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VoiceNinja · 05-27-2017, 05:28 PM

I'm shocked at our Diesel Pusher maintenance cost . . . but it's not what you think!

Since we brought our used coach home in early April, we've done the following:

- Replaced the outer skylight in the shower.
- Replaced a water damaged ceiling panel in the bathroom (from the leaking outer skylight.
- Coach engine oil change, with 8 gallons of synthetic blend oil and 2 filters (particle and centrifuge).
- Coach fuel filter change (pre-filter, engine mounted particulate filter, frame filter and water bowl, filter screen).
- Coach coolant flush and fill (pre-charged SCA coolant).
- Generator oil change and filter.
- Generator fuel filter.
- Generator coolant flush and fill.
- Generator spark arrestor cleaning.
- Generator air filter.
- Freightliner 30,000 mile service schedule (minus the wheel hub end inspection).
- Fiberglass roof re-coating (Dicor Fiberglass Roof pre-treat and coating)
- Roof sealant cleaning and maintenance at all seams/penetrations.
- New LED bulbs in all interior and basement 12-volt lights.
- New full wall slide topper.

That's just the list of items that required parts or materials. There are a lot of other maintenance items that we've done that required minimal materials, as well (a can of Rustoleum to repaint the retractable steps, a can of spray grease to lube the step pivots, maintenance of the slideouts, maintenance of the slide out seals, etc.).

But, what has me tickled is that we're less that $1300 in on all of that. Granted, I've put in about 45 hours of evening and weekend time, but most of that has been with eager 4 and 9 year old assistants, which both slows me down and makes the time much more significant and worthwhile in its own right.

(Nothing like trying to contort myself to change the engine-mounted fuel filter while my 4 year old - clad in safety glasses and a protective apron, of course! - is literally standing in the engine compartment next to me with 2 inches of headroom to spare ... lucky little devil!)

So far, we've only had to take it to a service center for an alignment ($190) and the 30,000 mile wheel end hub inspection from the Freightliner service checklist ($175). Otherwise, we've been able to do all of the work ourselves.

I was quite intimidated by an air-brake, Mercedes-Benz Diesel pusher, Allison 3000 transmission coach when we bought it, but it's really not that bad now that I'm into it. Excluding major engine, transmission, and brake work, I think I'll be comfortable doing most of the maintenance myself, which is unexpected and a HUGE cost savings.

It's still more expensive than a gasser and I'll definitely be keeping my roadside assistance service up-to-date, but it's much less expensive than I thought it would be for regular, scheduled maintenance!

montyhp · 05-27-2017, 05:32 PM

PO of our DP spent 10s of thousands of dollars. They would take the coach to an RV service place a couple of times a year and say "fix everything".

I am trying to do everything myself except the heavy diesel stuff. I am even trying body work...

montyhp
'05 Discovery 39s

VoiceNinja · 05-27-2017, 05:39 PM

Good for you! I'm in the same boat.

Our coach's previous owner even put on brand new tires, brand new coach and chassis batteries, and a new bedroom slide topper the week before we bought it because he didn't want to sell it unless everything was "right". All of the service was done by the local Freightliner Service Center.

Ours may be 9 years old, but it's only at 27,500 miles and still a baby...

Regarding body work, holler if you have any questions about fiberglass work. I actually have a small boat repair service shop and do a lot of fiberglass/epoxy/gelcoat repair work. Having a fiberglass roof, sidewalls, and end caps is AWESOME for me. Definitely something I can manage on my own, though I might wish for a larger spraybooth if I ever have to do any major body work...

Bigd9 · 05-27-2017, 06:05 PM

This made me smile

Quote:

"I've put in about 45 hours of evening and weekend time, but most of that has been with eager 4 and 9 year old assistants, which both slows me down and makes the time much more significant and worthwhile in its own right. "

Even though I'm of medicare age, I still remember helping Dad fix the car or tractor. Those memories never die. Take plenty of pictures, because in no time you will be looking at them and wondering where the time went.

VoiceNinja · 05-27-2017, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigd9

This made me smile.

Me, too!

I'm very fortunate to have a job that can be done from anywhere. We decided to buy our motor home so that we can spend 4 or 5 months a year on the road with the boys while they're still young. These ages are magical, so it just felt wrong to wait.

Our first 8 day shakedown trip was about a week ago and went WONDERFULLY. They absolutely loved it. :-D

Hands down, a terrible financial investment. Yet, hopefully, one of the best family investments we've ever made.

les.warden · 05-27-2017, 07:12 PM

So glad to hear you say this VoiceNinja. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in the pennies, costs, financials, depreciations, etc, that we sometimes loose site of the other coin side. Safe travels! [emoji106]

TripleGGG · 05-27-2017, 07:58 PM

Kudos to you. Awesome to hear you have great assistants. My granddad's and dad ALWAYS let me be right in the middle of everything. One was an auto mechanic and the other a rock mason, dad a small business owner and accountant. They taught me hands on. I tried to do the same for my girls. No matter what the job was. My oldest can rebuild an engine with her eyes closed. Youngest could land a plane at 10 years old better than most. Enjoy every moment. My girls are grown but they always make comments of remember when WE did this or that. Always took longer but oh what memories.

TripleGGG · 05-27-2017, 08:01 PM

Oh make sure you get pictures of them helping. Pictures are gold.

Ray,IN · 05-27-2017, 09:46 PM

Good post! Keeping expenses down is everyone's goal; sure good to see the results of yours. Three of your listed items are not even scheduled maintenance, they are wanta haves.

Fiesta48 · 05-28-2017, 07:53 AM

I'm with you. I was antiminated by the size cost and unknowns with diesel. Always had gas. After being a Maint mgr, my dad an automotive engineer, brother who can rebuild cars also, diesels are just another mechanical device. Learning and now doing aren't that hard. I'm finding parts sources on the internet, this website for advise, utubes, and manuals provided by mfgr, I'll be doing 90% of work myself. Saves money, keeps me busy, jobs are done right, if something breaks I'll know what to do. So far 244 projects on my 15 Discovery.

MSHappyCampers · 05-29-2017, 02:08 PM

Yup, you got me on that thread title!

Mr_D · 05-29-2017, 02:19 PM

I've got a few pictures of the a couple of the grandkids helping rake the yard. Just wish they'd do it now as the one is 17 and a football player.

VoiceNinja · 05-29-2017, 02:44 PM

We may have been letting them help a little TOO much! Last night, our 4 year old got out my micro-tool set and took apart my Apple Bluetooth keyboard!

Kudos to him, though. I walked into my home office/studio as he was just putting the back of the case back ON. He did it right - still works!

(Though we had to take it back apart to put the acetate keyboard shield in - that was still on the table...)

As long as he doesn't take apart the Allison transmission without permission, we're good!