Best motor oil and oil filter for Sunstar

[Ekbsunstar]

Can I get your thoughts on the best motor oil and oil filters for a Itasca Sunstar 30T?

[wolfe10]

What chassis/engine/model year????

[Cajun 143]

That's like asking g what's your favorite food..Everyone has their preference. IF that's the Ford V 10, like my Thor, I use Mobil One Ex Perf 10W30 and their filters. I have had extreme success for decades with their oils.

[Mudfrog]

The chassis manual that came with the rig will give oil numbers to use. For the most part, who made the oil (brand) isn't that important. The more important thing is to use oil with the correct viscosity, SAE classification. Some oils will list a manufacturer's (Ford, GM, etc,,) specification number so be sure to look for that if your manual gives one.

A lot of people use Mobil 1 but there are many others that work just fine. Castrol, Motorcraft, Pennzoil, Valvoline, and even store brands are good. I've used the Walmart Supertech brand in my vehicles for many years without any hiccups. I don't know who makes Supertech but it meets specifications required for all the vehicles we own.

Not as sure about oil filters. Again, a lot of brands out there. I've always used Fram filters but it won't be long before replies come in stating they are junk. My experience with them has been great, never an issue in at least 40 years.

OP, what do you use in your daily driver? If it works well there, then stay with that brand. As long as it meets the specs your RV's engine requires.

[rk911]

Originally Posted by Ekbsunstar

Can I get your thoughts on the best motor oil and oil filters for a Itasca Sunstar 30T?

Ford or Chevy? What does your chassis manual call for (in terms of weight/grade)? In terms of brand I'be always prefered well know brands rather than lesser known brands. Quaker State, PenzOil, etc. Fram for the filter.

[d23haynes57]

Originally Posted by rk911

Ford or Chevy? What does your chassis manual call for (in terms of weight/grade)? In terms of brand I'be always prefered well know brands rather than lesser known brands. Quaker State, PenzOil, etc. Fram for the filter.

Maybe you want to do some research on Fram filters, Especially the orange ones. As for oil the best you are willing to pay for, full synthetics. I'm a Mobil fan boy since the 80's. Can't say it is the best, but my results have been really good. Drove my 91 Vanagon to work today with over 300K on the engine except for heads. Keep in mind that this engine spins at 4,200 rpm to do 70 mph. My 87 Syncro camper at 354K the engine has never been opened and at this point outlasted the chassis.

[dkoldman]

Originally Posted by Ekbsunstar

Can I get your thoughts on the best motor oil and oil filters for a Itasca Sunstar 30T?

Hello,

In my opinion there is only one best oil for a Sunstar assuming it is a gas engine, you have a Onan gas generator, and in an area where the viscosity permits. I live in Dallas, and I have only used Chevron Delo oil since my RV was brand new back in 2019. Additionally, I always carry one quart with me primarily to top of generator (the one quart bottle was a one time purchase, I reuse / refill the same quart bottle . I been using for 6 years for below reason.

1. It was the only oil back in 2019 that complied with specifications of Ford and Onan. I didn't want to buy two oils, and I don't. It may still be the only oil that complies with both, but things change, but I don't care to check, I love Chevron Delo.

2. It is easy to find, always at a Walmart and you can order online at Walmart and have delivered to your door if you like. I do both catching sales that will always have. It is extremely price competitive especially to the Onan OEM oil.

3. I change the the engine and generator oils the same time and with same oil. I use OEM filters for both. Ironically the Motorcraft filter for the F-53 is always cheaper anyway. I have tried at least one and aftermarket for generator, I could not tell a difference. It just depends on price, I usually but OEM filter before I need and only if it is at a reasonable price.

4. Easy pour design


https://www.walmart.com/ip/Chevron-S...xoCylYQAvD_BwE


For others;

I realize there may be many opinions, but the OP asked for my thoughts on the best motor oil and oil filters for a Itasca Sunstar 30T, I have a Sunstar 29VE.

