Maintenance while full timing - where do you do it?

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Maintenance while full timing - where do you do it?

January 24, 2021, 07:20:41 pm

We've sold the house and have been full timing since mid-November. I just did an oil change with fuel filters while mooch docking at a ranch. Got it done but it was a major pain culminating with falling into the engine compartment while pushing the prime button on the lift pump. Last fuel filter change did not need to prime. Did it exactly the same and this time it required three trips to the primer button. I like to do my own oil changes because it gives me a good look see of key components of the drive train. The logistics of disposing of old oil, catching oil, avoiding spills seemed much more complicated than at the "home base." I went to Walmart and bought extra large "kitty litter liners" which fit one of my Rubbermade storage boxes. I used a hand pump to transfer the dirty oil into the gallon oil containers after refilling the filter and engine. Had to pour the last of the oil directly into the gallon jug because the oil pump would suck the liner into the pump intake hose. That went fairly well, but it left me with a really dirty pump and hoses. My Cabela's cap fell off into the old oil, RIP. Used a tarp under the catch basin while transferring old oil. Cardboard for a mechanic's creeper. Recycled oil at on O'Reilly's and dumped dirty rags, old filters, and liner into a dumpster carefully wrapped in kitty litter liner bag.

After it was all over, and I still need to lube the chassis, I was thinking of googling to learn how much they pay for plasma and head to Speedco for the next one.

My block heater has crapped out and I've learned "best practices" for starting in cold temps. My C8.3 has a plenum heater so no ether ever. Coldest start was 18 degrees at Homolovi State Park in Arizona. Glad I upgraded my start batteries. That's my next project either at a shop or DIY.

So my question is this: How do you full timers manage your maintenance? Where do you do the work? Do you have friends that let you pull up and work on the coach? Do you pay through the nose at various shops, known and unknow? With COVID my wife really doesn't like the idea of moving into a motel while people work on the coach.

Re: Maintenance while full timing - where do you do it?

Reply #1 – January 24, 2021, 07:41:13 pm

This is going on our 9th year of full time and we use Speedco when we are out on the road. I do check on line to see if in fact they do RV's, as some don't. I purchase our fuel and oil filters and let them change them out. One reason for this is sometimes they don't have the right filter, so now you are out of luck. I change the gen at our son's or sister in laws when we boon dock there. Much easier to handle that amount of oil. The 450 Cummins hold roughly 39 quarts and much harder to deal with. Hope this helps.
I will have a dealer check out our coach every so often for any issues, etc. Brakes, transmission, etc.

Re: Maintenance while full timing - where do you do it?

Reply #2 – January 24, 2021, 09:41:31 pm

It's a really good question and I suspect you're going to get lots of different answers. For me my oil change last year was at French Creek State Park in Pennsylvania near Philadelphia. And it was a little bit of a fiasco because I thought I had the right filter and it wasn't. Luckily I didn't have to go anywhere for a few days while I was able to procure another one. The way the site was my rear tires hit a piece of concrete and the asphalt fell off right after that so I actually had more than enough room to work underneath the engine. I also luoked out by asking the local Napa dealer where I could get rid of the oil and he pointed to the company next door and said they'll probably take it from you and they did. They use it in their furnace in the winter. He just wanted to make sure that there was no antifreeze mixed in with it and there wasn't. I bought the oil at Walmart. I like the idea of changing it myself but there was some anxiety over the filter and the disposal of the old oil. Still next time I'll probably do the same thing making sure of course that I have the right filter this time. I also changed all my fuel filters myself did my aqua hot maintenance and burner orifice replacement myself, changed on my own fuel lines in the coach, not to mention redo the entire interior. I'm sure I could have gotten somebody to do the interior and done a much better job than I did at about 10 times to cost of what it cost me. But I think I'll stop at brakes and tires I'll let professionals take care of that at least the first time. Oh and I also changed my batteries to start ones but that was when I lived in a home and I had it in the driveway where my homeowners association constantly assaulted my serenity with their requests for me to get rid of the coach. I finally just sold the house.

Re: Maintenance while full timing - where do you do it?

Reply #3 – January 24, 2021, 10:05:30 pm

We make annual pilgrimages to Nac for work. We've occasionally had to have work done elsewhere. In those cases we simply found someone where we were to take care of the problem. Sometimes a fellow Foretraveler is set up to do some tasks.

When you are able to plan ahead for things it is much easier. When the a/c dies in the summer you pretty much have to go get a new one. Oil changes can be scheduled.

Re: Maintenance while full timing - where do you do it?

