Operating Checklists for Comment and Suggestions

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Operating Checklists for Comment and Suggestions

October 14, 2017, 09:29:56 am

After pouring over the Owner's Manual for months I put together a simple checklist series to use now that we're finally getting the coach.

NOTE: These lists do not include camping related items like hooking up or disconnecting at campground. These will be added later. This is strictly about the operation of the vehicle systems.

Please provide us with your feedback and comments.

Thanks

Randy

NOTE: Revised original checklist to add air brake test and move transmission level check to end of day as suggested below.

Re: Operating Checklists for Comment and Suggestions

Reply #1 – October 14, 2017, 09:44:03 am

I would add the air brake test procedure.

Re: Operating Checklists for Comment and Suggestions

Reply #2 – October 14, 2017, 09:48:29 am

Quote from: SteveB – October 14, 2017, 09:44:03 am

I would add the air brake test procedure.

Not sure I know what this is. Please explain. Thanks

Re: Operating Checklists for Comment and Suggestions

Reply #3 – October 14, 2017, 10:01:43 am

Pre-Trip Inspection | Brake Check | Commercial Driver's License

Re: Operating Checklists for Comment and Suggestions

Reply #4 – October 14, 2017, 10:02:32 am

Randy, lets look at my list, narrow to necessary and practical vs other and show you air brake test....look at the operstion manual i made with subject tabs

There are little things you just learn with time, not eat the whole elephant at one bite...so my tab book takes me to subject areas as need.

These lists can get rather daunting...you know for after a time it became simple and practical things....just doing the Foretravel bump test as make a final walk around before pulling out! Did I remove that chock from under the wheel?

And a phone number for friends from forum i can call with question...quite valuable!

See ya tomorrow...you are in for great adventure after your long looking. Will be rewarded I am sure.

Mike

Re: Operating Checklists for Comment and Suggestions

Reply #5 – October 14, 2017, 10:04:06 am

Air Brake System Pre-trip Check

1. Be on reasonably level ground. Block wheels so the coach can not move even with the parking brake off.

2. Start engine and run until full air pressure is reached. Listen for the dryer to purge (about 120 PSI).

3. Shut off the engine.

4. Release the parking brake by pushing in the yellow button (make sure you don't roll, and do NOT apply the brake pedal).

5. After the initial pressure drop, the system should not loose more than 2 PSI per minute.

6. Apply the brake pedal firmly (still with the parking brake OFF).

7. After the initial pressure drop, the system should not loose any more than 3 PSI per minute.

8. With the engine off, ignition on and parking brake off, rapidly pump the brake pedal to bleed down the air supply. During this stage you should watch for the warning light and buzzer at about 60 PSI and then the yellow button (parking brake) should pop out at about 30 PSI.

9. Restart the engine and build up air pressure again. While building up pressure, check how long it takes for pressure to go from 85 to 100 PSI at "cruising RPM". It should be less than 45 seconds.

Re: Operating Checklists for Comment and Suggestions

Reply #6 – October 14, 2017, 10:10:57 am

Suggest you move the "Check Transmission Oil Level" to the end of the driving day, after you are parked and leveled, but before you shut down the engine. Unless it all runs out on the ground during the night, it will still be good the next morning.

Re: Operating Checklists for Comment and Suggestions

Reply #7 – October 14, 2017, 10:15:59 am

Yes, checking transmission fluid level is done with the shift pad (driver's seat). But, the transmission must be up to operating temperature, so, indeed at a rest stop or end of the day on level ground.

To do this:
With transmission up to operating temperature, engine running, transmission on neutral, push the up and down arrows at the same time. The shift pad will start a count down and then display O-L and either a minus or plus number for number of quarts from proper level. This feature started sometime around 1996.

Re: Operating Checklists for Comment and Suggestions

Reply #8 – October 14, 2017, 10:17:45 am

I would add the air brake test procedure.

Quote from: floridarandy – October 14, 2017, 09:48:29 am

Not sure I know what this is. Please explain. Thanks

There are several published procedures based on CDL license testing. This is how I was taught to do it:
1. Ensure air pressure is at governor cutout pressure (115-125 psi
2, Chock wheels and release park brake.
3. Observe air pressure does not drop more than 2 psi in one minute.
4. Press brake pedal and observe pressure drop does not drop more than 2 psi in one minute.
5. Pump brake pedal to reduce air pressure until low air pressure warning comes on at about 60 psi.
6. Continue to pump brake pedal to ensure park brake pops out at about 35 psi.
7. Start engine and see that air pressure reaches governor cutout pressure in 3-5 minutes.
8. Place transmission in drive and ensure parking brake holds when accelerating slightly.
9. Release parking brake and engage service brakes at low speed to ensure vehicle stops smoothly.

Takes about 5 minutes and ensure you can stop safely once you hit the road. If you live in Texas you have to demonstrate this before your Class B Exempt license road test☺

Re: Operating Checklists for Comment and Suggestions

Reply #9 – October 14, 2017, 10:40:41 am

REVISED CHECKLIST IN ORIGINAL POST TO:

1. add air brake system check
2. move transmission level to check to end of day.

Re: Operating Checklists for Comment and Suggestions

Reply #10 – October 14, 2017, 10:53:48 am

And, checking transmission fluid is not something that needs to be done daily. Level with change ONLY if:

Fluid is added
There is an external leak
Transmission cooler/radiator is compromised

Re: Operating Checklists for Comment and Suggestions

Reply #11 – October 14, 2017, 10:58:13 am

This is not a suggested change - just a observation. In my experience, unless parked on a extreme slope, very few (if any) owners will bother to place chocks under the tires when they park. Laziness? Complacency? Over-confidence in parking brake? In my case, I guess it is all three...

