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Old 10-27-2015, 07:08 AM   #1
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Transmission Service

Have a 2012 DSDP with 3000 Allison Trans: Yesterday called Freightliner Service department in Montgomery Alabama. My coach is due a service and was quoted $675.00 to bring it in this Saturday. In my mind though I said: $675.00, holy-you know what. The price bothered me all day, so I called an International truck dealer and they quoted me $350 to $450.

I called Motgomery Freightliner back to cancel my Saturday appointment and they stated; Glad you called back, because we are not sure we can get a filter for your trans on a Saturday and by the way we have no certified mechanic on site for Transmissions. Well I stayed calm and asked well who does have the certifications, "They referred me to W.W. Williams who is certified to work on Allison Transmissions." Called them up and they quoted no more than $450.00.

So why does a non certified shop charge $225.00 more than shops that have certified mechanics. I do not know about you but I expect more out of Freightliner, granted we are talking one employee, but still expect better.

No this does not change my trust in Freightliner, but I will be more careful in the future.

And to end on a positive: Freightliner Help in Gaffney SC is awesome and has saved me time and money. The help Techs are second to none. Intent of this post is to provide information on a Allison 3000 Transmission Service in Alabama, pick it up tomorrow, so anywhere from $350 to $450. I will update if something changes.
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Old 10-27-2015, 07:28 AM   #2
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Why are you having the transmission serviced? The synthetic oil is good for 5 years.
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Old 10-27-2015, 07:35 AM   #3
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Last time I serviced my own 3060MH transmission. Fluid & Filters cost me $192.65 including 7% sales tax.
Labor should be less then 1 1/2 hours at a shop. I can do it under 1 hour.

So any shop should be able to do it for around $300 or under. Over that is a rip off.

IMOA If you don't put over 15,000 miles a year on your MH. Every 5 years would be a good service period to do it.
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Old 10-27-2015, 07:50 AM   #4
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Originally Posted by Triker56 View Post
Last time I serviced my own 3060MH transmission. Fluid & Filters cost me $192.65 including 7% sales tax.
Labor should be less then 1 1/2 hours at a shop. I can do it under 1 hour.

So any shop should be able to do it for around $300 or under. Over that is a rip off.

IMOA If you don't put over 15,000 miles a year on your MH. Every 5 years would be a good service period to do it.

At $192.65 for fluid and filter with tax, you must be talking about conventional ATF. The OP has a newer trans that calls for Transynd and for $193 you can't even get the fluid that is needed.
Also, where do you find a truck or RV shop that only charges $100 for 1.5 hours of shop time?
I'm afraid you're comparing apples to footballs here and a little out of date on shop rates.

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Old 10-27-2015, 07:55 AM   #5
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Why are you having the transmission serviced? The synthetic oil is good for 5 years.
My coach was a never been owned Newmar Demonstrator, has 65,000 miles on it now. I've owned it for a year now. Coach was built in October 2010, even though a 2012 Dutch Star. So my records show the need for a Transmission Service, one by age and 60,000 miles.
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Old 10-27-2015, 07:57 AM   #6
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Originally Posted by FunGus View Post
At $192.65 for fluid and filter with tax, you must be talking about conventional ATF. The OP has a newer trans that calls for Transynd and for $193 you can't even get the fluid that is needed.
Also, where do you find a truck or RV shop that only charges $100 for 1.5 hours of shop time?
I'm afraid you're comparing apples to footballs here and a little out of date on shop rates.

Well stated. 90 minutes for shop time at 187.50 and cost of fluid and filter. Again will be able to hone in better when I see the bill. Thanks for your post.
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Old 10-27-2015, 08:04 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sidewinder4 View Post
My coach was a never been owned Newmar Demonstrator, has 65,000 miles on it now. I've owned it for a year now. Coach was built in October 2010, even though a 2012 Dutch Star. So my records show the need for a Transmission Service, one by age and 60,000 miles.
I just checked the Freightliner service schedule and it does say change oil and filter at 4 years. BTW, that 4 years starts from the date the chassis was built, not when the coach left the Newmar factory. In my case there is 6 months difference.
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Old 10-27-2015, 08:10 AM   #8
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I just checked the Freightliner service schedule and it does say change oil and filter at 4 years. BTW, that 4 years starts from the date the chassis was built, not when the coach left the Newmar factory. In my case there is 6 months difference.

In my case over a Year brother! I only posted this OP for future RV'ers to have an expectation on cost with a service for planning. TRANSYND fluid is very expensive. Personally I will do this one on time as opposed to early.

Thanks for your post.
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Old 10-27-2015, 08:37 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sidewinder4 View Post
My coach was a never been owned Newmar Demonstrator, has 65,000 miles on it now. I've owned it for a year now. Coach was built in October 2010, even though a 2012 Dutch Star. So my records show the need for a Transmission Service, one by age and 60,000 miles.
Why don't you send a sample to JG Lubricants. They will tell you if it's time to change, change the filter, or do nothing. The president of the company is a former Allison fluids engineer and the OP of this topic. HERE
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Old 10-27-2015, 08:41 AM   #10
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Why don't you send a sample to JG Lubricants. They will tell you if it's time to change, change the filter, or do nothing. The president of the company is a former Allison fluids engineer and the OP of this topic. HERE
Coach at the shop already. Five years for me is enough and 60,000 plus miles, for me only, it is time. The analysis idea is appreciated though, I did not think of that; next time! Thanks for your post.
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Old 10-27-2015, 08:48 AM   #11
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I agree that once you are out of the warranty period you can probably forget ever changing the transmission fluid again. I used Blackstone Labs to check mine in my last coach and after 4 years it was as good as new.
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Old 10-27-2015, 10:34 AM   #12
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Why don't you send a sample to JG Lubricants. They will tell you if it's time to change, change the filter, or do nothing. The president of the company is a former Allison fluids engineer and the OP of this topic. HERE
Great reading, found the comment "in the fine print" that TRANSYND with analysis will stand up against warranty demands for as long as TRANSYND comes back within tolerance. The rub for me is industry that holds the keys, so to speak, does not promote that. Good learning brother!
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Old 10-27-2015, 11:23 AM   #13
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A minor point but Freightliner actually puts Delvac in the transmission, not Transynd.
Attached Files
File Type: pdf transmission.pdf (600.2 KB, 36 views)
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Old 10-27-2015, 03:08 PM   #14
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A minor point but Freightliner actually puts Delvac in the transmission, not Transynd.
As long as it is TES 295 approved see: On-Highway Fluids

the transmission fluid can be interchanged without worry or warranty issues.

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