Annual Maintenance

[RetiredTorng]

My 2024 Chateau 22E is approach one year. Took it to the dealer service for annual standard service, told they will charge $750 for the appliance services (A/C, water heater, furnace and fridge), and $150 for generator oil change. Is that normal charge? Do I have to do them? Do I have to get those services from the dealer? Thanks for your advices.

 

[Lt Keefer]

There is no such thing as annual service for an RV. There is a list of items that must be looked at, but paying someone almost a thousand bucks to do it is insane.

 

[RetiredTorng]

There is no such thing as annual service for an RV. There is a list of items that must be looked at, but paying someone almost a thousand bucks to do it is insane.

Thanks for your comment. I thought checking appliances for $750 is way too much. May go to another RV shop if price is more reasonable. My RV has already over 12,000 miles on it, ready to go on another 10,000+ miles soon. It's probably a good idea to do some basic checking and maintenance before the trip.

 

[Bob Nodine]

Thanks for your comment. I thought checking appliances for $750 is way too much. May go to another RV shop if price is more reasonable. My RV has already over 12,000 miles on it, ready to go on another 10,000+ miles soon. It's probably a good idea to do some basic checking and maintenance before the trip.

Skip the appliance check - its a rip off. Just change or clean the filters in the air conditioners. Since you have a 2024 you most likely have residential frig so not much to do there. If the furnace works then it should be ok. It is so new it shouldn't have any problems. If the coach is parked outside just make sure nothing has built a nest in the furnace. I would also bet you have an on demand water heater and not much to do there either. Just check everything before the trip to make sure they are working.

Your main annual maintenance is to keep the oil and filters changed on the motorhome engine. You most likely have an Onan 4k gas generator and it does not have an oil filter, only an air filter. I would look at the hours of operation of the generator. Onan says change at 50 hours the first time and then every 100 hours after that. Follow that and don't just change oil because it has not been changed in a year. Some folks are fanatics about changing oil and will change oil that has barely been used just because it has been a calendar year since the last oil change. In my opinion that is just plain silly. The engine or generator would have to go through some drastic diurnal thermal cycles just sitting still for condensation to place any amount of water in the oil and engine contaminants are only generated when the engine is operated. Oil just sitting still is still good oil.

The most important thing is to make sure you keep the proper air pressure in the tires. Manufacturers of Class C motorhomes tend to cut costs when it comes to tires and your rear tires may be working at or near their maximum load capacity. I replaced the new tires on the rear of our new motorhome because they were within a few pounds of being overloaded. If a tire fails it usually does a lot of damage, not to mention the problems that can occur with a tire failure at highway speeds.

 

[16ACE27]

What's to check on the appliances? They work don't they?


The only thing that may need doing is the generator oil change: but for $150? Not in my world.

 

[wtb1956@gmail.com]

There are things in the coach part of your RV that should be checked/tested periodically such as propane lines (leaks), main power connections (12 and 115 volt for connection tightness), RV floor/wall (leaks) propane devices for proper operation (refer, gas water heater, furnance), etc. If you don't do this yourself you should have a qualified/certified RV tech go over critical systems periodically. I tend to check things on a rotating schedule at least once per year, sooner if an issue is noted.

 

[ducksface]

It's a marketing ploy that requires you to be so totally helpless that you'll fall for it.
But
It may also be what ou signed up for to fulfill your end of whatever warranty you purchased.


If you have your home appliances checked yearly,
Carry on.

If you do not have our home appliances checked yearly;
Consider why in any sensical sense you'd need this for your rv.

 

[dkoldman]

My Advice

Take the time as an opportunity. Call around to find a local mobile RV tech in you area. Explain to each you are wanting to establish a relation with someone so if you had a need you will know who to call.

Find out his rates and availability. I had spoken with 3 companies doing the same about 3 or 4 year and some of the rates crazy. Then on 4th call, I got a Mobile Tech asking where did I live? He said he could just come by some time when he was in the area to see the coach. I had lost a bracket for the hood ad dealership wanted $1,750. He came by a few days look over my entire RV, I have no idea if he was certified or not, I didn't ask, don't care. He said he could fix my hood bracket issues with the goodwill parts I got direct from WBGO for $600. He came back about a week later and did a splendid job. He only charged me $500 saying it did not take as long as he thought. I have been using him every since.

Don't expect to hit gold with your 1st call, but start the process. You will know when you are talking to genuine I know what I am doing RV Tech versus the we know what we doing with every conceivable certification on their website, but you gonna pay at least $300 to even talk to me. Example there is very nice Mobile RV repair shop about 1 mile from our house. They refuse to estimate any effort they have to come on site. They charge $300 flat rate for any call. After getting an owner on the phone , they finally said to have the oil changed would be around $450. $300 plus $150

 

[dkoldman]

If you have your home appliances checked yearly,
Carry on.

