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Topic: Starting Coach (Read 1134 times) previous topic - next topic

Starting Coach

I'm polling to see most common and perhaps best practices. Not sure it will extract either of those; however, I'm just looking for concise and susinct answers on this one.
1996 36' U295 Build #4879 Motorcade #18088
2007 Jeep Liberty 4x4 FMCA #F474816
Foretravel Mid-South
There's no happy like Foretravel happy!

Re: Starting Coach

Reply #1 –
Normal practices, occasional practices, and best practices are likely all different things.
Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: Starting Coach

Reply #2 –
Agreed. I'd still like to see the data set from this perhaps erroneous poll.
1996 36' U295 Build #4879 Motorcade #18088
2007 Jeep Liberty 4x4 FMCA #F474816
Foretravel Mid-South
There's no happy like Foretravel happy!

Re: Starting Coach

Reply #3 –
Normally I start the coach engine unplugged from shore and with gen not running.

If I was dry camping and already had gen running, I would start coach engine regardless.  No other time I can think of unless maybe super hot weather.

If I am doing some maintenance or checking something on the engine, coolant,  or alternator related,  I will start the coach engine while plugged into shore power (couple of time per year on average).

If I am airing up the coach tires, I start the coach engine (to build enough air pressure) while still plugged in .  Usually only have to do this 1 -2 times a year as I inflate 5 lbs per tire over the pressure for the weight on each axle/position).  Gives some temp related leeway  on tire air pressure.

I will start the generator while still plugged into shore power if troubleshooting or doing maintenance on the gen, or if parked several months for a monthly run of around 30 minutes.  First I turn off any heavy electrical loads (easier on the transfer switch), then add the electric load back in when power transfers. (gen takes precedence over shore power on most coaches).

Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: Starting Coach

Reply #4 –
I don't think we ever really paid attention to whether the Foretravel was plugged in or the generator running or not when we started the coach.  Certainly not when stopped for lunch, fueling, going from a parking spot to pulling in for service  ;)  Well, except we always did shut off the genset if it was running when we fueled up.

Sometimes it was still plugged in at a campsite or storage or at home when we started it so it could air up.  Sometimes we unplugged first.  The one rule we had was if the pups were on board we did not start or have the engine running without someone staying in the coach (the pups don't have class B licenses....)

Sometimes, when it was hot out and we wanted to run the roof air while driving, we started the genset after unplugging and before starting the coach.  Sometimes we started the genset after the coach was running.

We tried not to have both the coach plugged in and the genset running/started or vice versa to protect the contacts in the transfer switch.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Starting Coach

Reply #5 –
Can you check more then one box,we have 56 answers and 32 people who answered!!!!
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Starting Coach

Reply #6 –
I start the Detroit while plugged in. Once it is running and likely to keep running I go out, unplug, do whatever else is needed outside. When the electricity goes off inside (meaning I have unplugged) Jo Ann starts the generator.

I once tried to start the Detroit after starting the generator. I couldn't tell whether or not it was running unless I looked at the tach. After that I decided that I'd start the engine at the back first, then the engine at the front. That way I can hear the Detroit running before the generator drowns it out.

Re: Starting Coach

Reply #7 –
I submitted based on winter temps, above 50 degrees I just start it because it always fires right up without hardly any cranking.
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: Starting Coach

Reply #8 –
Your engine should start with your start batteries only. If you need any other combination, you could have a problem.
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: Starting Coach

Reply #9 –
I start the coach whenever I need to........... never consider whether genset is running or not, plugged in or not. Don't see where it really matters. But.... I don't start the generator if plugged in to shore power, or at least I try not to.
Justin & Cathy Byrd
1995 U280 "Old Faithful"
36' Build #4673
C8.3 Cummins
Allison MD3060R 6 speed - retarder
Powertech 10KW  4cyl Kubota

Re: Starting Coach

Reply #10 –
Quote from: John44 –
Can you check more then one box,we have 56 answers and 32 people who answered!!!!
The rules have changed! originally you could check up to 4 boxes I checked 2
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Starting Coach

Reply #11 –
I may have to adapt my start procedure when my coach gets old and tired!
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: Starting Coach

Reply #12 –
I would start my coach then pull in the slides and unplug. Starting the coach I alway left the plug till the last thing. In the summer it was running the ac unit and if traveling we had the generator going all day and night to keep the coach cool while traveling. If neither was the case say winter time and I was traveling I would just start it though overnight in the cold I would run the generator anyway.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon
 

Re: Starting Coach

Reply #13 –
Quote from: Old phart phred –
I may have to adapt my start procedure when my coach gets old and tired!
You will get old and tired long before your CAT does.

Unless it's cold, I turn the key to start it, take a quick glance at the oil pressure and once the air is up, put it into gear and go. No waiting for warm up and I never use the boost switch. I use the block heater in cold weather. I have a propane block heater I'm installing this week.

Pierce

Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)