Oil Changes on the road

[Kokomo36]

OK, so you have no other home and your motorhome needs an oil change of 20+ quarts... Where do you go? Do you do it yourself on some parking lot (being careful to clean up afterward and getting rid of the old oil in a responsible fashion), or spend the bucks to have it done (if you can even find someone who will handle a big rig)?

[Wayne M]

Kokomo36,
If it were me in that traveling condition, I think I would look for a truck stop along one of the interstates and see if they could do it. If you are in Texas, B-Line Lube has places along the Interstate route. There is one in Brookshire, for example, and it is $149 (approx) for an Oil change, filter, and fuel filter. If you do it yourself, and just one drop falls on the pavement, someone is going to be watching and call the enviro police for sure.

Just my opinion.

[Elkhartjim]

I use this company.

RV Mobile Lube - Home

Check with cg's for recommendations.

[Jeff and Cheryl]

Speedco is a company that specializes in oil and filter and lubes for trucks. Took my MH to the on in Kingman AZ and was in and out is less than 40 min. Cost was around $180. They have outlets nationwide. You can check locations on their website.

[chiefneon]

Howdy!

I agree with Wayne. I used B line the my last oil change on our MDT. They did a great job and very professional. I purchased the oil (synthetic) and filter that I like to use and they changed it for $20.00. Well worth the service along with the other checks they preform.

"Happy Trails"
chiefneon

[Elkhartjim]

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefneon Howdy! I agree with Wayne. I used B line the my last oil change on our MDT. They did a great job and very professional. I purchased the oil (synthetic) and filter that I like to use and they changed it for $20.00. Well worth the service along with the other checks they preform. "Happy Trails" chiefneon

That sounds like a heck of a deal. Do they lube the chassis for that $20 also?

[Doggy Daddy]

If your a full timer there is no emergency in getting a LOF (lube, oil & filter) as one can monitor their milage and plan where they will be staying. Diesel pushers take 20 qt/5gal of oil. One can shop around by phone and on line in the city they will be visiting. There may be a CW or RV service center in town. If your visiting a friend, you can DIY at their home if they have the space. Depending upon the state, county, and city, the cost of permits of licenses and insurance for Mobile RV Changes may be to costly to even operate.

[69RoadRunner]

Go somewhere where you won't be hassled and do it yourself. If you're in a campground that doesn't have 5000 employees like the KOA in Buckeye Lake, you can probably do the oil change without being noticed as long as you don't make a mess.

If your oil change takes 20 quarts, I can only assume you have a diesel pusher. In the right wooded campground, people probably won't even know you're back there.

You could do what I did. I paid for my first oil change but had them replace the drain plug with a www.fumotovalve.com to make future oil changes easier and cleaner.

The key is to make sure you don't make a mess and that drain plug helps a lot! Use a creeper to lube the chassis.

[chiefneon]

Howdy!

Jim, Yep they did lube the truck checked the fluid levels and also checked the coolant and advised it was very good. It cost me $21.65 drive out after tax. I have a Fumoto Valve on my MDT and it works great use left over one gallon jugs to empty into but you still have dispose of the oil.

"Happy Trails"
chiefneon

[LostTexan]

I think most Wally Worlds take the used oil.

Rich

[69RoadRunner]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LostTexan I think most Wally Worlds take the used oil. Rich

So do Jiffy Lubes and many independent shops.

[chasfm11]

I'm not a fulltimer but would off the following pieces of information:
1. A Fumoto valve (particularly the -N nipple models) can permit oil to be drained back into gallon jugs. That is what I do. I admit this does not solve the problem of the filter but it significantly reduces the size of the pan that you need to deal with it. For the difference in price between a DIY and professional engine oil change on most diesels, you could by a throw away turkey pan for each oil change to handle that aspect.
2. By law, all retailers in Texas that sell oil are supposed to accept it for recycling. That doesn't mean that all of them meet their legal obligations. I suspect that some other States might have similar rules. In my town, O'Reilly also accepts used oil filters so it is "one stop shopping" for me in recycling oil change items. I'm usually lucky enough to only need a couple of paper towels in addition to complete the job so there is nothing else to worry about. I get my used gallon jugs back. Empty, they don't weigh anything and store pretty easily in nooks and crannies.

[AFChap]

I do oil changes on my toad at military auto hobby shops. But I have no interest in catching and hauling away 5 gallons of oil from my diesel pusher! We have had ours done by Mobile RV Lube out of Houston -- they also have service out of San Antonio & I believe Dallas. We have used Cummins and Statkus Engine in Albuquerque, and we have used an independent RV dealer in Alabama that runs & services their own fleet of diesel trucks. In addition to other sources, I check www.rvservicereviews.com to get info on good and bad service places. Speedco and Flying J J-Service locations are also good places to have it done.