Reply #4 – January 24, 2021, 10:19:38 pm

I've been full timing for 17 years. I'm on my 2nd Foretravel and over the years I've done maintenance and repairs while boondocking on BLM land. Did an oil and coolant change plus filters in a Walmart parking lot with the manger's OK. Also hired a couple guys from a craigslist ads -- one to rebuild the engine in my Suzuki Samurai and another to switch out my old Haldex air dryer for a Meriton / Wabco style. Other than that, Speedco.

Re: Maintenance while full timing - where do you do it?

Reply #5 – January 24, 2021, 10:29:33 pm

We own a winter lot in Yuma so
Most of the work I do when we are here.

Re: Maintenance while full timing - where do you do it?

Reply #6 – January 24, 2021, 10:52:10 pm

Reading the two posts put an idea into my mind.

I am a member of the Forum for six month now, and I am presently doing work on my coach (with the help of a very knowledgeable diesel mechanic, I hired) , replacing air bags, Safe-T-Plus installation, locating an air leak, break system for toad, and generally checking out systems.

I am fortunate to own both an outdoor as well as a large indoor space with 50A connection, where I work right now.

In the process, I invited another member who lives also in Washington State to come and observe the air bag removal, and he did so.
He has his own shop at his house, but if he would not have , I would have offered him the use of my space without compensation. I do not need income, and would have felt compensated by interacting with and learning from another member with more practical knowledge than I have.

So back to my idea.

There must be several other members like me, who are in a position and willing to offer a place for full-timers to do maintenance, and perhaps we should form a sub-group listing these.

This obviously does not mean inviting everyone who owns an RV to your place to do free maintenance, but if you look at the population of FT Full Timers, (and I would like to know how many are there), the overwhelming percentage of these are people who have chosen this life style, because they want to live their ideas of independence. Members of that group are extremely unlikely to take unfair advantage of offers made in good faith.

And I am quoting Victor, my favorite electrician : " What would the world be, if nobody ever helps his fellow man"

This is just an outline of an idea, the response of Forum members will tell me whether to develop it further.

Regards

Klaus

Re: Maintenance while full timing - where do you do it?

Reply #7 – January 24, 2021, 11:45:59 pm

I can offer a shop on I-30 in Arkansas exit 36 near Hope Ark.. 36 miles from Texarkana at no charge.

Re: Maintenance while full timing - where do you do it?

Reply #8 – January 25, 2021, 12:20:05 am

Fulltimer since 2009. I only do relatively "clean" maintainance in campgrounds. Nothing that involves large amounts of fluids.

The rest gets hired out in NAC, or at Cummins shops.

Re: Maintenance while full timing - where do you do it?

Reply #9 – January 25, 2021, 12:29:15 am

When things get back to normal around here I will be selling three 24' Sea Rays and then would have access to the rear of my paved backyard. I will keep this post in mind when the yard is ready.
In the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles big lots are rare I have one 73x300 next to my 82x300.

Re: Maintenance while full timing - where do you do it?

Reply #10 – January 25, 2021, 04:10:48 am

50 amp service outdoors next to the shop on 44 acres,near Millington Tn,have all the tools.

Re: Maintenance while full timing - where do you do it?

Reply #11 – January 25, 2021, 04:33:38 am

Got two farm shops with 50 amp service. Eight miles south of I-40, exit 193 at Hazen, Ar. Things to watch out for.....large farm equipment, grandkids, and harmless dogs. Also if you get caught standing around, you might get put to work. Have other locations without 50 amp but have 110.

Re: Maintenance while full timing - where do you do it?

Reply #12 – January 25, 2021, 09:06:45 am

Quote from: Forewheelers – January 25, 2021, 04:33:38 am

Got two farm shops with 50 amp service. Eight miles south of I-40, exit 193 at Hazen, Ar. Things to watch out for.....large farm equipment, grandkids, and harmless dogs. Also if you get caught standing around, you might get put to work. Have other locations without 50 amp but have 110.

First, that sounds like fun!
Second, a visitor could OFFER to perform a few hours of labor for use of a shop, and/or transport an extra few gallons of oil to the recycler. A visitor BETTER offer coffee to you in the morning!

You are outside our normal travel area, but that is such a grand offer!

Re: Maintenance while full timing - where do you do it?

Reply #13 – January 25, 2021, 09:09:43 am

I also have a shop that sometimes could be made available to help someone in a bind. However, not too many of you would will probably be near Spencer Iowa for any reason.
Also, as with Forewheelers' place, this is a working farm with plenty to do for anyone standing around

Re: Maintenance while full timing - where do you do it?

Reply #14 – January 25, 2021, 11:36:57 am

Joining Escapees/Xscapers and attending their events has helped us tremendously. Whenever we need a shop recommendation, someone can usually come up with one for whatever area we are in. The group is very active on Facebook. My coach is in Q right now and there's a guy that does nothing but change fluids in Cummins engines and Allison transmissions. He'll drive out to you in the desert and do it for you on the spot. It was a fellow Xscaper that recommend him.

