Log In | Register
Skip to main content
Topic: REPAIR, MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE FACILITIES (Read 6684 times) previous topic - next topic
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.
Re: REPAIR, MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE FACILITIES
Reply #25 –
RV Chasis maintenance & repairs, Ford & GE.  Phoenix AZ area.

Airpark Auto Service
8115 E Raintree Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
airparkautoservice.com
(480) 998-1605
Good at finding what needs to be done and not making up things that don't need to be done.
Will say watch this and when it starts looking like that replace it (e.g. what needs doing now and what is on wait and see mode).
Actually measured moisture in brake fluid to see if it needed changing rather than saying looks dark needs changing.

I can NOT recommend Blackwell Automotive
15440 N 40th St, Phoenix, AZ 85032
blackwellautomotive.com
(602) 992-5478
What the mechanic said to the desk person was not what showed on the quote.  The desk person who is running the shop got very animated about tires needed to be replaced that day (they are just over 4 years old and the tire shop said no problems to wait till 5 years).  They quoted several very expensive repairs down that didn't need to be done at all (obvious things we could easily check).   When I was questioning items he admitted a couple medium items were put down because they "just thought needed to be done".  Several fluids change/flush items were tested and determined not to be needed by Airpark (above).  And they missed something important they should have caught.
Jane & Scott
Currently have a 1989 TK  LD we did a lot of upgrades on.
Bigfoot 25RQ Twin on order with early summer 2024 ETA

Our smartphone autocorrects into very poor English.
 We disclaim the illusion of ignorance this creates as we have enough ignorance we rightly claim.
Re: REPAIR, MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE FACILITIES
Reply #26 –
RV Transmissions-

General Transmission- Berkeley, CA (on the Albany/Berkeley border).
1187 San Pablo Ave, Albany, CA 94706
 (510) 527-8922
Home | General Transmissions - Albany, California

This is one of the only places I could find in the inner East Bay (i.e. Berkeley/Oakland/Albany area) that had room or experience working on RVs.  They pretty much only do transmission work, but they are fair, honest and have a good warranty (2 year or 25k miles, whichever comes first). I knew about them because they rebuilt the tranny in my 2006 Corolla a month after I bought the car. I called a bunch of places, and GT by far had the best price and the same or better warranty than everywhere else I called. When I learned my LD needed a transmission, I didn't even know GT worked on RVs, so called a few other places- the only one that could even work on an RV quoted me "at least" $5k. GT charged me $3200 for my 1991 22' LD.  They said a 1990 would've only been $1800!

I don't how large of an RV they can take at their shop, but I'm sure they will be happy to tell you if you call. Tell Steve that Lisa the lawyer recommended them!

They are honest, do a good job and charge fair prices.

Lisa G.
1991 22' LD Multi-Plan
Re: REPAIR, MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE FACILITIES
Reply #27 –
A recent call to Double Eagle RV in Las Vegas brought the news that they had been sold to Affordable RV.  Double Eagle, much to my dismay, has gone out of business!  I believe they were a family-run business and aging or poor health may have contributed to the sale.
2000 TK
Re: REPAIR, MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE FACILITIES
Reply #28 –
"...they had been sold to Affordable RV."

If this is the same 'Affordable RV' that was (or maybe still is) located somewhat east of the Mothership (and I'm not sure that it is the same), I would go far far out of my way to avoid them... long story there!   >:(   :(
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: REPAIR, MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE FACILITIES
Reply #29 –
Interesting post, Steve, as I had the exact same response when I read that name. There is an Affordable RV  in Auburn, CA., just above Sac., that I had HORRIBLE experienceswith. Not once, but THREE different occasions. I don't know if this is affiliated with them but if it is, BEWARE~

Also, a very long story. Some on this forum may remember my posting the particulars back in 2010, and on thru 2012.
At 03:35 PM 8/26/2018, you wrote:
Quote

"...they had been sold to Affordable RV."

If this is the same 'Affordable RV' that was (or maybe still is) located somewhat east of the Mothership (and I'm not sure that it is the same), I would go far far out of my way to avoid them... long story there!  >:(  :( Steve S.

