Community Forums

macnut · 02-28-2013, 08:35 PM

My class A is nearing a year old, and the owners manual lists a boat load (I guess RV load) of maintenance that must be done yearly....from the refrigerator, to the heater, AC, water heater, etc. Do places like camping world offer a single price for doing this for me? I got the latest camping world catalog, and it only lists a la cart prices, which adds up to quite a lot! Any recommendations for the San Francisco East Bay Area?

Go Dawgs · 02-28-2013, 08:45 PM

Read your manual on each and decide what you can do yourself. If you don't want to or have no desire to then most dealers or RV repair shop can do. Though I don't own a new MH I do most of my own maintenance. I clean or replace filters, check belts, burners, all items that I can see visually and fix or repair if needed. I won't pay for someone to check my systems if they are working fine. JMHO

Arch Hoagland · 02-28-2013, 11:35 PM

For what it's worth....we bought ours new in 2004 and it hasn't been in for a checkup ever.

We're now at 60,000 miles and doing just fine.

I do my oil/filter and transmission fluid changes myself and check the batteries regularly.

RV Wizard · 03-01-2013, 02:31 AM

To extend the warranty an extra year the unit must be serviced at the end of the first year. Maintenance will be your best friend; you could do something the the unit every day. I know because I used to live in ours back in our full timing days. How handy are you?

Bruce C · 03-01-2013, 02:54 AM

You can go to CW but be prepared to have your motorhome owners expense skyrocket. I do my own and what it has done for me over the many years is get me to the point that I know the systems both power-train and on board systems. Web sites and groups such as this one offer a wealth of people willing to help. If something comes up while your on the road or at home help is here. My point is, if you can do anything and learn on the way, your comfort level and your enjoyment will be much better, and the money saved will lower your operating cost. Good luck in your choice. Safe travels.

motraveler · 03-01-2013, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RV Wizard

To extend the warranty an extra year the unit must be serviced at the end of the first year. Maintenance will be your best friend; you could do something the the unit every day. I know because I used to live in ours back in our full timing days. How handy are you?

If you do it yourself does that void your warrenty? Do you need proof it was done?

vsheetz · 03-01-2013, 07:50 AM

I don't do an annual on appliances and such as you describe.

However, I do focus recurring preventative maintenance into March each year - the month of my birthday - making it easy to remember when oil changes and such are due on the low miles/year items such as the coach, jeep, old truck, garden tractor, etc.

Gary RVRoamer · 03-01-2013, 08:25 AM

Some of the appliances have "required" maintenance to keep the warranties in effect beyond the first year, but you can spend a fortune on that stuff and the manufacturers don't accept do-it-yourself equivalents. I'm not sure their position would stand up to a court suit, but nobody has tested them cause it's not worth the cost/effort.

Personally, I do maintenance checks myself and forget about the so-called warranty. The chances of a 2nd or 3rd year failure that they might cover (usually parts only anyway) is really slim and in some cases cost less than what you would pay for the check-up.

Chassis maintenance I do myself where I can and have done at an authorized facility - usually the chassis factory (Freightliner in my case) otherwise. The chassis component manufacturers have no problem with owner maintenance as long as it gets done.

GaryKD · 03-01-2013, 09:15 AM

Hi macnut,
Like most who have posted, I do all the automotive maintenance myself and do not have the annual maintenance done on the coach appliances. I do change the WH anode rod every two years. For the coach appliances, that is about it. I also clean the holding tanks once a year and sanitize the fresh water tank once a year. I do my own roof cleaning and coach waxing (the coach has never been washed).

Triker56 · 03-01-2013, 09:48 AM

Take all the money CW will want to check all those appliances out every year, and put it in the bank.
Then you will have plenty of money to fix them, when they do break down over the next 10-15 years.

Read your manuals. For any preventive maintenance needed. And you will find that you can do it yourself.

greatlakes · 03-01-2013, 10:35 AM

These RVs are pretty much like owning a second home. Winterizing is about the only difference from taking care of your regular home and vehicles. Oh and the fridge being able to run on propane. So treat your RV like a cottage and winterize it properly (if you do store it) and just treat it like a home/car. Doing all the regular maint you would do for the two together.

Barbaraok · 03-01-2013, 11:16 AM

If you read the individual appliance manuals they will take about inspections - that the main 'maintenance' needed for appliances. We have an 11 year old coach - we check the anode on the water heater, check the furnace/water heater burner and scrape any corrosion/debris away. Check the batteries each month. That's about it - wash the air return filter on the air conditioners each spring.

What specifics do you have that they are telling you need to be done? Now, if you are talking maintenance on the chassis (engine/transmission/etc) then follow those directions.

Barb

macnut · 03-01-2013, 04:18 PM

Thanks to all for the input....I think I'll have it done by a professional this year, and then start doing it myself as I learn more about what needs to be done. Much appreciated!

Triker56 · 03-01-2013, 04:33 PM

CW will probably not allow you in the shop to see what is done.
And you will be in the same spot next year.

Find a mobile or local shop that will let you see what is going on. And how it is done.