Top brands, where to service?

Ford truck chassis are serviced at Ford truck dealers. In markets that support 2-5 dealer, likely one will be a truck dealer, might even be a truck-only dealer. In larger markets, major urban areas, there may be two or more truck dealers, likely to be truck-only. In rural areas, where towns with dealers might be 50-200 miles apart, all the dealers will sell and service trucks, may represent more than half their business.

You will find the same for motorhomes on Chevy chassis, maybe fewer because Chevy has been off and on selling larger trucks, Ford never quit. All GMC dealers should service Chevy van chassis.

Situation with Sprinter is trickier. All Freightliner dealers will service any Sprinter. Some M-B dealers will service the Sprinter and other M-B trucks, but most are car only. Dodge dealers that sold the Sprinter as a Dodge should be able to service the model years sold, but as with Ford and Chevy, not all Dodge dealers were truck dealers. What you might be looking for today to service a Dodge Sprinter motorhome will say they are a RamTruck dealer, but no guarantee, as there are new Ram dealerships that were never Sprinter equipped.

mudhound wrote:
I try and do what service I can by myself. However, I have taken my Sunseeker to a large truck repair shop and to the Ford dealer.

x2. I do my own regular maintenance. Prices at various dealers will vary a lot so you have to price compare for larger jobs. Our 2006 E450 has broken exhaust manifold studs. We have a Ford dealer nearby that services MH's but they're expensive, their quote was $1800+tax so I took it to my RV dealer instead, their quote is $1200

I try and do what service I can by myself. However, I have taken my Sunseeker to a large truck repair shop and to the Ford dealer.

We too vote for a newer Fleetwood. Since their bankruptcy in 2009, they are building much better coaches!

We just bought a Fleetwood Tioga Montara 25k and am very happy w/ it thus far. We looked at some of the others brands that most consider to be superior in quality, but we preferred the layout of the 25k. It has the most counter space of similar sized models. Plus, as mentioned, most brands use the same equipment when building their coaches. The 25k is on a Ford e450 chasis which is what I wanted. Very happy w/ the purchase thus far. Good luck in your search for your perfect model.

Don't overlook lower priced name-brand rigs like Fleetwood Tioga and Jamboree unless you don't care about cost. Take your time and look at floor plans and features. Get smart about short vs medium length rigs, rear bedrooms and RV queen beds, and access to bed on two sides, slides or no slides, etc. Most brands use the same appliances,AC units, water heaters, generators, awnings,etc. Real differences are in roof materials and construction of the housebox and cabinetry, interior decor, fabrics and cushion materials.

Queens Carriage wrote:
Why do you want a C. Is it because you want a 29' or smaller? If you go to 30' A with one big slide it gives you the advantage of towing more. The tires can handle more weight. The C is very close to max weight when empty.

On this site, there was a comparison of A and C. C seemed to easier to drive and cheaper to maintain. 30' would be my max, with mid-20's preferred. I might have a need, though, to tow a Jeep GC.

Why do you want a C. Is it because you want a 29' or smaller? If you go to 30' A with one big slide it gives you the advantage of towing more. The tires can handle more weight. The C is very close to max weight when empty.

It's been said that Winnebago has the highest percent of satisfied customers.
For a Ford chassis you need to go to a Ford Truck dealer, some ford car dealers are also truck dealers.

Dusty

I go to a place that works of fleet trucks and buses. Have not needed any major work done yet. I replace my own oil, oil filter, and air cleaner (the leveling ramps help). I have gone to Jeffy Lub once and kept a close eye on things (there was a heat wave here).