jleamont

Self insured here also.....low interest rate Credit card with a high credit limit and zero balance . I have one just for coach work/breakdowns. I look those tires over often and wrote the date codes by wheel position, first sign of a problem or they start to get to 7 yrs they go. so far My drives are at 3 steers just over 1. Most of us seem to sweat tire failures, and I understand why, heck I do also. But how many have experienced a problem on the road and was that tire looked over for any signs of weakness or did some road object cause the failure. Just curious how many that run a TPMS system, have had their tires inspected by a trained eye or amateur eye (if doing it yourself or by a mechanic) actually had a failure not caused by abuse, foreign object or degradation (AKA dry rot) (puncture etc.)?

Another option for brake system, we have towed with a floor mounted box until this year, very happy with the system below. More happy that it was so inexpensive and simple. http://m-gengineering.com/

Mike, I feel your pain, under the main slide (drivers side) we have three bay doors, first is propane and sewer hose storage, the other two are pass through and I often I am in them while setting up, the last thing we do is open the slides then level. We have safety switches so when they are open the slide will not operate, the 3 doors only open to 90 degrees. I hate crawling under them on my hands and knees to access stuff. I have also thought about changing the configuration so they open like the other bay doors.

Bennie, what part number did you order? I was browsing their website and I didn't see one listed for a Roadmaster chassis. I have a Safe T plus, it works but I don't feel its worth the cost, it didn't wow me.

Those brass plugs to the right of the finger have O-rings under them, one loose or is there any evidence of the O-ring sticking out of one spot around the plug? anything feel loose, can you wiggle any fittings, maybe remove a line and see if one is loose. Usually when one is loose the O-ring under it deteriorated and the fitting will be loose. It should be a relatively simple fix, if you see its an O-ring that failed they should be easy to come by. Any construction equipment repair place or hydraulic hose store should be able to match it up.

Trish, the hydraulics for the generator slide...are they up front next to the cylinder for the generator slide? or are you leaking hydraulic fluid in the rear of the coach i.e. fan drive (if side mounted) or power steering supply also located in the rear with the Chassis Diesel engine. Reason; if its just the generator slide hydraulic system, don't fill it up since the cylinder is out the tank will be low, not empty but low as the cylinder retracts the reservoir will rise from fluid displacement. Just get enough in to retract it, wipe off the excess and hit the road. Just make sure all fluids in the generator are full before retracting it and get it fixed later. if you are feeling savvy look for the leak, if its a hose remove it go to a hydraulic hose shop have them make you one and reinstall it. If its anything like mine everything is right out in the open, my pump and cylinder are all next to the generator. One adjustable wrench and some elbow grease and you should be good, the shop will most likely have the fluid also...one stop shop.

Yup. Hats off to them, nice people!

We were camping in Niagara Falls NY, there was a coach across from us also an FMCA member and a travel trailer next to us. I spoke to the folks in the trailer nice people we chatted a little but never really exchanged names. The folks next to us became friends with the other people across from us and we're taking photos before they departed, apparently they caught the FMCA egg on the front of our coach in one photo. When I left I forgot my water regulator on the spigot, the folks in the trailer noticed it and went to the office to try and get our phone number, of course the office refused. So he took it with him to try and figure out how to contact us. After returning home they realized they had our FMCA number in a photo, so they called their new friends (that were parked across from us), they looked us up on FMCA and they guy calls me. He is shipping it to me and I will send him a check for the shipping once I receive it. Just a small story of how there are still good people in the world and how the goose egg saved my day as I was going to be out $80 for the regulator, stubby hose and quick connect.

Trish, you sound just like me. I am always looking for that one thing that could break and leave me stuck. We tow a jeep behind us so I always think "if I breakdown the coach will be towed and hello Marriott!" My biggest fear is not being able to locate a repair facility that is capable of fixing it properly, then of course the cost. So far I have had two instances this year where I should have been on the side of the road but was able to recover my self and limp home. being a mechanic I hate the thought of someone touching my coach especially after working with some real winners, I would probably interview the person before they would be allowed to touch it. I can relate to your fears

Oldgrape, is it trim that can just be replaced or is it the entire dash?