Re: Maintenance while full timing - where do you do it?

Reply #15 – January 25, 2021, 12:15:59 pm

Quote from: Forewheelers – January 25, 2021, 04:33:38 am

Got two farm shops with 50 amp service. Eight miles south of I-40, exit 193 at Hazen, Ar. Things to watch out for.....large farm equipment, grandkids, and harmless dogs. Also if you get caught standing around, you might get put to work. Have other locations without 50 amp but have 110.

You forgot to mention your prized attack mosquitoes. They truly left a lasting mark on me👍

Re: Maintenance while full timing - where do you do it?

Reply #16 – January 25, 2021, 12:23:50 pm

I would think that if anyone in need to work on there coach it would be nice to have a phone list of possibly receptive people. Put me down on that list please. All I got to watch out for are several coyotes, one mean roadrunner, lots of Quail and lizards and few snakes and antelope chipmunks in the summertime. Not to worry DW runs herd on everything. 50amp plug and plop available generally. Boulder City Nevada
Scott

Re: Maintenance while full timing - where do you do it?

Reply #17 – January 25, 2021, 02:13:02 pm

A color code on the location pin for the willing members (and phone number) would solve the issue neatly.

Regards

Klaus

Re: Maintenance while full timing - where do you do it?

Reply #18 – January 25, 2021, 02:33:21 pm

Quote from: oldmattb – January 25, 2021, 09:06:45 am

First, that sounds like fun!
Second, a visitor could OFFER to perform a few hours of labor for use of a shop, and/or transport an extra few gallons of oil to the recycler. A visitor BETTER offer coffee to you in the morning!

You are outside our normal travel area, but that is such a grand offer!

My sons farm my farm so when I work, it's free labor...... How reasonable are ya.

Re: Maintenance while full timing - where do you do it?

Reply #19 – January 25, 2021, 03:42:14 pm

I will do a bit of Choring Lynn but I would just as soon not shel peas.. By the way my phone number for Foretravelers is 870 556 0138. Shop is no good without a number. Leave a message and I will call back as soon as I know your not selling extended car warranties. If we would give numbers full timers or whoever wants to could bookmark the post.

Re: Maintenance while full timing - where do you do it?

Reply #20 – January 25, 2021, 07:47:14 pm

Quote from: kepeters – January 25, 2021, 02:13:02 pm

A color code on the location pin for the willing members (and phone number) would solve the issue neatly.
Regards
Klaus

Good idea Klaus. I would drive down to Sacramento to give someone a hand (not clapping), but nothing major. And free.

Pierce

Re: Maintenance while full timing - where do you do it?

Reply #21 – January 25, 2021, 08:57:54 pm

Going to have to be some contact numbers for it to fly.. Do not need to ask management to take on any part of it, they take on a lot keeping what we have running.. You see above where already a number of shop owners are willing to lend a shop and a hand so I recommend one or more full timers step up and rough it in.. Doesn't have to be elaborate just a location and phone number could get you a dry shop to change your oil and such.

Re: Maintenance while full timing - where do you do it?

Reply #22 – January 25, 2021, 09:55:17 pm

Maybe even a new Thread titled something like "CONTACTS". It would be easy to do a search for, and we could each list contact numbers and what type of help we could offer, etc., as well as our locations. Might be a good reference for all.

Just a thought.

Re: Maintenance while full timing - where do you do it?

Reply #23 – January 26, 2021, 03:49:40 am

Let the moderators decide which will be easier for them,whatever makes everyone happy.

Re: Maintenance while full timing - where do you do it?

Reply #24 – January 26, 2021, 07:49:25 pm

Some very generous and helpful comments! It occurs to me that those with spaces to host maintenance might also have a project or two sitting on the back burner. I for one would enjoy lending a hand. I helped my son build a large deck a few months ago. He had already created the sub structure, but an extra pair of hands really made laying 500 square feet of deck boards much easier. I've also spent time on a tractor mowing. There are major coach projects like replacement of fuel lines, air bags, and or shocks that would go much easier if done on two coaches with helping hands, rather than one alone. Solar upgrades are another example. I installed 900 watts solo from scratch which took hours and hours of research. We installed a big residential panel and complete system on my son's trailer in short order. I plan on bookmarking this post and hope it might lead to some cooperative projects. A rope of two strands is much stronger than one. I again want to thank this forum for its generosity and encouragement. I enjoyed meeting a dozen forum members at Propman's RV park on Texoma (Gonfishingrvresort.com). Looking forward to meeting more of you as time goes by and we get this pandemic under control.

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