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Topic: First Trip Report and Some More Questions (Read 841 times) previous topic - next topic

First Trip Report and Some More Questions

Thanks everyone for the inputs to my first post a couple of weeks ago.  Thought you might like an update on our trip.

Got home yesterday after picking up our new FT from Mike O'Leary in Washington state.  3300 miles in 6 days.  We're a little road weary but safely home.  The FT is a going machine.  Very few problems.

After looking at the weather last Saturday evening, we decided to take the southern route home, rather than trying to cross OR, ID, UT, WY, and NE in February.  I think it was a good decision but it did add about 800 miles of driving to go south to Bakersfield, CA and then east on I-40 to OKC before turning northeast toward OH.  We had 4 1/2 days of splendid weather before things started down hill on Friday afternoon with some snow squalls and then snow flurries most of yesterday.  Temps were right around 33 degrees and the roads were wet but never icy.

Hosed the bulkheads off really well yesterday when we got home.  One of my first jobs will be to get them all cleaned up and sealed--as soon as I have a chance.  I think I may have one broken bolt and one spot with a little corrosion.  Other than that, they look really nice and clean.  The whole coach is dirty but it may warm up enough this week for me to give it a quick wash.  We're transferring all our stuff over from our 5th-wheel this afternoon (32 degrees and light snow) and heading out on a short trip to Washington, DC this coming Friday.

I did get stopped for a burned out headlight (day-time running light) in AZ and was given a warning by a very pleasant AZ trooper.  Got the bulb replaced that evening in a Walmart parking lot.  I didn't even know I had running lights and can't seem to figure them out.  Can anyone tell me how they are suppose to operate?

One of my concerns was freezing temps while driving.  When we pulled out of Gallup, NM at 0700, it was 16 degrees.  We had a remote thermometer in the right-side water bay and watched the temps slowly drop as we travelled.  Meanwhile, the outside temps warmed up as the sun came up.  The bay started at about 48 degrees and fell to 37 degrees.  At that point, we turned on the furnace and temps in the water bay stabilized for about an hour until the outside temps got above freezing.  Then we turned off the furnace.  Most other days, the outside temps started out at 32 degrees or better.  Did not have any problems at night while parked.  The tip to use a foam sponge in the water bay to block the small hatch was great.

Peggy and I are already planning a few changes to make the coach fit our life style a little better.  I think I'll be tackling the 10 year old shag carpet later this year.  We tend to spend a lot of time in areas with less than pristine conditions and I think it will get dirty in a hurry.  I redid the floor in our 5th-wheel last year so have some experience.  We're still trying to decide what to put in but I think I know where we are headed.  "Happy wife, Happy life!"

The dinette table seems a bit high compared to the seats--We feel like our plates are at about chin level.  And the bench seats are a bit far away from the table.  We could raise the seats but I think it would be easier to lower the tabletop and make it a little wider.  Has anyone tried that?  I might make a new tabletop out of cherry to match the cabinets instead of going with the corian.  Does anyone know what stain the factory used on the cabinetry?

I think I'd like to put in a built-in vacuum system.  Does anyone know where the factory may have installed one in our year/model?  I have some possible locations in mind but there's no sense in picking one without at least knowing where the experts would have put it.

I'm sure I'll have more questions as things progress.  Thanks!

Rich and Peggy

Re: First Trip Report and Some More Questions

Reply #1 –
Congratulations on the coach. The first trip is always exciting and usually has a few surprises. Sounds like yours went well.

In OKC you were about 40 minutes from our small town that is the home of 4 Foretravels.  If you're ever south on 44 stop in.

Good luck and enjoy.

Re: First Trip Report and Some More Questions

Reply #2 –
Quote from: richb3125 –
I think I'd like to put in a built-in vacuum system.  Does anyone know where the factory may have installed one in our year/model?  I have some possible locations in mind but there's no sense in picking one without at least knowing where the experts would have put it.
The vacuum itself is usually located in the main storage compartment streetside.  Locate that area of the coach so that you can route the hose appropriately for your layout.  Best of luck with the new machine!

ps.  Our vacuum hose utility is located under the fridge and right beneath it in the storage compartment are the guts.

Re: First Trip Report and Some More Questions

Reply #3 –
Quote from: richb3125 –
I think I'd like to put in a built-in vacuum system.  Does anyone know where the factory may have installed one in our year/model?  I have some possible locations in mind but there's no sense in picking one without at least knowing where the experts would have put it.
Rich and Peggy... about a year ago George installed a central vac in our '03 3610 U295.  I am still very pleased with it.

Here's George's post about the installation:  What did you do to your coach today.

and here are my comments (later in the same thread) about determining which system, and then sourcing it:  What did you do to your coach today.

Good luck with your new-to-you coach - and hope you enjoy it as much as we are enjoying ours!

Re: First Trip Report and Some More Questions

Reply #4 –
Quote from: richb3125 –

I did get stopped for a burned out headlight (day-time running light) in AZ and was given a warning by a very pleasant AZ trooper.  Got the bulb replaced that evening in a Walmart parking lot.  I didn't even know I had running lights and can't seem to figure them out.  Can anyone tell me how they are suppose to operate?

