Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Discussions => Topic started by: George Stoltz on November 12, 2010, 07:45:10 pm
Title: What should I check after arriving at destination?
Post by: George Stoltz on November 12, 2010, 07:45:10 pm
For those of us who drive a lot what should we look for when we get to the destination? For example, every time we stop I visually inspect as much of the tires and I can see. What do you do?
Note to Steve: Great job on the CFL bulb. This forum is definitely on the cutting edge of innovation.
I want to give this topic a boost. And to modify my premise. I meant to start a discussion that would help first-time motorhome owners know what to look for. After 14 months on the road and 17 months of owning our coach we are better at nipping problems in the bud -- so to speak.
Here are some of the things we look for while traveling and after reaching our destination: + awning latches + tow bar + oil level + transmission fluid level + open the engine compartment and just look around + look at tires often + bay doors. are they tightly closed + I try to blow the horns once a trip + in parks we remove all towing cables, pins etc. Anything that can easily be removed by a vandal. + we visually check turn signals and warning flashers on the CR-V before every trip
What else can we pass along to those new to this lifestyle?
Title: Re: What should I look for?
Post by: Peter & Beth on November 12, 2010, 08:05:56 pm
I look at the front cap to see how many new rock chips are new... :o Then, I look up to see how many bugs are at the hardest to get place... >:(
George, I'm surprised you didn't suggest an LED bulb... :P
Title: Re: What should I look for?
Post by: George Stoltz on November 12, 2010, 08:08:40 pm
Peter,
I thought it would be too difficult to create one. We gotta show a little mercy for Steve. I hope he is getting enough sleep and that he takes time to have meals.
Title: Re: What should I check after arriving at destination?
Post by: Brad Metzger (RIP) on November 26, 2010, 10:37:41 am
__ LED ; ok i like that idea pretty good . How about a LED [ fly-swatter ] ? Looks like we have every thing else LED ,why not . ??? ;)
Title: Re: What should I check after arriving at destination?
Post by: Dave Katsuki on November 26, 2010, 02:05:51 pm
Ummm... Maybe one on your right shoe, so you can have a LED foot? :P :P
Title: Re: What should I check after arriving at destination?
Post by: George Stoltz on November 26, 2010, 04:56:29 pm
Ummm... Maybe one on your right shoe, so you can have a LED foot? :P :P
Dave,
You get the prize for the most original answer. Very funny, too.
Title: Re: What should I check after arriving at destination?
Post by: jeff on November 26, 2010, 05:12:11 pm
I open EVERY bay door and spend a bit of time checking out what I can see..Check bolts holding battery and generator slide. Making sure everything is still secure or if I have to make adjustments. Loose wires?
We have found most problems with both our coaches give you some type of warning that something is not correct. A rattle, squeak, different sound.
Title: Re: What should I check after arriving at destination?
Post by: George Stoltz on November 26, 2010, 06:18:20 pm
Good tip, Jeff. A really easy thing to do.
Title: Re: What should I check after arriving at destination?
Post by: Kent Speers on November 27, 2010, 09:21:50 am
I open EVERY bay door and spend a bit of time checking out what I can see..Check bolts holding battery and generator slide. Making sure everything is still secure or if I have to make adjustments. Loose wires?
We have found most problems with both our coaches give you some type of warning that something is not correct. A rattle, squeak, different sound.
The real reason Jeff opens the Bay Doors is because he can't remember where he put Carol and he's ready for lunch. And as far as hearing odd noises, it would have to be a wheel falling off for him to hear it. :) :) :) :) :)
Seriously, this is a valuable thread since it seems we have a lot of new Foretravelers participating. The learning curve can be pretty expensive. One of the first things I check when I get to a legitimate camp site is the power to make sure it is at least 110V or 220V and that the Polarity is correct to insure I don't damage the expensive electrical gear and microwave or inverter. This I learned from the wiser contributors to the Forum.
I'm betting Barry Beam's site already has a list. It has everything else I have ever thought of .
Title: Re: What should I check after arriving at destination?
Post by: Carol Savournin on November 27, 2010, 10:09:45 am
I open EVERY bay door and spend a bit of time checking out what I can see..Check bolts holding battery and generator slide. Making sure everything is still secure or if I have to make adjustments. Loose wires?
We have found most problems with both our coaches give you some type of warning that something is not correct. A rattle, squeak, different sound.
Hello?? HELLO?? Can anybody hear me out there??? Helllloooooo!!!! When I am shut up in the bay I check for anything loose or unusual.
