Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Thor Forums > Thor Tech Forums > Maintenance and Repair
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 02-20-2018, 09:45 PM   #1
Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Vegas 24.1
State: Quebec
Posts: 89
THOR #2688
Regular or synthetic oil Vegas 2016

Hi

This is probably a 50/50 question, my RV has 19000 mi. always used regular on my oil changes at 7,5000 mi./ea

My question is should I move to synthetic or stick to regular.

Open to any comments.

Thanks

__________________
michbout is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-20-2018, 10:04 PM   #2
gmc
Senior Member
 
gmc's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 32A
State: Florida
Posts: 1,873
THOR #2829
I think you'll get some differing opinions here...
Personally I use 'regular' in RV... I change oil based on dates - not miles... and don't see enough benefit to be worth the extra expense.
__________________
Greg
Not yet retired...
Florida (Michigan transplant)
2014 Hurricane 32A
2000 Infinity (previous)
gmc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-20-2018, 10:46 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2014 Hurricane 34E
State: Alabama
Posts: 286
THOR #6181
Every Ford I own at the time (3) calls for 7500 but that’s w their synthetic blend oil. So not sure what is regular. I would not want to run any straight dino oil 7500 miles but that’s just my opinion. Dino oil breaks down w heat after a while and I wouldn’t take that chance especially since lots of my miles are in the south.
GMC, just curious what dates do u use and what oil? Thx Dennis.
__________________
Budman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-20-2018, 11:07 PM   #4
gmc
Senior Member
 
gmc's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 32A
State: Florida
Posts: 1,873
THOR #2829
I do it annually... which for me is between 5000 - 6000 miles...
I have never hit the mileage limit in under a year - We stay in it a lot - but typically only a couple of longer trips in a year.
I typically do it in the fall - started when we were doing winter trips from MI to FL... so it was part of the trip prep.

If I was putting more miles on - and was changing based on miles - then synthetic would let me go longer and might be worth it.
But for my current usage - don't see a benefit outweighing the extra cost.

Last oil change Ford did - but when I do them (all but that one) typically use Castrol or Valvoline.
__________________
Greg
Not yet retired...
Florida (Michigan transplant)
2014 Hurricane 32A
2000 Infinity (previous)
gmc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-20-2018, 11:26 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Travelin' Texans's Avatar
 
Brand: Redwood
Model: 36FB
State: Arizona
Posts: 1,766
THOR #3610
If you check around the only recommendation for extending oil change intervals by using synthetics comes from the synthetic oil makers.
What does your owners manual recommend for oil type & change intervals? That's what I'd go by.
If it calls for regular oil changed at 3000-5000 miles then, in my opinion, why spend 30-50% more for the synthetic. If your changing by time rather than miles then that would be a waste of money spending the extra for synthetic if it recommends regular oil.
Do you pump premium fuel instead of whatever the auto manufacturer recommends? Most likely not, due to cost. To me it's the same with the oil.

Just my .02 cents!!
__________________
Fulltimed 10+ years
Sold '13 Thor Redwood 36 FB
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Replacement undetermined
Travelin' Texans is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-20-2018, 11:44 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Forest River Forester 235
State: Indiana
Posts: 4,883
THOR #6826
Ford uses a synthetic blend and it’s pretty cheap at Auto Zone and the like. No doubt it’s fine. But exists to be cost effective. Personally, if I’m driving a $70,000 vehicle with a very hard working engine that also suffers from periods of non use I’m going to spring the extra $20 per year to use full synthetic. I prefer Amsoil but usually use Mobil 1 purchased on sale and I change my own oil so it’s like $50 instead of $30 for Ford oil.
__________________
Pete'sMH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-21-2018, 06:00 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: SOB 2014 Meridian 36M
State: Washington
Posts: 981
THOR #7205
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pete'sMH View Post
Ford uses a synthetic blend and it’s pretty cheap at Auto Zone and the like. No doubt it’s fine. But exists to be cost effective. Personally, if I’m driving a $70,000 vehicle with a very hard working engine that also suffers from periods of non use I’m going to spring the extra $20 per year to use full synthetic. I prefer Amsoil but usually use Mobil 1 purchased on sale and I change my own oil so it’s like $50 instead of $30 for Ford oil.
I agree completely. Why gamble with dino oil in a hard working motorhome engine. I cheaped out on an oil change in a 1985 air cooled sport bike once. The oil light would come on everytime I leaned into a fast corner. Never again!
__________________
Pat & Becky & now Katie
Wenatchee, WA
99dart is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-21-2018, 01:21 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2015 Hurricane 32n
State: Georgia
Posts: 186
THOR #2983
Costco has Mobil 1 synthetic @ 6 for $26.99 right now. I stock up when they put it on sale.
__________________
Tom Bowe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-21-2018, 02:42 PM   #9
Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Vegas 24.1
State: Quebec
Posts: 89
THOR #2688
Thanks to all, very helpfull info. Makes a lot of sense to use synthetic in my case, it sits for about 4 to 5 months in winter (Canada)
Travelling long distances in US starting March.
Regards
__________________
michbout is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-21-2018, 09:46 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Forest River Forester 235
State: Indiana
Posts: 4,883
THOR #6826
Quote:
Originally Posted by michbout View Post
Thanks to all, very helpfull info. Makes a lot of sense to use synthetic in my case, it sits for about 4 to 5 months in winter (Canada)
Travelling long distances in US starting March.
Regards


Great to hear! Have a wonderful trip in the beautiful USA![emoji3]
__________________
Pete'sMH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-21-2018, 09:48 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Forest River Forester 235
State: Indiana
Posts: 4,883
THOR #6826
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom Bowe View Post
Costco has Mobil 1 synthetic @ 6 for $26.99 right now. I stock up when they put it on sale.


Wow! I’m on my way....
__________________
Pete'sMH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-21-2018, 09:59 PM   #12
Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.1
State: New Jersey
Posts: 80
THOR #1592
Quote:
Originally Posted by michbout View Post
Hi

This is probably a 50/50 question, my RV has 19000 mi. always used regular on my oil changes at 7,5000 mi./ea

My question is should I move to synthetic or stick to regular.

Open to any comments.

Thanks


I use synthetic in all of my vehicles.You don’t need to worry about the oil viscosity breaking down and I find that the vehicles run a bit smoother.Most new vehicles run on a synthetic blend or full synthetic these days.I wouldn’t use anything but synthetic,it is worth the extra money in my opinion.
__________________
Djfred is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-21-2018, 10:26 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: S.O.B.
State: California
Posts: 1,368
THOR #3483
Yes, synthetic in all of my vehicles, including the 24.1 Axis. Life blood of the engine is worth the extra few dollars, same as a good quality oil filter vs. cheap ones.
__________________
axis earl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-22-2018, 01:43 AM   #14
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Vegas 24.1
State: Florida
Posts: 887
THOR #5313
I use Motorcraft 5W-20 blend and Motorcraft filter. I change every 3,500 miles.

My race motors use 20W-50 dino oil because of loose clearances.

I only use synthetic in cars that recommend it and never in race motors I build. Tried full synthetic in race motor once, looked like rings never sealed.
__________________
Muggs is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Thor Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.




All times are GMT. The time now is 08:55 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0 PL2