Real-life maintenance costs on a small B+

Low mileage on a early 2000's B+ isn't always a great thing. Our 2004 R-Vision, Trail Lite 213 had just over 8K miles on it and was 8 years old. It looked and drove great, but needless to say it had sat a lot.

Off the top of my head we bought or repaired the following before a 2013 Alaska trip:

• 2 AGM 6 volt batteries and additional mount fabrication $800
• Lost in tank fuel pump 2nd trip in 2012 $800 (sat with untreated 10% ethanol in tank for 2 years, which was blamed for the following also)
• Had the poor running generator checked out and serviced by Onan, replaced carb, fuel lines & fuel pump $650
• New tires $1300
• Power management system $300
• Hot rod for water heater $75
• General engine check out, belts, hoses, fluid changes $500
• Masks for grill, windshield and bug deflector $150
• New TV $200
• New Wineguard Rayzr antenna head $50
• Quick disconnect gas line with shutoff valve and Buddy catalytic heater $110
• Refrigerator recall, cleaning, parts and service $150
• Extra alternator for trip $155

No problems on the 17K trip with anything, I guess we over-reacted on preparation.

We have about 27K miles on it now and Scottiemom is looking for a corner bed in a B+ ... :E.

I dont think the v10 has a timing belt, probably a chain and 30K is not enough to warrant the $$ to R&R. But if ya do might as well go whole hog and do the water pump and t-stat as well. Plus you will need all new coolant etc.

I would as a minimum just change all fluids as a start point and then move on to other things such as spark plugs and cops if needed. All filters such as oil, air, and trans unless you do go ahead and flush.

Probably the biggest expense will be tires unless newly installed. If it hasnt been used a lot than figure on a brake flush and possible pads. Shocks could also come into play here due to age, they run about $100 each. So with what I just said you are in the neighborhood of a $1000 not counting tires maybe even $1500. Tires will run about $150 each easily if not more. So shop wisely

mines a B+ or small C so far I,ve spent money on tires,, brakes and a heater element, ,,oil filters . its 2007 LTV sprinter chassis, 35k miles. owned since new , and we take good care of it. always garaged. there out here you just gotta hunt.I,m in ohio found ours in alabama.at a small dealer.

LOL I think you are right about staying under 5K miles/year.

I would probably do one longer trip maybe 2K miles in the southeast... then shorter ones. Glacier is on my agenda which will be about 5K miles, been there once before. Also planning an Arizona winter trip, plus maybe a Utah spring trip.

Lots to do and see in this great country, for sure!

The way I handle vehicle and home maintenance expenses is to have what I call sinking funds. Set aside $$$ every month and use as needed, on top of a starting amount. And there is an emergency fund if the sinking fund is not adequate. I'll have a separate vacation budget to cover fuel, RV sites, etc.

So for the chassis repairs where you did DIY I would need to add some labor, probably a few hundred $$ each time.

Just trying to get a ball park idea.

Average annual expenses on a Chevy/Ford B+ 21 to 24ft might be about $800 per year.

We had front end king pins replace/alignment one year. That was about $900.

Had to replace water heater (leaking) one year $500, did the install myself.

Mice chewed heater/defrost control air line est $500 (fixed myself).

New Tires $1400

Calipers corroded - front brake job, replace rotors and flush brake fluid $600 did most of work myself.

Replaced engine battery and coach batteries and install true multi-stage charger

Didn't happen all in one year but these are some basic maintenance things you might run into. Annual insurance in our area (Northwest) for 5K or less miles per year is about $400.

If you travel 5000 miles annually your fuel costs will likely be $1600 to $1800 per year....give or take a little.

Then of course some of us are always tinkering and adding/improving stuff and that can add some additional annual cost. New TV/DVD player, nicer faucets, improved storage, upgrading the shower, and little things that make camping/boondocking more enjoyable.

We moved up to a motorhome; started with a 23ft class c and moved to a 26ft B+. Having lots of fun. You might find it hard to stay under 5k miles per year ;-).

I would definitely do minor repairs on the coach, winterizing, etc. I'm pretty handy and generally understand how all the systems work, from my former partnership in a travel trailer.

My good local mechanic would do basic maintenance on the chassis; I also have a good tire/front end shop that is very reasonable. I will do things like change a turn signal bulb or air filter, but don't like to mess with fluids.

I know first thing would probably be a tranny flush & timing belt change, as preventive measures, unless I have service records showing them done on schedule. For those I would go to a dealer and be prepared to shell out $$$, but other things my local mechanic could do for much less.

Are you planning on doing most of the maintenance on your own? Basic maintenance on the Ford (fluids, filters, minor repairs)? Minor repairs, caulking etc. on the coach?