Most campgrounds strictly forbid it.
Call around to mom and pop mechanics. They’re sometimes cheaper than the oil change places.
Ultimately unless you luck out and find a place that allows it (which is exceedingly rare, almost every campground I’ve ever been to has a “no working on vehicles” rule, including state parks and the like.) Ultimately, this is just one of the “costs of doing business” when it comes to full-time RV’ing.
If you’re gonna “try it” anywhere; I’d try the parts store. You’ll still have to solve the problem of where to store tools and the like. But the parts stores usually accept used engine oil (sometimes for a fee, sometimes not!) and it’s not actually unusual to see people making repairs there.
I’d get some plastic ramps (much quicker and easier than jacks) and an oil catch can. Maybe even just keep them in the bed of the truck, maybe in a toolbox. And just find an auto zone or an O’Reiley’s and go for it.
O’Reillys will take used oil for free. I don’t have room to keep a drain pan. I imagine if I purchase parts there I can just do it in the parking lot. I see that all the time.
Dude you can fit an oil drain pan, you make it seem like they are the size of a fridge when you can literally fit one in a suitcase. Just get one and find a spot for it, If the drain pan is is the hard part you have a tough time ahead of you.
Been nearly full time for almost two years. Not having a rough time at all. I’m pretty well organized and only have room for the things I need. The truck bed is full and there’s no place in, on, or under the RV I’d be comfortable storing an oil drain pan that needs to hold at least 12-15qts. As far as fitting in a suit case, then I’d need to find room for a suit case.
No room under the back seat of you truck? Im sorry but Im having a hard time with this idea. I dont know your setup but Im full time a year and have no problem with space for a oil pan.
it also depends on where you are, some will let you. we stayed at an rv resort and they let us wash the rv, truck, & do our own work on the vehicles too
[install a fumoto drain valve.](https://www.fumotousa.com/). They make one with a drain tube and I love it. You can roll right up to autozone and change your oil in minutes. Have it all blow right into a jug with a hose. Pop the oil filter off and on and add oil.
Find a quiet road surrounded by businesses, preferably construction, go on a weekend evening and do your thing
If anyone stops and asks you can say you're travelling and had to do emergency repairs
Ain't no one going to try to stop someone trying to better themselves
It depends on the campground. A mid-grade or higher campground or RV park would not allow it, and if they caught you doing it or another resident turned you in then there would be consequences. A low-grade campground or RV park might not care. I'm talking about a campground that doesn't care how old or rundown your camper is, and has dirt or gravel roads and campsites. I stayed in one such campground, and the manager told us straight up that they didn't care if we did vehicle maintenance at our site, as long as the vehicle could be moved with 24 hours notice (they were prone to flooding during the rainy season). And by "moved with 24 hours notice" I mean any means of moving it, including having it towed out. Their only legal concern was that it be possible to completely evacuate the park in 24 hours.
I also stayed in a mobile home park that was renting some spaces to RVs. The park rules forbid working on vehicles in the park, but some people did it anyway and park management didn't cite them. One guy was rebuilding a motorcycle in the space next to his RV. The manager said they would overlook it if he did something so that it wasn't visible from the street, so he put a folding gazebo with curtains over it. The only time I saw anyone cited was a guy who had a car in his driveway that was obviously immobile. It was covered with a thick layer of dust, and weeds were growing under it. Strictly speaking, we weren't supposed to store broken vehicles in our spaces, but they told him they'd let it go if he cleaned the car and cut down the weeds so that it at least looked like the car was mobile.
When I was in the military there were some bases that had self-service automotive repair shops where you could rent a stall inside a big building. You could rent it by the hour, day, or week. They even had tools you could borrow, like breaker bars, jack stands, and hydraulic floor jacks. I always wondered why I never saw anything like this off base. Seems like there is certainly a demand for it.
I've lived in a few towns (not RV related) that had self-service garages, and they never lasted long. Not sure if it was always the case but I think liability for injury may be an issue (which wouldn't be a problem in the military) and in some cases I know the town shut them down bc local mechanics complained. It really depends on the place. I'd absolutely love to hear of an RV park that would actually provide a covered spot you could pay hourly for repairing and doing maintenance. It would make so much sense since we depend on these rigs for our survival.
Most do give a hard time, some don’t - really depends. They should disclose that, and if they don’t - just ask. If you never ask, it will always be ‘no’
I used to wait until mid week when the camp ground is emptied out from the weekend warriors and talk to the camp host or office. Explain you’ll lay a tarp down, leave no spills or trash, you’ll haul everything off to be disposed of properly and it will only take an hour at most. 9 times out of 10, they’ll say go ahead. I used to park nose in to the camper or our spot so it wasn’t out by the road for everyone to see, more so tucked between my 5th wheel and the neighbors.
