Maintenance provided by Hohenwald

[HDRider]

Can someone talk to me about the maintenance provided by the mothership at Hohenwald?

 

What all do they do?

Has anyone documented a detailed list of their service?

 

I could not find anything on their website.

 

Thanks

[Steph and Dud B]

I've never had them do the routine maintenance. Have had mixed luck with their repair services. One time, under warranty, they did very shabby work, failing to complete tasks they claimed they had completed. This included leaving a loose nut rattling around inside a brake drum. More recently (this spring), they handled a minor fiberglass repair quickly and efficiently. So, a gamble.

Unless you live very close to the Oliver plant I would recommend doing your own routine maintenance if you can, or find a local RV shop you trust. Most Oliver components are fairly standard RV gear.

[Dennis and Melissa]

On our first anniversary of ownership we did the "yearly maintenance" package.  It wasn't cheap, and I think the overall quality of their work was "meh" at best.  But I am still in learning mode, and we had some minor warranty work done at the same time.  So, I think it was reasonable.  But I don't intend to make it an annual event.

[John Dorrer]

4 hours ago, HDRider said:

Can someone talk to me about the maintenance provided by the mothership at Hohenwald?

 

What all do they do?

Has anyone documented a detailed list of their service?

 

I could not find anything on their website.

 

Thanks

All you have to do is call Oliver and they will send a list of the services they provide for "Annual Service". I'm sure you can also do a search or on Facebook and get it.

[HDRider]

15 hours ago, John Dorrer said:

All you have to do is call Oliver and they will send a list of the services they provide for "Annual Service". I'm sure you can also do a search or on Facebook and get it.

I had used their "Contact Us" page.  I have not got a response.

 

They rarely answer the phone.

[HDRider]

I plan to take my Ollie to Hohenwald to get the leak fixed, along with a couple of other warranty issues.

 

I do my own maintenance, but I thought while I had her there I'd let the experts go through it.

 

This thing cost a lot of money, and I want my grandkids to use it some day.

[Tony and Rhonda]

A previous owner had the "Yearly Maintenance Premium Package"  completed in 2023. As best I can tell from the service sheet I have, there where 23 maintenance items in the package:

1. Inspect & Clean A/C

2. Inspect/Clean/Test Furnace

3. Inspect & Service Fridge

4. Pressurize & Test Plumbing System

5. Inspect & Service Water Heater

6. Decalcify Plumbing Lines & Fixtures

7. Lubricate Blade Valves

8. Lubricate Jack Pivot Points

9. Check Brakes, Repack, if req'd, Grease EZ Flex

10. Prep & Caulk Exterior

11. Perform LP Drop & Operating Pressure Test

12. Test GCFI function

13. Inspect & Test 7-pin

14. Inspect & Lubricate Coupler

15. Inspect Axle & Suspension

16. Check Tire Pressure & tread Depth

17. Inspect & Clean window Tracks

18. Charge & Load Test Batteries, if app.

19. Sanitize Fresh Water & Flush System

20. Wash Exterior

21. Clean Interior

22. Complete Torque Check

23.Complete Visual & Operational Test of Appliances

The service sheet says a 4-5 day appointment is required.

Price, as best I can tell was about $1600 but not everything on the list was done because the previous owner replaced the A/C with a Truma and replaced the 3500# axles with 5200# Never lubes. I don't know how, or if, these replacements changed the service cost.

[HDRider]

2 hours ago, Tony and Rhonda said:

A previous owner had the "Yearly Maintenance Premium Package"  completed in 2023. As best I can tell from the service sheet I have, there where 23 maintenance items in the package:

1. Inspect & Clean A/C

2. Inspect/Clean/Test Furnace

3. Inspect & Service Fridge

4. Pressurize & Test Plumbing System

5. Inspect & Service Water Heater

6. Decalcify Plumbing Lines & Fixtures

7. Lubricate Blade Valves

8. Lubricate Jack Pivot Points

9. Check Brakes, Repack, if req'd, Grease EZ Flex

10. Prep & Caulk Exterior

11. Perform LP Drop & Operating Pressure Test

12. Test GCFI function

13. Inspect & Test 7-pin

14. Inspect & Lubricate Coupler

15. Inspect Axle & Suspension

16. Check Tire Pressure & tread Depth

17. Inspect & Clean window Tracks

18. Charge & Load Test Batteries, if app.

19. Sanitize Fresh Water & Flush System

20. Wash Exterior

21. Clean Interior

22. Complete Torque Check

23.Complete Visual & Operational Test of Appliances

The service sheet says a 4-5 day appointment is required.

Price, as best I can tell was about $1600 but not everything on the list was done because the previous owner replaced the A/C with a Truma and replaced the 3500# axles with 5200# Never lubes. I don't know how, or if, these replacements changed the service cost.

Thanks.

 

I contacted Oliver via e-mail and got this.  The price has went up and the services has went down.