If you do not have our home appliances checked yearly;
Consider why in any sensical sense you'd need this for your rv.

We have not done this in years, but we use to have Kenmore everything. Much like I am a Samsung Nut, I use to be a Sears Nut.

Anyway, as you might guess, I would never buy the Sears warranty agreement on a new appliance. However it seems like everything washer or appliance would go out we would call Sears service. They would come out and lets say the repair was $400, we would shake our heads no and they say a $60 Service call fee. We would offer to pay and then they put my wife in the phone. They offer us a 3 year extended warranty for say $195 and it would include the repair that was needed on the washer. We would always buy the warranty then. I don't recall if they just got smart and stopped doing that, or is it because of the Samsungs that go so long that if an issue occurs we just but new unit?

 

[16ACE27]

So if you want to do maintenance consider the following:

Roof maintenance is very important. You should look at your lap sealant quarterly if you have not gone the Eternabonf route. This video, starting at 6:50, shows you why.

Fridge - defrost and verify cooling fans (if installed) are working.
Fridge, WH, and Furnace - check for insect intrusion in the air/gas supply areas, spider webs, mud daubers, etc.
A/C - clean filters, remove entire inside cover to verify the separator plate is still in place and intact.
Microwave - verify the exhaust fan still works.


Anybody else think of useful preventative maintenance items for the appliances?

 

[Chateau_Nomad]

Screens over all appliance vents helps deter insects. Not foolproof, but very effective.

 

[16ACE27]

Screens over all appliance vents helps deter insects. Not foolproof, but very effective.

Yep, but not the subject of the thread.

 

[RetiredTorng]

Really appreciate all your comments. The roof, items on the roof, sealing, and some basic checkings are necessary, but it seems the dealer is not doing the right thing. I need to find some RV shop that will do the right check.

 

[Bob Nodine]

We have not done this in years, but we use to have Kenmore everything. Much like I am a Samsung Nut, I use to be a Sears Nut.

Anyway, as you might guess, I would never buy the Sears warranty agreement on a new appliance. However it seems like everything washer or appliance would go out we would call Sears service. They would come out and lets say the repair was $400, we would shake our heads no and they say a $60 Service call fee. We would offer to pay and then they put my wife in the phone. They offer us a 3 year extended warranty for say $195 and it would include the repair that was needed on the washer. We would always buy the warranty then. I don't recall if they just got smart and stopped doing that, or is it because of the Samsungs that go so long that if an issue occurs we just but new unit?

Be warned that your love for Samsung may bring you despair and frustration. We had a very nice Samsung washing machine that would not pump out the water. The problem was the control board. After a few weeks of not being able to get a new control board we moved the washer to the garage and purchased a new Maytag washer. Being experienced in electronics I thought I might be able to repair the control board. No such luck. The bad part was a custom made device that was also difficult or impossible to get. After the control board was on back order for 6 months and still not available I finally took the washer to the dump. The service tech suggested to only buy Maytag or Whirlpool because the parts were made in the US and readily available. So when we need an appliance we look for those two brands.

 

[ducksface]

Everyone wondered why I kept the neighbors washer when they got the fancy one.
They assumed it was for my shop and I was getting all 'overkill Bill' about rags or a rock polisher or a centrifuge.
It lives outside in my junkyard.
I have delivered it three times to someone's house due to broken washers.
I hook it to a spigot outside and they run an extension cord to it.

Six months is the longest it's been used by someone.

 

[dkoldman]

Be warned that your love for Samsung may bring you despair and frustration. We had a very nice Samsung washing machine that would not pump out the water. The problem was the control board. After a few weeks of not being able to get a new control board we moved the washer to the garage and purchased a new Maytag washer. Being experienced in electronics I thought I might be able to repair the control board. No such luck. The bad part was a custom made device that was also difficult or impossible to get. After the control board was on back order for 6 months and still not available I finally took the washer to the dump. The service tech suggested to only buy Maytag or Whirlpool because the parts were made in the US and readily available. So when we need an appliance we look for those two brands.

My Lovefest with Samsung is now 15 - 20 years old.

9 Samsung TVs
5 Samsung Phones
3 Samsung Tablets
1 Samsung Fridge
1 Samsung Washer
1 Samsung Dryer

1 Samsung Support Number, they are always available and will take your call no matter how old. Twice they have come out to my house to fix a TV at no charge once under a warranty and the other being a failure that they deemed should not have been occurring. They have local Samsung Authorized dealers that have store fronts and mobile dispatch.