If you believe you have some factual inaccuracies with what I said, I am all ears, but I really don't care to debate oil preferences. I respect all opinions, but I am not changing what I do unless yoy identify an oil that does the same based on the Mfg labeling and readily available at Wal - Mart stores & Online at significant reduction in price.

[hastemaker]

AMSOIL oil & filters, is the best IMO

[wolfe10]

Originally Posted by d23haynes57

Maybe you want to do some research on Fram filters, Especially the orange ones. As for oil the best you are willing to pay for, full synthetics. I'm a Mobil fan boy since the 80's.

Agree on both suggestions: Stay away from Fram filters.


And for gas engines Mobil 1 of viscosity recommended for your engine.

[SteveJ.]

Originally Posted by dkoldman

Hello,

In my opinion there is only one best oil for a Sunstar assuming it is a gas engine, you have a Onan gas generator, and in an area where the viscosity permits. I live in Dallas, and I have only used Chevron Delo oil since my RV was brand new back in 2019. Additionally, I always carry one quart with me primarily to top of generator (the one quart bottle was a one time purchase, I reuse / refill the same quart bottle . I been using for 6 years for below reason.

1. It was the only oil back in 2019 that complied with specifications of Ford and Onan. I didn't want to buy two oils, and I don't. It may still be the only oil that complies with both, but things change, but I don't care to check, I love Chevron Delo.

2. It is easy to find, always at a Walmart and you can order online at Walmart and have delivered to your door if you like. I do both catching sales that will always have. It is extremely price competitive especially to the Onan OEM oil.

3. I change the the engine and generator oils the same time and with same oil. I use OEM filters for both. Ironically the Motorcraft filter for the F-53 is always cheaper anyway. I have tried at least one and aftermarket for generator, I could not tell a difference. It just depends on price, I usually but OEM filter before I need and only if it is at a reasonable price.

4. Easy pour design


https://www.walmart.com/ip/Chevron-S...xoCylYQAvD_BwE


For others;

I realize there may be many opinions, but the OP asked for my thoughts on the best motor oil and oil filters for a Itasca Sunstar 30T, I have a Sunstar 29VE.

If you believe you have some factual inaccuracies with what I said, I am all ears, but I really don't care to debate oil preferences. I respect all opinions, but I am not changing what I do unless yoy identify an oil that does the same based on the Mfg labeling and readily available at Wal - Mart stores & Online at significant reduction in price.

We use straight 30w in our 4000 as recommended by Onan for the ambient temperatures that we are in, sometimes over 100*.

Perhaps the genny topping off is required for the 10w30 oil as it may be being used in an environment that is too warm for it. Running our 27 year old genny for 50-60 hours/year has required no topping off between annual oil changes. It has about 350 hours on it.

[dkoldman]

Originally Posted by SteveJ.

We use straight 30w in our 4000 as recommended by Onan for the ambient temperatures that we are in, sometimes over 100*.

Perhaps the genny topping off is required for the 10w30 oil as it may be being used in an environment that is too warm for it. Running our 27 year old genny for 50-60 hours/year has required no topping off between annual oil changes. It has about 350 hours on it.

It been years since I have read, but if I followed the Onan manual recommendation for the Onan oils, I would have to change my oil in the genny twice a year. We had Temps in the low teems in Dallas just two weeks ago, and in couple of months 100+ temps will be the norm. I am right at 500 hours in 6 years. I use one oil for everything in the RV no issues. I don't personally know of any bad oil, but no oil is very bad.

The manual tells you to check oil level after full days of usage (8 hrs) Topping off is rare but I have had to top off a few times, on average once every two years and not related to when last oil change may have been. i.e. I once ran my genny 5 straight days to keep ACs and fridge running while in a very hot muggy Houston Texas as we were helping our daughter move in an apartment.

I keep the extra quart of mainly for convenience backup, and because I am cheap. It would drive me crazy to have buy just one quart of oil at a Loves. Everything is just twice the price. The irony to me it is called a Convenience store, but it is nothing than a hassle IMO.