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Topic: pre-trip mechanical check-list (Read 796 times) previous topic - next topic

pre-trip mechanical check-list

Trip from washington state to arizona.
Unihome U225. 1991 Diesel pusher.
Has been sitting for over a year.
What should be addressed mechanically?
New-be
Elaine 1991 U225 36'

Re: pre-trip mechanical check-list

Reply #1 –
Elaine,

The list will be pretty extensive-- basically a mechanical inspection.  What is the mechanical background of who will be involved?

Certainly, the first safety related item is to check age and condition of tires.  How old are they from the DOT number?

Unique to the U225 (and U240) is the torsilastic suspension ride height.  That should be checked and if needed, adjusted before a long trip.
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: pre-trip mechanical check-list

Reply #2 –
Thank you for the info. I am getting the new tire soon. New battery and air filter.
Elaine 1991 U225 36'

Re: pre-trip mechanical check-list

Reply #3 –
As Brett says, how accomplished are you mechanically? Make sure you have fuel filters and a set of belts. I carry a spare tire all the time. Pull and clean battery terminals if possible. Road test brakes before setting out. How are your wiper blades? Run generator with a load on it for 30 minutes. Oil changes due? Do you have insurance for towing? Good to have. Watch icy roads especially in the morning.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: pre-trip mechanical check-list

Reply #4 –
Given the coach has lived in our ex-neck of the woods, where moisture is rampant, a dose of "Diesel Fuel Biocide" into a full tank is suggested. That's a long trip, with a coach you don't know, I'd stay on the major roads.
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: pre-trip mechanical check-list

Reply #5 –
You may also look at the fuel lines for cracking, my 1997 has lines that have some crack but apparently enough to suck some air so it has some problems with loosing power and shuddering.
Steve

1997 U270 36' build 5179
Motorcade #18147
1980 CJ5

Re: pre-trip mechanical check-list

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Super8mm –
You may also look at the fuel lines for cracking, my 1997 has lines that have some crack but apparently enough to suck some air so it has some problems with loosing power and shuddering.
Good to have a gauge installed. I have one at the primary and after the secondary. It can also be the lift pump that may be causing your power loss. If the generator starts exhibiting strange behavior or the feed line seems damp, it may have lot of almost microscopic cracks. Pressure gauge is good here too.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: pre-trip mechanical check-list

Reply #7 –
Thanks Pierce, once I get it closer to home I will start adding some pressure gauges.  Seems like they are good diagnostic tools
Steve

1997 U270 36' build 5179
Motorcade #18147
1980 CJ5

Re: pre-trip mechanical check-list

Reply #8 –
Elaine,

How was the coach used before the 1 year storage?  Have you owned it for a long time, or did you just buy it?  How has the coach been maintained?  Do you have all those records?  If you do it should be straightforward to define what needs to be done.  Let us know the answers to these questions so we can help you.
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R

Re: pre-trip mechanical check-list

Reply #9 –
And, since it is in a wet area of the country, be sure to check the BULKHEADS before making a long drive.
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: pre-trip mechanical check-list

Reply #10 –
My personal use reauirements in using traded in rv's to go dry camping was to replace the coaches batteries first then check for alternator output at the batteries and do the same for the battery charger with the gen on.

New wiper blades.  Check water pump pressure after you verify you have strong 12 volt at the batteries. 

Good batteries fully charged after resting Is 12.7 or a bit more.

Cheap gauge helps. 
"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