive.


Any thoughts on the deferred maintenance on the generator

[jrlebaron]

I recommend going to the FR rally in Goshen and getting oil changed there. I saved about a hundred dollars and they come right to your site. Jim

[dustman_stx]

It appears as though I'm in the wrong business. Almost $200 an hour for oil changes and basic maintenance!!!!!!!! That's completely insane.

[mud yapster]

Especially since they are paying the mechanic peanuts in comparison. Gen oil/filter change $28 myself. Grease is cheep $8, engine oil, and all filters $200 at most, but your paying to not get your hands dirty and convenience costs. I know my rig isn't a MH but I have all the same expenses as you mostly.

[dustman_stx]

You should be able to use the top of the line Amsoil oil and filter for less than $200. And, yeah, I have a problem with a shop charging $189 an hour and paying their workers chump change. I'd be VERY surprised to find any workers there doing maintenance making over $20 an hour. Guys doing major repair might be making more, but my experience with all shops is that they put the new guys on basic maintenance and the experienced guys on the more technical stuff. Many times those workers have to provide their own tools, too.

[gasman94]

Oil change with Rotella T and oil filter plus my time costs around $80. First time I had it changed, took it to the RV dealer (not freightliner) and it was almost $220 and they overfilled it. Just remember to fill the new oil filter with oil before replacing it. I don't do my own fuel filters, because I've heard too many stories of not having them prefilled as well and the engine having problems running/starting and I don't keep diesel at home to prefill.

[gasman94]

The freightliner dealer that I go to has great service and reasonable prices. I would recommend Freightliner of Mattawan, Mi. to anyone nearby. They are an Oasis dealer and know how to treat motorhome owner's needs.

[seeg]

Yeah, my feelings mirror many of those stated above. The local attitude is pay our prices or go elsewhere. No wonder I make most of my purchases online or in Seattle. For example i bought the dink in Boise and saved several thousand over what I could purchase a comparable vehicle here for. You'd think I'd learn after living here 35 years. Next year I'll be doing it myself unless I can find a competent independent.

[I-RV]

As I stated earlier, the FL service schedule calls for changing the rear axle oil, the power steering fluid and filter on a 12 month basis. I do not any of you getting that done. Am I missing something?
Hank