Dealer Hourly rate

[Edd505]

I was at a local, large chain, RV shop and saw the current shop rates $129 and hour?

Is this normal? Makes me glad I'm able to fix most things if I can find parts.

[Murff]

Yup! Pretty much the norm here!

Murff

[Old skipper]

It is a hard pill to swallow, just took my new Seneca in to Freightliner to get an oil change. They charge more for the oil change on the M2 Cummings than on a commercial truck M2. The service writer tells me the techs don't like RV's.

[norty1]

Last time mine was in 1 1/2 yrs ago , the posted rate was $90. I'm sure it is more now.

[DHH57]

That is not a bad rate really. That rate has to cover the tech(s) wage and benefits they may get. There may be from one to 3 techs working on an RV depending on the issue or issues. It must also cover any dead time which there will always be. The employer has to match the FICA and pay workers comp for every employee and still make enough to pay overhead. Most would look at this a little different if they were running a shop.

[mikew968]

I am guessing a rv service tech makes some where between a low of $16/hr to a high of $30hr. Even with labor burden that is a pretty strong markup. In addition if 2 techs work on your rv its 2 x the hourly rate!!

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by Old skipper

The service writer tells me the techs don't like RV's.

That 's because 99% are diesel pushers and on many you have to access parts of the engine from a panel inside.

[gloryb]

Originally Posted by DHH57

That is not a bad rate really. That rate has to cover the tech(s) wage and benefits they may get. There may be from one to 3 techs working on an RV depending on the issue or issues. It must also cover any dead time which there will always be. The employer has to match the FICA and pay workers comp for every employee and still make enough to pay overhead. Most would look at this a little different if they were running a shop.

x2. There also has to be a profit in there somewhere for the owner or there would be no incentive to stay in the business.

[Edd505]

Originally Posted by gloryb

x2. There also has to be a profit in there somewhere for the owner or there would be no incentive to stay in the business.

So I pay the tech $30 and hour mark parts up 50% do an 1 hour repair with a $100 part, I'm plus $150 for an hours work. If I get the cheap tech @ $16, rookie it's an easy repair, the shops ahead $165 for the same hour.
That is obscene.

[Old skipper]

Grumpy, don't want to quibble but that is exactly what I am going to do. When working on a more complex rig the work times will increase so the cost will be higher but the work effort and time to do certain jobs such as an oil change on the M2 is not impacted but the fact it has a motor home mod. My guess the tech does not get a $10 boost in his hourly pay because he is working on a MH. It was worth going to Freight Liner because they made me aware of the brake recall that my dealer never had performed before delivery nor made me aware of, just assured me all systems were serviced and checked. Don't get me wrong there are times and things I will pay the $140 labor rate just not everything.

[norty1]

On another note, How much profit does Starbucks make on a 10 cents cup of coffee?.

[Edd505]

Originally Posted by norty1

On another note, How much profit does Starbucks make on a 10 cents cup of coffee?.

There is a reason I drink Folgers -- cheap.

[TWP723]

$109 is our shop rate. A mirror cost $200. They charge 1.8 hrs. to install a mirror. Roughly $196. Almost as much as the part itself and it's 3 nuts and a plug-in connector. If you're handy...20 mins. and save yourself $196. Crazy.

[Crabman]

Sound like alotta money to this old Crabby guy....

[Sundancer330]

My local dealer moved into a new location, it sits on 33 acres and has 40 service bays. I don't think they would have invested in that large of a building if service wasn't making them big profits.

[Edd505]

Originally Posted by TWP723

$109 is our shop rate. A mirror cost $200. They charge 1.8 hrs. to install a mirror. Roughly $196. Almost as much as the part itself and it's 3 nuts and a plug-in connector. If you're handy...20 mins. and save yourself $196. Crazy.

Bet they would have charged an hour to put the Wingman on my antenna. Makes me so glad I can fix things.

[Buckeye Hunter]

Look like normal rates to me. Working in dispatch for a trucking company, rarely do I see rates under $100 per hour. Don't even think about road service rates. I paid a bill today that was $340 to replace a terminal on a starter. Service was done less the 2 hours after I called them, and the gave me a hour eta before they would even send someone.

[DHH57]

There is a lot of overhead that has to be covered. They are not in business to break even or make a 10% margin. If you aren't making 40 to 50% margin you may as well not be in business. As others have said I do most of my own work but the rate is fair.

[TWP723]

Originally Posted by Edd505

Bet they would have charged an hour to put the Wingman on my antenna. Makes me so glad I can fix things.

I hear ya. I can do it all but carpet and roofs. Mainly, because I don't want to. I built homes with a local builder for a while when I was younger and the owners taught me everything. From carpentry (my hobby now) to electric to plumbing. I do all the work around my house. Just built a 42 x 18 deck on the back of the house, built-ins around my fireplace then stoned the fireplace, tiled the foyer and powder room, etc etc. The DW loves to help as well. So I'm thinking, I'll do most repairs on my trailer unless it's warranty. I'd be hard-pressed to take it to a dealer if I know I can do it on my own.

[Seann45]

Automotive dealerships here $140.00/hr
RV dealerships $110.00/hr
If I can do it myself I will and pocket the money for camping fuel..