Forum Discussion

golfknut's avatar
golfknut
Explorer
Oct 22, 2014

Maintenance Needs on a Ford Chassis

We have a 2005 Ford E-450 chassis based motorhome with 22,800 miles.

I've always struggled with knowing what maintenance I should be having done on it due to the low miles. The Ford maintenance schedule for it is pretty much mileage based and I'm concerned that with a 9-year old rig maybe I'm missing some maintenance issues that should be addressed based on age rather than just mileage.

We've had annual lube/oil changes, transmission serviced, fuel filter replaced, coolant replaced, brakes checked, and the usual checks on belts hoses, etc.

The rig starts and runs fine.
Are there any other maintenance issues I should consider having done at this point?
Class C
  • tpi's avatar
    tpi
    Explorer
    Oct 23, 2014
    Looks good to me. The only things I'd add is wouldn't hurt to do a brake fluid replacement (as mentioned attracts water), and engine air filter. The air filter elements are lightly oiled material. The old filter may have dried out over the years. Brakes most important, filter because it is cheap.
  • golfknut's avatar
    golfknut
    Explorer
    Oct 22, 2014
    I bought new tires summer of 2013. Plenty of tread left but they were 9 years old.

    New coach battery was installed this past spring. Chassis battery was replaced three years ago.

    I exercise the generator every month.
  • tatest's avatar
    tatest
    Explorer II
    Oct 22, 2014
    The starting battery ages when the vehicle is sitting, been drawn down much more than in normal starting use by the ECM, or by self-discharge if disconnected. In normal daily use, starting batteries seldom get pulled down below 80-90% of the full charge. So periodic condition checks are in order, if it sits a lot.

    My experience with starting batteries is that the failure mode is often at least one cell shorting under starting loads.
  • DrewE's avatar
    DrewE
    Explorer II
    Oct 22, 2014
    Brake fluid ought to be replaced every few years--I've read three, but that may be a bit unnecessarily conservative. It tends to be somewhat hydroscopic (i.e. absorbs water from the air) which lowers its boiling point, which causes brake fade or failure sooner under hard use, and can cause corrosion in brake lines etc.

    Overall, I agree that it sounds like you're on the right track.
  • PghBob's avatar
    PghBob
    Explorer
    Oct 22, 2014
    How old are your tires? Remember that they should be replaced about every six years whether the tread looks good or not. Are you running the generator (if any) every month? Bob

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