Actually, we both get out and walk around at every stop, just to check the tow connections and bay doors and wheels and tires and such. Good to take your mind off the road and look at the small stuff for a bit. I also check things when we hook up and disconnect from our utilities. And then I make lunch.
Title: Re: What should I check after arriving at destination?
Post by: Barry Beam on November 27, 2010, 10:16:39 am
I'm betting Barry Beam's site already has a list. It has everything else I have ever thought of .
Kent, thank you for reminding me I need to to update and add some of these suggestions to my list. 8) http://beamalarm.com/Documents/master_trip_check_list.html (http://beamalarm.com/Documents/master_trip_check_list.html)
Title: Re: What should I check after arriving at destination?
Post by: George Stoltz on November 27, 2010, 03:23:50 pm
Barry:
"Treat hydraulic levelers with silicone retract and extend twice"
I would like to do this. Would you be willing to provide the how to? What kind of silicone do you use?
Thank you.
Title: Re: What should I check after arriving at destination?
Post by: Gary Bouland (RIP) on November 27, 2010, 04:51:25 pm
George, On your coach you should first apply a stiff whack with a left handed monkey wrench. :D :D :D
Title: Re: What should I check after arriving at destination?
Post by: Dave M (RIP) on November 27, 2010, 06:02:43 pm
Gary has me laughng, George, where did you get the hydraulic levelers ? Are you thinking about SOB? I heartily agree on the left handed monkey wrench. :)) Maybe you are thinking about the step air cylinders, or are they vacuum operated ? That came up in another post somewhere. The educational and opinions is baffeling somethimes. Keeps me laffing and that aint bad :P
Title: Re: What should I check after arriving at destination?
Post by: George Stoltz on November 27, 2010, 06:26:23 pm
George, I think the list is all inclusive which would necessitate the hydraulic levelers be mentioned as well for owners of the older Foretravels.
Title: Re: What should I check after arriving at destination?
Post by: Brad Metzger (RIP) on December 08, 2010, 08:47:25 am
The most important thing of all . If DW has on her shopping clothes , and that glint in her eye ----- well you better suck it up , smile a lot , keep mouth shut , go to this forum and pretend you know something . My little greem guy said so ! Ok -- prove me wrong ! ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: What should I check after arriving at destination?
Post by: Felix and Gail on December 08, 2010, 10:25:30 pm
Check under coach for leaks like coolant, oil water. transmission fluid. etc.
Title: Re: What should I check after arriving at destination?
Post by: amos.harrison on December 11, 2010, 08:01:13 pm
When I arrived in Las Vegas Wednesday night, I noticed a light oil sheen on the driver's side of the Mini. I started walking forward, and saw oil drops on various suspension parts. When I arrived at the front bumper, I got down on the ground and found oil droplets on the fiberglass panel. I thought it was the genny at first, but when I opened up its compartment, it was clean. I then opened up the forward basement compartment and found a lot of oil dripping from the steering gear! I had just left FT where they had found leaking hydraulic fan motors. They wanted $2500 to replace them, so I ordered the Lucas conditioner and stop leak, but it failed to get installed. Now they're shipping the gallon to me, in hopes it will stop this other leak also. Wish us luck!
Bottom line. When you arrive at your destination, do a walkaround looking for anything unusual, then start tracking it down!
Title: Re: What should I check after arriving at destination?
Post by: Dave Katsuki on December 11, 2010, 11:17:18 pm
When I arrived in Las Vegas Wednesday night, I noticed a light oil sheen on the driver's side of the Mini. I started walking forward, and saw oil drops on various suspension parts. When I arrived at the front bumper, I got down on the ground and found oil droplets on the fiberglass panel. I thought it was the genny at first, but when I opened up its compartment, it was clean. I then opened up the forward basement compartment and found a lot of oil dripping from the steering gear! I had just left FT where they had found leaking hydraulic fan motors. They wanted $2500 to replace them, so I ordered the Lucas conditioner and stop leak, but it failed to get installed. Now they're shipping the gallon to me, in hopes it will stop this other leak also. Wish us luck!
Bottom line. When you arrive at your destination, do a walkaround looking for anything unusual, then start tracking it down!
We just had the steering box rebuilt to fix a leak, which was showing up as a wet spot under the left front, and a large rustproof area under the coach and in the left front compartment. The techs had great fun getting the pittman arm off, and I was really glad that I wasn't doing it. $3K later, all is fixed, but I have a rattle in my wallet...