Annual maintenance costs

[Gary.Jones]

Does anyone think that having an OEM company like Spartan or Cummins do the maintenance is an inexpensive way of doing things?? Really? In my experience, getting the OEM people to do anything is the benchmark for the highest end of the expense cost range. They charge MSRP costs for all parts, and the labor costs are usually at the top end of the scale. It is probably the easiest, but it is never the least expensive path, IMHO.

Gary

[hobart22]

Spartian did the one year maintance that they recommend and installed a ping tank for the toad. I had issues with steering and they finally did an ailment and all is better

[brobox]

Originally Posted by Gary.Jones

Does anyone think that having an OEM company like Spartan or Cummins do the maintenance is an inexpensive way of doing things?? Really? In my experience, getting the OEM people to do anything is the benchmark for the highest end of the expense cost range. They charge MSRP costs for all parts, and the labor costs are usually at the top end of the scale. It is probably the easiest, but it is never the least expensive path, IMHO.

Gary

Kind of like car dealers. Highest price and not always the best quality. Last time at the dealer, they left the ground cable loose, the truck shut down on the way home. Glad I found the problem or it would have been a tow back to the dealer.
I have found a local truck center that is Spartan approved... much less and a lot closer to home

[Matt D]

Originally Posted by jsmmonaco

this is completely my method, but it seems to work................when I bought my 2007 Monaco knight, I budgeted $1000 per month...

Per Month? That would almost be my entire annual budget!

I hope Spartan service is better than Freightliner.

I understood the OP's question to relate to budgeting maintenance. It seems that some are including some improvements or modifications that don't fit the description of preventive maintenance.

It might be more relevant to provide a full description of what you're having done for the money.

For example, I typically spend approximately $1000 for a thorough annual service, and I typically spend between $2-3000 yearly on upgrades and improvements.

-Matt

[TXBart]

Holt Cat just changed my engine oil, all the engine filters, added a gallon of coolant, lubed the chassis, serviced the generator, checked the engine charging system and chassis batteries the replaced both chassis batteries. Total charge $932. Don't recall how much of that was electrical labor but the batteries were $110-120/each.

2 years ago Industrial Power in Ft Worth charged me $602 for just an oil change, no fuel filters, no chassis lube. They made it clear they are a repair facility and don't do oil changes and recommended a truck stop for future oil changes. It was there for some warranty work and I asked them to change the oil while they had it. They also charged $37.50 to check tire pressure.


Vance & Robin
Dexter and Winston - Old English Sheepdog Security Service
2014 Entegra Anthem 42DEQ

[Gary.Jones]

Holy Smokes ! $602 for an oil change????

Remember, Speedco is your friend for oil changes..... always less than $250 and sometimes less than $200. They sometimes don't have a filter and you use one of your spares, but for the money, you can't beat it.

Gary

[HarleyOutlaw]

Thanks a lot for the info. Helps me get a better idea of what i will be getting into.

[TXBart]

Originally Posted by Gary.Jones

Holy Smokes ! $602 for an oil change????

Remember, Speedco is your friend for oil changes..... always less than $250 and sometimes less than $200. They sometimes don't have a filter and you use one of your spares, but for the money, you can't beat it.

Gary

First oil change I ever got on a MH. Didn't realize it wasn't competitive like a car oil changes.

Nearest Speedco is about 65 miles away in Dallas; I'd rather take a beating than drive the MH in Dallas!

There is a Petro nearby that does them for $239. Though Holt recommended against even oil changes at a truck stop I may try them next year. (New guys with little to no experience do oil changes in truck stop service centers according to Holt service manager)


Vance & Robin
Dexter and Winston - Old English Sheepdog Security Service
2014 Entegra Anthem 42DEQ

[DrDaveMA]

I think your best bet may be using Speedco during a trip. They typically take under an hour, they build their reputation on oil changes, not maintenance. I have used them for several years, I just find one on our route, pull in for a hour, I normally am asked to pull in the exit because their facility is tooled for front engined OTR tractors, not rear engine RV's. They encourage you to stay with the coach and watch the service. I use 1 trick, I ask them to count the number of zerks they lube, I know I have 13 on our coach, if they tell me something else, I send them back to find those they missed, I don't tell them the correct number until they give it to me.

Speedco is set up to quickly service OTR rigs, that is their specialty, they give a fair price and know what they are doing.

[vsheetz]

I don't have a nearby Speedco so drop in at one when on a trip.

[DrDaveMA]

There are Speedco locations all over the US, go here http://www.speedco.com/en-us/locations, you will be able to look up their locations. I use one about about 350 miles from my home. They are located near major interstates and try to get near junctions of 2 or more interstate highways.