Class A gas oil change

[Gadabout]

Im not new to rvs. This is my 5th one. last class a was about 15+ yrs ago. Where do you get an oil change these days?

[wyocamper]

Most truck centers can do it, and many Ford dealers, although my local dealer went to Fastlane service a couple years ago and now won't do anything larger than a pickup. I found a local shop to do mine and had them install a Fumoto valve for me, so now I can do it myself pretty easily. Hardest part will be pouring the oil in the stupidly located fill tube.

[sundog964]

I drive to the ford dealer about 40 miles away.

[creativepart]

I have two places I go for oil changes on my Gas Class A: The first is my usual RV repair shop in San Antonio - whenever they are working on my RV I just add an oil change if it's been 5,000 miles since my last change. The other is a small auto repair and tire center that happens to have one tall bay that can fit a truck or RV.

In both cases they do the oil change by crawling under the RV with a oil drip pan and a socket wrench. In both cases they charge about $100 including full synthetic oil and a new filter.

You don't have to find a dealership, or big repair place. Just look around locally for anyplace that can change oil on a Delivery Truck or Dump Truck.

In your area here's some:

https://trucks.ringpower.com/services

https://www.staugustinetruckrepair.com/

https://sargeantservice.com/

[BobC]

Many independent auto or truck shops will do it. I found one about 1/2 mi from my storage yard.

I even had it done once at a Spee-Dee oil change place.

Just call around to convenient places.

[dkoldman]

Originally Posted by Gadabout

Im not new to rvs. This is my 5th one. last class a was about 15+ yrs ago. Where do you get an oil change these days?

After checking I found several dealers and shop that would do, but the hassle to do so was my biggest concern. I have done all oil and filter changes myself for about $30. I do at home, I installed the Fumoto valve after 1st time, but it drains slower than I would like; but I did not spill a drop as it go right into the oil pan with ZERO mess. But I had to make a catch basin to catch oil filter; so it would not splatter all over the axle like it did the 1st time I changed it.

I got around the almost impossible to add oil port by rigging up the below. FWIW, I use same oil in Onan 5500 and always change them both at the same time.

[Okimar]

I love your homemade funnel!!!

I'll try making one for mine too!

[unclescratch]

Ahhh necessity.....the mother of invention !

[Okimar]

In my family, we say poverty is the mother of all inventon!!!

[BobC]

Has anyone used a pump to remove the oil instead of draining it? I have a hand operated vacuum pump I used to use on my boat, similar to this:

https://www.amazon.com/OEMTOOLS-2438...105795&sr=8-11

[dkoldman]

Originally Posted by BobC

Has anyone used a pump to remove the oil instead of draining it? I have a hand operated vacuum pump I used to use on my boat, similar to this:

https://www.amazon.com/OEMTOOLS-2438...105795&sr=8-11

I have tried and it did not work.

I have had a Mityvac https://www.amazon.com/Mityvac-7201-...65623780&psc=1 for years that I use to pump oil out of my twin engine boat. It works like a champ.

I tried and tried and nothing would work on my F53, I gave up assuming I just could not get enough pressure head. It is a very long run relative to my boat engines. Other hand pumps models may work but my Mityvac did not.

I got the Fumoto valve for F-53, and I prefer it anyway; even if the Mity vac would work for me, it is too much to clean up. New boat engines are being design to drain which I wish I had on my twin engines

[wyocamper]

Originally Posted by dkoldman

But I had to make a catch basin to catch oil filter; so it would not splatter all over the axle like it did the 1st time I changed it.

Any chance you have a pic of that catch basin you can share? And I love the oil funnel rig, I bought one with a long spout and was thinking of ways to make it work, you've solved that dilemma for me. Thanks!

[dkoldman]

Originally Posted by BobC

Has anyone used a pump to remove the oil instead of draining it? I have a hand operated vacuum pump I used to use on my boat, similar to this:

https://www.amazon.com/OEMTOOLS-2438...105795&sr=8-11

Originally Posted by Okimar

In my family, we say poverty is the mother of all inventon!!!

How true, and some just get a thrill of saving or not spending money just for enjoyment. ebay says Shop Victoriously. Drives me nuts how some folks seem to take issue that other folks may have a RV; but wish to save money on gas I got my RV after years of being thrifty, and I am not about to change because I have one I just cleaned my AC evaporator coils & condenser with 409, water spray bottle and water hose at very low pressure versus buying a $25 spray foam bottle cleaner / unit that claims no rinse. No one could tell me how the cleaner got rid of the dirt and grime that it loosened?

[dkoldman]

Originally Posted by wyocamper

Any chance you have a pic of that catch basin you can share? And I love the oil funnel rig, I bought one with a long spout and was thinking of ways to make it work, you've solved that dilemma for me. Thanks!

No I did not have a picture, but I went and snapped one for you. I also should point out that I use the Harbor Freight 5mil Nitrile gloves. Once it starts to leak over side of filter; I kind of let it finish and slowly complete to drop the filter in the basin. Warning: When finished you still have to use caution to get it out from under that Monkey Bar like contraption Ford built

The other problem with this technique is that it requires you to purchase Arm & Hammer Laundry detergent; and you have to wash 107 loads of clothes before your DW will allow you to cut it up

[Cr250]

I just pop the dog house off and fill it through the vent cap on the valve cover, an oil change takes about 10 minutes in the driveway.

[dkoldman]

Originally Posted by Cr250

I just pop the dog house off and fill it through the vent cap on the valve cover, an oil change takes about 10 minutes in the driveway.

What model do you have?

I live in the dog house

It takes me 10 minutes to warm the engine and get everything I need. 30 minutes to get a very good drain, I get the last drop. 5 minutes to pour the 7 quarts.

45 minutes in Driveway. But I also do the Generator at the same time so tack on another 15 minutes. So I block off 1 hour total from time of walking out my dog house to start; to walking back in my dog house to get beer and watch TV

[dickb46]

I take mine to an authorized service dealer. They change the oil, check all fluids and belts, grease everything that needs greased and change any other filter that should be replaced. They date all of the filters when they change them.
I have a diesel and more things need serviced but in my opinion and annual service shouldn't be limited to an oil change.

[Americanrascal]

I change my oil on our rig in the driveway- always have handled my own oil changes and lube. Of all the many vehicles I've owned over the past 50 years or so I've found changing the oil on the F-53 is the easiest. I think a lot of that ease was due to the installation of a Fumoto drain valve.

As the rig sits so high enough so I can get under it easily without needing jacks (Usually laying on cardboard as it seems easier than my creeper). I slide my receiving pan underneath the Fumoto Valve with a hose attached and let it drain for an hour or so. I then slide a small pan on the axle under the filter and unscrew it. Its a very easy process even at my age.

Lube/ greasing is a bit more challenging but I still like to do it as I am fanatical about servicing properly the numerous grease points on the F53.

I take the rig to a nearby oil change shop with a large bay and pit and check the rear and lube at least 1X per year.

I plan to do this service myself until parts on my body are thoroughly broken down and beyond repair- which I guess can happen anytime now ?

[dkoldman]

Originally Posted by dickb46

I take mine to an authorized service dealer. They change the oil, check all fluids and belts, grease everything that needs greased and change any other filter that should be replaced. They date all of the filters when they change them.
I have a diesel and more things need serviced but in my opinion and annual service shouldn't be limited to an oil change.

How much?

[dickb46]

Originally Posted by dkoldman

How much?

LOL, average year, about $1250