Community Forums

rjsupersonic · 02-01-2019, 06:51 PM

I am in the Tampa area and have some maintenance items I need to take care of ( coolant flush and brake flush) so I called Lazy Days in Tampa I understand they have a very large service department. I was quoted 650.00 not including fluids! This is twice as high as I guessed. I think Ford dealer would be less. I would appreciate any recommendations in the Tampa or Orlando areas for good service work at a reasonable price. I have a basic Ford F-53 chassis with the V-10. Thanks.

paddykern · 02-02-2019, 05:00 AM

Seems kind of high to me.
I don't flush coolant. I drain and refill.
Brake bleeding is not that hard but I have only done it on cars.

Mark_K5LXP · 02-02-2019, 05:55 AM

My personal take on anything vehicle related is if you can do it yourself, you should. Yes, it's a PITA. Yes, you will have to learn things you probably don't care to know. You will have to buy tools, equipment and materials that are expensive, and deal with waste disposal. But like the credit card commercial knowing it was done right - priceless.

How many stories have you read about folks taking their vehicles in for service and having horror stories of botched jobs and huge bills? The way I look at it, any tools I buy are usually no less than any labor I would pay and when the job is done, I get to keep the tool. I have a lot of tools.

Unless you're physically unable to crawl into/over/under the vehicle you've got little to lose and lots to gain by doing your own maintenance and repairs. With internet resources these days like google and you tube there's likely nothing out there you can't find a step by step instruction for with pictures and video. Forums like these have folks with extensive knowledge and experience. So instead of handing some outfit $650 and wonder if they did it right or worse, you suffer damage due to a botched job, spend that $650 (or likely quite a bit less) for some tools and equipment to do it yourself. Set aside a saturday, maybe invite a handy friend over for moral support/third hand and have at it. Consider that anyone doing this kind of work professionally is no smarter than you but cares a lot less about the outcome, so there's no reason not to try. The other benefit is you get to see and touch the systems in your vehicle and you may discover other issues or conditions that warrant attention that someone else may not notice or care about.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

Jfkmk · 02-02-2019, 06:20 AM

Mark B,
I agree with you, but I also disagree. I’ve been doing vehicle maintenance since before I was old enough to drive. I’ve saved a ton of money for me, my family and friends. I always do the job right because if I don’t know how to do a job I research it until I feel comfortable doing it. I want to do it right because I care about making sure the job is correct as I have a personal interest in the person I’m doing the job for. You don’t get that bringing a vehicle to a repair shop.

Brake fluid flush and coolant flush are very easy....for someone who knows what they are doing. If you don’t, either could lead to disaster. For those who don’t know what they’re doing, or are mechanically inclined, these jobs are best left to a repair shop.

twinboat · 02-02-2019, 06:51 AM

Although flushing hydraulic brakes is a simple procedure to some, suggesting that a Utube video is going to train a novice to do it safely can be risky.

Mess up the coolant flush and you overheat on the side of the road.
Mess up a brake system flush and you end up piled up in the middle of the road.

Because of the infrequency of some of there procedures, there is no reason not to have a shop do it. Its all part of the cost of RVing.

No one hears about all of the jobs that come thru the shops, without issues and come backs, only the ones that do come back.

If they were that bad, they would be out of business.

Shop around, get 2 or 3 quotes, and pick the lowest responsible bidder.

rjsupersonic · 02-02-2019, 07:52 AM

I do most of my own maintenance when I can but we are full time so makes it more complicated most park don't want any major work done, one reason I like boondocking is the SW you can park in the desert and get a lot done. U usually look of a Ford dealer and they do a pretty good job.

Dav L · 02-02-2019, 09:40 AM

As anyone who reads my posts, I am a DIY advocate. But, I am also conscious that the majority of owners have very little DIY background. Yes there are horror stories about service garages, but they do the great majority of all service and the percent that are good, are higher than the percent of DIY success, especially for the newbee DIY'r.

So, it's going to be up to the individual. One doesn't get to be a great DIY'r if they don't make a bunch of mistakes over a lot of projects over a lot of years. Impossible to be good if you don't first fail (a lot). It's not just the labor and parts markup savings, it also has to be the Love of Project. But it's not for everyone.

Coolant replace and brake bleed are pretty good newbee DIY projects. Ideally you have someone more experienced nearby in a chair as the consultant. You typically will need a second person applying the brake pedal pressure during the bleed as well. My 10 yr old son (at the time) was my partner.

Pirate · 02-02-2019, 04:06 PM

For chassis work, go to the Ford dealer or find a truck place. Use the RV dealer for RV related work.

1982 · 02-02-2019, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pirate

For chassis work, go to the Ford dealer or find a truck place. Use the RV dealer for RV related work.

Good advice. But many Ford dealers will not service RV's, even though it is on a Ford chassis. Start calling around. You may have to find one that is on a route you plan to travel.

jharrell · 02-02-2019, 07:07 PM

Gator Ford right across the street from Lazy Days works on MH chassis. They did great work balancing my tires for a reasonable price.

rjsupersonic · 02-02-2019, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jharrell

Gator Ford right across the street from Lazy Days works on MH chassis. They did great work balancing my tires for a reasonable price.

I will give them a call thanks!!

marjoa · 02-03-2019, 09:31 AM

I do all my own repairs & maintenance, unless it's just impossible for me to do. Not oil, but when it comes to other fluid flushes and change outs, I take it to my trusted shop in Houston. They have the equipment, tools, the old fluid dumping barrels...it's just easier for stuff like this. I'm in and out in no time and the only thing that gets dirty is my C/C.

The last time my shop flushed the:
• Braking system was $149.50
• Cooling system was $199.82

And both included materials cost.

F4Gary · 02-03-2019, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marjoa

I do all my own repairs & maintenance, unless it's just impossible for me to do. Not oil, but when it comes to other fluid flushes and change outs, I take it to my trusted shop in Houston. They have the equipment, tools, the old fluid dumping barrels...it's just easier for stuff like this. I'm in and out in no time and the only thing that gets dirty is my C/C.

The last time my shop flushed the:
• Braking system was $149.50
• Cooling system was $199.82

And both included materials cost.

Ford shop?
RV shop?
Truck shop?
Garage/jack of all trades?

rjsupersonic · 02-03-2019, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marjoa

I do all my own repairs & maintenance, unless it's just impossible for me to do. Not oil, but when it comes to other fluid flushes and change outs, I take it to my trusted shop in Houston. They have the equipment, tools, the old fluid dumping barrels...it's just easier for stuff like this. I'm in and out in no time and the only thing that gets dirty is my C/C.

The last time my shop flushed the:
• Braking system was $149.50
• Cooling system was $199.82

And both included materials cost.

Pretty close to Gator Ford's quote...thanks. What shop do you use in Houston for future reference?