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Old 08-11-2013, 08:49 PM   #1
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How much maintenance do you do/need?

I just sold my boat and am looking to get a motorhome (Solera 24M). I am interested in knowing if you have to spend a lot of time doing maintenance on these like you do on a boat? With a boat they tell you to expect about 8 hours of maintenance for each hour of use. They were right! Can any of you that own a Solera give me any idea what amount of time you spend doing maintenance on one of these versus using it? With a boat it is frequently because there are so many different systems to keep running. These seem like they might be similar since you live in them. Just looking for some feedback.

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Old 08-11-2013, 10:40 PM   #2
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Depends on what you expect out of it. If you're looking at a 24M on the Mercedes Sprinter Chassis, you can expect oil changes every 10K miles (per manual, I do mine more often). DEF fluid must be added every 1700-2000 miles (I just keep mine topped off after every trip). The usual other maintenance items per manufacturer's schedule.

For the coach, you'll need to monitor battery condition religiously, (else you'll find yourself dead in the water somewhere). Roof seams need to be checked regularly to ensure you don't get leaks. If you have a generator, that too needs regularly scheduled oil changes.

You need to keep refrigerator and furnace flues and burners clean and free of spider nests - they love to dwell there.

Tire monitors are a desirable addition to keep tabs on tire pressure. A blowout on the road is no fun - changing truck tires on the side of the road in summer heat is a challenge, and summer heat can hasten a blowout if not properly inflated.

If towing, it's a good idea to make sure your equipment is safe and in good condition, including break-away cable, towbar, baseplate, and hitch assembly. Auxiliary braking is highly desired, since you're adding several thousand pounds of additonal weight on the motorhome's brakes.

Those are the major items. Like a boat, just go over it every time before you take it out, and everytime you finish a trip. You'll notice cosmetic items and minor fit/finish issues as they arise. Things like awnings, storage locker doors, etc. often need adjusting. Remember, that motorhome has most of the systems you have in your sticks and bricks home, so a lot of the same problems pop up from time to time with stoves, refrigerators, plumbing and heating, etc. It's nothing like a boat, but still - good maintenance is a necessity if you want to enjoy your motorhome.

By the way, we have the Solera M and LOVE it.

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Old 08-12-2013, 08:59 AM   #3
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Never owned a boat so can't speak to that. But, that does give you a leg up on the "awareness factor" you must have developed as you learned how to maintain it. It's the same learning curve with the motorhome. As an example, this forum talks about the oil change costs for the Sprinter. Take it to a oil change place and there is a chance they will not have the .51 spec oil that the MB diesel MUST have, so it doesn't foul the diesel particulate filter. If they do, then I have read on here as much as $300 bucks. But your sitting in an air cond waiting room watching FOX (I always change it!). Do it yourself, probably closer to $80. But that is because you found it at Amazon, currently on sale and did it yourself.

Take a few evenings and read the wealth of expierences discussed on this Solera forum ,and it will give you a good understanding of what these Solera owners have encountered. Or, stay at a Holiday Inn Express prior to your purchase, and you will find you can do anything!
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Old 08-12-2013, 09:16 AM   #4
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We moved from boating to a motorhome and it's not the same "stress" level of maintenance between the two. Way easier to keep a motorhome than a boat. Keeping your Rv unit up to par with the regular maintenance and services and you'll never go back to boating!lol
We are in our six Rv unit, some times we miss the water but not te headache!
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