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Coach PM Punch List

Quote
btw:  my doorbell stopped working a year or so ago.
There's gotta be a better way.  Because the coaches keep getting more complex each year, there should be a PM punch list of items to test/clean/etc.  Heck, even an unsophisticated U270 or U225/240 has about 150 things that can go bad from lack of use or just road vibration.
 
But, this would be such a large project, it would have to be portioned out to several RV skilled volunteers willing to do the work.  For example, Some one  whose initials are Barry Brideau could "own" the spreadsheet for the 2003/U320; and some one whose initials are Neal Pillsbury could "own" the spreadsheet for the 1998/U270, etc.
 
I believe Barry B. has a template to work from (spreadsheet?) that can be "Tabbed" for each Year/Model.  Barry would be the most likely candidate to maintain custory of all the spreadsheets and be in charge of publishing these to the Foreforum Files.
 
These spreadsheets by Year/Model would be made available to anyone on the Foreforums who would like to have one.
 
Is there any merrit to the above?  Volunteers?
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: Coach PM Punch List

Reply #1 –
Peter,

Sounds like a great idea!

Since the Foretravels have such a long useful life it certainly would benefit many yet unnamed as well.

Sure sounds like a lot of effort, though. Over time, it wouldn't be too bad. AND, it seems, most owners are still in the learning process after years of ownership. Weeeell, maybe not Barry..........

FWIW

John

 
Just enjoying life &  friends wherever we  park


 '91 Foretravel U300/'94 Foretravel U280

Re: Coach PM Punch List

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Peter & Beth –
Because the coaches keep getting more complex each year, there should be a PM punch list of items to test/clean/etc.  Heck, even an unsophisticated U270 or U225/240 has about 150 things that can go bad from lack of use or just road vibration.
Some of the preventative maintenance items I see that get overlooked is under the coach.

I have found many instances on my coach of hoses, wires etc rubbing on the frame.
Periodically you need to look closely at everything under there and if you see anything rubbing, tie it up, move it around or add split loom around it for added protection. Might prevent a mishap with a little precaution ahead of time.

While you are under there, Clean off the dirt and grease around fittings and look for leaks.
Once they are cleaned, any leaks will be easier to see and fix before it is a major leak.

Check the air fittings for leaks with soapy water.
 
Open the drain valves to the air lines and look for moisture

Clean and wire brush ALL the connections to the batteries, starter, alternator, grounds, charging and starting circuits.

Drain water and contaminants from bottom of fuel tank.
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: Coach PM Punch List

Reply #3 –
For all the wanna be mechanics,
Do not forget to jack up the front end (Off Ground),
Checking wheel bearings, king pins, tie rod ends, drag link ends,
while you have it up great time to pull front wheels
Check brake pads, and condition of brake parts, secure, free, slack adjustment,
I do not fully trust the auto adjusters.

Also a great time to grease the king pins and ends of drag link and tie rod.
Do not forget the little fuel filter between generator and fuel tank , not sure what models have this feature, my 01 320 does as the 03, 320 also, not sure of others.

Checking for leaks on air lines, height valve in center, radius link bushings, lots of interesting things under the front end.

One can spend a lot of time snooping around, taking care of the PM items, the side benefit is you learn a lot about your coach.
Just one end of the unit, lots more to go.

Re: Coach PM Punch List

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Peter & Beth –
Because the coaches keep getting more complex each year, there should be a PM punch list of items to test/clean/etc.  Heck, even an unsophisticated U270 or U225/240 has about 150 things that can go bad from lack of use or just road vibration.
The list continues. 8)
Hose out the radiator every time you wash the coach. If mud or dust covers the side of your coach, that same air was sucked into the intercooler and radiator. This can cause overheating and/or poor performance from inadequate cooling.

With compressed air, blowout the burner area of the hot water heater. This will minimize the discoloration of the side of the coach above the heater. Burning a wasp's nest or 6 months accumulated dust will cause smoke! After cleaning, turn on the heater and look for a blue not yellow flame. If it is not blue, the air regulator needs adjustment, an easy job.

Service the refrigerator burner annually, more often if used in humid and/or on rough roads. Rust clogs the burner and needs to be cleaned out. There are simple step by step directions in the refrigerator owners manual. It takes 15 minutes and no special tools are required.

Any others?  ::)
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: Coach PM Punch List

Reply #5 –
Dielectric grease is your friend:
 
Annually inspect the terminals and connections is areas where moisture is or could be present. 
Disconnect & Clean the terminals and coat with a thin application of dielectric grease. 
Reconnect the terminals. 
Some like to use CorrosionX, and I do also, but dielectric grease is more permanent than CorrosionX which needs to be reapplied about every 3 months in these wet areas.
 
e.g.  battery terminals, water pump motor connections, water heater board & connections, refrigerator access from outside the coach inspect & clean anything electrical, battery isolator, relays and solenoids, any 12 volt system grounds, alternator terminals, clearance/marker light bulbs as well as rear light connections and all head lights/turn signal bulbs...
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: Coach PM Punch List

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Peter & Beth –
Dielectric grease is your friend:
Chrysler (Dodge) marketed some of the best on the market under their own name.  Don't know if they still use that stuff or not, but it was excellent.
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Coach PM Punch List

Reply #7 –
 ::) The advice to check, clean, and tighten all 150 items on my SIMPLE U270 is justified.  Recently I switched over to the OAT type of antifreeze and during the leak test, notice that I had something dripping.  Appreciate that I do not normally hang over and under the engine as it is running: so this was new for me.  Discovered that I had a fuel leak ... only when under pressure.

Meticulously cleaned the area around the 2ndary fuel filter.  Tightened the line from the LP pump to this filter almost 1/2 turn as it exited the pump.  Also tightened the hose clamps on an 8" length of rubber line going between the 2ndary filter and the HP pump.  I think this fixed it.

In aviation, they have what is called Progressive Maintenance.  This simply means inspecting certain sections of a large airplane on a rotating basis.  (Left wing in November, tail in January, and so on.)  I use something like this, because there is too much to do on our motorhome all at once.  Where I park our motorhome has concrete pads on the south end.  When the front is parked over the pads, I work on the front end, generator and steering.  When the rear is parked over the pads, I focus on the rear end and engine.

Andy
Carolyn and Lewis (Andy1) Anderson
1996 U270 36'

Re: Coach PM Punch List

Reply #8 –
Great information.
Greg and Viv
2001 U320 36'
Build 5907

2007 Honda CRV
 

Re: Coach PM Punch List

Reply #9 –
Doesn't Foretravel have any type of general punch list for their coaches?
RollinO's - Bruce & Pat Olson
2007 40' Nimbus 340
2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee