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Topic: Long term parking (Read 1155 times) previous topic - next topic

Long term parking

Can anyone tell me if it would be Ok to block a 1990 U300 for long term. We are at a resort for a year, and I was going to block it up, put the air compressor on a timer to come on once a day to keep air in the system. Is this feasible. Thanks Jeff
Jeff and Victoria Moses
1990 U300 40'

Re: Long term parking

Reply #1 –
If you block the rig up where the air bags are about ride height, I would not think you would need to use the compressor at all. Once you have the body blocked, you could take some weight off the tires also. There are several excellent posts showing construction of the blocks. 

On the other hand, driving it occasionally would clear out the cobwebs and you would not have to worry as much about all systems working a year later.

I take it you are going to be living in it for the year.

Sure some others will want to chime in.
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Long term parking

Reply #2 –
Jeff & Victoria,

Was thinking that why don't you make blocks, raise the coach using your control panel and then slip in the "storage" blocks? You could then release the air. This would only take five minutes and they could easily be removed to "exercise" the coach.
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Long term parking

Reply #3 –
No way would I leave it setting for a year if you could help it. Nothing damages coach system more than non-use. IMHO
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: Long term parking

Reply #4 –
I am with Kent on that one, know if you do not run the air comporessor for a year, it most likely will not work when you need it, that is just one example of what non use can do. exercise it. Engine, tansmission, all bearings need to get some oil on the rusted areas that happen from sitting long term.
FWIW

Re: Long term parking

Reply #5 –
Jeff, Being a 90 I ASSUME that this is a Oshkosh Chassis, if so I would not worry about it.  Drive it once a month or so to keep everything lubricated.  If a Unihome  all that happens when air leaks off is coach settles on the wheel wells, no big deal.  Mine sets for about 3 months at a time and that is all that happens.  Best course is to drive it.  If you are living in it I would try real hard to arrange an occasional trip in it.
Good luck
Gary B

Re: Long term parking

Reply #6 –
My 1990 is a U300 unihome, no chassis. I understand about the system needing exercised. I start my coach and generator once a month for about a 1/2 hour. As far as compressor, thats why I was going to set it up on a  timer to come on once a day. 
Jeff and Victoria Moses
1990 U300 40'

Re: Long term parking

Reply #7 –
But the only way to exercise a diesel is take it out and run it enough to get it up to operating temperature.  Idling it will not do that, even high idle will not do it.  You would be far bettering letting it sit for the winter than to let it idle!  But the generator should be ran once a month under load.  That is not to help the generators engine, but the generator windings.  Dave M can tell you all about this stuff.  But as far as the engine goes, by idling it every month does nothing but hurt it!!!
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Long term parking

Reply #8 –
Yup, if you start it, you need to drive at least 25 highway miles.  You need to get the OIL, not just coolant up to operating temperature.  Can't be done without driving on highway.

If you can't/won't do that, do not even start the engine.

Brett
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Long term parking

Reply #9 –
How often?

best, paul

Quote
Yup, if you start it, you need to drive at least 25 highway miles. You need to get the OIL, not just coolant up to operating temperature. Can't be done without driving on highway.
1999 U320 40' 1200 watts on roof. 12cf AC/DC Cold plate fridge/freezer. VMS 240 CL Honda Element

Re: Long term parking

Reply #10 –
Once a month.
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R

Re: Long term parking

Reply #11 –
Quote from: amos.harrison –
Once a month.

The "other Brett" agrees.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Long term parking

Reply #12 –
Thanks!

best, paul

Quote
Once a month.
1999 U320 40' 1200 watts on roof. 12cf AC/DC Cold plate fridge/freezer. VMS 240 CL Honda Element

Re: Long term parking

Reply #13 –
Quote from: PatC –
But the generator should be ran once a month under load.  That is not to help the generators engine, but the generator windings.  Dave M can tell you all about this stuff. 

Given that we have a fairly new 12 KW end on our (formerly 10 kW, thank you (not) PowerTech  :( ) genset... Dave, your input is valued on this aspect!  We do run ours, but always thought it was for the engine.  Anything we should pay particular attention to for the windings?

Michelle
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: Long term parking

Reply #14 –
Keeps the varnish dried out and the resistance to ground high...
The selected media item is not currently available. Dave Head & Megan Westbrook
Titusville, FL - The Great Outdoors
'98 270 buying this month
Toad is a 2018 F150 XLT
 

Re: Long term parking

Reply #15 –
Gary.. My floor fiberglass, over the wheel wells have tire surface size identions where the bags have gone down enough to let the tires contact. I don't know if that's as low as the coach will go and don't want to find out by causing any wheel well or outside floor damage. I keep my air pressure up usually by plugging the 110 compressor to a wall outlet in the barn. If mine went any lower I fear breaking the material over the tires.
Dub McBride 1996 270