Happy_Trails
Fulltime, USA
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Joined: 11/21/2006
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janstey wrote:Ford service departments will charge $80-100 per hour labor irregardless of what you need. For an oil change that can equate to over $80 + parts and oil. I would never go to a dealer for anything but recall issues with the chassis. I have a small town Firestone shop that will change my oil for $35 and charge me $40/hour for any other maintenance.
Jiffy Lube charges me $34 for an oil change and Lube.
They do a lot of other things besides, like vacuuming the cockpit, cleaning all front windows and shield, checking tire pressures, etc. and they alert you to things which may need work, even if they do not do such things. Like last time that the bushings on my front sway bar needed to be replaced.
Bob & Nadine
1984 Allegro 23 feet, always at home!
Living Life With a "Golden Age Passport"
and Thousand Trails VIP Membership, Priceless!.
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DON-B2
WAYLAND, MICHIGAN
Full Member
Joined: 02/07/2005
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you know it never ceases to amaze me how much one can learn from the rv.net forums. i have posted so many questions over the years, and i learn something new everytime. whoevers idea it was to start this years ago needs to be commended and i would like to shake their hand someday.... i never would have thought about the dealers not having a lift built to handle the weight of a class c....ddddaaaahhhhhhh...what was i thinking, not like i haven't been in a dealer service shop to see the lifts before, but hey, this is what the forums are for, for all of us to learn something that we might not otherwise think of. i guess you could say we "ALL" cover each others you know whats....what a great place to learn, and a great place where like minds can come together and teach each other from our our own experiences....my hat is off to each and every one of you that not only ask the not so obvious ????? without being too embaressed to the ones that have the wisdom to share the answer...
DON ROBERTS
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DON-B2
WAYLAND, MICHIGAN
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Joined: 02/07/2005
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P.S........that last reply of mine goes out to all the different subject forums, because i've done my fair share of asking questions and giving answers to quite a few different ones over the years.......
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DouglasCraw
Summerdale, AL
Senior Member
Joined: 04/03/2005
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"Happy Trails" has already said it but the best thing about a Class C chassis (mine is a Ford E450) is that you can take it to a "Quick change" oil and lube facility like Jiffy Lube. I previously owned 4 Class A motorhomes and even the gas powered ones required a visit to a Ford or Chevy dealer (or an RV dealer) for servicing which cost about twice as much for the same service that you get at Jiffy Lube ($70 to $80 vs. $35)
Doug Craw
2006 Jayco Greyhawk Model 27DS
Towing 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid with Brake Buddy
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rockhillmanor
On the Road
Senior Member
Joined: 12/06/2003
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I just learned that wonderful info that there are 'very few' that have lifts large enough for MH's.
AND
that Ford dealerships will no longer do repairs or installations that requires the mechanic to crawl under a truck.
AND
that when an RV dealership gets rid of ALL their Class A's on their lot.......get ready for humongous RV repair bills because that's their only source of income with this failing economy.
I had to delay my trip almost 2 months trying to track down 'independent shops' that were equipped and willing to do the work that I wanted done before hitting the road.
And quite honestly 'they' where fair with their price and I was treated respectfully and they bent over backwards to assist me with the fact that I was full timing in the vehicle with pets. One shop put 4 mechanics on my MH to finish it within one day for me and only charged me the going rate per hour for one mechanic. Try that one at an RV shop.
P.S. I found the independent truck shops know waaaaaay more about these chassis than any RV dealership or Truck Dealership I've ever been at.
31 ft Four Winds
Chevy Tracker 4x4 Blue Ox
We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us.
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vtchris
vermont
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Joined: 05/24/2005
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Gee, I just have my local mechanic take care of the routine maintenance on my C. The same guy that does my car. No lift, he just crawls under. So far I have been very satisfied.
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