Service for a F53 V10 when travelling
 

Even though I am an experienced RVer with truck campers and 5th wheels, this was only my 2nd year in a motorhome. I have a Class A on a Ford F53 with the V10. This year I went on a long enough trip that I needed to get service done while away. I managed to find a Canadian Tire with a big door and someone willing to crawl under to do it. However I was turned down at several locations before that.
Where do you go to get simple oil/filter/grease while travelling?

:welcome:
I use Speedco for my DP, I would guess they'd do a Ford V-10 too. Fast, competent and fair. They didn't have my fuel filter in stock, so gave me credit and offered to install one free if I bought it and stop at any Speedco.

I would recommend searching for dealerships where large or commercial trucks are sold and serviced. (Such as a Ford commercial truck dealership.) That's where we took our Bounder for the Ford recall a few months ago, and we will also have future oil changes, etc. done there since it's much cheaper than an RV dealership. (We paid $130.00 for an oil change at an RV dealership, then next time paid $40 at the Ford commercial truck dealership.)

Here's a link to the Ford dealer locator; if you plug in your location zip code and other search parameters, you can find the closest one. Locate a Dealer Search Results | Ford.com

I get mine done at a Ford dealership that does commercial vehicles. $40, oil, filter & lube. At that price I don't even think about doing it myself.

X2. I just Google "Ford Truck Dealers". I've also used Camping World for a simple oil change.

I carry 6-7 quarts of 5-20 Motorcraft oil and a filter. If I can't find a Ford dealer , I just go to a truck stop and they change the supplied oil and filter and grease the chassis for about $30.

Sarah, I too have wondered where to get service. not only for oil changes, but for warranty work. I tried your link, but they do not list a Commercial dealer in their list of options. The do list Heavy Truck, but that is totally different from the F53.

I think some of the problem is the fact that the chassis is under a MH. If you look at the VIN number on the F53 it indicates a F550 truck. None of the Ford dealers within 100 miles of me, will touch a MH, even though they service the F550.

As of yet, I have not found a dealer to take my coach to if I have a problem. Something I never thought of when purchasing.

You can call Ford Customer Service at 800-444-3311 and they should be able to provide information as to where you can get your coach serviced.

Good luck and safe travels...:thumb:

Thanks Jim, will give them a call

Service
 

Thanks for pointing out this flaw in my MH research. I had not thought of service out on the road.

Thanks to all and Update
 

Thanks to all of you for your responses. I called Ford and have a dealer about 150 km away in Edmonton that is supposed to be able to handle motorhomes. However there were several identified on the list that on further reading by the Ford Rep had length restrictions and had to be eliminated. There is also a closer dealer that I don't think can handle it. I will personally check out both of them before making an appointment. Since I live in a rural area and Edmonton is the nearest major city this isn't too bad. The problem while on the road however is still real.

I had a similar problem getting service this year when my Ford V10 blew a plug. Even though the Ford dealership had a bay big enough for my rig, they said they couldn't work on big MH's despite having fairly large moving vans in their bay. I checked out a few other garages, GM and Crysler and it was the same. I called around to a few big truck repair facilities and they could get me in, but I would have to wait a day or two. Thankfully, one of them recommended a small garage that did have a bay high enough for my unit and they replaced the plug in about an hour.
So in answer to your question, I would check the yellow pages for truck service companies and start there. Even if you are on the road, you could call ahead to your next destination for an appointment.

When travelling some distance from home, we have discovered that there is a wealth of information at the various campgrounds where we are staying at any given time. If the office doesn't have recommendations for a particular service (oil changes included) we ask around and often times run across another RVer with a similar motor home and inquire about the location as to where they get their MH serviced. Usually their suggestion/s are really reliable. Just a thought!

Bronk

When I searched in the Houston area using the "heavy truck" option, I did get dealerships that would service our Bounder. I had called FoMoCo to ask about dealerships when we got the recall notice back in March as well. Perhaps you should call Ford and see what they say.

:iagree::iagree::iagree:

Also! Welcome Aboard!


:welcome:


I know this is irrelevant, but my local Ford Dealer here in Arlington, Texas, Don Davis Ford, does a LOF and 40 point inspection service for 39.95 on my coach. I think that's a great deal.

https://ford.dondavisautogroup.com/se...partment?dpt=4

The link is for those traveling through or living in this area.

As I live in Edmonton, u should try Mr. Lube. They service many RV's for oil & lube. They serviced my rear axle, flushed my transmission 110% with new ATF fluid, oil change, & greased all fittings. Good thing I had printed a copy of the F-53 grease fittings guide so none were missed. They found some water in my rear diff which I have read on this site as a common occurrence from the vent hose. That alone saved me the expense of a new rear diff I hope !!!

I usually do my own maintenance. However, one day I went into town to top off the propane before a trip. Across the street were one of those "quick oil change" places. I decided to stop and talk to them about my RV. They said just pull around back and get as close to a bay as I can.

They checked all fluids, changed oil & filter and greased it. While doing that, they sent a guy to go get an oil filter for the genny and they changed the oil in that. Something to look into while traveling.

I like to do a lot of minor stuff my self...however, when trying to remove the air filter today from my Ford V-10 I couldn't get the top lid to raise up enough to take the filter out after I loosended the three clips in the front....I'm afraid to force it - am I doing something wrong?

Bobby, I had trouble when I replaced mine on my '99. All I remember is loosening everything (perhaps something below the lid) and I had to do some forcing. The plastic parts are not brittle and should give plenty to get everythimg apart.

One of the local Ford dealerships serviced my 35 ft Bounder for 115.00. I now have a 2012 Challenger 38 ft. which they won't service nor would any other Ford dealer in my area. I went to a commercial truck shop, and they charged me 160.00 What a rip off for 5 quarts od oil and alittle grease.
I guess I'll be servicing the coach myself in the future

Thanks for that advise - I read the owner's manual and all it says is to loosen the front three clips and raise the lid gently.....all I can raise it is about half an inch and no more - still leery about forcing it but I'll try a little at a time...thanks again.