Annual mileage fulltiming?

[JCZhome]

We've been full time for a year and we've been ocean to ocean....San Diego to Key West to the Black Hills of South Dakota and Yellowstone. Bought our 2014 F-350 dually used and things like tires and brakes on these trucks are expensive if you get quality products (Michelin tires, etc.) and that's not covered in extended warranty. However, the replacement of the fuel filter housing that I recently had replaced (they said it was installed wrong at the last dealership oil change, in Florida) due to it being cracked was nearly $700 out of pocket.

[jamieline]

Jim,

Just FYI - if you "Reply With Quote" (bottom right of each post as I've done with your question), the person you are trying to interact with will be notified they've been quoted and will notice faster... at least I will.

In answer to your question, yes - my wife follows along in a Honda CR-V on travel days. When we started out we had a Corolla that was paid for. We asked on both the Escapees and RV-Dreams forums (both heavily full-time oriented) and about half of those who full-time in a fifth wheel have a second vehicle. Most of those who responded - even though they don't have a second vehicle - suggested we try it for a year since we already had the car. If it didn't work for us, we could always sell the car. Now, after three years, we love doing it this way. A long bed CC DRW truck is not the most nimble in parking lots designed for cars, on National Park roads beyond the campgrounds, or in places like downtown Baltimore or San Diego where we have family. We don't travel more than 3 - 4 hours a day on travel days and my wife likes to listen to audio books or her music. Though I enjoy audio books and we have about an 85% overlap in music tastes, I don't like anything on in the truck cab anywhere near big cities, on I-95, etc. She also thinks I keep the cab "too cold." Having the car also gives her independence when we're staying somewhere for a longer period (like we are now at Aberdeen Proving Ground waiting on the birth of grandbaby #13 ). She doesn't drive the truck, so the car enables her to hop in and go to the athletic center on post for yoga, etc. No two couples are alike, but this approach works for us.

Rob

Rob,

Giving it a try.
Thanks for the information. Sure would save wear and tear on the truck and you're right about getting around easier.

Jim

[Stormin' Norm]

After about 2.5 months full-time, have logged about 7300 miles on truck, of which about 2300 have been towing. Started in southeast Pennsylvania, now in NW Montana (fervently hoping wildfire smoke dissipates soon, ugh). Surprised, and it is going to far surpass the estimate I made when setting up budget projections. But, we like to do road trips, and have not quite gotten out of go-go-go vacation mode.

[DaveMatthewsBand]

...fuel filter housing that I recently had replaced (they said it was installed wrong at the last dealership oil change, in Florida) due to it being cracked was nearly $700 out of pocket.

They probably used a socket to tighten that filter housing, this is a known issue. I recommend using a strap wrench to tighten that filter, the one under the truck, that’s what I use. The filter under the hood just turns about an eighth turn, no wrench.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Kepeollie]

I am not a good record keeper. Just never saw the point, so, my answer to your question is going to be ball park at best. As far as I can remember we bought our 2013 Silverado in 2015 and it had 25,000 to 30,000 miles on it. I was looking at the odometer today and we are in the 98,0000 mile area. 28 to 98 is 70,000 miles, 15-18 is 3, or about 23,000 miles per year.

Now keep in mind, this is our primary vehicle. We will make a couple of 3000-4000 mile runs about 3 times a year (10,000-12,000), the rest is local driving.

Now to further confuse you think about oil changes every 5000 miles. I spend extra to have authorized Chevrolet Dealers Service my truck. About $3000 a year. Yes, I get extra oil changes, and extra transmission services, and pay the guys to change my oil and fuel filter and buy new tires before the old ones are completely worn out.

And I pay for an extended service warranty that I have yet to use.

Damned if you do and damned if you don't. Don't get an extended warranty and you blow and engine $13,000. Get the extended warranty that would cover it but don't ever have a problem $1000 a year wasted. Then if you do buy the extended warranty and pay the $1000 buck you have to worry about them covering the loss. Lots of exclusions.

There is not a correct answer here, only a decision to be made.

Not sure if you knew this or not, but most dealerswill allow you to bring in your oil and filter and just charge a flat rate to change your fluids (oil and transmission). I can get my Duramax changed for about $43 with conventional oil or $75 with synthetic (could be cheaper if I search around for a sale on oil, which I normally do).

Just wanted to share.
Kevin

[WhittleBurner]

Had our oil and filter changed on our diesel in Florida At a GMC dealer last year with full synthetic oil ( I supplied nothing). $80.00. Was going to do it myself but for that price I wasn't about too.

[DaveMatthewsBand]

Had our oil and filter changed on our diesel in Florida At a GMC dealer last year with full synthetic oil ( I supplied nothing). $80.00. Was going to do it myself but for that price I wasn't about too.

Was that advertised anywhere?
Sounds like someone there made a mistake since the oil alone cost more than that.
Unless your diesel takes way less oil than mine, I think it's 13 quarts.
I just had mine changed yesterday, it was $147, and that's non-synthetic.

[WhittleBurner]

Was that advertised anywhere?
Sounds like someone there made a mistake since the oil alone cost more than that.
Unless your diesel takes way less oil than mine, I think it's 13 quarts.
I just had mine changed yesterday, it was $147, and that's non-synthetic.

Yes that was with synthetic I couldn't believe it either. I called 2 shops and was quoted 170 and 180. Thought I would do it myself and it would have been over 100. My brother-in-law asked if I had checked with the dealer that sometimes they can surprise you. When I called and they said 80 I asked 3 times if that was with full synthetic and they said yes. When I took it in I asked at the service desk if that was with synthetic and he said yes. I was happy. From what I have heard is that they buy the oil in bulk to do it for that price. That was at Conley Buick GMC in Bradenton Florida. I had called our dealer at home and was told they didn't carry diesel synthetic and would have to order it from the parts store making the price for the oil change outrageous. Guess they don't see the diesels there enough to order the oil from GMC. Conley uses dexos Gen 2 from GMC.