The Smart Things apps works with all, I have nothing to configure or setup. I get alerts when washing me or dryer stops via phones or TVs. TVs all have Samsung TV which is 400 free channels including all local stations that will stream assuming you have Wifi which we do 24/7 at home and RV.

I had my Samsung TV in RV go out mysteriously after the blowout tire and inverter getting toasted. I could have replaced the Control board for about $70 bought a brand new TV at best buy on sale for $143. Got the newest version of hardware and software for the RV plus the Mfg warranty.

With that said, we have one Kenmore product, the Dishwasher. If it does we replace. A few months ago we got tired of our GE Refrigerator that was in the garage. It was just old and not very efficient and took up more space than we needed, we bought a Whirlpool from American Freight that had a very minor dent at half the cost. It was chosen in part because it was perfect fit between the two cars and still be able to get access. Quality was not a factor. With that said, my wife complains all the time because whenever you close the Whirlpool refrigerator door, the air pressure from fridge will lift the door of the freezer and the freezer door does not always close It is under Mfg warranty, so I may find out what Whirlpool support is like real soon.

 

[Bob Nodine]

My Lovefest with Samsung is now 15 - 20 years old.

9 Samsung TVs
5 Samsung Phones
3 Samsung Tablets
1 Samsung Fridge
1 Samsung Washer
1 Samsung Dryer

1 Samsung Support Number, they are always available and will take your call no matter how old. Twice they have come out to my house to fix a TV at no charge once under a warranty and the other being a failure that they deemed should not have been occurring. They have local Samsung Authorized dealers that have store fronts and mobile dispatch.

The Smart Things apps works with all, I have nothing to configure or setup. I get alerts when washing me or dryer stops via phones or TVs. TVs all have Samsung TV which is 400 free channels including all local stations that will stream assuming you have Wifi which we do 24/7 at home and RV.

I had my Samsung TV in RV go out mysteriously after the blowout tire and inverter getting toasted. I could have replaced the Control board for about $70 bought a brand new TV at best buy on sale for $143. Got the newest version of hardware and software for the RV plus the Mfg warranty.

With that said, we have one Kenmore product, the Dishwasher. If it does we replace. A few months ago we got tired of our GE Refrigerator that was in the garage. It was just old and not very efficient and took up more space than we needed, we bought a Whirlpool from American Freight that had a very minor dent at half the cost. It was chosen in part because it was perfect fit between the two cars and still be able to get access. Quality was not a factor. With that said, my wife complains all the time because whenever you close the Whirlpool refrigerator door, the air pressure from fridge will lift the door of the freezer and the freezer door does not always close It is under Mfg warranty, so I may find out what Whirlpool support is like real soon.

I did not say when we look for phones, computers, or televisions. We have Samsung phones, one Samsung computer, and some Samsung televisions. I said when we look for appliances. Big difference. All those other things are not essential to daily life and are backed up by multiple units, but a day at my house without a refrigerator, washer, or dryer is a day in hell.

 

[dkoldman]

I did not say when we look for phones, computers, or televisions. We have Samsung phones, one Samsung computer, and some Samsung televisions. I said when we look for appliances. Big difference. All those other things are not essential to daily life and are backed up by multiple units, but a day at my house without a refrigerator, washer, or dryer is a day in hell.

Fair enough, but I was addressing your warning to me that my love for Samsung may bring me despair and frustration. If Samsung makes it, it is my look.

I forgot to add my Samsung Galaxy watch. I think the watches are overkill, but I do have one.

 

[Lt Keefer]

Be warned that your love for Samsung may bring you despair and frustration. We had a very nice Samsung washing machine that would not pump out the water. The problem was the control board. After a few weeks of not being able to get a new control board we moved the washer to the garage and purchased a new Maytag washer. Being experienced in electronics I thought I might be able to repair the control board. No such luck. The bad part was a custom made device that was also difficult or impossible to get. After the control board was on back order for 6 months and still not available I finally took the washer to the dump. The service tech suggested to only buy Maytag or Whirlpool because the parts were made in the US and readily available. So when we need an appliance we look for those two brands.

That is or at least was a common fault on Samsung washers. Same thing happened to my brother. He bought a new Samsung washer and dryer and a control board went out after a few weeks. It was on back order for ever.

 

[Bob Nodine]

That is or at least was a common fault on Samsung washers. Same thing happened to my brother. He bought a new Samsung washer and dryer and a control board went out after a few weeks. It was on back order for ever.

Misery loves company. Thanks for posting. I might point out that even with a warranty or extended warranty you are still screwed. No amount of warranty can produce unavailable parts.

I had a thought yesterday when this subject came back up and had some regret. I guess I took the very expensive high efficiency Samsung washer to the dump because I was pissed. I should have given it to the local appliance repair business because it had a lot of good parts that could have been used.