Community Forums

sightseer 30B · 04-12-2016, 09:26 PM

Has anyone out there had any chassis service done on a Ford F53 in Connecticut?

My Sightseer is not going on 12 years old and 45K miles, trouble free so far, but I am trying to anticipate the inevitable by establishing a relationship with a local shop for future preventative, scheduled and un-scheduled maintenance. Most general maintenance I do myself, but anticipate more robust work coming.

I am seeking feedback on personal experiences, good and bad.

I am located in Southern Connecticut, but will travel a half hour or more for good service.

Thanks in advance,

Wayne

pmchmh · 04-17-2016, 05:11 PM

I used Superior Spring in Hamden to do the front end alignment on our previous coach. They were pretty good.

rapid rick · 04-18-2016, 03:01 PM

Kleemans auto and truck service center in norwich,ct. Good honest people,that do good work at a fair price.They do gas and diesel, a friend of mine works there,large shop, was the old simon ford dealership. They will keep your rig indoors while it's there,just ask,they always will accomodate. Hope this helps.

sightseer 30B · 04-18-2016, 08:28 PM

Thank you both for the replies. It is so hard to get good feedback from anyone in this area.

I'll check out Kleemans next time I am "freebe camping" at Mohegan Sun. I can run over to Hamden one day soon as well.

I have had good service with Torello Tire in East Haven for tires, alignments and shocks.

I;m going to try out Breezy Point Truck in Stratford with a transmission fluid change. They are a truck fleet service center. Though not a Ford service shop, when I talked with them they asked asked good questions and what they said they would do was appropriate from my research. I'll post actual results on this thread after the work is done.

So far, I have had no problems with this 2004 F53. But I know the day is coming where there will be something that is going to be beyond my skill/strength ability.

I'll check out Kleemans next time I am "freebe caming" at Mohegan Sun.

Josstoop · 05-09-2016, 02:41 AM

I use Guilford Texaco for my F53 Rexhall, they'll tow your rv as well if needed. Very knowledgeable, great communications, don't just blindly replace things but reason over the possibilities with you. They've replaced transmission, brakes, fuel level sender, and done power steering work on it. I'm going to have a full service done there soon.

sightseer 30B · 05-09-2016, 02:16 PM

Thanks Josstoop, I'll take a trip over there and check them out.

I can scratch Breezy Point Truck Service off the list.

Went there for a transmission fluid change and came away with only half of the fluid changed. They drained the transmission using the drain plug without measuring what came out. They then proceeded to refill. They took my word that it took 17+ quarts and just started pouring away with the gallon containers. Near the end of the second gallon container it overflowed. I asked if they had drained the cooler and torque converter. They had not. They managed to blow fluid out of the cooler and lines, but were unable to figure out how to get the fluid out of the torque converter since there is no drain plug. In talking to the manager, he told me that they never remove the fluid in the torque converter (huh?).

Anyway, I came away with 1/2 of the fluid changed and now will shorten the service interval for the next fluid change and go elsewhere in the future.

On another note, When I purchased the Mercon V at the Stevens Ford in Milford, CT, they told me that their truck service department was in the process of adding a large vehicle bay. It is under construction now and expected to complete in June. With the large bay, they will service motorhomes as well as commercial trucks larger than vans and large pick-ups.

We'll see how that progresses and what kind of training the tech's get.

00DAME · 07-16-2016, 02:37 PM

Twin Lights Autobody/ repair,Milford.Does all our mechanical/body repairs
Twin Lights Milford Body Shop

sightseer 30B · 07-17-2016, 05:37 AM

Thanks OOdame.

I'll take a ride by soon to have a chat with the Twin Lights folks. Nothing wrong that I can't address at the moment, but....

Wayne

sightseer 30B · 07-17-2016, 05:40 AM

I have not had the opportunity (or need) to check out Stevens Ford Truck in Milford yet.

It is on my extensive "now-that-I'm-retired" list.

Wayne

jpspaz · 07-21-2016, 07:30 PM

I am also looking for someone I can trust that will respect my MH as I do. As a new owner I cringe at the thought of bringing it to someone but would like to set up a relationship with a reputable shop. I have heard that most truck shops won't work on motorhomes because of the difficulty in getting to the engine and components and will also not make any effort to keep the inside clean.

I have had many nightmares with auto dealerships and hope to find someone out there I can trust.

Josstoop · 07-22-2016, 08:01 AM

For repairs other than chassis I have used Keith's RV & Trailer Repair in Clinton CT, who now has a mobile service. Pretty handy, saves gas not having to move the RV to a repair shop. He does a good job, just came over and fixed the steps and other miscellaneous stuff. Old timer, very knowledgeable.