Are Skoolies expensive to maintain?
In this blog post, we will answer the following question: Are Skoolies expensive to maintain? We will discuss the principal costs regarding Skoolie maintenance. We will also discuss what are the most breakdowns with this RV type and how to prevent investing too much in a Skoolie throughout the year.
Are Skoolies expensive to maintain?
Basic Skoolie maintenance is not too expensive, depending on the initial condition of the vehicle and how many miles it has, it could cost you approximately $2000 per year for an oil change, replacing fuel filters, adding coolant flush, perhaps a painting job. However, if the engine of your Skoolie needs annual repairs, the number could quickly get to $5000/year.
How much does it cost to maintain and repair a Skoolie?
The answer to this question really depends on what is wrong with the Skoolie, who is fixing it, and where they are fixing it. For example, replacing an engine that blew up in the middle of the desert will cost a lot more than fixing a leaky kitchen faucet at a Skoolie dealership.
Examples of real costs to consider:
- A new transmission: A refurbished transmission for a Skoolie built on an E-350 engine will cost around $2,000. This amount does not cover the cost of labour required to replace the transmission.
- A new refrigerator: A replacement Isotherm Cruise refrigerator sells for $ 650. Again, this price does not cover the cost of installation. The size of this refrigerator would be suitable for replacing the refrigerator in a small Skoolie.
- A new axle: A 3,500-pound capacity single axle trailer kit will cost $499.00. This assumes that you will be able to repair the axle yourself, which may not be possible for the average person.
- Scuffs and holes in the fibreglass: A box of 3M Body Sealant costs $ 21.99. It can be used to repair small holes and scuffs on the side of a fibreglass Skoolie. A person who is confident in his handyman skills will not have to spend extra money. In contrast, a body shop can charge over $ 70 an hour for these kinds of small jobs.
- New tires: Tires for a Skoolie can cost over $ 300 each. You will need to replace them in pairs, as a new tire paired with an older tire will cause performance issues.
Additional repairs and maintenance issues with Skoolie are:
- Repair of roofs, structures and extensions (slide-out)
- Repair and renovation following water infiltration or an accident
- Maintenance, cleaning and repair of propane appliances (stove, refrigerator, furnace, water heater)
- Mechanical work (brakes, suspension, engine, transmission, etc.), plumbing and electricity
- Maintenance and repair of air conditioning
- Awning canvas repair
- Preparation for winter storage (winterization) and spring inspection
- Anti-rust treatment
- Membrane processing
- Insurance claim.
What maintenance issues do Skoolies have?
Besides the numerous engine issues, some other parts that can often break down in a Skoolie are:
- Vehicle parts stop working properly.
- Leaks can occur.
- Home appliances stop working.
- Plumbing may leak or stop working.
- Flat tires.
In a way, a Skoolie is just a large vehicle. It has a driveline, an engine, and all the other parts you find in a vehicle. Parts eventually wear out and vehicles break down.
The same type of issues that you have had with your car or truck will eventually happen with your Skoolie.
For example, you will need to regularly replace your windshield wipers and brake pads. If you keep your Skoolie long enough, you will also have to deal with bigger issues like drivetrain issues and suspension degradation.
In addition, Skoolies are equipped with plumbing fixtures and components that can also fail. These components are often exposed to road conditions as well as extreme weather changes. As a result, the devices in a Skoolie will break down more often than those in a house or even a Skoolie.
How do you prevent Skoolie breakdowns?
It is always easier to try to prevent your Skoolie from failing than to fix a Skoolie that is already broken. There are several ways to do this. The first step in preventing your Skoolie from breaking down is purchasing the Skoolie that is right for your needs. What I mean by that is that your Skoolie has to be built to withstand the pressures you put on it.
For example, you wouldn’t want to buy a Skoolie that isn’t designed for off-roading when you plan to do a lot of off-roading with it. An off-road Skoolie will have a better suspension system and its devices will be built to withstand the pressures of rough road conditions, whereas a standard Skoolie will not.
Where can I get a Skoolie repaired?
- At an auto mechanic.
- Any motorhomes dealership.
- A trailer repair company.
- You can fix it yourself at home or at the campsite.
Many Skoolies can simply be repaired at a standard auto mechanic. A mechanic will be able to repair mechanical issues related to the Skoolie, but not interior issues related to the camper part of the vehicle.
A motorhome dealer may be able to troubleshoot both your Skoolie’s mechanical issues and the camper’s interior issues, such as faulty appliances and plumbing issues. The best solution to repairing a Skoolie is often the DIY approach.
