Average Maintenance Costs

[PNW_Wood]

I'm trying to evaluate my actual cost of ownership. I've figured fuel, camp sites, insurance. I have no idea what general maintenance is going to run me

Assuming somewhere in the 6,000 miles per year range for driving, what are the average per year maintenance costs? ... oil, transmission service, brakes, batteries, tires, etc., etc.

I've not settled on DP VS gasser, so I'm interested in both (please indicate what you have if your sig doesn't)

Thanks

[gbopp]

PNW Wood wrote:
I have a garage full of tools and its already started processing in my head how the hell I can take them all without taking all my space and weight limits 😄

It's not practical to take everything.

I carry basic tools, and of course wire and duct tape.

Some carry enough stuff to rebuild their engine and transmission along the side of the road.

And, others have a tool box that consists of a credit card and cell phone.

You'll figure out what will work for you. 🙂

[PNW_Wood]

10forty2 wrote:
Still hard to give a figure since you haven't decided on DP or gasser. On my gasser, I change oil minimum of once per year. Depending on the manufacturer's recommendation, you may require one more change with 6Kmiles annually. Transmission fluid on a gasser is based on 30K I think. I don't have the owner's manual either, but that seems to be the recommendation for the V10. Rear-end gear grease will need checking/changing. Of course, there will be a radiator flush and refill at some interval. And a tune-up to replace the plugs and air and fuel filters. The labor is a bit more for the tune up, although you can do it yourself, getting access to the coil-on-plugs may be tricky....not impossible, but a mechanic familiar with the job would probably be better at it. Later year model V10s don't seem to have the problem of the plugs stripping the threads... so you may be okay. If you have to replace the coil-overs, they can get a bit pricey. You'll also want to figure in the oil/filters/plugs change for your gen-set too. Not a big expense, but something to consider. There are other mechanical items that will require maintenance like brakes, bearings, greasing the zerks, and the other usual stuff that are with any vehicle. Oh, and figure new tires about every 7 years or so. You'll have to reseal the roof and other joints every few years to avoid leaks. And replacing house/chassis batteries every few years.

Then, there's the choice maintenance items I call them.... like whether you put antifreeze in the water lines in the winter or blow out the lines....whether you choose to do any special cleaning to your holding tanks, special sanitizing for your fresh water tank. Storage fees if you don't have a place or shed of your own....I put mine in an indoor facility for the winter....about $75/month for about 4 months.

And then there's the ACCESSORIES...but that's not really maintenance.... LOL! To address your tool dilemma, I just bought one of those universal tool kits that has sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers, etc., that folds up neatly into a flat box. Most everything I've needed so far has been in it.

It ain't cheap to play, but it sure is a helluva lot of fun!!! Good luck to ya!

In all likelihood it will be a later model gasser with the F53 (is that right?) ... the Triton V10

Tools - thats good to know you have gotten by on one of those kits.

[PNW_Wood]

doxiemom11 wrote:
We have a motorhome ( gas) ( a 2000) and have had it for 6 1/2 years. After the initial expenses of having everything check, new tires, alignment, it's pretty much been oil changes and an occasional circuit board, or fan motor etc. I don't think we have even spent $1,000 per year since the initial expenses. It will be time soon though for new tires again and things like new carpet, changing furniture etc.

not bad at all, thank you

[PNW_Wood]

bluwtr49 wrote:
When I speak about maintenance, there are really four categories (in my mind).

!) Required such as fluids, lube, and etc. that are on a fairly set schedule.
2) Optional such as tires, cleaning/waxing and the like.
3) Unscheduled repairs such as repairing leaking hydraulic hoses, AC, appliances and that sort of thing. Some are urgent some can be delayed to a more convenient time.
4) Upgrades which are totally optional which have included new front TV and cabinents, refig upgrade to residential, and etc.

For required maintenance I change oil and lube chassis every 2 years but I have 36 qts so I can go longer than a coach with 20 qts. Tranny every 4 years (transynd), coolant (ELC) every 4 years. For this I budget about $500.00/year and that's about right.

The optional category is another $500.00 or so per year. Tires are an erratic expanse and I budget those about a year or two in advance of implementation. This year I bought two new 12RX22.5 Hankook tires for $1,100 for the front and move the old front to the tag. Next year I might buy 4 new for the drive axle, than in another four years two new fronts and move those to the the tag.

Unscheduled is...well just that. Sometimes it's high and some years nothing.

Upgrades are where I seem to spend the most $$$.

