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Topic: Another Air Problem (Read 1535 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Another Air Problem

Reply #20 –
Howdy Elliot,, Thanks for the update and great write-up. 
Good Luck on repair.. Dave A

Re: Another Air Problem

Reply #21 –
Well one thing for sure this Berndt guy knows Public Relations!!
He is smart as evryone reading these posts that has a breakdown fairly close to NAC is definitly going to call him instead of FT as he realises the predicament you are in when stuck someplace. I am surprised FT does not have a "Breakdown Policy" for times like this as they sure as heck get lots of work from all you guys during the year but something like this would frost me off to be honest. Why not have a guy go after shop hours and charge a bit more for labour so that they become the first place to call.??
Beats me!
JohnH

Re: Another Air Problem

Reply #22 –
Quote from: John Haygarth –
Well one thing for sure this Berndt guy knows Public Relations!!
Why not have a guy go after shop hours and charge a bit more for labour so that they become the first place to call.??
Beats me!
JohnH
Road calls not a part of the manufacturer's business plan. Not aware of any factory that will send out a service vehicle/man to service a broken down coach.

Roland

Re: Another Air Problem

Reply #23 –
Success!!
Almost exactly 24 hours (and a not inconsiderable amount of dollars) after we limped into the Sears parking lot in Crockett we rolled out toward Nacogdoches.

The young man from R&B Automotive Services (Bernd's shop) got to the coach with the new (reman) dryer. After determining that the dryer was in fact the problem and checking part numbers to make sure we had the correct unit he went to work.

My diesel mechanic buddy told me (when I talked to him about the proposed air dryer by-pass kit) several things. He said I would never fit under the coach, I didn't have enough big tools, and I was not strong enough to take the hoses off.
After watching the young man work I decided I would never fit, I didn't have enough big tools, and it took someone stronger than me. I am even more in awe of Don and his roadside by-pass.

One of the coolest things about the exercise was where we were. Not the almost deserted nature of the mall with its great expanse of vacant parking places but the people who worked there. There were signs at all the entrances that said "No Trucks" - "Violators will be Towed and Charged", etc. Mary went in search of the mall manager to explain our situation who told her "Oh, No, Its just the 18 wheelers that tear up the pavement". That night she came by to see if we were ok. It was cold last night and she wanted to offer us the use of the power outlet up on the side wall. The next day the lady from the Resource Center walked across the (still empty) parking lot to bring slices of cake from their office get-together. Nicest people!! They even invited us back.....

We are in Camp Foretravel for the night. I missed the alignment appointment so I'll have to see when I can get in again.

Good to be settled in and connected to power.

Re: Another Air Problem

Reply #24 –
Roland, my answer to that is "well it should be" especially as FT has a Motorcade Club(that we contribute to) that is supposed to be designed to help us all and project a kind of Family attitude with the factory! I could understand it if they did not do service or custom refitting work but a large part (maybe bigger than the actual selling of coaches) of their bottom line is "service" I would think.
I think they are missing out on what may be another good business tool. What is the big deal on having one of the techs assigned to any "call outs" with a truck for after hours. if I had broken down within a couple hundred miles of factory and knew someone with experience would be at our coach after 3.30pm I would feel good and sit waiting, rather than phoning all over the place trying to get help from unknown places. If this was done next time I wanted work done it would make me call them first
That is my take on this.
JohnH

Re: Another Air Problem

Reply #25 –
Quote from: John Haygarth –
Roland, my answer to that is "well it should be" especially as FT has a Motorcade Club

What is the big deal on having one of the techs assigned to any "call outs" with a truck for after hours.

The challenge is that FT doesn't do things like engine or transmission repair, even on-site, so their capability to address a mechanical breakdown is limited compared to a truck diesel shop like Berndt's. 

Re: Another Air Problem

Reply #26 –
Quote from: John Haygarth –
Roland, my answer to that is "well it should be" especially as FT has a Motorcade Club(that we contribute to) that is supposed to be designed to help us all and project a kind of Family attitude with the factory!
JohnH
Most manufacturers have some kind of "club" specific to them, that makes you feel "part of the family" but I don't know of any manufacturer that provides for road service.

Roland

Re: Another Air Problem

Reply #27 –
Quote from: TheBrays –
Called FOT Service Writer 7:30 and told him my problem. I said I would probably not be able to keep my appointment with Wayne. He said maybe Wayne could look at it while he was doing the alignment. I suggested that that would be a problem with no air and probably brakes locked.

Asked what would happen if I got the coach to FOT today, could it be worked on? Was told the next service appointment time was in Feb but maybe they could squeeze it in sometime between now and then.

Elliott,

Dave Stevens found an alternative for alignments not too far from Nac that he has been pleased with.  That might be a good option to investigate.  Here are his posts on the subject:

Tire Pressure

Time for radiator, air bags, a/c & Aqua Hot fixin

Re: Another Air Problem

Reply #28 –
 I realise they do not do certain things but they sure do replace Air Dryers, Govenors etc as they  did once replace mine (albeit incorrectly) but that was no doubt a clear mistake. It is usually the "simple" things that give grief on the road and I feel most of those they do work on.
Anyway, sorry to take up so much space with this comment of mine but still think they should offer some kind of support in times like this.
JohnH

Re: Another Air Problem

Reply #29 –
John,
I agree John, some quality/timely help on the phone would be great!
But that doesn't happen very often.
JD

Re: Another Air Problem

Reply #30 –
Quote from: Michelle –
Elliott,
Dave Stevens found an alternative for alignments not too far from Nac that he has been pleased with.  That might be a good option to investigate.  Here are his posts on the subject:
Tire Pressure
Time for radiator, air bags, a/c & Aqua Hot fixin.

Thanks for the links.
It was after hours when we got to the factory but I talked to Jerrome (sp) as soon as they opened up yesterday. Wayne's schedule is somewhat separate from the other work. Apparently Thursdays and Fridays are 'align factory work' days.  He can take me first thing Friday morning.
I'll be all set.

Re: Another Air Problem

Reply #31 –
Elliott,
After my alignment was done by Wayne the unit drove great.  He stated it was out of alignment and I had too much air pressure in the front tires.  I explained to Wayne the air pressure was based on the weight of the coach and since my coach has ceramic tile it is a little heavy in the front compared to other coaches. I keep 110 PSI in the front and he said that was way to much air pressure.  As I know Wayne I did not argue any more. 

My point of the story is to check your pressure before hitting the road as he lowered my air pressure in the front to his value not mine. It did drive a bit smoother with less pressure, but you cannot argue with weight and the chart from Michelin.

Re: Another Air Problem

Reply #32 –
Heard the same from Wayne plus another, talked tire people and forum friends.  Sounds as though you have same coach weight as me and I stay with the 110 psi.  I even heard go with 95 psi front from knowledgable guy.  Not gonna do that, may be ok,

If want less, change tire sizes but for me I stayed with what came on it, latest I put on are Michelin +3's.  It would ride a bit softer at less pressure, but stay safe.

Re: Another Air Problem

Reply #33 –
We purchased our coach from FOT. It was on consignment. When we left FOT I did not check the tire pressure because I was purchasing the coach from the Factory. Who else would know about the tire pressure than FOT. Well, after arriving home I discovered the front tires were inflated to 85psi. After having the coach weighed (all four corners) and checking the Michelin tire manual, I determined that the front tires should be inflated to 100psi. I inflated the tires to the Michelin tire manual.