Hydraulic leak repair

[John and Carol]

Has anyone had leaking hydraulic hoses replaced on your Montana? Do you know how many hours of labor was required to complete the repair? Ours has been leaking some for 3 years. During pre-travel maintenance this year, RV America in Wheat Ridge, the new Montana dealer in this area, said the hoses needed to be replaced. We have an extended warranty from Interstate that covers the hydraulic system. Interstate agreed to pay for the 4 hours needed to replace the hoses, but not the 4 hours to remove and replace the underbelly cover. As if the job can be done without doing that! Any suggestions how I get them to cover 4 more hours of work?

[stiles watson]

Yell, scream, threaten to picket out in front of their dealership, complain to the insurance board of your state.

Seriously, I have a problem with it taking 4 hours to drop and re-secure the belly pan, maybe with a broken arm and a open-end wrench. Power tools....... I might see if the insurance company would pay for 2 hours and the dealer settle for that.

[sreigle]

They must be including removing the propane line, the spare tire mount, etc., so they can totally remove the bellypan. I would think they could handle this repair without all that work. Why can't they just remove the bolts, remove the panels that are free, and work around the rest?

[LeonardW]

Our 2008 3000RK had a hydraulic leak from day one. Took it back to the dealer under warranty, they finally agreed to replace the line from the selector valve to the main slide. Got the 5th wheel back home and backed it into my shop, checked and still had the leak. Called the dealer, they sent their service manager to my home to inspect the unit, he agreed it was leaking. I returned the RV to the dealer, everything was replaced except the selector valve, new hoses, new pump, new resevoir, so far seems to be cured.

[waldo238]

quote:Our 2008 3000RK had a hydraulic leak from day one. Took it back to the dealer under warranty, they finally agreed to replace the line from the selector valve to the main slide. Got the 5th wheel back home and backed it into my shop, checked and still had the leak.

I had the same proble with my 08 3000RK, they replaced my hose also going to the large slide, but replaced the wrong one?? I asked if they wanted me to show them which one was leaking, they said no we will see it...OK. I even told them I had a rag wrapped around the leaking hose... they must have had their blind mechanic working that day.

[richfaa]

Four hours ????? We did have one of ours replaced and I watched them do it. You do have to drop the under belly but they had mine down in less than a hour. I just dropped the under belly back to the steps on the 3400 in less than 1 hour and I am old and slow. 4 hours is s bit much. Why don't you call the service center and ask them what they allow for dropping the under belly??

[John and Carol]

Rich:

Thanks for the suggestion I call the Service Center. They say it takes about 1/2 hour to remove each panel of the underbelly, so 4 hours to remove and replace it is reasonable. That should help me with the warranty company. They are sending me an email confirming that.

[kmh3212]

I had all my hoses replaced and they billed the warranty company about $1000. I'm in the wrong business!

[John and Carol]

That's what the bill to repair ours was. But the warranty company only wants to pay $640. We're fighting with them.