Lazy Bones & Cedar

2004 30'IB (Island Bed)

You can reply to this email and have it posted as a topic reply.
LDO Links:

index.php?action=notifyboard;board=3.0 Regards, The Lazy Daze Owners Team

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Gini Free and Junah, canine xtrodinaire "CHERRYOTTE" our litte red home on wheels "Growing old is mandatory. Growing wise is optional."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gini Free and Junah, canine xtrodinaire
"CHERRYOTTE" our little red home on wheels
"Growing old is mandatory. Growing wise is optional."
Re: REPAIR, MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE FACILITIES
Reply #30 –
JR's RV repair.  Sedro Wolley WA.  5 miles off I-5 exit 220.

Very good reputation in NW Washington.  Works on pretty much everything, even mechanical chassis work.  Supplier and warranty work for most major equipment vendors.

RV Services Mount Vernon WA | Motorhome | JRs RV Repair & Rebuild     
2003 MB
Re: REPAIR, MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE FACILITIES
Reply #31 –
Double Eagle RV is no longer in business because of illness.  Sold to Affordable RV.  The latter does good work, but expensive - $130/hr labor charge.  If anyone knows of what is the norm for labor in southern NV please post.
2000 TK
Re: REPAIR, MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE FACILITIES
Reply #32 –
Tire Outlet Auto Service in San Jose, CA, offers complete brake, front end, and tire services for cars and trucks.

901 South Second Street (on the corner of Martha and 2nd)
408-294-1836
Welcome to Tire Outlet Auto Service. Tire Outlet San Jose, CA (408) 294-1836

Mike Sanchez is dedicated to providing high quality, professional work, and conscientious customer service; I've used his shop for two sets of tires on the LD, one set on the car, ball joint replacement and alignment on the LD, and just yesterday, tie rods replacements on the LD. Very satisfied with the work his techs do.

The shop location is small and a bit tight for large vehicles, but it's doable!  ;)



2003 TK has a new home
Re: REPAIR, MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE FACILITIES
Reply #33 –
Doc's Auto in Fredericksburg, TX is excellent.
Ross Taylor
2017 MB
Re: REPAIR, MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE FACILITIES
Reply #34 –
Racobs Automotive 581 S State Hwy 59 Merced, CA 95341

They serviced the 2003 MB for many years from the previous owner. I emailed Martin a detailed list of maintenance items to check/repair that were suggested by those on this forum, including pull the plugs, count the threads & change if needed and torque them to the updated standard, change the boots & confirm if coils need replacing, top off parking brake with the same fluid the transmission uses and another 10 items.

They had one day to do it and had parts ready to go as needed & they got it done and more. The next day one of their crew drove out to the former owner's campsite when he had an unrelated problem with a leveler. Crafted a temporary solution until he could have it fixed and didn't charge anything for the trip or service. Good, honest people who go out of their way.
2003 MB
Formerly 1997 TK
Re: REPAIR, MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE FACILITIES
Reply #35 –
In Southern California: I recently had work done on my 90's era Onan generator by Smith Powerhouse in Bellflower. (LD recommended Cummings where they get their generators and they pointed me to Smith for an older generator).  They were fast, fair priced and really nice people.  I also visited Nagcoglass in Pomona.  They are recommended in the "LD Companion" area on this site.  They replaced the driver's side mirror and are ordering a glass front for my oven door, which shattered a few years ago.  Again, fair priced and super nice people.
Mari Casanova
2004 Rear Bath "Koko"
1996 Rear Bath  "Cool Runnings"
 
Re: REPAIR, MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE FACILITIES
Reply #36 –
In central Arkansas including Little Rock and Conway (20 miles from Little Rock).

Custom RV Services
352 US-65, Conway, AR 72032
Complete RV Service and Repair | Conway in Central Arkansas
501-773-8676

Amazing shop just a few minutes from Interstate 40.  Will and his crew:

Installed new cooling unit - amazing cold now
Cleaned and resealed AC Unit
Installed new bathroom fan and vent
Cleaned and resealed all roof vents
Other minor repairs
RV Wash when completed

They were great, on task and fair pricing which is hard to find.  RV Maintenance, Collision Repair and more.    They have 5 drive through bays dedicated to RVs which is their speciality.

2003 Lazy Daze 26.5 MidBath
Professional Virtual Tour Photographers
Re: REPAIR, MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE FACILITIES
Reply #37 –
Quote from: John N Cindy  - 
Installed new cooling unit - amazing cold now
Cleaned and resealed AC Unit
John N Cindy, just curious about the AC. Did you have them install a new unit or clean/repair the existing one?

I'm still debating/shopping for what to do with ours and it seems there is little consensus on which are the best performing and most reliable ones.

