Hi Everyone. Well, after 15 years the RV-Dreams Community Forum is coming to an end. Since it began in August 2005, we've had 58 Million page views, 124,000 posts, and we've spent about $15,000 to keep this valuable resource for RVers free and open. But since we are now off the road and have settled down for the next chapter of our lives, we are taking the Forum down effective June 30, 2021. It has been a tough decision, but it is now time.


We want to thank all of our members for their participation and input over the years, and we want to especially thank those that have acted as Moderators for us during our amazing journey living and traveling in our RV and growing the RV-Dreams Family. We will be forever proud to have been founders of this Forum and to have been supported by such a wonderful community. Thank you all!!

Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> RV Maintenance and Technical Tips -> Diesel Maintenance Cost
Post Info TOPIC: Diesel Maintenance Cost
Trabuco


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 677
Date:
Diesel Maintenance Cost
Permalink  

This question may have been previously answered but I'll ask again anyway. What would the semi annual or annual cost to service a cat or cummins diesel engine? A service where all fluids and filters were changed.

I do most vehicle maintenance myself but once on the road I'm just curious if I decide to have the maintenance performed what kind of cost I could expect.

I'm doing my homework and researching between a 5er and diesel motorhome before I buy.

Thanks in advance for the feedback!

Ken

__________________

ALAZARCACOCTDEFLGAHIIDILINIAKYMDMAMIMNMSMOMTNENVNHNJNMNYNCNDOHOKORPARISCSDTNTXUTVTVAWAWVWIWYsm.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ken

2005 Monaco Diplomat 400 ISL Cummins

2012 Honda CRV AWD

2008 Harley Ultra Classic

 

 
Bill and Linda


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 2074
Date:
Permalink  

Ken: My comments are based on your question and research comparing maintenance costs of a 5’er with a diesel pickup tow vehicle as compared to a diesel motorhome.  So please take them with that single perspective only.

My research, and experience, tells me that the cost of maintenance on a diesel pickup (Chevy, Ford, whatever) will be far less than a big Cat 350 / 400 in a MH.  I think we’re talking about both routine maintenance and “failure” repairs.

I am not saying big MH diesels are bad.  I love ‘em, so no need for someone to defend big diesel pushers.  But if you’re JUST talking a comparison of square feet of living space (5’er vs MH) compared to the cost of maintenance, etc., between a diesel pickup and a big “Cat,” IMO the numbers are not as favorable toward the “big Cat” as they are toward the diesel pickup.

My 2 cents


Safe travels

Bill



__________________

Bill & Linda
Roz


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 458
Date:
Permalink  

Ken,

It is not necessary to change all fluids on a yearly basis.  It mainly depends on the mileage you drive and possibly how much dust may have entered your crankcase/air filter.

Transmission changes are many miles apapt.  Oil changes depend upon the type of lubricant, i.e. synthetic or natural.

I am confident some who travel more miles than we do may have precise comparisons to share.  There are so many advantages with a DP, just the maintenance has not been a factor for us.

__________________
Ethel & Charles Henry, Itasca Horizon DP/Honda Element Toad
Traveling with our furry-snouted, four-legged children.

"Each of us must take part in making this a better world for all people."
Luvglass


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 1438
Date:
Permalink  

I find it somewhat amusing that there are many fulltimers with diesel trucks that post actual maintenance costs yearly, but I don't recall ever seeing that type of info from anyone with a big diesel pusher.

Just sayin no


-- Edited by Luvglass on Monday 13th of September 2010 08:50:50 PM

__________________
Fred Wishnie

Full time since Feb 06 in Carriage Cameo 35KS3 and Ford F350


“If all you ever do is all you’ve ever done, then all you’ll ever get is all you ever got.”
Old Snipe


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 337
Date:
Permalink  

While I'm not a fulltimer yet, I have a diesel pusher motorhome.  I have owned it for 3 years and driven it over 30,000 miles.

Previously, I had a gas powered MH and drove it about 44,000 miles.

In my blog, I compare the costs I had with each unit.

You can find that post here:

http://rsanityrvtravels.blogspot.com/2010/07/post-script-to-my-gas-vs-diesel-costs.html

I hope this gives you some idea.  I have a 350 C-7 Cat engine in the DP, had an 8.1 litre V-8 in the gas MH.

Best Regards!

__________________
Paul D
2007 Winnebago Journey 39K, Cat C7
 AKA "R-SANITY III"
2003 Honda Element 4WD Toad
 AKA "JRNYZ-END"
www.rsanityrvtravels.blogspot.com
heyduke


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 313
Date:
Permalink  

good link to your site and a good read thanks for the useful info...

__________________

RV fulltimer class of 2011 - March!
On the Road to Retirement...zeetraveler.blogspot.com
jb


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 97
Date:
Permalink  

Good information thanks

__________________
Jo Beth & Catherine

http://rvcrazyjournal.blogspot.com/
Luvglass


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 1438
Date:
Permalink  

Paul,

It's evident that you have kept detailed records of both vehicles.

It would be interesting to see the total cost of maintenance on each vehicle, which then could be divided by the miles driven to determine the maintenance cost per mile driven.

__________________
Fred Wishnie

Full time since Feb 06 in Carriage Cameo 35KS3 and Ford F350


“If all you ever do is all you’ve ever done, then all you’ll ever get is all you ever got.”
Trabuco


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 677
Date:
Permalink  

Paul - thanks for the info

__________________

ALAZARCACOCTDEFLGAHIIDILINIAKYMDMAMIMNMSMOMTNENVNHNJNMNYNCNDOHOKORPARISCSDTNTXUTVTVAWAWVWIWYsm.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ken

2005 Monaco Diplomat 400 ISL Cummins

2012 Honda CRV AWD

2008 Harley Ultra Classic

 

 
Old Snipe


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 337
Date:
Permalink  

Oh man, Fred. You're expecting me to do Math??? Now where's my calculator? ;c)

I'll have to do that when I get a little down time. I will have to estimate a bit on the gas MH because I gave all my records to the guy that I sold it to.

One thing that puzzles me is on my DP I have to change the fluid (Synthetic) in my differential every year, where on the Gas MH, the differential had a 100,000 mile fluid change interval and it too was synthetic. The manufacturer of the DP differential (Meritor) explains that MHs don't get driven much and get moisture in them from condenstation, where the Gas chassis differential goes so long, you'd think it would suffer from the same issue.

As you can see from my mileage, my MH doesn't sit too much. And I'm not even fulltiming yet.

Best Regards!

__________________
Paul D
2007 Winnebago Journey 39K, Cat C7
 AKA "R-SANITY III"
2003 Honda Element 4WD Toad
 AKA "JRNYZ-END"
www.rsanityrvtravels.blogspot.com
Luvglass


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 1438
Date:
Permalink  

Oh Paul, smile.gif

We don't want you to do any math, just tell us the total maintenance cost for the DP. We'll do the division with the miles driven.

The original question I believe was maintenance cost between a DP and a fiver.

__________________
Fred Wishnie

Full time since Feb 06 in Carriage Cameo 35KS3 and Ford F350


“If all you ever do is all you’ve ever done, then all you’ll ever get is all you ever got.”
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> RV Maintenance and Technical Tips -> Diesel Maintenance Cost
Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us