When the time comes to change the oil in your RV or tow vehicle (we all know that comes sooner than expected, especially as we go on long trips), will you do it yourself or will you take it somewhere to have it changed by the “professionals”?
Do you change it in your tow vehicle but not your RV, or vice versa?
Please tell us your answer in the poll below. If you have any advice for others about changing the oil in your RV or tow vehicle, please leave a comment. We bet it would be helpful, especially if you have any tricks that others may not know about. Thanks.
There is a old saying that if you want it done right do it yourself. Well that describes what happened when I took my MH in for a oil change and they screwed it up so back to doing my own and greasing plus any other work that needs to be done.
Amen brother!
I took advantage of the free oil changes for my new Jeep. When the free changes ended, I did the next change. I had to buy a new drain plug because the dealership had rounded off the plug. I had to use Vice Grips to get the plug out. For the motor Home, I would have to drive almost 50 miles to get someone to work on the Diesel Engine.
Always have changed my own oil in everything I have ever owned. Know it’s done right.
40′ DP. Same for the coolant and very expensive 6 speed Allison Trans. “a man has got to know his limitations”- a movie quote.
Maybe someday I’ll have someone do it but as long as I’m physically able im doing it myself
I take my pickup back to the dealer. They seem to always run a special on oil changes. $89.
With the price of 8 quarts of synthetic and the filter, it would cost me more to do it myself. Plus, they rotate the tires and reset the TPMS.
I do all the house and chassis maintenance and repair in our 43′ DP motorhome, except anything air system related. My S.I.L. is a diesel mechanic and certified in air systems, so I leave any air work to him. At the hourly rate shops charge, I figure that’s pretty good wages (savings) for me! Plus, I know things are done correctly with care.
I do the oil changes on my Class C, Ford E450. I did not on my 40′ diesel because of the 5 gallons of oil involved.
Used to. Not anymore.
I grew up doing most of my own power train basic maintenance & repair. Today it is cheaper and faster to bring it to a facility for that work. Not to mention, my body is not as flexible as it used to be.
I started changing the oil in my dad’s car when I was 12 years old. It made me feel grown up. Since then, I generally did my own repairs that did not require a lot of computer diagnosis. Now, some 60+ years later, I still do my own maintenance on my tow vehicle (f350) but my wife’s car gets professional attention because it’s too small to crawl under. Major things I will handle on a case by case basis depending on how I feel at the time
I have a trusted HD diesel mechanic on my payroll and already purchase oil in bulk.
My husband used to do all the oil changes in our vehicles but now we get it done with the yearly service visit. Somethings are worth paying to have someone else do I think, especially with newer vehicles that average joe just can’t work on. If we are paying someone to check everything out might as well have them change the oil. We trust our mechanic to do it all.
I was a 40 year mechanic, so I will always service my own fleet until I can no longer get up off the ground. I sure wish my RV was on concrete so I could use a creeper! The “right to repair” topic is the most concerning thing to me nowadays. More & more mfrs are making things proprietary, it’s not fair to small independent shops or DIYers.
Now and then will change the pick up’s oil and oil filter, not so much anymore. Main reason harder to dispose of used oil. Auto parts stores where I live in Colorado, always seem to have the barrels full; really.
Maybe they just don’t want to be bothered. The ones around here have a contract with a recycler that picks it up in small tank truck.
Haven’t changed oil since I was a kid with my first car. If I got under a car or any vehicle today my wife would have to call 911 to get me out from under. And now, even when I change oil in my lawn tractor, getting rid of the old oil is somewhat of a problem.
Almost any of the big chain auto parts stores will take the old oil. Same with antifreeze and trans fluid.
Thanks. My mechanic just retired as I used to take it there. Will check Auto Zone in my area. Now to find a good mechanic. Thanks, Bob
As long as I can keep the old man out – I will continue to do all my oil and filter changes as I have all my life, on the cars, lawn equipment and the motor home as well. The problem is not with changing the oil on my back – it is with trying to get up from the ground without an assist of some sort to use my arms. Sometimes, I have rolled around like a turtle on its back to get to something I use to lift myself!
No way. I want professionals to take care of my diesel engine.
Used to, but my body is not as flexible these days. Still do small stuff on my truck that does not require over taxing my back.
When we still had gas motorhomes, I changed my own but not after we got our diesel pusher. You don’t just roll them up onto ramps like I did with the class Cs plus DPs have a much larger amount of oil to drain and refill.
I have usually done my own routine maintenance but I’m probably going to start having it done. I’ve changed the oil in my diesel pickup but since retiring the truck only tows the 5th wheel. I’m only putting about 8-10 thousand miles on it a year. So I only need to change it once or twice a year. I’ll probably start having it done as well as the fuel filters at each oil change.
I used to do a lot of my own work, but now that we are full timers I no longer have a shop to work in. And, as I told my wife when she said we needed a diesel pusher, I don’t do diesels. I would need a whole new set of bigger tools, and these days everything is controlled and diagnosed by computers anyway.
I’m perfectly capable of doing my own, but it’s worth it to me to have a professional put their eyes on my rig to see any potential problems. Plus, that’s a helluva lot of used motor oil to deal with.
I purchase Mobil 1 full synthetic at Costco, Mobil 1 filter at O Reilly Auto, and then a short drive to the Valvoline Quick Lube, who has always done a fine job, and pay the $36 plus tax, this is a no brainer for me.
Thank you, RV Travel! 🙂 For years I did change the oil in my car, and, later, our cars. But I screwed it up three times within a couple of years and was prohibited from doing it again. We have a great tech we have followed around for 6 years who does all the service on the RV engine, chassis, generator, and transmission. We have complete confidence in him. Walmart changes the oil in our passenger vehicles. Thanks again, have a great week, safe travels, and safe stays! 🙂
Yes, I change my tow vehicle oil when it needs it. I use mobile 1 fully synthetic 15 k oil and shell premium gas. Together they protect my engine. I also change the oil filter and air filters at the same time, whether or not they may need it or not. I can’t change the transmission oil, as I can only remove 50-60% of the transmission fluid.
Being a retired mechanic, I do most of the repairs and maintenance on all of my vehicles. It’s a lot less expensive, done properly, and it gives me the opportunity to spot other things that may need attention.
I do the oil changes on our RV (2006 E-450 gasser). Easy to do, plenty of room to work. Usually under $20 with the filter. Our car (which we don’t tow) I have done at the dealer, just makes it easier with my extended warranty. Our new (to us) tow vehicle (a 2000 Harley Electraglide Classic Trike Conversion), I plan to change the oil myself, when it is needed.
Tow vehicle is 6.7 Ford diesel, too messy, engine bat access restricted, getting rid of filters and old oil, NOT worth DIY