rsbilledwards

Richard, I think a case by case is more relevant on this. I bought a 20 year old Safari Panther with 12K on the odo that sat almost entirely for 15 of those years. Consignment dealer put a couple hundred miles on it after picking it up and returning to sale point. I have had zero mechanical problems over the last 50K and no others from the house that I could attribute to sitting all those years. The exception perhaps was the refrigerator but a change of the thermistor fixed that. I consider myself pretty good at the repair and maintaintence scene. A DP sitting for an extended period is not the same as a gasser fuel wise and yes location in the country could have some bearing on this decision. I think I was lucky that this rig was in the Pacifica Northwest opposed to Florida. Lots of factors could figure into this equation.

Richard, I just put the same tire on mine. The checked tires were as I indicated on another coach and 3 years old. I reread my post sorry for the confusion...my coach had the Goodyear’s and I replaced with Firestone’s. Beaver had the 3 year old badly checked 3year old Firestone’s. Apologizes also to TIREMAN four the complete confusion I caused Richard, I did not imply “all” of their tires were bad but the 561 series is certainly suspect at this juncture.

This thread is amazing and displays a lot lack of knowledge by several I thought had a handle on these sorts of issues. Rolling down the road with plackard tire pressures if fully loaded is one thing. It is a totally different thing if lightly loaded. Yes almost from day one I have run with load based, manufacturer suggested for a given load tire pressures. My very first rallie I had my coach weighed. This makes sense if one likes a smooth unjaring ride which takes a little effort in older coaches. So too will follow the advice of the TIREMAN! By the way sir I finally have the pictures you requested but cannot now find your email request. Let me know and I will get them right off.

Funny, Herman, looks like you are back to your old self after a wild ride. B

Yes Herman would agree that is the best. Frank, On my coach the switch controls what it controls but no solenoid. It has only heavy red single 0 wire in and out. That is what I get for having an old 99 wired very simply, no real frills. Frankly suits me just fine. Gotta love that big old C 12 CAT...

Except that it is not a “solenoid” but a switch to turn of the house for extended periods and some of the potential phantom draws.

Sir Traveler, I apologize for a misstep in describing what you need to ck accurately the battery health. What you need is a REFRACTOMETER available on Amazon for 40 buck +-. It will measure the specific gravity of the acid and advise as to condition. The other suggestions get you close. It is far better than a hydrometer.

Yes replace it, racers use this type of switch all the time. Similar are readily available as battery disconnect switches of varying amperages.

Richard, button up so are mine same 561s. A few days after installing 2 months ago I was at a camp ground out side of Mobile 2 months ago. There was a Beaver Marquis there. It was beautiful. The same FS 561 tires were on it, date 2017....fractured all over all 8 tires, ugly...3 inches out from rim.... Perviously had Goodyear HSS on the coach tire pressure front 100, rear 105. Drove wonderfully. Firestone’s at same pressures, twitchy. Nope they are going to have a new home when I get back to Colorado in June. Let me know if you want them, I’m not going to wait and see.

Just do not use Firestones! Will sidewall fracture in 3 years....yup I have them on my coach

Give ma break you old timers quit the sparing it’s like pickin the s... out of the pepper. Hi all I ‘ m back for a bit

Now the real check to determine the over all condition. First buy a specific gravity hydrometer. Follow directions and check each cell and note it. Each cell needs to be checked of every battery. When done you will know the cundition of each battery. Prerequisite to the check is to be sure all have a full indicated charge and have been allowed to rest after charge for an accurate reading. A load test will give you an idea of where they sit but that is it. Full charge is going to fall at 12.7 or 8 volts at rest. 12.28 is 60% charged, 12 volts is 25% and 11.90 volts Is fully discharged

When you reply to my PM on the RVA system we can discuss this post as well, look forward to it... b

Agreed service interval. Valves are not complicated, at least what is on my Panther. Take them out and blow them clean. It may be the solenoid needs replacing or the point filed if serviceable at all.

Come on Herman Can't we just throw darts. Just kidding, yes we need more info. It would be great if you put it under your name in your signature section and each time you have a question we would not ask for it again. Welcome to the forum.

Hate to discourage you but the real mystery will be what it does to your wallet down the road. Fun for a while till you over do it and it will happen...it is intoxicating for sure...

Beings as RVA is technically dead bought by someone in Oregon maybe Brazzel's RV can you pass on the contact info. Thanks Lucky you being only the relay.

B, By the By I believe colawrv.com in Carthage Missouri has what you will be looking for. ASK for Josh,

B, Yes, if it is on a Magnum Chassis. Problem is whether Magnum or what Ever Monaco began using after the merger. On the magnum chassis and HVA JII the front slide only was hydraulic and the bedroom was electric. By your indications both slides are hydraulic?" On the front slide on my SMC Panther behind the front left wheel is the Wrench end of the drive gear shaft that guides tha rolls the slide in and out via the hyd ram located in the center. In order to roll the slide back in with a long handled rachet one must first loosen the hydraulic lines at the ram, probably the easiest. It can also be done over at the pump and manifold area and maybe best there. They must be tightened back up to operate the system once the pump is fixed. Once loosened when the shaft is rotated the hydraulic pressure in the lines will dribble out and offer no resistance to you closing the slide manually with a LONG HANDELED RACHET>. You need leverage and patience. Lastly the slide is not going to stay where you put it since there is no hydraulic pressure. You need some, a pair of larger ratchet straps to hold it in tight. Which hoses do you remove or loosen at the pump you probably ask. Where ever the pump and MANIFOLDs are...there are two manifolds one with the T handles you found to retract the jacks, the other is close by is also aluminum but only two valves no T handles. you will have to determine which are the long hoses to the slide. Not difficult the other hoses are short and easily determined. As for the rear slide if hydraulic maybe similar, Manifold may be 4 instead of 2. In either case look for the longer hoses going in either direction.

number correction 0720.

Buy a coach with a bigger power plant than a 6 liter engine and agree with the foregoing two. There is no substitute for cubic inches especially in a diesel!

I could not agree more! Call Dave Atherton in Quartzsite Arizona the Diesel club CAT guru for some free diagnostic help. Great guy 605 999 7200

Ray, IT happens and as the days go by more frequently it seems. b

Don't worry about snow loads here as they have become quite light over the last 15-20 years. Might have a couple heavier snows in Nov or December beyond that March and April are the snowiest for accumulation on this side of the mtns. Me I would pull the slides in for the few hours the snow is projected for and then reopen. The least insulated are the slide's roofs and end walls. This way no cooling coolant sitting on the roof or wear and tear to the toppers. No not me making the peanut suggestion but a good one. I do not have toppers on my rig so would not think that way. You might add your coach info as the supplied info will be more accurate.

Ray The title line says LONGMONT, COLORADO and I am in Evergreen and sorry cannot help. What coach do you have and what is the problem?