Routine Maintenance on Long Trips

[grumpy0374]

Wife and I and another couple in their own class c are planning a long, 3 month trip across US, up into Canada, Alaska, then back east thru Canada. Total will be around 12,000 miles.
I am very picky as to routine and preventive maintaince and will have most of the "heavy" stuff done before we leave (brake, coolant flush and tranny fluid change).
Question relates to a Ford based class c, V-10...
What do you who have taken longer trips do as far as oil/filter changes. I do my own at home using Ford filters and synthetic oil. On the road, it wouldn't be a problem to carry what I would need to do it myself 2-3 times (every 4000 miles), and I'd rather do it myself so it's done right. Do any of you do your own changes while on the road, or do you seek out proper (Ford) dealers to preform the work?
Other couple also has a Ford based class c and same would apply to them...we're both DIY at home.
Thanks,
Grumpy

[dan-nickie]

On my Ford class c, I could change the oil filter without having to jack up the rig. If it's important, buy a cheap drain pan and disposed of it when you're done.

[grumpy0374]

Yeah, I can easily get under the front and I have a Fumoto valve installed, so draining is no problem. Just wondering if anyone has run into problems with park owners. I realize that it would only be appropriate to ask the owner if it's ok.
Just wondering what you all had done in your travels..
Grumpy

[dwcjb]

Most places we stay don't allow oil changes. I am picky too. I have brought my own oil and filters and gone to a Jiffy Lube or similar quickie place, then I stand outside the bay and watch them like a hawk. I also tell them no tires or air filter as they want to upsell and/or change your tire pressure. It's a little expensive for labor only but you don't have to hassle with oil disposal, etc.

[Davidjeff]

If you are confident you could do an oil change at a rest area then drop the used oil off at most parts stores which have recycling for this. I would line the drain pan with a trash bag to cut down on having to clean it afterwards. Carry a few empty jugs to put the old in and save the new ones to use for the next change plus carry extra oil and filters for extra security. Shouldn't really take you more than 10 minutes to do.

[Atlee]

Glad I'm not that picky. On my 7,900+ mile cross country trip, I just had the oil changed while in Las Vegas, NV. I wasn't about to crawl under my truck and change it while on the road. Much easier, and less fuss by letting it be done.

[youroo]

I am Not going to change the oil at a CG or Rest area! If I can't find a service center within + or- 500 miles of needed change time I have bigger issues ! We are on Vacation not a Pit Crew! Youroo! !

[KyDan]

Originally Posted by youroo

I am Not going to change the oil at a CG or Rest area! If I can't find a service center within + or- 500 miles of needed change time I have bigger issues ! We are on Vacation not a Pit Crew! Youroo! !

What HE said! Plus why not stretch it out to 6000 miles between changes and you'll only need to pay the man once on the road. Change it yourself when you get back.

[Crusadernoob]

I would change it myself at an overnight stop, no big deal. But I would change it at the halfway point, 6,000 miles on a good running engine with today's oil is no problem.

[W5CI]

Why change at 4000, If you are really concerned pull into a Ford dealer along the way. Or a SpeedCo service center here in the USA

[RamblerGuy]

I planned to change our oil myself but almost all campgrounds forbid any maintenance.

I've had mine changed at a Jiffy Lube while on a trip. Call ahead because some quick change places, and even Ford dealerships, don't have a bay tall enough for a motorhome. It cost $65 which I thought was too much since I supplied the oil and filter. They apparently don't put much value on their own oil and filter. The guy said my oil and filter were much better that theirs.

I changed it once in a campground. I had a large ground cover in case I spilled any, poured the oil into jugs, put the filter and oily drain pan in a trash bag, and properly disposed of everything when I got home.

On our last long trip, I ran it beyond my normal 5000 miles. I changed it when we got home with 5100 miles on the oil.

[gfarmcafe]

Originally Posted by youroo

I am Not going to change the oil at a CG or Rest area! If I can't find a service center within + or- 500 miles of needed change time I have bigger issues ! We are on Vacation not a Pit Crew! Youroo! !

Agree! I try to change oil on our 6.0 Chevy every 3000 miles, but I'm not going to worry if it goes beyond 4,000 or 5,000 miles if the oil looks clear.

[yworrydog]

Pioneer RV Park in Whitehorse has a do it yourself pad for oil change. $5.00 That should be about a 1/2 way point for you.. We did ours there last August.

[rvrobocop]

In the Baltimore metro area it is tough enough to get a Ford truck dealer to take you in let alone a Ford dealership that if they have the ability (or desire), you need to leave it overnight. Private shops the same. I hope there might be others out there more accommodating. I have resolved to at minimum change my own oil to save a few bucks and not have the need to go in every 4000 miles. On the road I suspect the issue would be getting rid of the used oil conveniently.

[palmetto rogue]

Help me understand the concern over this. I have done my own maintenance for 50 years but while I am on the road I do not even hesitate to use the dealership for my Powerstroke or my new Duramax diesel. I watch what they do in the bay and have always been happy. The cost is insignificant compared to what you spend for travel and wear and tear.

[Sterlingsilver]

I love synthetic oil and on most vehicles I run 100,000 miles between changes with never an engine problem. Oil filter gets changed at factory specified intervals and oil gets added when low but that's so seldom that I only check level monthly.

[TSman]

When we were in Alaska, we stopped at an auto parts chain store, I think it was an O'Reilly in Fairbanks and asked if we purchased oil and filter from them if we could change it in their lot. They agreed if we used the area on the side. Other people were there working on their vehicles and one of them even took our used oil for a waste oil furnace. Other places we stopped or called said we would have to wait possibly hours for the service to be done. It is a tight fit to get to the filter under our Sunseeker 2500TSC but if you put the front wheel up on a pad, it is easy.

[dalford]

Originally Posted by Sterlingsilver

I love synthetic oil and on most vehicles I run 100,000 miles between changes with never an engine problem. Oil filter gets changed at factory specified intervals and oil gets added when low but that's so seldom that I only check level monthly.

Do,you mean 10,000 miles

[grumpy0374]

Originally Posted by TSman

When we were in Alaska, we stopped at an auto parts chain store, I think it was an O'Reilly in Fairbanks and asked if we purchased oil and filter from them if we could change it in their lot. They agreed if we used the area on the side. Other people were there working on their vehicles and one of them even took our used oil for a waste oil furnace. Other places we stopped or called said we would have to wait possibly hours for the service to be done. It is a tight fit to get to the filter under our Sunseeker 2500TSC but if you put the front wheel up on a pad, it is easy.

Thanks TSman. That is the best idea I've seen. Didn't even think of that option.
I have NEVER used ANY quick lube. Refuse to let an 8 buck an hour kid do work on an 80 grand motor home...wouldn't let em change the oil in my lawnmower.
Everyone has their own preference as to what and when, and I have followed a 4-5 thousand mile change with synthetic and filter for years and years, and will continue. I chose 4 thousand as, to me, it's preventive maintaince, and I do it myself so I know it's done right.
Grumpy

[Sterlingsilver]

Mobile One was tested in taxis in NYC, considered the worst treatment of an engine. As long as the filter was changed at factory specified intervals, the oil lab tested as lubricating properly and engine wear was within new specs at 100,000 miles. Many engines won't break in properly on synthetic because there is almost no wear. You can change synthetic oil anytime you want but mostly its a waste of time and money and trashes the environment. Vehicle manufacturers have to warranty their engines and call for absurdly frequent changes. IMO. All I'm suggesting is that for synthetic oil users, you can enjoy your trip and change it when convenient.