Community Forums

cment · 03-14-2018, 02:54 PM

Took my Verona in today to a Freightliner dealer for it's first service (fluids, etc). No warranty stuff was needed. I was stuck there for 6 hours and got me thinking. Why do I need to drive an hour to get general service when there are 3 HD truck service centers within 30minutes of me?

Do you take your unit to a chassis/engine dealer or a general service shop for non-warranty stuff?

This question is not limited to Freightliner and Cummins, but also to you Volver, PB, Kenworth, etc. owners.

Funding Fun · 03-15-2018, 06:30 AM

Several reasons to use OEM service. If your unit is still under warranty you will have great documentation of regular scheduled services having been performed. The techs at the OEM dealerships are backed by factory service certification programs and are privy to any periodic service updates, upgrades or issue notifications. Everything is electronic these days and changes fast. Smaller shops may not have the funding necessary to keep up with technology. You will pay more and wait longer but it's worth it for the documentation...especially if you are under warranty.

palehorse89 · 03-15-2018, 06:37 AM

See if there is a Speedco near you.....they also do fluid sampling.
https://www.loves.com/truck-solutions/speedco/locations

cment · 03-15-2018, 08:09 PM

Thanks, that is awesome. There is a Speedco about 1.5hrs away, but on a highway we sometimes travel.

I would do it myself as I do for my tractors, boat, and cars, but I do not have a level space on the property to do it. The wheelbase is killing me.
I "could" use the leveling jacks to help, but I had a brown-pants misshap when restoring my IH 330 and the bottle jack got kicked. Not a good moment for me.

Thanks for the feedback, it is appreciated.

petrel · 03-16-2018, 06:42 AM

I happen to have two dealers pretty close to me. However, I would not hesitate to use a reputable heavy truck service facility that was convenient. Just be sure they use the components that the manufacturer recommends, and keep good records.

Funding Fun · 03-26-2018, 08:08 AM

New engine...$25K, new transmission...$15K, and that's IF they do it right the first time around. Best to stay with verifiable factory authorized service facilities and technicians, at least while under warranty. I've been in the manufacturer's heavy truck sales and service business before and know there are tons of excellent independent shops out there...but, there's nothing worse than getting in the middle of finger pointing during a major component disaster.

BerryS · 04-02-2018, 09:28 AM

What are everyone's thoughts regarding the initial oil change interval? Perusing the owner's manual for the Cummins engine on my 2018 Valencia they recommend 15k miles for an RV duty cycle. Although I'm old school and not comfortable waiting that long.

TwinSix · 04-02-2018, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BerryS

What are everyone's thoughts regarding the initial oil change interval? Perusing the owner's manual for the Cummins engine on my 2018 Valencia they recommend 15k miles for an RV duty cycle. Although I'm old school and not comfortable waiting that long.

My new Full Size van is 5K miles... I would think that 15K would be acceptable interval for an RV. It doesnt run that hard EVERY DAY.. You could have the oil checked, like others have recommended.

Funding Fun · 04-03-2018, 05:36 AM

As you check oil levels along the way I always look at color of the oil. If there's still an amber tone (even a slight tone), then oil is good. I never let it go black on me for too long. It may call for more frequent changing but that's my program. As a general rule, 12-15K under normal driving conditions. Heavy mountain driving and extreme heat conditions, I would change at 10K. If you do this yourself it's so much more economical to do it more often.

deputybubba · 04-03-2018, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BerryS

What are everyone's thoughts regarding the initial oil change interval? Perusing the owner's manual for the Cummins engine on my 2018 Valencia they recommend 15k miles for an RV duty cycle. Although I'm old school and not comfortable waiting that long.

I don't travel that much, and I'm now at 1 year of using the rig.
I plan on doing the oil change yearly...
The rig now has right around 8k miles on it...

Figure it's cheap insurance.

Oh and another member was told 5k miles for the FIRST oil change ?
I didn't get that info, but wish I had.

WaltW · 04-04-2018, 10:08 AM

If my feeble mind remembers correctly the service interval is either miles driven or annually - whichever comes first. You can't get away with longer than one year and stay in warranty.

vsheetz · 04-04-2018, 10:28 AM

We spend much of January and February each year in AZ. Oil changes by Speedco in Casa Grande or there is a good mobile tech in that area. For repairs and other services I use a nearby truck shop that works on motorhomes.

Finance · 04-04-2018, 11:03 AM

I do my own when home. Keep good records and warranty will not be an issue.

@BerryS I am conservative too. I'll first change the engine oil around 2k on this one. After that by the Cummins schedule.