I use little clear plastic condiment cups, poke holes in the lid with a paper hole punch, place two cotton balls in each and soak them with peppermint oil. I place one in every storage compartment behind each door, one on top of every tire and tape them to the tire, and a few in the engine bay and on top of the generator. On the inside I use fresh cab packets maybe 4 around the interior. I tried this for the first time this year and I had no sign of them anywhere. last year I had signs of them in the storage bays and I found an abandoned nest in the generator next to the oil filter. With the both you will have to check them to make sure they didn't fade out over time. I add more oil one time around January and that's it. Here is the oil I use. http://www.amazon.com/Peppermint-100-Pure-Essential-Oil/dp/B00181CFIK?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0

Huh? Never heard of such a thing. Interesting though. Any down side damage it could cause etc? Where do you get one?

Mike, I recommend purchasing one that will get you clear of the tire, maybe a 6' hose between the handle and the locking chuck just incase the tire blows you will be at a safe distance.

Thank you for posting. We have discussed heading up in that area next summer.

Bill, thank you! Knowing what I know now if the next coach has it they can either remove it prior to pick up or keep it.

I worked at this from 7am to 4pm yesterday. All of the actual shield is gone, and maybe 20% of the glue. The paint beneath looks great except for where a few stones penetrated the shield and two spots where the paint wasn't adhered properly from the factory, once I get all of this mess off I will fix the paint spots. photo

Debora, Jack it up, place a safety stand under it, have someone step on the brake and release it, if it holds that wheel locked, open the left caliper bleeder, if the brakes release it's the line holding fluid in the caliper. if it still holds after you open the bleeder you have a defective caliper. keep rag down there and protect your eyes as fluid might come squirting out. Due to the age of the unit I would replace the rubber hoses anyway, on an vehicle that large they take a beating with heat.

I always look into the tank and check it for foam. Our coach only has a 6" neck on the tank and I can see inside of it, which is good and can be bad, high flow nozzles if not positioned properly will click after the fuel shoots out of the tank. I have to hold it and pick up on it so I do not make a mess.

Rich, thank you for the idea on the grounds, not sure even where to look under that dash . My scan gauge monitors all powertrain gauges, including oil pressure and transmission fluid temperature, if it didn't I would be hesitant to drive it.

Herman, my fuel gauge never makes it to full. I will try and lean the coach next time to see if I can squeeze more in. I have a large cavity above the fuel level now so it looks like there is room for more without causing a concern. All of my dash gauges are horrible as far as accuracy goes. I bought a Scan Gauge last year and installed it above the camera monitor, I use that in place of the critical gauges since they are so far out of accuracy. My holding tanks all work correctly which is a first for us including the propane. Once that is empty if anyone wants the sensor from it I will gladly pull it since the tank will be removed from the coach and tossed anyway. I was driving when the Generator stalled which would put my gauge around 3/8 like John's does when the generator cuts off. I always park it with a full tank of diesel and if for one night while traveling I will purchase the fuel where we are parked prior to shutting down for the night, or close by.

What fuel level does everyone's generator shut down at? Actual level on the gauge not in theory. Mine shut down between 1/4 and 1/2, I thought my gauge was inaccurate, but it is correct, trying to figure out why the pickup is so high in the tank (first time I have ever let the fuel tank go that low). I expected it to stall at 1/4 or below. One of those things that is annoying but not sure if its worth adjusting or just be aware of it. Code 36 flashing. After refueling the coach and priming the generator its fine. You have to wonder...running the fuel injection pump dry cant be good for it.

I would be shocked if the salesman knew about options you could select on a new coach let alone lending technical advice. My Friend just bought a Allegro Bus that had laminate flooring installed throughout, all carpet was removed. Ross, please attach photos in the Gallery and let us know after you upload them, love to see this.

rlbarkleyii, just curious, did they tell you what caused the V44 to fail or are they changing the lift pump for a precaution? How many miles on the coach?

Richard, some states will require a muffler for inspections, if so try Magnaflow if you decide to change the muffler and need one for local laws. I just installed one on my coach (its straight through). Very happy with it so far and it wasn't expensive https://www.magnaflow.com/automotive-performance/mufflers/straight-through/7-round/products/