In our 2003, prior to the headlight conversion, the coach had to be running to turn on the DRL.  I'm trying to recall if you also had to be in D or R or just have the parking brake off.

-M

Re: First Trip Report and Some More Questions

Reply #5 –
Quote from: richb3125 –
I didn't even know I had running lights and can't seem to figure them out.  Can anyone tell me how they are suppose to operate?
Congratulations on a success first trip. That is quite a run, especially on a first trip. We generally try to travel about 400 miles on a "normal" traveling day. We've met people whose limit is 250 miles, and we've met John Sichenze, who will travel 800 miles on a "normal" day.

On our 1997 coach, the small lights down low on either side of the front license plate are controlled by a switch labeled, "AUX LIGHTS." When we bought the coach, the "AUX LIGHTS" only operated if the headlights were on. I rewired the lights to operate if the ignition switch is on. I normally leave the "AUX LIGHTS" switch turned on. When we are traveling, the lights serve as daytime running lights. We seldom drive at night. When running at night, I choose the position of "AUX LIGHTS" for best visibility under the current conditions.

Your DR lights may be set to operate as ours do now. Set switches in various positions while parked to find out how your lights operate. There are various modes depending on OEM choices and aftermarket modifications.

Re: First Trip Report and Some More Questions

Reply #6 –
Quote from: richb3125 on Today at 05:57:05 AM

I did get stopped for a burned out headlight (day-time running light) in AZ and was given a warning by a very pleasant AZ trooper.  Got the bulb replaced that evening in a Walmart parking lot.  I didn't even know I had running lights and can't seem to figure them out.  Can anyone tell me how they are suppose to operate?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Rich, on our 2001 GV, the parking brake has to be in the released mode for the driving lights to work. 
Good luck,
LynnD
'01GV

Re: First Trip Report and Some More Questions

Reply #7 –
Quote from: J. D. Stevens –

On our 1997 coach, the small lights down low on either side of the front license plate are controlled by a switch labeled, "AUX LIGHTS."

On the '02-05 coaches, the Aux Lights are the fog lights, separate from the DRL (which are part of the headlight configuration).

Re: First Trip Report and Some More Questions

Reply #8 –
Glad you made it safe and sound.  Sounds like a fun trip was had. It is a bit worrisome watched the temps drop when it is snowing. I have puled off the road and waited it out.  Where in DC are you going and where will you stay? There are a numbe of FT owners in the area. 

Re: First Trip Report and Some More Questions

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Michelle –
On the '02-05 coaches, the Aux Lights are the fog lights, separate from the DRL (which are part of the headlight configuration).
Ah! I keep forgetting all the new features included on "new" coaches. To us, anything built after about 1998 is a "new" coach. :P

I wired the fog lights to function as our daytime running lights.

Rich and Peggy have one of those "new" coaches, so their results are likely to be different from ours. So far, so good for them. It reads like a very good first trip in spite of some less than ideal conditions. ^.^d

Re: First Trip Report and Some More Questions

Reply #10 –
John S.

We're headed to DC for Peggy's Mom's funeral at Arlington National Cemetery.  She's a WWII vet.  We'll be staying at Andrews AFB.  It will be a good time to reconnect with some of our friends who were also very close to Peggy's Mom.  Only staying for a few days.

Rich

Re: First Trip Report and Some More Questions

Reply #11 –
Thanks for the inputs on the daytime running lights and the vacuum.  I won't have anytime for any of the coach mods until this summer but it's not too early to start planning.  I'll do some playing with the lights.

Rich

Re: First Trip Report and Some More Questions

Reply #12 –
Sorry, your trip is for such an occasion. Wish you safe travels and a peaceful journey.

Re: First Trip Report and Some More Questions

Reply #13 –
Your headlights might not work like ours.  Our 2000 U320 has had the headlight mod and the headlights come on automatically whenever the windshield wipers are turned on.  They will stay on until the engine is shut down or the headlight switch is turned on and then off.

Re: First Trip Report and Some More Questions

Reply #14 –
"The headlights come on automatically whenever the windshield wipers are turned on." That's the way the lights on our Lincoln work. The law here in Missouri is that headlights MUST be on when the wipers are needed. I still see lots of vehicles driving in pouring rain with the wipers flapping wildly and no headlights.

Re: First Trip Report and Some More Questions

Reply #15 –
It looks like there are all kinds of options for the headlights.  I did come back after a pitstop where I left the engine running and found the lights on.  Don't know what had turned them on.  I had not been using the wipers though.  The coach was in N with the brake on.

Rich

Re: First Trip Report and Some More Questions

Reply #16 –
Rich, I would expect a year from now you will still be finding things, like a new switch, or found the switch for something, seems to be a never ending experiment for a year or more, heck it took me about 3 years to figure where the switch was for the floor "toe" lights.  I still laugh about somethings that either I forgot or never knew.
Enjoy
Dave M
 

Re: First Trip Report and Some More Questions

Reply #17 –
If you even hit the wipers once they come on and will stay on till you cycle the switch.