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Topic: Parking and starting (Read 940 times) previous topic - next topic

Parking and starting

How many folks that full time and stay in one place for say 3 months or so, actually pack up the coach and take it on an exercise run once a month?
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Parking and starting

Reply #1 –
We met Barry and Donna La Paz County Campground at Parker, AZ (also Brad and Phyllis Metzger).  They were there for several months and were taking their coach out for a monthly drive. They had quite the nest going so it probably took some work. 

Roger
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Parking and starting

Reply #2 –
I do not. 

It only moves when I pick up and leave or have a reason that it has to move.  Last winter, I wasn't aware of any propane services that would come and fill your propane tank so I ended up having to drive to a nearby place every 2 weeks or so before I finally broke down and bought some standalone tanks that could be refilled easily.  That was the only reason it moved until I left.
Robert
Build # 5304
1998 34' U270 Cummins 6CTA8.3

Re: Parking and starting

Reply #3 –
Quote from: bbeane –
How many folks that full time and stay in one place for say 3 months or so, actually pack up the coach and take it on an exercise run once a month?
Howdy Bruce, 
    We have a long term lease on a RV spot in Florida where we spend the winters.  I'm very faithful about taking the coach out every 30 days.  About a 45 minute exercise.  I also run the Gen Set during this run.  A lot of the other RV'ers think I'm overdoing it, but I just think its better to roll everything, keeping the seals, lubed, etc.
Good Luck, Dave A

Dave and Nancy Abel
'00 U320 36' WTFE  Build #5669
'10 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon
Livingston, TX  SKP's Fulltiming

Re: Parking and starting

Reply #4 –
4-6 weeks is my range to move it. I generally take it out for an hour and cycle most everything I think of. Generator with roof A/C's running, dash A/C, air horns. Any longer and I forget how to drive it.
Rick

Re: Parking and starting

Reply #5 –
Why have a motor-home if you aren't going to motor it?
1998 U270 34'

Re: Parking and starting

Reply #6 –
I've always wondered about this admonition against letting a coach sit for a few months. It seems to me that if the batteries are charged, the temperature is regulated and rodents are kept at bay that all is well. Years ago we lived in North Dakota. Those boys would park that diesel machinery in a building and there it would remain for the winter. So it's a good idea to exercise these things but is it really necessary?
jor
93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: Parking and starting

Reply #7 –
Quote from: jor –
So it's a good idea to exercise these things but is it really necessary?
jor

Probably best described as "best practices" vs "can probably get away with it".

And both Cummins and Caterpillar are very adamant  that you should not start the engine unless you can drive at least 25 highway miles.  The is so that the OIL, not just coolant get up to operating temperatures.
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: Parking and starting

Reply #8 –
Jor/Brett, I agree it is in the "best practices" to drive the coach every 30 days or so. However is the coach going to fall apart if you don't, hardly.

I'm here in NH at a friends place for the summer. Every year he puts 2 tractors a car and a diesel pu in the barn for the winter and goes south. Then just fires them in the spring and goes.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Parking and starting

Reply #9 –
I agree it falls under best practice, but if coach temp. and systems are operated I don't think the driveline will suffer over a 3 to 4 month period.
Jerry
Jerry & Nanci
1999 U270 34'WTFI
2011 Malibu
A smart man knows what to say, a wise man knows when to say it.

Re: Parking and starting

Reply #10 –
Quote from: jor –
I've always wondered about this admonition against letting a coach sit for a few months. It seems to me that if the batteries are charged, the temperature is regulated and rodents are kept at bay that all is well. Years ago we lived in North Dakota. Those boys would park that diesel machinery in a building and there it would remain for the winter. So it's a good idea to exercise these things but is it really necessary?
jor
Stuff happens when stuff does not get used...just like us humans.  Exercising everything every month guarantees that you know if stuff is going south on you.  This way when you go to use all the features and appliances all is copacetic.  Nuff said.
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: Parking and starting

Reply #11 –
I think that it is the tires that decide for me when to roll the machine.  If the tires are sitting on concrete and are not being fried by the sun, you're probably OK  to go a couple of months.  You can accomplish a lot by just starting the engine and running the tranny thru the gears while idling.  A lot of controversy about that, but pay attention to the conditions that can cause condensation as that is the major concern relative to not getting engine and tranny up to operating temperatures.  Have a great day  ----  Fritz
Fritz & Kathy Johnson
1991 36'