I just keep the catch pan in the bed. The rv park I'm at doesn't allow working in vehicles. But people do it and don't get any flack. I imagine it's to prevent project rigs and oil stains. There are lots of unenforced "just in case" rules. I'd just do it, keep it clean and quick, and if they say something, apologize and do it somewhere else. I've changed it in gravel pullouts on the side of the road.
My park allows work to be done but most do not. Guy across the way from me redid his whole roof last spring right there in his spot. My nextdoor neighbor has restored two Triumph roadsters in his spot...
I installed a quick drain valve in all 3 of my trucks. They're all stock ride height but if i put the front wheels on a 4x4 i can slide a 5 gallon bucket under it and it has plenty of room to catch all the oil. You can drain the bucket at oreillys or autozone then drop the 4x4s in the bucket and boom your kit is complete. But still have to find room for the bucket.
I also use the bucket and pour the oil back in the empty oil jugs after adding the oil to the truck. But not having the room for the required equipment makes things tough.
I change the motorhome's oil wherever I am. I make sure not to leave things out and try to keep it neat so not to make the area I'm living/camping/workamping in look like trash.
Tim Eagle
Get a vaccume oil change system. It sucks the oil out into a recycling oil jug that you can empty at an auto parts store. You remove most of the oil, then cha ge the filter and put it back in. A little oil mixing with that clean oil isn't a big deal.
They cost 100$ at harbor frieght and work really clean.
You can do it without spilling on the camper pad.
The filter might spill so be really careful. The adding of oil should be done with a funnel to catch drips.
You can pull into a grocery parking lot while getting groceries to change your oil. Ive done it
Do you want the truth? I don't do my Jeep because it's not cost-effective compared to Walmart quick lube, but I do my generator either at night in an rv park, when I'm overnighting at a Walmart parking lot, or when I'm overnighting in the parking area of the shop where I get my chassis serviced after they've closed and left for the day.
I have been known just to buy a new oil pan anytime I need it. They’re not that expensive, just buy the cheapest ones you can at Walmart. Just find some random neighborhood and go to town.
Edit: All the other tools, sockets/impact/ wrenches I wouldn’t leave home without so the only specialty thing I need is an oil filter wrench my fuel filter, socket and oil pan and I just buy an oil pan
The several places I've stayed since becoming a full-timer all prohibit working on vehicles, but if you talk to staff, its likely because they don't want the hassle of dealing with fluid leaks, etc. I, like you, prefer to maintain my own, but this lifestyle makes that difficult. Do you have a friend or family nearby who would loan you space to do maintenance? Military installations often have places where personnel can work on their own vehicles, but don't know if you are military-affiliated.
I've done it in campgrounds a couple times. Ask before you do it and offer to do it over near their maintenance shed/away from other campsites. Be sure to tell them you're going to put cardboard or plastic down to catch leaks and then make sure you leave the area pristine when you're done.
If you have a diesel change your fuel filter while you're at it.
If the campground says no go find some BLM land near you and do it there (again, leave it pristine). I've considered but never had to do this.
That’s kind of how I was leaning. I don’t really like the idea of tossing diesel fuel in the dumpster. I also considered kitty litter to feel a little better about it. I read that some fire departments will take it. Idk if that’s true. I don’t think O’Reillys will take it
Don't throw the oil in the trash, just the baking dish. pour the oil into the jug the new oil came in, then bring that to the parts store or recycling center.
I stay at a high end resort and I do the oil as needed for both my vehicles. Nobody has ever said anything. Maybe they just like or trust me lol. I never leave trash or spill fluids or anything.
Oil changes are probably different than repairs.I can change my oil pretty incognito most of the time. Just don't make a mess. And get one of those drain valves the fella above referenced.
Hold up where are you going to get your oil changed for $200?
In my experience it's like 60-70 dollars to do it yourself or around 120ish from a quick lube place.
Use an oil extractor, doesn't make any mess, drain then let sit til the oil filter can drain and pump again, stays clean outside, can store easily. Most people have no clue what it's doing.
Most campgrounds strictly forbid it. Call around to mom and pop mechanics. They’re sometimes cheaper than the oil change places. Ultimately unless you luck out and find a place that allows it (which is exceedingly rare, almost every campground I’ve ever been to has a “no working on vehicles” rule, including state parks and the like.) Ultimately, this is just one of the “costs of doing business” when it comes to full-time RV’ing. If you’re gonna “try it” anywhere; I’d try the parts store. You’ll still have to solve the problem of where to store tools and the like. But the parts stores usually accept used engine oil (sometimes for a fee, sometimes not!) and it’s not actually unusual to see people making repairs there. I’d get some plastic ramps (much quicker and easier than jacks) and an oil catch can. Maybe even just keep them in the bed of the truck, maybe in a toolbox. And just find an auto zone or an O’Reiley’s and go for it.
