How much are you working on your DP?

[GaryKD]

Hi ie2special,
When reading about problems, carefully determine if the problem is chassis (engine/transmission) related or coach (house) related. I do not read many chassis related problems. DPs are bigger, heavier and may contain more gadgets than a gas fueled coach. There may be many more posts about diesel fueled coaches but, for me, it is not about the automotive part of the coach.

[MarkofSJC]

GaryKD beat me to it! They don't run gas engines in 18 wheelers for a reason...they're economical, very, very reliable, and rugged. Now when you strap a house on top of that, there are bound to be issues (but only for the "house" portion)...but that would probably be true if they where sitting on a gas or diesel chassis.

Note that the #1 reason you see an 18 wheeler on the side of the road is a blown tire. Your RV tires are going through even more severe experiences...just sitting there weathering. I totally concur with an earlier post that DPs are a far nicer touring platform, but purchase price is typically higher. Personally, I think the likelihood of a DP leaving you stranded is lower (maybe far lower) than a gas powered chassis.

Just my two cents.

[terry735001]

i would not get a DP for a weekenders the cost over keeping it and that type of RV is for full timing it needs to be used

weekenders more become one time a month to one time every 2 months to 400$ in fuel

i do think it would help more if you really did tell us what you wanted to use it for how many miles

[gemert]

Originally Posted by Steve Ownby

Here is Speedco's standard price list. Most motorhomes are either medium or heavy duty service. The gearbox referred to is not an Allison auto. They will not do those. Most locations will also have Fleetguard filters. They will do generator service at most locations.

This does not include the air dryer service which is 2-3 year schedule depending on the system. Allison service which is 3-4 years or by fluid testing. Coolant drain/flush/fill which depends on which coolant. There are other items like wheel bearings, rear end lube which are service points on gas units also.

http://www.speedco.com/ea0e724f2f_si...eetJAn2014.pdf

Speedco seems like a great place to have your rig serviced but I can't find any in Florida. Do you know of any similar service centers in Florida? I'm in the Orlando area and have noticed that RV dealers are quite a bit higher. Thanks

[Tha_Rooster]

It all comes down to whatever your budget is or you what you want to spend. I have several posts that I repeat test drive you can tell the difference. There is a post about a 2014 MH swaying wanting to change shocks, sway bar I don't get it.

[JBDISCOVERY]

Others have said it all!. 104,000 miles on our Discovery. Routine changes of oil and filters. THEN, fix all of the little things that can go on with a traveling home.
ENJOY, travel at your own pace, see those things that interest you, and yes tend to what happens, as it will, as you go.
Regards,
JimB

[Bumps]

For us, we bought a previously-adventured MH. There was a sizable investment at the onset to make sure all of the maintenance had been done (even if it had, we did it again just for peace of mind). Since then it has been only routine oil changes, etc. -- nothing major. Yes, we do a lot of work on it, but that is just to keep things clean and lubed, etc. Other projects like the solar, TV, and refrigerator upgrade. The rest is like having a hobby -- just a labor of love. \ken

[mel s]

Originally Posted by gemert

Speedco seems like a great place to have your rig serviced but I can't find any in Florida. Do you know of any similar service centers in Florida? I'm in the Orlando area and have noticed that RV dealers are quite a bit higher. Thanks

gemert

How true that is..... OF ALMOST EVERYTHING for a RV !

Oil changes, chassis lubes, and routine maintenance items are less expensive at Cat and/or Cummins shops than at most RV dealers.
Most needed RV "house parts" can be found at big box stores.....needed "chassis parts" at truck repair shops or auto part stores.

Mel
'96 Safari

[Gary RVRoamer]

Replies seem to focus on engine/chassis maintenance, but that's only a half day per year project for me. Other chores include winterizing (storage prep), sanitizing water system yearly, touching up roof seam caulking periodically, an annual wash & wax, and the usual sort of household things, e.g. drippy faucets, change a/c filters, broken cabinet latches, clean the carpets, maybe a toilet valve, etc.

And depending on age, maybe some remodeling or upgrades. I just replaced the carpet in mine and upgraded the gps.

[alpha99]

Oil change and lube once a year before it goes into storage. Minimal cost. 2011 model with Cummins DEF. 17,000 miles to date, no problems, like new.....actually better than new!

[alpha99]

my stick house requires a lot more maintenance than my rv.

[CampDaven]

I fix stuff if I can and pay for most maintenance on my DP. I did the same for my gasers. It is pretty close to equal for gas/DP.

Dont sweat the stuff that simply must be done. Just do it or get it done, and get out there camping. :-)

[gbstewart]

I do all my own work including the full conversion of my bus.
gbstewart

[89sandman]

Originally Posted by terry735001

i would not get a DP for a weekenders the cost over keeping it and that type of RV is for full timing it needs to be used

weekenders more become one time a month to one time every 2 months to 400$ in fuel

i do think it would help more if you really did tell us what you wanted to use it for how many miles

I totally agree, we are weekend warriors and could never see putting that much investment into something used a handful of times a year. repair costs and maintence costs just are not justified for such small useage.