Leaks can often be fixed with a little putty, and devices can easily be replaced with new ones. Do-it-yourself Skoolie repairs save a lot of time and money. In addition, sometimes a DIY repair is the only possible solution.
Learn how to work on your Skoolie and you’ll never have to worry about finding a repair company again.
Everything you need to know about Skoolie maintenance
Skoolie maintenance is not the most enjoyable activity to do, but it is essential! Whether you are about to store your Skoolie or take it out of winter, there are certain steps that must be followed.
- Skoolie exterior maintenance: When you do the exterior maintenance of your Skoolie in the fall, there are many things you will need to check, such as the Skoolie connectors. Clean them and spray them with a water repellent solution, such as WD-40; other mechanical parts must also be greased, such as the spare wheel support.
Likewise, as soon as spring arrives, you will have to redo an exterior visual inspection, paying particular attention to the seals on the roof of the Skoolie and around the windows; if they are damaged, you will need to replace them promptly. Then check the tire pressure as well as the working condition of the brake lights and turn signals.
- Skoolie interior maintenance: While an exterior inspection is important, the interior should not be neglected! So during your fall cleaning, vacuum and clean everything properly, then watch for signs of mould. One way to avoid ending up with a serious mould problem in the spring is to make sure all the doors – even the refrigerator door – are left open.
Take the opportunity to cover your furniture and household appliances and make sure all windows are closed! In the spring, do another inspection for any signs of mould – or the presence of unwanted ones like rodents.
- Of particular importance is Skoolie plumbing. Indeed, no one wants to see their water pipes burst when the mercury drops below zero; this is why you must absolutely drain all the water tanks to avoid any risk of bursting. Then add an antifreeze designed for Skoolies.
- Skoolie Electricity: If you can plug in your Skoolie during the winter, do so; this way, you will have sufficient charge when it comes time to prepare for the spring. You don’t have access to a connection point? No problem. But in this case, remove the battery or at the very least, disconnect it.
However, remember that you will need to recharge it regularly to prevent it from falling completely flat. When it is time to de-winterize your Skoolie, check that all your electrical appliances are working properly; better to know that a device is defective now than when on vacation!
- Mechanical Skoolie maintenance: In addition to Skoolie maintenance, from time to time – just like any vehicle – you will need to take your Skoolie to the garage. Whether it is periodic maintenance of your Skoolie or a more important repair, it should not be postponed until later, at the risk of the damage being accentuated!
If you are able to replace a bulb, a hinge, check the tires or do some general plumbing and electrical work yourself, other inteSkoolieentions can only be done by specialists in Skoolie repair and maintenance. renovation of Skoolie. Do not hesitate to entrust them with your Skoolie and above all, do not wait until the last minute and do not improvise yourself as a handyman to save a few dollars; it just might cost you more in the end!
For minor Skoolie repairs, you can always find the parts you need in our parts and accessories department, whether it’s interior or exterior equipment.
Conclusions
Typically, you can plan to spend hundreds of dollars a year on maintenance, repairs, and upkeep, but much more if you run into serious problems.
Sooner or later you will face costs like these and you cannot ignore them. In many cases, they appear in batches that must be dealt with immediately. For this reason, you must ensure that you have enough money on hand to maintain your trainer so that it maintains its value and functions properly.
Please let us know if you have any comments, questions or suggestions to improve this article.
FAQ on Are Skoolies expensive to maintain?
How much does it cost to replace a roof on a Skoolie?
On average, the cost to replace a roof is $300 per linear foot. This means that for replacing the entire roof of a 30 feet long bus you could pay $9000 (labour cost and materials included in the price).
What are the costs of installing RV hookups?
The costs of installing RV hookups will depend on whether you will do it by yourself, or hire a professional team.
- Cost to install an RV water hookup: 20 to 30 dollars by yourself, and around 600 dollars for a professional team.
- Cost to install an RV electric hookup: You can pay $1000-$1500 for an electrician, or DIY for almost nothing.
- Cost to Install an RV sewer hookup:— You will take around $3000 out of your pocket for an RV-specific septic tank, or you can use a current sewage disposal system for free.
What are the costs to replace an RV air conditioner?
The cost to replace an RV air conditioner is between $600 and $3500, plus the labour costs which can add even $600 depending on the types of air conditioner you are replacing and its location
Are RVs expensive to maintain?
Truth is, RVs can be quite expensive to maintain, especially older vehicles. But just like a car, a motorhome must be maintained, insured, overhauled. These expenses are costs that must be taken into account when purchasing a motorhome, such as an annual technical inspection or leakage check.
Other FAQs about Skoolie that you may be interested in.
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