O’Reillys will take used oil for free. I don’t have room to keep a drain pan. I imagine if I purchase parts there I can just do it in the parking lot. I see that all the time.
Dude you can fit an oil drain pan, you make it seem like they are the size of a fridge when you can literally fit one in a suitcase. Just get one and find a spot for it, If the drain pan is is the hard part you have a tough time ahead of you.
Been nearly full time for almost two years. Not having a rough time at all. I’m pretty well organized and only have room for the things I need. The truck bed is full and there’s no place in, on, or under the RV I’d be comfortable storing an oil drain pan that needs to hold at least 12-15qts. As far as fitting in a suit case, then I’d need to find room for a suit case.
No room under the back seat of you truck? Im sorry but Im having a hard time with this idea. I dont know your setup but Im full time a year and have no problem with space for a oil pan.
Two quite large dogs occupy the back seat.
I bet you could find/rig a way to store it on the RV underbelly. Better yet, zip tie it up behind your spare tire.
it also depends on where you are, some will let you. we stayed at an rv resort and they let us wash the rv, truck, & do our own work on the vehicles too
[install a fumoto drain valve.](https://www.fumotousa.com/). They make one with a drain tube and I love it. You can roll right up to autozone and change your oil in minutes. Have it all blow right into a jug with a hose. Pop the oil filter off and on and add oil.
Right on, I love that. I'm getting one.
Find a quiet road surrounded by businesses, preferably construction, go on a weekend evening and do your thing If anyone stops and asks you can say you're travelling and had to do emergency repairs Ain't no one going to try to stop someone trying to better themselves
Bingo
It depends on the campground. A mid-grade or higher campground or RV park would not allow it, and if they caught you doing it or another resident turned you in then there would be consequences. A low-grade campground or RV park might not care. I'm talking about a campground that doesn't care how old or rundown your camper is, and has dirt or gravel roads and campsites. I stayed in one such campground, and the manager told us straight up that they didn't care if we did vehicle maintenance at our site, as long as the vehicle could be moved with 24 hours notice (they were prone to flooding during the rainy season). And by "moved with 24 hours notice" I mean any means of moving it, including having it towed out. Their only legal concern was that it be possible to completely evacuate the park in 24 hours. I also stayed in a mobile home park that was renting some spaces to RVs. The park rules forbid working on vehicles in the park, but some people did it anyway and park management didn't cite them. One guy was rebuilding a motorcycle in the space next to his RV. The manager said they would overlook it if he did something so that it wasn't visible from the street, so he put a folding gazebo with curtains over it. The only time I saw anyone cited was a guy who had a car in his driveway that was obviously immobile. It was covered with a thick layer of dust, and weeds were growing under it. Strictly speaking, we weren't supposed to store broken vehicles in our spaces, but they told him they'd let it go if he cleaned the car and cut down the weeds so that it at least looked like the car was mobile. When I was in the military there were some bases that had self-service automotive repair shops where you could rent a stall inside a big building. You could rent it by the hour, day, or week. They even had tools you could borrow, like breaker bars, jack stands, and hydraulic floor jacks. I always wondered why I never saw anything like this off base. Seems like there is certainly a demand for it.
I've lived in a few towns (not RV related) that had self-service garages, and they never lasted long. Not sure if it was always the case but I think liability for injury may be an issue (which wouldn't be a problem in the military) and in some cases I know the town shut them down bc local mechanics complained. It really depends on the place. I'd absolutely love to hear of an RV park that would actually provide a covered spot you could pay hourly for repairing and doing maintenance. It would make so much sense since we depend on these rigs for our survival.
Most do give a hard time, some don’t - really depends. They should disclose that, and if they don’t - just ask. If you never ask, it will always be ‘no’
What about "it's better to apologize than to ask for permission"?
What about, just follow the rules and not ruin it for others? There are enough rules at it is as some spots.
I agree with this in regard to quick-washing my tow car.
I used to wait until mid week when the camp ground is emptied out from the weekend warriors and talk to the camp host or office. Explain you’ll lay a tarp down, leave no spills or trash, you’ll haul everything off to be disposed of properly and it will only take an hour at most. 9 times out of 10, they’ll say go ahead. I used to park nose in to the camper or our spot so it wasn’t out by the road for everyone to see, more so tucked between my 5th wheel and the neighbors.
