Cost of an oil and filter change, generator oil and filter change?

[Coachmen Joe]

Originally Posted by habu978

First I can not believe a person would purchase a pusher with out checking on the cost to maintain the unit. Now my ISL held 5 gallons of oil the cost depends on what brand of oil, the filter extended one cost 65.00 plus tax. The generator less than a gallon and filter 10.00. hold on to your wallet when you go to change the transmission filters and fuel filters. Owning a pusher can be costly if you maintain it properly. More than likely you only change your oil and filter once a year, generator every other year. so it's not that bad. I drove a pusher for over 19 years and did my owner servicing because I wanted it done right. I had a free one when I brought my first one and checked it they forgot lube fittings, didn't torque the drain plug so I had a small drip. Just poor service by a Lube tech, never again. Now if you think a oil filter change is bad hold on to your wallet when you go buy tires, front end alignment, repack you bearings and balance the tires. Every five years.

First of all your comment about checking the cost to maintain the unit is neither here nor there. One of those cases where thinking it is ok and writing it is about trying to rub salt into a wound.

You missed the point period. I'll explain for you. Seniors and other RV owners are simply getting ripped off because every shop out there knows senior citizens will quietly pay for the service and probably not question it.


AS for the other service on the pusher... I did school bus repair in my younger years so I am fully capable to do the front end, brakes, rough alignment, electrical, air conditioning. I am lax in heavy diesel engine repair.

[garymuse]

8-10 gallons?

[garymuse]

Originally Posted by txcpl

I am reading this post and others like it with eyes open. We acquired our first MH a year ago, and it's time for service. I'm quite picky on where I get my vehicles serviced, and often do the oil changes myself since the 60's, and have an area where that can be done at the house. Being retired, I need to watch costs whenever I can. The cost of an oil change is not cheap. The volume of oil, parts costs, labor and shop costs all add up. So, I have decided to purchase a fumoto valve and when I go to the shop, have them install it when changing the oil. It's the only way I can handle the large amount of oil draining from the MH for later oil changes. My son in law is a certified diesel mechanic and I will definitely call on him for advice and help. However, he does not come cheap! The added costs will be beer and ribs.

I'm always looking for an adventure and changing oil on a MH, which is a lot different from previous cars and trucks, will be a new one for me.

how did you know which fumoto valve to purchase? What thread size?

[THenne1713]

I used to have a neighbor electrician, he once said every time I bid a job I do not want, I double the price; seems they give it to me anyway? :-) Maybe same on some truck shop oil changes for RVs? maybe they have experienced customer complaints like they never hear on commercial trucks, such as "oil stain on my carpet and upholstery, you need to replace both or I sue"? OTOH, most diesel mechanics NOT making the $15/hr that you find at the quick oil change shop?

[tropical36]

Originally Posted by THenne1713

I used to have a neighbor electrician, he once said every time I bid a job I do not want, I double the price; seems they give it to me anyway? :-) Maybe same on some truck shop oil changes for RVs? maybe they have experienced customer complaints like they never hear on commercial trucks, such as "oil stain on my carpet and upholstery, you need to replace both or I sue"? OTOH, most diesel mechanics NOT making the $15/hr that you find at the quick oil change shop?

I've probably said this more than once about swearing that I would not be changing my own oil, once we got a DP, that holds 33qts of oil. Also requires doing the genset, of course and then there's the fuel filters and others that require replacement as well.
Thing is they just won't let you hire it out and here I am again, at a ripe old age, doing all this for myself, as per usual.
Bought a mobile drain cart and the filters from Amazon and the oil on sale at Rural King. Dropped off the old oil at AutoZone. Turned out to be not so bad a job after all, so between the shop charges and fuel for taking it somewhere, I gotta be saving a bundle. Gonna be ready again soon and the drain cart has already been paid for, from the first job.
Did I mention buying a pneumatic grease gun from Harbor Freight for doing the chassis?
Besides the monetary benefits of doing it yourself, I have to ask if they would even do it right, in the first place.

[CampDaven]

Originally Posted by tropical36

I've probably said this more than once about swearing that I would not be changing my own oil, once we got a DP, that holds 33qts of oil. Also requires doing the genset, of course and then there's the fuel filters and others that require replacement as well.

Thing is they just won't let you hire it out and here I am again, at a ripe old age, doing all this for myself, as per usual.

Bought a mobile drain cart and the filters from Amazon and the oil on sale at Rural King. Dropped off the old oil at AutoZone. Turned out to be not so bad a job after all, so between the shop charges and fuel for taking it somewhere, I gotta be saving a bundle. Gonna be ready again soon and the drain cart has already been paid for, from the first job.