As far as the DIYI, I don't do much of anything but write the checks.

Don't know if this helps you or not but it works for me.

very helpful, thanks

[PNW_Wood]

full_mosey wrote:
I don't have a motorhome, but I have gone out to lunch/dinner with MH folks. Based on what I have heard, You should plan on $1,000/mo including depreciation. 🙂

HTH;
John

lol, I hope you are kidding

[doxiemom11]

We have a motorhome ( gas) ( a 2000) and have had it for 6 1/2 years. After the initial expenses of having everything check, new tires, alignment, it's pretty much been oil changes and an occasional circuit board, or fan motor etc. I don't think we have even spent $1,000 per year since the initial expenses. It will be time soon though for new tires again and things like new carpet, changing furniture etc.

[bluwtr49]

When I speak about maintenance, there are really four categories (in my mind).

!) Required such as fluids, lube, and etc. that are on a fairly set schedule.
2) Optional such as tires, cleaning/waxing and the like.
3) Unscheduled repairs such as repairing leaking hydraulic hoses, AC, appliances and that sort of thing. Some are urgent some can be delayed to a more convenient time.
4) Upgrades which are totally optional which have included new front TV and cabinents, refig upgrade to residential, and etc.

For required maintenance I change oil and lube chassis every 2 years but I have 36 qts so I can go longer than a coach with 20 qts. Tranny every 4 years (transynd), coolant (ELC) every 4 years. For this I budget about $500.00/year and that's about right.

The optional category is another $500.00 or so per year. Tires are an erratic expanse and I budget those about a year or two in advance of implementation. This year I bought two new 12RX22.5 Hankook tires for $1,100 for the front and move the old front to the tag. Next year I might buy 4 new for the drive axle, than in another four years two new fronts and move those to the the tag.

Unscheduled is...well just that. Sometimes it's high and some years nothing.

Upgrades are where I seem to spend the most $$$.

As far as the DIYI, I don't do much of anything but write the checks.

Don't know if this helps you or not but it works for me.

[full_mosey]

I don't have a motorhome, but I have gone out to lunch/dinner with MH folks. Based on what I have heard, You should plan on $1,000/mo including depreciation. 🙂

HTH;
John

[10forty2]

Still hard to give a figure since you haven't decided on DP or gasser. On my gasser, I change oil minimum of once per year. Depending on the manufacturer's recommendation, you may require one more change with 6Kmiles annually. Transmission fluid on a gasser is based on 30K I think. I don't have the owner's manual either, but that seems to be the recommendation for the V10. Rear-end gear grease will need checking/changing. Of course, there will be a radiator flush and refill at some interval. And a tune-up to replace the plugs and air and fuel filters. The labor is a bit more for the tune up, although you can do it yourself, getting access to the coil-on-plugs may be tricky....not impossible, but a mechanic familiar with the job would probably be better at it. Later year model V10s don't seem to have the problem of the plugs stripping the threads... so you may be okay. If you have to replace the coil-overs, they can get a bit pricey. You'll also want to figure in the oil/filters/plugs change for your gen-set too. Not a big expense, but something to consider. There are other mechanical items that will require maintenance like brakes, bearings, greasing the zerks, and the other usual stuff that are with any vehicle. Oh, and figure new tires about every 7 years or so. You'll have to reseal the roof and other joints every few years to avoid leaks. And replacing house/chassis batteries every few years.

Then, there's the choice maintenance items I call them.... like whether you put antifreeze in the water lines in the winter or blow out the lines....whether you choose to do any special cleaning to your holding tanks, special sanitizing for your fresh water tank. Storage fees if you don't have a place or shed of your own....I put mine in an indoor facility for the winter....about $75/month for about 4 months.

And then there's the ACCESSORIES...but that's not really maintenance.... LOL! To address your tool dilemma, I just bought one of those universal tool kits that has sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers, etc., that folds up neatly into a flat box. Most everything I've needed so far has been in it.

It ain't cheap to play, but it sure is a helluva lot of fun!!! Good luck to ya!

[PNW_Wood]

Good question

I'm a DIY sort of guy, but getting in and doing oil changes is getting less and less attractive for me as I get older.

I have a garage full of tools and its already started processing in my head how the hell I can take them all without taking all my space and weight limits 😄

So, I'd say minor repairs would be me, but otherwise I'd be relying on service shops

[wolfe10]

First, a question: do you do your own labor on everything, somethings, none.

Will make 100% difference in answer.