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Old 08-16-2021, 08:17 PM   #1
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Full time Class A - Shop Time for Maintenance - How do you do it?

2008 Tiffin Pheaton 40’ DP 14,000 miles odometer
We have full timed for more than a year
Several times we have gotten a hotel and took it to the shop for maintenance, tires, etc
It is always a major pain to get a hotel room for several days
Your refrig is full of food, your valuables are in RV …
Almost all RV parks won’t let you do any basic maintenance, such as change oil let alone even wash it … can only wash the windshield with a bucket … no hose
So …. How do you work out doing chassis maintenance while full timing
Do You get a hotel while it is in the shop or do you have some trick solution?
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Old 08-16-2021, 08:46 PM   #2
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The nearby Cummins shop can get me in and out in about two hours for maintenance. For something more involved I show up in the afternoon and stay in their CG lot, they get me in first thing next morning and I'm usually out in the afternoon.

We just got new tires and alignment; we stayed in the shop's front parking lot overnight and went in the next morning. Out by noon.

Only once have we been out of the rig overnight, and that was getting the transmission replaced. We'd spent the previous 11 days in their parking lot.

Many shops can provide an electric hookup at least.

If possible, make an appointment well in advance and inquire about overnight parking. Sometimes it's not possible and sometimes it's ok just because you asked and no one ever thought about it.
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Old 08-16-2021, 08:52 PM   #3
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Find shops that actually work on the coach at the time of appointment. They do exist.
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2011 Tiffin Phaeton 40QTH (Cummins ISC/Freightliner)
Flat towing a modified 2005 Jeep (Rubicon Wrangler)
Previously a 2002 Fleetwood Pace Arrow 37A and a 1995 Safari Trek 2830.
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Old 08-16-2021, 09:42 PM   #4
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16 years of full-timing and never stayed in a motel.

We called a facility in the direction we were heading and made an appointment. We liked Cummins Coach Care but have used others.

They were always ready for us. If they finished by 3pm we typically left and drove a few hours. Later... we spent the night, most often with electric.

While they worked we did errands or some siteseeing or took a book, blanket and snacks to the local park. A couple times we even took in a movie. We never left important papers or money in the RV. We packed a carry along bag & took them with us.

It was never a problem.

Repairs? We honestly never had any..... just maintenance.
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Old 08-17-2021, 10:52 AM   #5
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Guidance on finding maintenance facility with parking sites

I tried to search google for rv facilities with parking sites - no joy
I tried to search the cummins coach website for which sites had parking but again - no joy
I know there are some frieghtliner facilities that have RV parking but couldn't find them

Any ideas on the best way to search google to find rv maintenance shops that have RV parking sites?

Is there any index or site that IDs them?
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Old 08-17-2021, 12:00 PM   #6
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We found that anyplace will let you park overnight. There's not a 'list'. They don't have 'campgrounds'. When you make the appointment just confirm that you can spend the night, if needed.
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Old 08-17-2021, 05:12 PM   #7
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We've never stayed in a hotel for repairs, and have been towed a lot in the first couple years ownership. In 2019 had to be towed and just stayed in their car park in Ontario for 2 nights awaiting part to arrive and was done 6am 3rd morning actually in the same spot in car park. and we were on our way

We even had an engine replaced back in Pocatello ID where we were towed in 2013. Spent 6 nights on their car park, leaving on days it was being worked on early morning for them to two it into the shop, and back out again for our overnighting. They even gave us a loaner vehicle. Second engine 2018, it was a 3 week replacement on lead time etc and we were only at Great Falls MT, so they lent us a loaner vehicle to drive back 5 hours to home base.

Generally, we've never had a problem getting work done, and we don't even tow a car. Most folks we've found are quite accommodating and helpful to those RVing on the road. YMMV.
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Old 08-19-2021, 03:39 PM   #8
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You could consider renting from rvshare. Move your food and stuff to the rental...
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Old 08-24-2021, 07:03 PM   #9
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Maintenance

We owned a 2008 Foretravel for 3 years. Took it to Motorhomes of Texas for service each year. Make an appt in advance and arrive day before. They have hookup spots to camp. Take your rig in the morning and either wait in a nice facility or go about town. At the end of the day if you are not complete you can drive to their camp spot and return the next day. They are very friendly and efficient. They are located in Nacodoches (sp) in east Texas. Travato john
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