Charles



Harvest Hosts + Boondockers Welcome #23975
Escapees SKP #138195
2007 23.5' Twin King
Re: REPAIR, MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE FACILITIES
Reply #38 –
I had them remove and clean the entire unit.   This is the original unit so it's 17 years old.   It's blowing ice cold and keeps the unit reasonable cool in these hot humid Arkansas summers.

The cooling unit was referring to the Refrigerator Cooling Unit.   This is much colder than the factory dometic which had an ammonia leak.  Much cheaper to replace the unit versus the whole refrigerator.
2003 Lazy Daze 26.5 MidBath
Professional Virtual Tour Photographers
Re: REPAIR, MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE FACILITIES
Reply #39 –
Oh, two different units. Reading comprehension failure on my part.

Charles
Harvest Hosts + Boondockers Welcome #23975
Escapees SKP #138195
2007 23.5' Twin King
Re: tire replacements
Reply #40 –
Thank you, Joan. What tires did you get as replacements for your older tires? We are looking to replace the tires on our 2015 MB and found that the Michelins which were OEM are no longer available. Ian has found that the newer Michelin replacement tires may not be as highly regarded as the old Michelin Defenders.
We would appreciate any thoughts the group may have.
Jean
2015 MB
Re: REPAIR, MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE FACILITIES
Reply #41 –
Update for Phoenix AZ area, from my post 2 years ago.
We finally found a great shop for Chassis work, they work on older RVs also and are great to obtain older parts that might be needed.

Scott Repman's Truck & Auto Repair in Glendale AZ

People who work here love to work on vehicles.  They do cars and older (e.g. decades old) trucks, but they do RVs and commercial trucks also.
The mechanic, Ray, that worked on our RV knew his stuff and then some, giving us some great info that previous shops had either gotten all wrong (see previous review) or just didn't bother to bring up.

The front office guys Dennis and Dave were also good.
Our goal was to do all the maintenance up to date to make sure the LD was up to date since we didn't have records and little knowledge from the previous owners, doing it in two chunks.  They worked with us to go over the service manual and make sure everything was covered and all our concerns were covered, putting less essential items in the first pass.

While our LD has been driving and handling well, it was nice to get a through once over by very knowledgeable people.
Jane
Jane & Scott
Currently have a 1989 TK  LD we did a lot of upgrades on.
Bigfoot 25RQ Twin on order with early summer 2024 ETA

Our smartphone autocorrects into very poor English.
 We disclaim the illusion of ignorance this creates as we have enough ignorance we rightly claim.
Re: REPAIR, MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE FACILITIES
Reply #42 –
Hi, does anyone have any updated recommendations in Tucson?  Looking at a vintage LD that I would want completely gone over.  Starting with the engine, brakes, etc.  Thanks very much.
Lisa
Re: REPAIR, MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE FACILITIES
Reply #44 –
Thanks!  I have an RV inspector, out of Phoenix.  I want someone to replace necessary parts on engine, etc.  I want to drive it safely.  A mechanic. 
Lisa
Re: REPAIR, MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE FACILITIES
Reply #45 –
Posting the chassis and engine of this "vintage" LD might help to generate suggestions.
2003 TK has a new home
Re: REPAIR, MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE FACILITIES
Reply #46 –
1987 Chevy 5.7L 350.  It is definitely vintage.   It's older than my adult kid!
Lisa
Re: REPAIR, MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE FACILITIES
Reply #47 –
You might try looking for independent repair shops, maybe on Yelp, that may have mechanics familiar/experienced with Chevies of that age. There are current and former owners of 80s Chevy LDs on this forum, but they may not be familiar with service availability in/near Tucson.

 
2003 TK has a new home
Re: REPAIR, MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE FACILITIES
Reply #48 –
My apologies if this sounds harsh, but - If you're not at least a capable amateur mechanic, you should be very careful about buying a 30+ year old RV. 

It can eat you alive with cost after cost, and it's getting increasingly difficult to find mechanics who have experience on those vehicles.  Most have retired.  Younger guys don't even own the tools to work on many of the systems. 

Lots of horror stories and free advice if you search the archives. 

Rich
  
2003 MB
Re: REPAIR, MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE FACILITIES
Reply #49 –
Years back there was a file on Yahoo that listed repair facilities, by state I think.
If that file still exists, someone could earn a lot of respect for updating it with the place's named here.
This is not all that useful in this form.
Don & Dorothy
Sold our LD in June of 2023

Our boring always non-PC travel blog
Traveling Dorothy