So just where do you get reliable technical information? Correct information, like what kind of oil to use, operational procedures, acceptable variances and like practical tips. Is it level first then slides out, or is it the opposite? Should I store my RV with the jacks down or should I not?
The questions seem straight forward enough, and you would think it should be relatively easy to get good correct answers. Well, guess again. Welcome to the “my opinion club”. In many cases, regardless of who you ask, you get their take on it, not necessarily the right or best answer.
This applies, in many cases, to even those that you may think trustworthy. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve heard “And that came from Monaco themselves” (Fill in any manufacturer as it applies to all others equally). My question, so who exactly is Monaco themselves?” Well, it’s a service writer, a technician, a salesperson, or other employee of a factory service or sales center. Perhaps in some cases it is an employee or owner of an authorized dealer. None of these people are necessarily automatically qualified or equipped to answer all, or perhaps many, of these queries.
So where can you get the most actuate information? Probably first, what is found within your manufacturer’s manuals. Additionally, and perhaps the “Trump card,” is any attached labels found within the RV. While manuals can be relied on in almost all cases, they can be somewhat generic given the number of like models made by the same maker. We have all seen the statement “Such and such, if so equipped” within a supplied manual. This add-on, or lack of, can vary the application thus changing many other things.
Beware of the technician, or like so called informed expert, that start by answering your questions with “Well I always…….”. If you cared how he did it you would have asked him that, but you really want to know the correct procedure. Believe me, when you start to ask questions that are not necessarily in the manual, like “Jacks down for storage or not,” you will get a host of answers, even from technicians in the same shop.
To demonstrate what I’m leading to, let me give you actual happenings that I witnessed.
Dealing with a large, well know dealer.
Customer: Please check the SCA in my coolant.
Service Writer: SCA?? Coolant? Okay.
They didn’t know what SCA meant: Supplement Coolant Additive.
(4 hours later)
Customer: How was the SCA?
Service Writer: Oh, yes, it’s good for 34 F. below.
Customer: Can you drain and replace the coolant please.
Service Writer: Change the coolant? Why do you want the coolant changed?
Customer: It’s over 3 years old. Change it please.
Dealing with a factory service depot
Customer: (Activates auto-level jacks to demonstrate issue) Coach raises on the jacks and leans heavily to the right on relatively level ground)
Factory Service Writer: Maybe the ground is too uneven.
Customer: Hmmmmmmmm………….Waiter…….Check please!
Large RV Servicing Dealer
While getting a scheduled engine service, the technician fills a fuel filter that is specified to be installed dry.
Customer: That filter should not be pre-filled. It is to be installed dry and electrically primed to avoid contamination.
Technician: Oh, we always do them this way.
Yes, I can imagine, and you probably top up batteries with city water and a garden hose too. (I’ve seen that more than once)
Dealing with an engine service center
Customer: I need an oil change on my Cummins. Do you have the 100% synthetic oil?
Technician: Synthetic? Cummins does not recommend synthetic oil.
Customer: Exactly where does Cummins say that? My manual does not state that nor am I aware of a service bulletin that does either. I wonder why Cummins name is on the cases of Valvoline full synthetic oil? (Fact is Cummins does not support extending oil change frequencies by the use of synthetic oil, but does not advise against its use.)
So, again, I’ve got to ask, where does one get reliable information? Probably, and not necessarily in this order, O.E.M. manuals, attached labels, the manufacturer’s engineering department, some service personnel and like industry specialists. Another good source can be found within forums, like RV.NET. While this requires separating many incorrect answers and using good judgment, it many times can help. There are questions that perhaps do not have definitive answers, like, do you put your jacks down while in storage or not. The choice of this is generally not even thought of by the manufacturer or servicing dealer and ends up being a matter of choice. Life’s real time experiences of fellow RV users can be the best guide to such sought after answers.
Please understand that I’m not saying that you can not get good advice from RV service people or manufacturer’s representatives, but you have to go in with your eyes wide open. There are many that are happy to give you advice, and many that really do not know. Design changes, options and the computer driven age make it difficult for service technicians to stay up with current issues, and not all do.
So, if you have a good go-to-guy, that knows his stuff, hang on to him. They are rarer than one would think. Anyway, that’s my take on getting simple answers in a complicated world. What’s your view?
Just Asking Questions – Lug_Nut – Peter Mercer