what to keep in your coach?

Topic: what to keep in your coach? (Read 746 times) previous topic - next topic

what to keep in your coach?

February 15, 2019, 01:04:40 pm

I, as my avatar informs me, am a newbie!

I thought this post was very insightful by Mr Wolfe.

"But, a couple of points on WHAT to buy:

3 sets fuel filters: 2 spare sets of fuel filters (both primary and secondary) in addition to the set you will install now. There is no "average life" for fuel filters. If only clean fuel, they can go for years. But, one contaminated tank can clog a couple of sets. Even if you don't own a screwdriver/wrench, YOU NEED THIS. You can always find someone to install filters, but you may not be able to find the correct filter on a Sunday morning in the middle of nowhere.

2 oil filters. Change now and a spare for next time. I would not buy more, as they do age.

2 coolant filters. One now, one for next year. VERIFY (really important) the correct PN. If one of the new generation coolants, you need a FILTER BLANK. A filter blank has filtration, but no SCA (Supplemental Coolant Additive). If the old generation coolant with added SCA, before ordering, you need to use test strips to determine the correct amount of SCA to add. The filters come with quantities of SCA from 0 to 12 units for most filter configurations. So, this is one of the few places where you do NOT AUTOMATICALLY ORDER THE SAME PN, as you could be over or under dosing the cooling system.

1 set hydraulic filters and probably one lid gasket. Changed infrequently enough that you don't want a second set to age out.

1 air filter. Changed infrequently enough that you don't want a second set to age out. Yes, if you drive in extremely dusty conditions, a spare is a good idea.

Transmission filter kit only from Allison."

There may already be a post like this and if there is I would love a link to it. So here is what I would love to know.

What things should I keep in my Foretravel and Why/whats it for?
What tools should I keep in my Foretravel and Why/whats it for?
What Spares should I keep and why/whats it for?
And if you could break it down into Have to have, Should have, and is nice to have.

Thanks in advance, Tommy

Re: what to keep in your coach?

Reply #1 – February 15, 2019, 01:15:14 pm

Tommy, what you carry for tools depends on your mechanical skills. Do a search on air drier bypass and see if it is something you could do. Carry spare fuses for whatever your system has. If you are going to do much work yourself make or buy the safety stands. I will let the others chime in or I could get carried away by listing my spares and tools on the coach.

Re: what to keep in your coach?

Reply #2 – February 15, 2019, 06:00:32 pm

Quote from: Tommy D – February 15, 2019, 01:04:40 pm

1. What things should I keep in my Foretravel and Why/whats it for?
2. What tools should I keep in my Foretravel and Why/whats it for?
3. What Spares should I keep and why/whats it for?
And if you could break it down into Have to have, Should have, and is nice to have.

!. We keep the inside loaded with clothes for 4 seasons, shoes, pots, pans, cooking tools. In other words everything you would need except food so we can pull out with out worrying about what we left at home base. Yes if it takes 2 sets of dishes (one for the house and one for the RV) or what ever living item you can think so be it.

2. Some will say all you need is a credit card, road side assistance program, and a cell phone. If you are not a tinkering kind of person this is just fine.
If you are mechanical you will find out over time what you will need for your skill set. The basic things should be a descent volt/ohm meter (and knowledge of how to read), pedestal checker, (how to build one is here on the forum) tools to change fuel filters, clean battery connections, normal hand tools, air pressure gage, infrared thermometer, square drive driver.

3. Filters have been covered. An intercooler piping coupling, air dryer by pass piping, air governor,(find where it is on your coach and what you need it replace it) domestic water pump. Depending on where you plan on going could determine what spare parts you will need, like if we were going to Alaska I would carry a complete burner for the Aqua Hot so if it quit while I was there I could do just a swap out rather than rebuild it on the road. I carry a cam sensor, various other engine sensors, complete alternator rebuild kit, alternator belt and the list goes on and on but I am a tinkering kind of person. If you ever catch us in a campground you are welcome to take an inventory of our stuff (Mike calls it needed parts).

Pamela & Mike

Re: what to keep in your coach?

Reply #3 – June 01, 2019, 04:49:07 pm

I suggest that you have your throttle cable inspected every time your coach is serviced and not to ignore it until it gets down to one remaining wire. Oh, also make sure you have the required number of return springs (mine has two) as not having any springs may cause you a "runaway" engine. The cable does not take up much storage room and the springs are small tool.

Another item to carry would be a the appropriate replacement solenoid (that is activated when you turn on the key) so that when it fails you can easily replace it. I believe mine has failed 3 times in 280k miles. You also might want to carry a spare solenoid for the boost switch if you use it a lot.

I also carry a spare alternator due to a couple of failures, and I have them set up with test wires coming out where I can get at them for troubleshooting purposes.

I am fairly careful about my tires and I do carry three different rubber plug kits and I have a 175psi air compressor in my trailer. I understand you can tap into your air system and get 120 psi too. Make sure the hose is long enough.

Regards,

Re: what to keep in your coach?

Reply #4 – June 01, 2019, 05:43:20 pm

Thanks Mike
I got all the filters in the world and reading your post I realize that I have 5 oil filter wrenches in my workshop...... I will move one over to the coach tomorrow.
It's all in the detail!!

Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 07, 2025 ...

what to keep in your coach?

February 15, 2019, 01:04:40 pm

Re: what to keep in your coach?

Reply #1 – February 15, 2019, 01:15:14 pm

Re: what to keep in your coach?

Reply #2 – February 15, 2019, 06:00:32 pm

Re: what to keep in your coach?

Reply #3 – June 01, 2019, 04:49:07 pm

Re: what to keep in your coach?

Reply #4 – June 01, 2019, 05:43:20 pm

Affiliate Notice