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Picking up my U295

February 15, 2011, 08:03:47 pm

Hi all,

We made it to Tucson and picked up our new to us U295.  To put it mildly, we're both enchanted with the quality of the coach.  This is the FT that went off road in Mexico with some body damage.  Things have worked out well, we retrieved it from the storage yard, it fired right up thanks be, and we were able to park it in an RV park that happened to be next door.  The management had no problem with me doing some work on it soooo.....a few hours with a hydraulic jack and the steps are back in position and the door closes.  I took the remnants of the fiberglass body panels, generator cover, right front corner, glassed em back together as well as I could, rigged some headlights using Lexan and remnants of the original corner.  About a gallon of Bondo later it doesn't look great but it doesn't look like a wreck either.  We'll be heading back to Tx. tomorrow.  These repairs are, of course, temporary.

Ended up choosing Michelin tires because the dealer happened to be 1/2 mile from where we were.  Took it in for an alignment and found a bent tie rod.  Truck Parts, which was recommended by a fellow forum member, was able to source the Meritor part in Ohio and had it here in two days for a great price and next day air shipping for a fee of $22.00.  Great people to deal with.  Tie rod is installed, 4 wheel alignment done (rear axle was fine.)

I greased the chassis this morning, checked all fluids, verified recent filter/oil changes and we're ready to roll.  I have one question, though:

Where are the 12 volt fuses for running lights, radio, etc.?  I'm aware of the fuse panel on bed but this appears to be for house services only.  I'm lifting the dash cover behind wheel but could I somehow be overlooking the fuses?  Is there another access panel up front? 

Regards, Chuck

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Re: Picking up my U295

Reply #1 – February 15, 2011, 08:55:46 pm

Pull toward you from the bottom, the large vertical dash panel in front of the passenger seat, next to the door.
More 12-volt automatic reset circuit breakers than you can imagine are behind this panel.
More breakers, some with manual reset, are behind a white fiberglass cover on the rear street-side wall of large bay.

Have fun. Wiring diagrams show these breakers very well.

Glad someone handy got this damaged coach to bring it back on the road.

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Re: Picking up my U295

Reply #2 – February 16, 2011, 11:36:09 pm

Ah yes, there they are.Nice, neat, unmolested and no signs of undue heat.  There's also a Trekmate security module in there.  Thanks Barry and Cindy. 

Had a problem with HWH leveling, wouldn't go into travel mode.  Figured out that a ride height sensor rod had slipped, easy fix in the Lowe's parking lot.  Also learned that start boost won't work with 12V switched off. That took a call to coachnet tech.  Also figured out I need to study those wiring diagrams in great detail.  There's logs of "stuff" but it all seems to be pretty logical systems stacked together. 

But the real deal was finally getting on the road home.  This coach rides and handles like a dream.  Plenty of power, the retarder a whole new way of looking at braking. Fabulous view through the front glass, she rides so smooth that Reta can glass birds without image stabilized binoculars. Man, I  am champing at the bit to get the body work done, really right and am starting to look askance at the decals.  That sure is some primo gelcoat though, it'd be kind of a shame to put paint on it.  Onward through W. Tx. tomorrow.

Chuck

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Re: Picking up my U295

Reply #3 – February 16, 2011, 11:55:15 pm

Could your 12 volt or lack there of be the 12 volt off and on switch at the right of the entrance steps.
This is simple but being new to the coach you may not be aware.  I know the first time I drove my coach it was not on and the back up camera would not work etc.  Tks Dan Stansel
U270 99

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Re: Picking up my U295

Reply #4 – February 19, 2011, 08:57:11 am

Yep, the master switch was off.  After ironing out these issues we cruised on home to Port Aransas Tx. with no problems.  Now it's time to start selling some property.  The road calls.

Chuck

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