Love Hate relationship

[GrandmaLee]

Who else out there feels like me? I love my class A motorhome, but I hate the fact that it is so expensive to upkeep...tires, oil changes, gas, just to name a few. We had to put in a new starter and it cost us $1,400.00 !! Just for a starter !! It feels sinful to spend money like that. She is beautiful and comfy and I love her for all that, but I want to go back to a travel trailer. Can anyone empathize?

[BobR]

What is the name and location of that shop?

[Fiesta]

Never take anything to a service shop without telling them what to do. Never have a female take anything in. (Not sexist). Always get a firm estimate. Have them stick to it. Never give them all the keys.
And best of all fix what you can. I've saved over a $100,000 in my life time not getting ripped off.

[MotorPro]

Find a new shop.They charged about $1000 too much.

[gbopp]

Yes, it's a fairly expensive hobby/lifestyle we chose, But it's our choice.
If you get tired of paying to service your motorhome, buy a boat or airplane, see if they are any cheaper. :B

As mentioned above, if possible learn to do some of the work yourself. You'll save money.

[Roadglider09]

We moved from our Monaco DP to a Ford gasser, and that was a HUGE factor in our decision. To get the DP serviced - oil, all the filters, water separators, grease, etc - I couldn't get out of the repair shop for less than $800. We just had our Ford sericed yesterday and it came to a grand total of $71.

As far as repair shops go, I know it goes against the grain of alot of members here, but I always take my stuff back to the people who built it. I may pay a tiny bit more by always bringing my F53 gasser back to Ford, but I will never have to hear "We don't know whats wrong". It's their product, they have the factory and Ford Corporation behind them. I had to go this route years ago with a Ford dealer.

[robatthelake]

You got taken!

[timmac]

GrandmaLee wrote:

timmac wrote:
$1400.00 for a starter, is that what a diesel starter cost, or is that a gas motorhome in your profile, if its a gas motor than you were ripped at the repair shop..

Learn to do a lot of your own repairs and the cost will be cut in half for upkeep, maybe more..

Yes, she is a gasser...the starter actually only cost $300.00...but the repair shop "claimed" it was extremely labor intensive. And they had to troubleshoot because at first they did not know what was wrong. I just about wanted to jump out of a window...and it's not about whether we could afford it or not...we could have put that type of money to better use if we had to spend like that.

Than do yourself a favor and don't go back to that repair shop, starters are not labor intensive on most gas motors, and if the troubleshoot could not figure out a bad starter after 30 minutes than he is not a good mechanic, I have 5 vans on the road 5 days a week here in Vegas and when something breaks I usually know what the problem is before taking in for service.

[GrandmaLee]

rexlion wrote:
Anything not new requires occasional upkeep expenses. Even trailers. For example, getting the roof resealed periodically. If you have a TT instead of a MH, then you need a tow vehicle, and that has a starter (and upkeep) anyway.

Best to sell all your vehicles and take a Greyhound! (NOT!) 😉

True, but my tow vehicle would be my hubby's truck..and a starter would not cost as much..plus it's a vehicle that we would always use and you don't mind fixing something that you use a lot and would have to fix anyway towing or not....Like I said, I love her:)....and I hate her....:M

[GrandmaLee]

timmac wrote:
$1400.00 for a starter, is that what a diesel starter cost, or is that a gas motorhome in your profile, if its a gas motor than you were ripped at the repair shop..

Learn to do a lot of your own repairs and the cost will be cut in half for upkeep, maybe more..

Yes, she is a gasser...the starter actually only cost $300.00...but the repair shop "claimed" it was extremely labor intensive. And they had to troubleshoot because at first they did not know what was wrong. I just about wanted to jump out of a window...and it's not about whether we could afford it or not...we could have put that type of money to better use if we had to spend like that.

[rexlion]

Anything not new requires occasional upkeep expenses. Even trailers. For example, getting the roof resealed periodically. If you have a TT instead of a MH, then you need a tow vehicle, and that has a starter (and upkeep) anyway.

Best to sell all your vehicles and take a Greyhound! (NOT!) 😉

[timmac]

$1400.00 for a starter, is that what a diesel starter cost, or is that a gas motorhome in your profile, if its a gas motor than you were ripped at the repair shop..

Learn to do a lot of your own repairs and the cost will be cut in half for upkeep, maybe more..

[Dune_Hauler]

The same can be said for home ownership as well. I don't mind spending money on RV accessories and upgrades, but like you when you have to pay for repairs, service, insurance etc. it is truly depressing probably because it is not by choice.

[Pangaea_Ron]

Yep