 

Maintenance Performed

 

1. Inspect & Clean A/C
   1. Includes cleaning coil & filters, removing debris, test operation, & check drain system
2. Pressurize Plumbing & Inspect
   1. Includes leak testing Fresh & City water inlets, water lines, connections & fixtures.
3. Inspect & Test Water Heater
   1. Includes visual inspection of fixture connections & operation
   2. Inspect Anode, if equipped
   3. Inspect LP Line
4. Decalcify Plumbing & Water Heater
   1. Decalcify plumbing lines & Fixtures to remove calcium buildup
   2. Decalcify or flush Water Heater 
5. Inspect & Lube Blade Valves
   1. Test operation & lubricate valves
6. Inspect & Lubricate Jacks
   1. Test operation, lubricate pivot joint, & inspect gears
7. Repack Bearings, Inspect Brakes & Grease EZ Flex
   1. Inspect Brake components
   2. Inspect Bearings & Repack
   3. Grease EZ Flex zerks
8. Recaulk Exterior 
   1. Clean perimeter & recaulk joints
   2. Apply lap sealant on roof for additional seal for penetration points
9. Perform LP Pressure Test
   1. Test LP Regulator for proper pressure & lockup pressure
10. Perform LP Timed Pressure Drop Test
    1. Test LP lines for leaks
11. Test GFCI Receptacles
    1. Ensure GFCI operation to all receptacles
12. Perform 7-Pin Test
    1. Inspect & Test 7-Pin function, Clean Exterior & Grease
13. Inspect Coupler Operation
    1. Test & Lubricate Coupler
14. Inspect Axle & Suspension
    1. Visual inspection of axle & leaf springs
15. Check Tire Pressure & Tread Depth
16. Inspect & Clean Window Tracks
    1. Clean window tracks for proper drainage
17. Charge & Load Test Batteries
18. Clean/Sanitize Fresh Tank

 

[Steph and Dud B]

The only thing on that list that I'd be willing to pay someone to do is recaulk any roof fittings that need it, and that's only because I find getting all the way up on top of the roof awkward and I'm terrible at caulking neatly.

[mossemi]

4 hours ago, Steph and Dud B said:

I'm terrible at caulking neatly.

From where I’m standing, your caulking looks great!

Mossey

[SeaDawg]

4 hours ago, Steph and Dud B said:

The only thing on that list that I'd be willing to pay someone to do is recaulk any roof fittings that need it, and that's only because I find getting all the way up on top of the roof awkward and I'm terrible at caulking neatly.

Among my many friends and acquaintances, I can count zero who actually enjoy caulking.  My husband does a better job than i do, so he usually gets the job

 if we had to flip for it, I'd be seeking a coin with both sides head, and call tails. 

Yet another reason I like butyl, where applicable. We caulk around the edges to shield, but butyl does the job.

[jd1923]

Caulk only if/when the original caulk has failed. If so, remove the majority of the old caulk before applying a new bead. Caulk on old caulk, you’re not helping yourself. 

[Jamie Peghiny]

This seems like a lotta money for things that I can mostly do myself, not to mention the 1350 mile one-way trip. 
Personally, I wouldn’t want to repack my bearings, how much would it cost to have a mechanic do this?  $50/wheel? That seems reasonable. I’d grease the zerks though. 
The folks on this forum seem pretty well informed and capable. 
Jamie 

[Mike and Carol]

8 minutes ago, Jamie Peghiny said:

This seems like a lotta money for things that I can mostly do myself, not to mention the 1350 mile one-way trip. 
Personally, I wouldn’t want to repack my bearings, how much would it cost to have a mechanic do this?  $50/wheel? That seems reasonable. I’d grease the zerks though. 
The folks on this forum seem pretty well informed and capable. 
Jamie 

I’ve had most work done (bearings, brakes, etc) locally.  Most maintenance is generic and can be done by any experienced RV maintenance person or by the owner.  Mike

[topgun2]

2 hours ago, Jamie Peghiny said:

$50/wheel?

With shop rates getting to the point of about $150.00 per hour, you are probably a touch low on the $50.  But around $75 per wheel would probably get it done.

Bill

p.s.  while just about any boat or regular trailer can do this job - I'd ask around a bit to get some recommendations.  Bearing service is NOT difficult.  But, if it is not done properly it can cause you some real headaches down that lonesome road.

[Geronimo John]

21 hours ago, topgun2 said:

With shop rates getting to the point of about $150.00 per hour, you are probably a touch low on the $50.  But around $75 per wheel would probably get it done.

Bill

Those guys are a lot faster than I am!

But if I could do two axles at their pace, it would be $300 a year cost. Ten years that I hope to be around say $3,000.     The Dexter NeverLubes I understand should go ten years. 

So, mathamatically speaking, I am financially well ahead in getting the 5200 never lubes with their better brakes.  RIght?

GJ

  

 

[CRM]

16 hours ago, Geronimo John said:

But if I could do two axles at their pace, it would be $300 a year cost. Ten years that I hope to be around say $3,000.     The Dexter NeverLubes I understand should go ten years. 

So, mathamatically speaking, I am financially well ahead in getting the 5200 never lubes with their better brakes.  RIght?

 

I love your math and will be using it as my sales pitch for new Nev-R-Lube axles to my wife.

She'll then return the favor by letting me know what she'll be spending that saved money on!