Toyota dealer wouldn't work on my truck w/ camper attached.

[wicked1]

Has anyone had trouble getting their truck worked on w/ the camper attached?
I need to have some work done for the first time since I bought it a couple years ago.
It's a Tacoma w/ Fleet, flatbed. Previous owner had all work done at dealers, including oil changes. They kept up w/ all the other fluid changes according to the maintenance schedule. Seems like a good way to go if I don't want to keep track of all that on my own. (I have been doing oil changes on my own.. but previous owner didn't). Anyway, I take it to the dealer.. I need a new CV axle. They said, I don't think we can get that on our lifts, and sent me away.

Rigs like this aren't common where I live.. And previous owner was on the west coast.. I have invoices from Alaska, Canada, Oregon, California, and Mexico.. Every 5000 miles, all toyota dealers.. So, maybe dealers here just don't know how to handle something like this.. not sure..

I've only tried one place so far, so.. Not a big sampling, but not a good start.

 

[craig333]

I had a problem with the Folsom Lake Dodge dealer on a specific issue (steering related) but Elk Grove Dodge has never said anything about the camper.

 

[Taku]

nope. but it doesn't surprise me. I am waiting to see what happens when I take our new 21 in for service though.

 

[byrdlover]

I've had my Tacoma serviced several times with my ATC Bobcat loaded and have never had a problem. In fact, the first time I had it serviced (major service) with the camper on, I called ahead to see if I needed to remove it and they said no (Hansel Toyota, Petaluma). I'm not sure if they would feel differently if I needed suspension or axle work.

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

I have taken my 2002 Tundra/Bobcat with camper on to my local dealer,Monterey,Ca.
No problem.
I have changed the CV joint on my own and there's no need to place the truck on a lift,IMO.

I have had fluids changed ,oil services,tires rotated,and front brake work.
No problem.

Sure hope I don't run into a service that needs to have the camper removed as I don't have jacks or brackets.

ATC has used the tri-pod camper jacks to remove and replace my camper from one truck to another.

Frank

 

[AWG_Pics]

Our 2019 Tundra with a 2019 Hawk does not seem to cause the Toyota dealer in Portland Oregon any problems. Not even with our Wilco swing hitch and a bike rack on back. Where do you live?

 

[wicked1]

I'm in MO.
Not a lot of campers like this, here.

This is a little OT, but what do you think about independent neighborhood mechanics? I'm sure anyone can change a front axle.. (I could do it if I had time). But, otoh, I'd want to be sure they reassemble everything to spec, and not just impact tighten it to whatever.. I'm not sure how independent mechanics get their info....
(I'm an IT consultant for a few car dealers, but they're all chevy.. And they get a printout of exactly what to do, what each torque spec is, step by step instructions, for just about every job. But that system is for dealers only. .Its access is locked to the dealers IP. Independents can't even buy into the system.)

 

[AWG_Pics]

I would try another dealer, the bigger the better, before going independent. Dealers sometimes screw up, but have the expertise to fix their screw ups.

Just drive it in to service like you done it a hundred times before. No talk other than tell them what you want. Then say you would appreciate a ride home and they can call when done.

 

[BBZ]

I haven't had any issues with my Ford and the camper on... however, I can see why maybe a mechanic wouldn't want the extra liability risk in case something happened..

 

[Vic Harder]

Some lifts are not able to lift heavy. BUT, the dealership should have the latest/best. Odd.

 

[PaulT]

The largest Toyota dealer in Portland Metro area cannot lift my Tundra with Hawk on their usual lift. They can lift it on their four wheel alignment lift so if I am having something done that requires lifting all four wheels, I need to schedule in advance when that lift is available.

As much as I have enjoyed my Tundra, there is a domestic 3/4 or 1 ton truck in my future at some point.

Paul

 

[JWL]

I asked my dealer and he kind of laughed and said that they work on trucks way bigger than my Tundra and Hawk. I would say if they can’t lift it they have a problem. Unless you are way out of balance or something. :/

 

[fish more]

We serviced Toyotas both Tundras and Tacomas with campers on them all the time at our dealership. It's all about good service, that's where you should go, find good service elsewhere !! If warranty work is needed, they can not refuse service if warranty is still valid on vehicle.

 

[Happyjax]

My dealer has a lift that handles them both but some places don't. Could also be insurance worries.... I have a Ford F250 so it's a big truck to start with.... Who knows but I hope you can find someone who can help you out!

 

[Seattle Mitch]

The last time my rig was in the shop (new struts/shocks on the front end) the four wheel parts shop had to reschedule the work. I had to remove my FWC fleet because truck was not properly balanced on the lift. They said it was unsafe. I do have a standard cab gen2 Tacoma model and the wheelbase is a little shorter.

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Can't that type of work be done with floor jacks?
Frank

 

[Seattle Mitch]

Probably. Will Four Wheel Parts do it that way? Apparently not.

 

[wicked1]

I mentioned I have some Chevrolet dealer clients.. I've had my truck on their lifts.. They first put it on their standard lift, and didn't feel comfortable with it.. We moved it to the alignment lift. Another place has a medium duty truck shop, and I've had it on those lifts, too. But that was just me asking a mechanic I know some questions..
I'm tempted to ask them to do this job.. I could print out all the torque specs for them. I know some of the mechanics pretty well, so could talk to them about things that might be toyota specific.

I guess I should try a different toyota dealer first, tho.. This one I went to is in the city. I'll drive out to one in the county where they likely work on more trucks.

 

[wicked1]

Just drive it in to service like you done it a hundred times before. No talk other than tell them what you want.

You know, I did ask them, "you think you can get this on your lifts", planting the seeds of doubt.. which quickly grew into, nope...

 

[ntsqd]

Working on the ground is slow and auto mechanics are paid by the job, not the time. They're paid the same whether your oil change takes them 3 hours or just 30 minutes.

I can see the balance of the truck on the lift being a real issue in some cases. Maybe that is insurmountable and maybe they just need to work out how to do it so that it isn't a problem.

Some lifts have cables running across the top. Tall vehicles of any type are a problem for those unless they're built with tall vehicle in mind (not every shop has enough clear height for this and the lift mfg's know this).