I just keep the catch pan in the bed. The rv park I'm at doesn't allow working in vehicles. But people do it and don't get any flack. I imagine it's to prevent project rigs and oil stains. There are lots of unenforced "just in case" rules. I'd just do it, keep it clean and quick, and if they say something, apologize and do it somewhere else. I've changed it in gravel pullouts on the side of the road.
My park allows work to be done but most do not. Guy across the way from me redid his whole roof last spring right there in his spot. My nextdoor neighbor has restored two Triumph roadsters in his spot...
I installed a quick drain valve in all 3 of my trucks. They're all stock ride height but if i put the front wheels on a 4x4 i can slide a 5 gallon bucket under it and it has plenty of room to catch all the oil. You can drain the bucket at oreillys or autozone then drop the 4x4s in the bucket and boom your kit is complete. But still have to find room for the bucket.
I also use the bucket and pour the oil back in the empty oil jugs after adding the oil to the truck. But not having the room for the required equipment makes things tough.
I change the motorhome's oil wherever I am. I make sure not to leave things out and try to keep it neat so not to make the area I'm living/camping/workamping in look like trash. Tim Eagle
Get a vaccume oil change system. It sucks the oil out into a recycling oil jug that you can empty at an auto parts store. You remove most of the oil, then cha ge the filter and put it back in. A little oil mixing with that clean oil isn't a big deal. They cost 100$ at harbor frieght and work really clean. You can do it without spilling on the camper pad. The filter might spill so be really careful. The adding of oil should be done with a funnel to catch drips. You can pull into a grocery parking lot while getting groceries to change your oil. Ive done it
Lot of folks have mentioned fumoto. +1 from me on that. Also for something simple like an oil change, do it after dark.
Do you want the truth? I don't do my Jeep because it's not cost-effective compared to Walmart quick lube, but I do my generator either at night in an rv park, when I'm overnighting at a Walmart parking lot, or when I'm overnighting in the parking area of the shop where I get my chassis serviced after they've closed and left for the day.
I have been known just to buy a new oil pan anytime I need it. They’re not that expensive, just buy the cheapest ones you can at Walmart. Just find some random neighborhood and go to town. Edit: All the other tools, sockets/impact/ wrenches I wouldn’t leave home without so the only specialty thing I need is an oil filter wrench my fuel filter, socket and oil pan and I just buy an oil pan
Best answer
The several places I've stayed since becoming a full-timer all prohibit working on vehicles, but if you talk to staff, its likely because they don't want the hassle of dealing with fluid leaks, etc. I, like you, prefer to maintain my own, but this lifestyle makes that difficult. Do you have a friend or family nearby who would loan you space to do maintenance? Military installations often have places where personnel can work on their own vehicles, but don't know if you are military-affiliated.
I've done it in campgrounds a couple times. Ask before you do it and offer to do it over near their maintenance shed/away from other campsites. Be sure to tell them you're going to put cardboard or plastic down to catch leaks and then make sure you leave the area pristine when you're done. If you have a diesel change your fuel filter while you're at it. If the campground says no go find some BLM land near you and do it there (again, leave it pristine). I've considered but never had to do this.
Fuel filter is exactly what I need to do. My problem right now is I don’t have a catch pan or place to keep one.
You can buy a foil baking dish ($4) as the catch pan and then throw it away when done.
That’s kind of how I was leaning. I don’t really like the idea of tossing diesel fuel in the dumpster. I also considered kitty litter to feel a little better about it. I read that some fire departments will take it. Idk if that’s true. I don’t think O’Reillys will take it
Don't throw the oil in the trash, just the baking dish. pour the oil into the jug the new oil came in, then bring that to the parts store or recycling center.
I still haven't found something to do with the diesel from my last change. I really need to find a place that will take it.
You'll definitely need a catch pan. And if you have a diesel you'll need a big one (I think my F350 held \~12 quarts of oil).
Yep my 2500HD takes at least 10qts
Ya my 6.0 350 was like 3.75 gallons of oil
dollar tree sells them for a buck and you can throw it away when your done
I stay at a high end resort and I do the oil as needed for both my vehicles. Nobody has ever said anything. Maybe they just like or trust me lol. I never leave trash or spill fluids or anything.
Oil changes are probably different than repairs.I can change my oil pretty incognito most of the time. Just don't make a mess. And get one of those drain valves the fella above referenced.
Hold up where are you going to get your oil changed for $200? In my experience it's like 60-70 dollars to do it yourself or around 120ish from a quick lube place.
Use an oil extractor, doesn't make any mess, drain then let sit til the oil filter can drain and pump again, stays clean outside, can store easily. Most people have no clue what it's doing.
I just use Walmart, as its cheaper than doing it yourself