Rear or side radiator

[DavidL]

As another owner of a rear radiator, I agree with @Neal, I don’t think it makes much of a difference. I just had chassis service performed at NIRVC, and it was a flat rate for the 24-month service, not an hourly rate.

From my perspective, if you have a rear radiator and it’s being removed to gain that much access to the engine and it’s not being done for PM which in my experience is billed as a flat rate, something has probably gone terribly wrong and the added cost for removing and reinstalling the radiator is going to be a rounding error on the total bill.

If you plan to do your own PM though, yeah a side radiator is going to make life easier.

JMHO. YMMV.

Being that I avoid going to any repair shops for pretty much anything (even though the great majority of my career was spent supporting dealership service...) The "flat rate" for the service...isn't that based upon what Service and to which RV? ie: could the Side radiator person get a different rate for a drive belt replacement than a rear radiator RV? I do know for a fact that I would not want to service a rear radiator RV...PITA. Now, generally RV service is a heck of a lot easier than Auto service. MUCH more room to get to whatever. Just bigger parts and tighter bolts.

But if $'s isn't an issue and someone else is dealing with it, then the additional storage is nice. Most all that are buying large DPs aren't doing the wrenching themselves anyway. Just us glutens for punishment

 

[MapNerd]

The "flat rate" for the service...isn't that based upon what Service and to which RV?

Entirely plausible. I did not ask for quotes for a side-radiator equipped coach that I don’t have.

 

[DavidL]

rear radiator discussion:

I want to see my engine - iRV2 Forums

2019 37 Ventana LE with a rear radiator and a full sheet metal cover "shroud" blocking most everything when you open the exterior hinged access. And the sheet metal shroud is held in place

www.irv2.com

 

[Neal]

rear radiator discussion:

I want to see my engine - iRV2 Forums

2019 37 Ventana LE with a rear radiator and a full sheet metal cover "shroud" blocking most everything when you open the exterior hinged access. And the sheet metal shroud is held in place

www.irv2.com

Discuss here

 

[Neal]

Try posting a link from that thread to this thread.

 

[redbaron]

Try posting a link from that thread to this thread.

 

[Ken C]

I am looking at a listing which shows a 2006 Newmar Kountry Star with the 350 ISL engine. The pictures show a rear radiator, but Newmar’s brochure shows it to have side radiators. What’s up? RV is 700 miles away and don’t want to was a trip. Cannot connect with the owner yet.

Try replacing the alternator, belts, A/C compressor or a water pumpa or other access on a rear radiator coach. Not a fun job. No question you will pay considerably more. Granted typical service, i.e oil change etc, doesn't make a difference.

 

[FLSteve]

Try posting a link from that thread to this thread.

@Neal @redbaron ... Or better yet, try posting a link on that thread to this thread . Is that saying the same thing????

 

[Neal]

@Neal @redbaron ... Or better yet, try posting a link on that thread to this thread . Is that saying the same thing????

Yes

 

[DavidL]

This is getting me confused...there was a discussion here on this forum. There was a multi post thread on a different site with related information. I posted that link here so as not to reproduce that entire discussion on this website. It wasn't to bring the forum users here to "learn about" the other site. I understand that each site wants users to keep their user's eyes on their respective site. So, Neal, what is your post requesting? Personally I view and try to contribute to both sites (and others). The one with the friendliest position and good content gets most of my eye share.

 

[Neal]

My bad @DavidL as I thought the discussion there was a duplicate here but trying to continue what you started here over there? I apologize if they are completely different discussions. I didn't dig into it that deep, not sure what you wanted with your link to that one I suppose.

 

[DavidL]

The other thread was just another user's insights into Rear Radiator Access which was the basis of this thread's points.

In "conclusion"...a rear radiator has much more difficult access to service the motor. So, more $'s and more headaches no matter who is servicing it. If the owner doesn't do their own service and doesn't care about the higher repair bill (once not covered by a Warranty or Service Contract), then the additional storage compartments is a good thing.

What isn't so obvious is that the RV will be more expensive due to the additional labor required as that labor is factored into what it costs to support the warranty which is then part of the BOM of the vehicle that typically affects the dealer price / MSRP. As an offset to possible less expensive components for a rear radiator design...

 

[Neal]

Got it! I went back to your post to see if I missed any context. I was obviously confused as described above. A little more detail could help those like me that don't READ to understand it was a different discussion. I see a lot here doubling their posts there for more feedback etc. I hope people will continue to trust in RVForums.com for their content and share their content to help build this site and continue to bring more members to join in.

 

[Neal]

As to your thread, I think it's a no brainer that easier engine access has its benefits but I wouldn't choose one coach over another for just this. Some do as they are skilled to do their maintenance. I have no problem paying the experts to handle my coach. It has not been bank breaking (yet), all services I've done at Gaffney (FL) have been reasonable and acceptable thankfully. I'm of the mindset if you're going to pay for something like this then you need to understand the bills that go with it are part of the game. Including fuel.

 

[DavidL]

As to your thread, I think it's a no brainer that easier engine access has its benefits but I wouldn't choose one coach over another for just this. Some do as they are skilled to do their maintenance. I have no problem paying the experts to handle my coach. It has not been bank breaking (yet), all services I've done at Gaffney (FL) have been reasonable and acceptable thankfully. I'm of the mindset if you're going to pay for something like this then you need to understand the bills that go with it are part of the game. Including fuel.

Y, I didn't pick my rig due to side radiator...but very glad that it has it since I have done so much work to it and do all my own maintenance / repairs.
Overall RVs are very easy to work on compared to a modern auto. Much easier access to everything. Just heavier and tighter.