Did I mention buying a pneumatic grease gun from Harbor Freight for doing the chassis?

Besides the monetary benefits of doing it yourself, I have to ask if they would even do it right, in the first place.

Why?
Speedco does my annual service for under $300, and the gennie is about $60.
I see no benefit in DIY

[tropical36]

Originally Posted by CampDaven

Why?
Speedco does my annual service for under $300, and the gennie is about $60.
I see no benefit in DIY

Does this include both fuel filters for the engine and the one for the genset?
How about a chassis lube?
How much fuel do you burn, getting there and back?

[Tha_Rooster]

Originally Posted by garymuse

how did you know which fumoto valve to purchase? What thread size?

Go to there web site

[CampDaven]

Originally Posted by tropical36

Does this include both fuel filters for the engine and the one for the genset?

How about a chassis lube?

How much fuel do you burn, getting there and back?

Yup, that and more!
Fuel burn? None. It’s at an exit.

[Hit_the_Rhod]

Originally Posted by CampDaven

Why?
Speedco does my annual service for under $300, and the gennie is about $60.
I see no benefit in DIY

Dave, Speedco in Franklin KY did my oil change last month while we were on a trip. I normally do it myself, but didn't have time to get to it prior to leaving. They charged $243 for oil change and lube. Lubed all 12 grease fittings . . . I asked them why they didn't lube the other 11? They said they couldn't find any more, but wouldn't go down on the price claiming they weren't there. . . As stated prior, it pays to do it yourself if possible, or at least find a competent shop . . .
Oh, forgot to add, that, that did include replacing both fuel filters (my filters), but nothing done on generator. The other advantage of doing the job myself is it gets me under the rig looking at everything else while I'm doing the lube job. Second the about the Harbor Freight pneumatic grease gun as well!

[tropical36]

Originally Posted by Hit_the_Rhod

Dave, Speedco in Franklin KY did my oil change last month while we were on a trip. I normally do it myself, but didn't have time to get to it prior to leaving. They charged $243 for oil change and lube. Lubed all 12 grease fittings . . . I asked them why they didn't lube the other 11? They said they couldn't find any more, but wouldn't go down on the price claiming they weren't there. . . As stated prior, it pays to do it yourself if possible, or at least find a competent shop . . .
Oh, forgot to add, that, that did include replacing both fuel filters (my filters), but nothing done on generator. The other advantage of doing the job myself is it gets me under the rig looking at everything else while I'm doing the lube job. Second the about the Harbor Freight pneumatic grease gun as well!

Again, how many watch every move they make, even know how many fittings they have and bother to crawl down under for a looksee that they got them all.
Used to have a P30 gasser with about 23 fittings or so. Had one place do the grease for a very reasonable price. Told the manager to instruct his tech to count each one, so as to be sure he got them all. Afterwards, when I asked if he had done so, he called the guy over to ask how many there was. Answer....Mucho
No Speedco around me, that I know of, anyway and the others are gonna be expensive, but most sure the day will come, if I'm still driving.

[CampDaven]

Originally Posted by tropical36

Again, how many watch every move they make, even know how many fittings they have and bother to crawl down under for a looksee that they got them all.

I watch it all.
They have never missed a grease fitting.
I wouldn’t DIY mine even if I still had the capability.

[Reacher]

The English idiom “penny wise and pound foolish” is a popular saying that warns against safeguarding pennies while risking pounds. In other words, being stingy with small sums of money while being extravagant with larger sums.


So it's OK to spend a huge sum on a depreciating purchase but not OK to spend a relatively small amount on proper maintenance..I don't get it lol.



I too do my own and it runs me less than 60 bucks a year.

[CampDaven]

Originally Posted by Reacher

The English idiom “penny wise and pound foolish” is a popular saying that warns against safeguarding pennies while risking pounds. In other words, being stingy with small sums of money while being extravagant with larger sums.


So it's OK to spend a huge sum on a depreciating purchase but not OK to spend a relatively small amount on proper maintenance..I don't get it lol.



I too do my own and it runs me less than 60 bucks a year.

That’s because it’s a gas burner! Your 34 v my 43. Not the same horse!

Speedco service includes the real RotellaT oil etc.
30 Qts oil
2 fuel filters
1 oil filter

Checks:
Engine air filter
CCV filter
Power steering fluid
Front and tag axle hub fluid levels
Coolant level, freeze point, nitrite test
Grease all zerks
Oil analysis
And more!

On my first DP service, it was $650.
They did a good job. Just like Speedco, but only $295.

I’m not stingy. Just thorough, effective and smart! 🤣