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Topic: Huntsville Alabama advice (Read 786 times) previous topic - next topic

Huntsville Alabama advice

Our motorhome trip across the USA from Anacortes WA.to Athens AL. went well and we are now living in our 1997 Foretravel U270 in Huntsville for work.  Are there any owners here we can talk to get the lay of the land?  We also need an oil change (our first since buying the coach) and wondered if there is a trustworthy place to get this done near Huntsville/Athens AL?  Normally I would tackle this job myself (and I might) but if there was a good place we would not risk spilling oil on our relatives brick driveway.  The coach will not move much for a year so it seems prudent to store it with fresh oil and filters (and it needs to be done as the last change was 6,000 miles ago).  Can anyone give me an idea of what a filter and oil change should cost (ballpark)? Perhaps I could just carfully change the oil only using cardboard to contain any spillage....at least it would have clean oil while it sits that way.  Any advice appreciated!
Carl and Kathleen
Killeen Texas
1997 U270

Re: Huntsville Alabama advice

Reply #1 –
Hey Carl, I just had a mobile service guy come out and do mine at the site. Engine generator lube chassis $275.00 with his filters, $215.00 with mine.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Huntsville Alabama advice

Reply #2 –
There is a Petro out there just run it through their lube lane in and out in about an hr.
91 GV U300 Unihome 40' Build 3811
6V92TA Detroit

Re: Huntsville Alabama advice

Reply #3 –
If you know it will be parked for a year and if it is an engine with liners I would wait until I am planning to take it out before I change the oil. As the engine sits for a long period this is the best chance for coolant to weep past the liner seals and collect in the oil pan (seals shrink etc) and collect in the bottom of the pan. This webpage generally seals up when you start heat cycling it again and with the water collected at the bottom of the pan it will drain out first when you pull the plug.
Toby a 94 u280
Cummins 8.3
6 speed Allison
Exhaust brake


Adopted by Derek and Annabelle

Re: Huntsville Alabama advice

Reply #4 –
I vote for storing with clean oil, not letting contaminants attacking engine components for a year.
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R

Re: Huntsville Alabama advice

Reply #5 –
Difference of opinion with Toby.  I always change oil BEFORE parking a coach.

If the coolant seals leak, you are in for a minor rebuild at the least.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Huntsville Alabama advice

Reply #6 –
Nearest Speedco is here

 Cottondale, AL
I-20/I-59, Exit 77
(205) 737-4813

Petro
426 AL-69, Hanceville, AL 35077
(256) 287-1299
'02 40' U320t  4010WTFS Build 6036 1 slide
Motorcade # 17841
SKP 151920
Retired truck driver
 5 million miler
Still have itchy feet for travel

Re: Huntsville Alabama advice

Reply #7 –
Kind off topic.. my local cummings lube and filter shop=$375-425

Truck stop $325-350

My cat 3208 was 225....

What gives? What are your experiences... I can't do it myself anymore...
The selected media item is not currently available.
My advice and experiences are Free, you decide if they are worth anything .

John - driving Old Faithful
1994 U280 GV
C8.3, Banks, Pacbrake, 900 watts, Resonator, XLHD tow dolly
Retired Army Warrant Officer

Life is what you make of it - if it is lemons, make lemonade!
Former Coaches:
1988 GV 40' ORED 300HP CAT - 9 years
1990 Winnebago LeSharo - 3 years
2000 Newmar London Aire - 3 years (#18 of 23 produced)

Re: Huntsville Alabama advice

Reply #8 –
Peg and I spent some time around Huntsville several years ago. Its one of our favorite places. Beautiful scenery and some of the nicest people we have found anywhere. ENJOY!!
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: Huntsville Alabama advice

Reply #9 –
We are in Huntsville now 11/25 on way to Summerdale.  Joyce's brother lives here.  Can we help before we leave tomorrow?

Keith
Keith, Joyce & Smokey the Australian Cattle Dog
1995 U320 SE Extreme 40' WTBI Build # 4780, with a Honda CR-V hopefully still following behind.
Motorcade # 17030
FMCA # F422159

Re: Huntsville Alabama advice

Reply #10 –
Thanks...we are settling in here in Athens Al.  Going to just change the oil myself...easier than paying 4x more than its worth.  Still looking at options for long term full timer parking...no hurry yet.
Carl and Kathleen
Killeen Texas
1997 U270

Re: Huntsville Alabama advice

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Carl Cox –
.  Still looking at options for long term full timer parking...no hurry yet.
Carl,

There is 2 private campgrounds out on Brownsferry road.  1 is on Scruggs road IIRC kind of hid in a neighborhood on the North side of Brownsferry road. The other is out closer to the plant also on the North side of the road.  The fellow on Scruggs advertises on Craigslist in the RV section. We have only drove buy as we normally are camp host this time of year at Monte Sano and have a site.

Pamela
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Huntsville Alabama advice

Reply #12 –
Carl,

  Had time today to do a line item search to find the 1st one on Scruggs lane.  Here is a link to his add RV (camper) Lot.    We have no connection to these people this is just for your info.

Pamela
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."