I am in need to a fluid change both oil and tranny. On a 1998 Beaver contessa. Engine Cat 3126 and allison Mh3060 6 speed. I just stopped at a local RV dealer here in the north Atlanta area and got a quote. He is INSANE. He wants $1400.00 to change both fluids. I looked up the cost of parts. 73.00 for tranny filter kit Average $40 a gallon for transyd oil. Engine oil 78.00 for 5 gallons of Rotella and $75.00 for filters.73.0040.00 x 4 = $16073.0075.00= $381.00 And I would guess his cost is better than mine. That is over $1000.00 in labor for a little over an hours work. If he said $600 he would be doing the work now. any input as to what to expect for pricing would be greatly appreciated.

My guess would be that 2X the price of materials would be the norm. I don't think he wanted to do the job.

If you don't go to a car dealer to get your fridge or stove, you shouldn't go to an RV deal to get the chassis serviced. Go to a truck garage.

find a truck shop. your rv dealer doesn,t want your business.

It takes a bit more than an hour to do this service but way out of whack pricewise anyhow....

I was a heavy equipment mechanic in the military. If you can not change engine oil in 30 minutes with filters. And the tranny fluid in 45 minutes with filters he needs to find a new business. So what is the going rate for a tranny service on a allison 6 speed? And a 20 quart oil change?

Fluid changes | Good Sam Community

16 Replies

wintersun
Explorer II
Nov 25, 2014
I take my truck to the local Allison shop as they stock the Transynd and the filters for the Allison transmission. Prices are lower than at the local Chevy dealer who does not have TES 295 ATF either.
mgirardo
Explorer
Nov 25, 2014
Andy Delin wrote:
There is a speedco south of Atlanta about 70 miles from me. Its a little far. I have some truck places much closer. The problem with stopping at a place I found is the wait time. The last place I stopped at was a 4 hour wait.

If you aren't willing to wait, perhaps you should call ahead and make an appointment. There seems to be plenty of Diesel Repair shops in and around Atlanta. I'm sure one of them would be interested in your business.

-Michael
sonora
Explorer
Nov 25, 2014
Andy Delin wrote:
There is a speedco south of Atlanta about 70 miles from me. Its a little far. I have some truck places much closer. The problem with stopping at a place I found is the wait time. The last place I stopped at was a 4 hour wait. Not going to happen. I am capable of doing it my self but Getting rid of almost 40 quarts of oil between the tranny and engine is a pain.

Around here it is easy to find places that will gladly take old oil. They use it to heat their shops. I keep two dedicated 5 gallon diesel plastic jugs for the waste oil.

Installing a FOMOTO Qwik Drain Valve really makes it convenient to drain the engine oil.
Andy_Delin
Explorer
Nov 25, 2014
ol Bombero-JC wrote:
Andy Delin wrote:
I also have an Allison trans dealer near me but when I call I get put to voice mail (for service) and no one ever calls back. I have tried numerous times. I am of the school of if you can't answer a phone or at least return a phone call you do not deserve my business.

You got it right, but......

Why numerous times? ("I have tried numerous times")

One try - maybe two (could be a glitch somewhere) - then adios!.:W

~
I just figured they are the Allison tranny dealer probably the best place to go. I tried to give them the benefit of the doubt but they proved us both right. Not a good way to do business. I may call the GM back and let him know what transpired. Tough to fix what you do not know.
ncrowley
Explorer II
Nov 23, 2014
I would still go for the Speedco even though it is 70 miles away. I had one about that distance away and I would combine the trip to Speedco with an RV trip in the area. It worked out well.
ol_Bombero-JC
Explorer
Nov 22, 2014
Andy Delin wrote:
I also have an Allison trans dealer near me but when I call I get put to voice mail (for service) and no one ever calls back. I have tried numerous times. I am of the school of if you can't answer a phone or at least return a phone call you do not deserve my business.

You got it right, but......

Why numerous times? ("I have tried numerous times")

One try - maybe two (could be a glitch somewhere) - then adios!.:W

~
Andy_Delin
Explorer
Nov 22, 2014
I also have an Allison trans dealer near me but when I call I get put to voice mail (for service) and no one ever calls back. I have tried numerous times. I am of the school of if you can't answer a phone or at least return a phone call you do not deserve my business.
Andy_Delin
Explorer
Nov 22, 2014
There is a speedco south of Atlanta about 70 miles from me. Its a little far. I have some truck places much closer. The problem with stopping at a place I found is the wait time. The last place I stopped at was a 4 hour wait. Not going to happen. I am capable of doing it my self but Getting rid of almost 40 quarts of oil between the tranny and engine is a pain.
ncrowley
Explorer II
Nov 21, 2014
If you are anywhere near a Speedco, I would go there. The prices are really good for oil and filter changes and lubes.
koda55
Explorer
Nov 21, 2014
Took the rv to Camping World and they wanted $200.00 just for the oil change and filter. No fuel filters or greasing. Went to a Freightliner dealer and they changed the oil and filter, both fuel filters and greased. Total cost for all with shop supplies was $438.69
I will make sure I make the time to do my own oil and greasing from now on. Cummins ISL 400 engine.

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Fluid changes

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