Re: Operating Checklists for Comment and Suggestions

Reply #12 – October 14, 2017, 01:24:21 pm

I usually check each airbag for proper ride height before starting each day. I have a gauge cut from a piece of 1/4 in plywood which makes it easier. Thanks for the great list.

Jerrett

Re: Operating Checklists for Comment and Suggestions

Reply #13 – October 14, 2017, 09:23:40 pm

"In my experience, unless parked on a extreme slope, very few (if any) owners will bother to place chocks under the tires when they park." I chock the RF tire (easiest to get to) whenever we are parked and I will be out of the coach. I decided to do this after reading about a guy who was bringing home his new-to-him 'Bird. He stopped at a rest area and didn't chock the tires. When he came out his 'Bird was not where he left it and people were pointing. He went to see what they were pointing at and found his 'Bird - it had rolled over a cliff. The only injury was to his pride, but the coach was totaled.

Re: Operating Checklists for Comment and Suggestions

Reply #14 – October 15, 2017, 07:47:43 am

1. Kick the tires (check inflation)
2. light the fire (start engine)
3. brief on guard (tell everybody "we are going")
4. 1st out out is lead (if traveling with an more that one)

ole Navy pilot check list

Re: Operating Checklists for Comment and Suggestions

Reply #15 – October 15, 2017, 09:07:56 am

Quote from: Bill Chaplin – October 15, 2017, 07:47:43 am

1. Kick the tires (check inflation)
2. light the fire (start engine)
3. brief on guard (tell everybody "we are going")
4. 1st out out is lead (if traveling with an more that one)

ole Navy pilot check list

Yeah, but you had a plane captain/crew chief that made sure your bird was ready to fly. I don't have one of those☺

Re: Operating Checklists for Comment and Suggestions

Reply #16 – October 15, 2017, 11:18:40 am

Looks like quite a complete check list. Most of this stuff is OK do do when you first start with your coach. You will,build some experience and confidence and then while the list remains, the frequency will change on most. And some items will go on the list that gets checked in the event of ... and every once in a while get up on the roof and make sure AC shrouds are secure and there is nothing lose or missing.

A walk around in the morning when you are leaving is a good practice. Are the bay doors closed and latched? Are all of the awings secured? Is the tow setup correct? Do you see anything out of the ordinary? Any fresh puddles under the coach?

And always do a visual check on tow lights, left, right, brake and tail.

When you stop during the day while driving do a walk around. Any puddles? Are any of the tires hot? Wheels hot?

With some time under your belt you will know what is normal for your coach. I check the engine oil, hyd oil and air pressure in every tire the night before we leave or the morning we leave. It only takes a few minutes and while doing it you look at the wheel wells, the air bags and the tires, the engine, belts etc for anything unexpected.

This is a good start to learning your coach, building confidence and understanding what is normal. It gets second nature pretty fast.

Re: Operating Checklists for Comment and Suggestions

Reply #17 – October 15, 2017, 11:33:43 am

X2 all replies! I do the same, but as Roger said, once you get to know the coach, there is no need to do a Brett Wolfe inspection.
I do like the sign at a Park we were leaving from: "Thanks for staying. Have you checked your awnings, roof antennas and whether the DW and the dog are on board?"

Re: Operating Checklists for Comment and Suggestions

Reply #18 – October 15, 2017, 11:50:01 am

My coach does not have the RED light wait to start. I always waited for all of the gauges to finish sweeping then start. What am I missing?
John M.

Re: Operating Checklists for Comment and Suggestions

Reply #19 – October 15, 2017, 02:31:50 pm

John,

Maybe your bulb has burned out?

Trent

Re: Operating Checklists for Comment and Suggestions

Reply #20 – October 15, 2017, 02:33:55 pm

Where on my dash is it located? I've never seen it.
John M.

Re: Operating Checklists for Comment and Suggestions

Reply #21 – October 15, 2017, 02:38:03 pm

Quote from: TulsaTrent – October 15, 2017, 02:31:50 pm

John,

Maybe your bulb has burned out?

Trent

my BULB burnt out a long time ago !!!
now it just glows (in the dark)

Re: Operating Checklists for Comment and Suggestions

Reply #22 – October 15, 2017, 02:48:54 pm

It should be one of the row of messages at the bottom of your dash (I think).

Trent

Re: Operating Checklists for Comment and Suggestions

Reply #23 – October 15, 2017, 03:12:32 pm

Quote from: mike leary – October 15, 2017, 11:33:43 am

X2 all replies! I do the same, but as Roger said, once you get to know the coach, there is no need to do a Brett Wolfe inspection.

I totally agree. Some of that list can be daily, some weekly and some even monthly. As you gain experience with your rig, you will be able to "feel" when things are right/wrong.

I would add a daily "walk around-- look and listen" to the list. Can be done at start up, at a rest area, lunch break or while DW is checking into the CG for the night. The reason-- very few thing go from "good" to "failed" without going through a "noise making" or "what is that fluid on the ground" stage.

Re: Operating Checklists for Comment and Suggestions

Reply #24 – October 15, 2017, 03:17:31 pm

John,

My 2000 U320 did not have a wait to start light either. I used the same procedure you use.

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