Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 12, 2025 ...

One issue to manage is where to dispose of so much coolant drainings as it can hurt animals and is not legal to drain on ground, so be aware and have a plan.

For our big coolant change, we also used ES Compleat, kept a container label in engine compartment so future fills are with same product. We always carried two full gallons for topping off overflow bottle if needed.

We used to use Pre-mix coolant, so the water quality was not an issue.  But since we cannot drain all water from coolant system, now think that using the correct # of full-concentrate gallons and topping off with gallons of distilled water guarantees a better 50-50 mix.  Some even do a final water flush using distilled water, to better assure the residual water quality after last drain is improved.

We remove gallon's cap and used an inexpensive short plastic ball valve fitting on container, held gallon upside down into big corner space behind tail lamp, and opened/closed valve to pour an amount into overflow container.

For our one-time flushing, we used both types of Fleetguard products (acid & alkaline ??). Drain radiator, add one cleaner, fill with water, drive for 20 minutes. Repeat with other cleaner. Fill with only water, repeat drive, drain, do it again and drain.

We learned to drive up mountains keeping an eye on RPM and Exhaust Gas Temp, always downshifting, even into an occasional 2nd gear, which kept coolant gauge temps at normal 180 or increase to 190. No more overheating issues for 20 years.

Our coolant filters have no additives. We never added additives. Could not get good readings from test strips. Changed coolant at 4-6 years. Seldom added coolant to overflow. Made sure rad cap, overflow lines are in good quality. Did see coolant rise and fall in overflow container with a switchable 12v florescent lamp mounted behind overflow container. Also kept a dowel rod in coolant overflow container that acted like a dip stick to know coolant level.

Measure coolant mix with inexpensive float gauge and keep mix at about 50-50, as much over that, protection declines. Coolant increases boiling point a lot, and lowers freeze point, so proper mix is needed even if one never is never in freezing temps.

ES Compleat has several products, some like Oat.

Good info sir, I also have Brett's detailed instructions bookmarked for coolant flush and replacement...doesn't look too complicated just time consuming and monotonous.

Should there be a big fuss on Nitrate free coolant? Some of these coolants don't mention if they have it or not, others have a "Nitrate free" version...big deal or not?