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Topic: 2 drive or not 2 drive? (Read 952 times) previous topic - next topic

2 drive or not 2 drive?

My guess is that an rv that is exercised on a weekly basis will incur lower repair costs and be more reliable in the long run? Fact or fiction just wanting others input. Yearly fixed maintenance costs I would assume would be similar. A few bucks a month to get it up to operating temps and even spending a night a week in the coach would be beneficial. Wife thinks that putting it up on a golden pristine pedestal is good. All opinions welcome. I have not bought the foretravel yet, but from my research it's a very well built unit, and older units offer a lot of bang for a buck. While still keeping a slush fund for the unknowns, and the avoidance of excessive property taxes. This forum is very insightful and I thank all contributions from the members.
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: 2 drive or not 2 drive?

Reply #1 –
My coach goes on the road every two weeks for a minimum of a twenty mile loop. All systems are running, Aqua hot , generator, both A/Cs.  I have very few problems and I truly believe it is because of this practice. I keep a log and make notes etc of anything that needs to be "watched" or repaired. Exercise is good for you and your coach too.
2002 U320 40Ft  MC # 15759
Coach # 5995
Previous coaches
2002 U320 coach  #5941
1996 U270 coach #4808

Re: 2 drive or not 2 drive?

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Falconguy –
My coach goes on the road every two weeks for a minimum of a twenty mile loop. All systems are running, Aqua hot , generator, both A/Cs.  I have very few problems and I truly believe it is because of this practice. I keep a log and make notes etc of anything that needs to be "watched" or repaired. Exercise is good for you and your coach too.



X2

TOM
SOB (Some Other Brand) division
1995 Wanderlodge WB40
8V92 :D

Re: 2 drive or not 2 drive?

Reply #3 –
regular use and exercise in general is thought to lead to less maintenance overall required of the unit. Myriad reasons for this potentially, but a coach that sits also can have little things go unnoticed that can become very big things over time. Most of those events deal with water in some form or fashion.

You are on the right track
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: 2 drive or not 2 drive?

Reply #4 –
The same for us humans.  If we don't move it we lose it.  We need to exercise and move in order to stay fit or we will deteriorate .  Our coaches needs to be exercised .

John
John & Carm Morales

"We travel not to go anywhere, but to just go.  We travel for travel's sake.  Our great desire is to move."

Re: 2 drive or not 2 drive?

Reply #5 –
In thirty years of running two coaches, I never exercised them, kept them plugged in and had zero problems. The last coach before this one had over 250K when we had to retire her (rear-ended). As others have said, "warming it up" without a load every two weeks is doing more damage than just sitting.
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: 2 drive or not 2 drive?

Reply #6 –
After long term non running storage it is recommended to turn over the engine without starting it for 30 seconds.

How to do it?  No idea
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: 2 drive or not 2 drive?

Reply #7 –
Fuel solenoid?
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: 2 drive or not 2 drive?

Reply #8 –
Just turning the engine over without running helps for long term non use. The valves that are open will after time set the springs. The '81 Foertravel I have had been parked in a trailer park with full hook-ups for 3 years. Unknown to me when I purchased it the generator had not been used during that time. My first trip out it started missing and being all electric it was needed. I determined which cyl was missing and guessed wrong that it was just a bad injector. It would keep rpm and run the inverter charger so I let it run. About an hour later it blew up. Turns out that one of the valve springs had set and dropped a keeper that was the miss. Eventually the valve dropped into the cylinder and met the piston head on. being a wet sleeve engine helped some. replaced block, cam, 2 roller injectors, 2 valves, one cylinder and piston set one connecting rod. This happened in 1994 it has run ever since the repair, but I do turn it over if it isn't started after a month or so.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean