Community Forums

JCGibson · 05-11-2016, 11:53 AM

We picked up a new DP just over a week ago. My chassis was built 8 Mar 16 so it will be due 8 Sep 16 for the 6 month initial maintenance (per Freightliner manual) so I have plenty of time to plan, but I always like to be ahead of the game. There are a few things that need to be changed that make we wonder why so soon:

- Rear axle lube and front hubs oil. Why do these need to be changed at 6 months and then again at the 1 year point? Then yearly after that. Seems excessive.
- Engine oil/filter my Cummins manual says yearly, but Freightliner says at 6 month. Which should I follow?
- Allison transmission fluid. I assume I should follow the Allison manual

I also am wanting to know where the following are located for 6.7L ISB (pictures would help):
- Hydraulic Reservoir Filter
- Fuel Filters (more than 1?)

I worked on my 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, but this has quite a bit more to it than that.

Thanks.

John

Mr_D · 05-11-2016, 12:03 PM

Some of the required things seem a little extreme to me. But then again maybe they want to be sure all the metal shavings from manufacturing are out of the bearings. etc.
I'm betting most people have never changed the rear axle lube in their rigs. I have, but not in the present rig, yet. Last time I did it on the '02 Dutch Star it was pretty hard to pump the gear oil out of the 5 gallon bucket into the banjo since there wasn't much working room. Really needed a pit or higher stands.
Our engine requires an oil/filter change every 35,000 miles (light duty) or 25,000 miles (normal duty) or yearly. Light duty is defined as 6.5 mpg and we get 7.6.
Due to wife's health we've only driven about 500 miles since Cummins rebuilt the engine so I didn't bother to even sample the oil this year.

wb7auk · 05-11-2016, 12:09 PM

John,

The reason you change things after the first 6 months is during assembly and run in there will be particles that are flushed out that need to be removed.

mccrob · 05-11-2016, 01:04 PM

In 41 years of over the road trucking I have never changed the oil in a hub if the seal didn't fail they had the same oil that came from the factory when they were traded off at around 750,000. The rear end comes from the factory with synthetic oil Eaton warranty covers with 500,000 oil changes to 750,000. Allison 25,000 filter change 50,000 oil change. Remember your motor home is built on a truck chassis that will get more miles in a year than will ever be put on by your coach. They just want your money😠

dennis45 · 05-11-2016, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mccrob

In 41 years of over the road trucking I have never changed the oil in a hub if the seal didn't fail they had the same oil that came from the factory when they were traded off at around 750,000. The rear end comes from the factory with synthetic oil Eaton warranty covers with 500,000 oil changes to 750,000. Allison 25,000 filter change 50,000 oil change. Remember your motor home is built on a truck chassis that will get more miles in a year than will ever be put on by your coach. They just want your money😠

Change engine oil and filter annually, take a sample before changing oil.
Take an annual sample off the transmission and ask for the standard sample plus TAN (total acid number) and change as required.

JCGibson · 05-11-2016, 06:24 PM

Thanks for the information everyone. I also am wanting to know where the following are located for 6.7L ISB (pictures would help):

- Hydraulic Reservoir Filter
- Fuel Filters (more than 1?)

John

dan-nickie · 05-11-2016, 07:07 PM

Camp Freightliner they told us to ignore that 6 month service as it is not recommended or required anymore.

GGC · 05-11-2016, 07:19 PM

John
Read through the owners manual. It should all be there. Open every engine compartment door and have a good look. The puzzle will begin to come together.
If needed get some large cardboard sheets and squirm around under the MH.
Filters, grease fittings will be seen easy enough.
As was said engine oil and filter once a year, eng air filter every other year will work unless something stupid happens, not likely though.
X2 on what mccrob said.
Don't get caught up with the tire inflation misinformation. Do not run low pressure thinking you will get a better ride. Low pressure means more heat buildup, not good.
Do not over inflate either, no more than what the sidewall says. Your rims are rated also 120 lbs max. is common. Don't like the ride for a given road, slow down!!
Remember you are driving a fancy truck is all.

OLYLEN · 05-11-2016, 07:43 PM

Yup buy an expensive RV then cheap out and get denied if there is a warranty issue. Makes sense to me but I've got money I haven't spent yet. The reasons above on manufacturer contamination, cheap precaution in the overall picture of future RV health.

LEN

JCGibson · 05-11-2016, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLYLEN

Yup buy an expensive RV then cheap out and get denied if there is a warranty issue. Makes sense to me but I've got money I haven't spent yet. The reasons above on manufacturer contamination, cheap precaution in the overall picture of future RV health.

LEN

Not trying to cheap out, just trying to understand the reason for such a short time span between changes on some of the items. Didn't make sense to me.

JCGibson · 05-11-2016, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GGC

John
Read through the owners manual. It should all be there. Open every engine compartment door and have a good look. The puzzle will begin to come together.
If needed get some large cardboard sheets and squirm around under the MH.
Filters, grease fittings will be seen easy enough.
As was said engine oil and filter once a year, eng air filter every other year will work unless something stupid happens, not likely though.
X2 on what mccrob said.
Don't get caught up with the tire inflation misinformation. Do not run low pressure thinking you will get a better ride. Low pressure means more heat buildup, not good.
Do not over inflate either, no more than what the sidewall says. Your rims are rated also 120 lbs max. is common. Don't like the ride for a given road, slow down!!
Remember you are driving a fancy truck is all.

I have read through the manual and not every item has a diagram of location. Also, there is really only one way for engine access, which is underneath, so not sure what other engine compartment doors you are referring to (other than from inside the coach). Also, not sure why you are telling me about tire inflation. Don't have a problem with that and never mentioned it. This isn't my first rodeo in driving a Class A.

Melmoses · 05-11-2016, 08:34 PM

Our oil filter is underneath and very visible. Other filters are visible if you open the rear hatch door. Ours is a rear radiator model. We also have an access door in the bedroom floor that gives access to the top of the engine. There is a coalescing filter on top that should be changed every 3 years I believe.

GGC · 05-14-2016, 04:24 PM

JC
Your OP did not indicate your experience level with class A's. Driving and maintaining are worlds apart, a horse of a different color to say the least. Only trying to help.
Tires and pressures are also so misunderstood, I added that as a precaution.
Been around cars, equipment, tractors, dump trucks, loaders, excavators, boats, planes and horses for about 60 years.
Safe Travels

JCGibson · 05-16-2016, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GGC

JC
Your OP did not indicate your experience level with class A's. Driving and maintaining are worlds apart, a horse of a different color to say the least. Only trying to help.
Tires and pressures are also so misunderstood, I added that as a precaution.
Been around cars, equipment, tractors, dump trucks, loaders, excavators, boats, planes and horses for about 60 years.
Safe Travels

I appreciate the information. I guess I was having a bad day. Thanks again.

John