Community Forums

The Shadow · 08-23-2006, 03:00 AM

Where do you go for service for your Cummins engine, Onan gennie, Allison tranny and Roadmaster Chassis?

I'm in Southern Ontario and the choices are very limited. In theory I can go back to my dealer but they just took 3.5 months to fix house issues that should have been fixed less than 2 weeks, so I've ruled them out (when I had a Journey the engine warning light came on - this dealer doesn't even have the diagnostic equipment to determine the problem so I don't rate them highly for mechanical work).

The Shadow · 08-23-2006, 03:00 AM

Where do you go for service for your Cummins engine, Onan gennie, Allison tranny and Roadmaster Chassis?

I'm in Southern Ontario and the choices are very limited. In theory I can go back to my dealer but they just took 3.5 months to fix house issues that should have been fixed less than 2 weeks, so I've ruled them out (when I had a Journey the engine warning light came on - this dealer doesn't even have the diagnostic equipment to determine the problem so I don't rate them highly for mechanical work).

gizmo · 08-25-2006, 10:02 AM

don, if you go to cummins internet site ,they list all their service centers. onan is usually under the same roof .as for the roadmaster chassis .you will rarely need service that a cummins dealer cant fix.

The Shadow · 08-25-2006, 10:31 AM

Did that ages ago Gizmo. Other than the CoachCare locations (none in Canada) they don't really tell you which dealers WANT to do work on MHs. I've been talking to the GM of Cummins Canada about this issue.

When we had the Journey we had a problem with the CAT engine that also involved the Freightliner chassis. A wire shorted and burned out the air inlet heater. Our experience was similar to what many others have found - the truck and heavy equipment outfits HATE to work on MHs. The mechanics jump for a bunker in order to avoid being picked (the mechanics told us this). The reason - access sucks.

We learned very quickly after being at a CAT dealer and the first 2 hours was spent getting into the engine on the Journey that they often lose money on warranty work - and access is a major reason. From there on I was geared for this and made sure I helped them get right to the location. For subsequent CAT and Freightliner recalls, I helped them get the right engine covers off and right to the areas where the work had to be done. On that occasion the tech told me they were sure to lose money on these 2 recalls given the amount of time alloted. When they were done (in less than the alloted time) he thanked me for making their life much easier.

With the help of Cummins I've identified a dealer who is about 50 miles away and the MH will go in next week. This dealer doesn't do on the road trucks, but does do everything else including MHs. I'm looking forward to see how it works out. They sounded very knowledgeable on the phone and made sure they had all the serial numbers so that they would have the right filters for the job on hand.

If it is a good experience I'll let others in the area know.

Bagman57 · 09-21-2006, 01:26 PM

Don, if you were in the Detroit area, I could fix you up with an excellet repair shop. Chuck.

The Shadow · 10-07-2006, 02:47 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Bagman57:
Don, if you were in the Detroit area, I could fix you up with an excellet repair shop. Chuck. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

It was just the annual maintenance I wanted done not repairs. We contemplated one of the 3 CoachCare dealers in Michigan but felt we shouldn't be driving that far for service. We had it serviced at a Cummins dealer.

Don

Richard and Babs and a Bob Tail Cat · 10-27-2006, 10:23 AM

For mechanical maintenance we use a local mobile diesel engine service independant person. He used to work for a large CAT engine service center and went into business for himself and is also good with Cummins and Detroit.

We have found that the franchised service centers put there entry level employees in the routine service positions and thus get a lot of turnover which leads to a quality control problems. We have also found that the service centers tend to us differently than their fleet customers.

The way to find one is to ask arround at different businesses, especially those with earth moving equiptment and /or class 8 semi tractors.

We even had one shop let his full time truck maintenance employee do our routine mainenance (oil, lubes etc) at the shop after hours and Sat. They get the used motor oil to sell to a recycler. We supply all fluids and filters and normally pay the worker $50.00. This saves us over $100 over what a shop would charge for labor plus we buy our oil (Shell Rotella) at Wal Mart type prices. Takes some legwork to get set up but it is well worth the effort.

Robin_M · 05-31-2007, 06:05 PM

I've always taken my motorhome the the local bus garage in my home town for inspections, routine maintenance and non-warranty work. They have competent mechanics who are used to working on vehicles with difficult access. They don't mind working on the coach at all - it seems to be a pleasant diversion for them.

bg1811 · 07-01-2007, 10:36 AM

I'm taking mine to Monaco in Elkhart for engine/gen service. I'm going through there and not making a special trip. Has anyone else had their's serviced at the factory?

Dave O · 07-01-2007, 11:03 AM

Hi Bg 1811

I have not had the service but talked to some that have priced it and it is very very expensive.

For engine/gen service, I would recommend a Cummins Coach Care location. Cheaper and probably as or more competent that the MCC guys and gals that do great things with the coachs.

Anyway this is what I do.

Dave O

bg1811 · 07-01-2007, 11:25 AM

I've been to Coach Care in Nashville a couple of times. Each time, the person doing the work acted like they were pi**ed off because they were having to work on a MH.

digNbubbs · 07-02-2007, 12:19 PM

I had some work done at the Wildwood facility, and I think it was a little costly. I had the 5k transmission service, chassis oil and lube, and 150 hour genny service - came to ~$800. There was a new(ish) guy on the service, but he had supervision by some very seasoned techs.

I think next chassis and genny service I will try to do myself, or take to a Cummins center. I had Wildwood do it because I was there for some work, and killed a few birds with one checkbook.

--kev

Richard and Babs and a Bob Tail Cat · 08-27-2007, 03:07 PM

RV Service Reviews came accross this the other day. Could be something good.

Les Stallings · 11-03-2007, 05:29 PM

I just had some work done at Cummins Crosspoint in Nashville (near the airport). They quickly diagnosed the fuel problem and also fixed my dash air conditioning. It seems to be a first class place, great communications, neat, clean, and modern. Power Club members get 10% discount on labor and Cummins parts.

I'll go back in a heartbeat.