Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 10, 2025 ...

Storing coach questions

June 03, 2020, 09:12:31 pm

I've known this might have been coming for some time now, and thought about asking earlier, but decided to wait until it was official. This morning it became official. We are members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Riverton, WY. Trinity has a school, and the current head teacher has retired. They want to Call a man who will be half-time associate pastor and half-time head teacher. Such men exist, but are rather scarce, so they came up with a plan. The have asked me to serve as the part-time head teacher until such time as they get the new man. That could be a couple of months or a couple of years. I've accepted, and will move to Riverton in July. When the new man comes we'll hit the road again.

Now the questions:
1. Do I need a place where the coach can be plugged in? Do I really want to leave it plugged in? My gut feeling is that it will be a year or more before we get someone, so it is unlikely that we'll need to take the coach anywhere in the winter. That is a possibility, however.

2. The batteries are all 5-7 years old and probably ought to be replaced one of these days. I can remove and replace the engine batteries easily enough, but I don't really want to try moving those 8D house batteries. Should I just disconnect them and then replace them when we're ready to hit the road?

3. Since it gets to -30 or so there, I'm going to have to thoroughly winterize. If someone with a similar coach could send me instructions (off-list would be great) I'd really appreciate it. Until now, winterizing meant going south.

4. What else should I be concerned about?

Quote Selected

Re: Storing coach questions

Reply #1 – June 03, 2020, 09:21:24 pm

David,

That is a really harsh environment for a motorhome, particularly if outdoors and even more so if no shore power.

Are you still planning to live in the coach or more into a permanent structure there?

Quote Selected

Re: Storing coach questions

Reply #2 – June 03, 2020, 09:27:27 pm

We will have a nice, brick house to live in. The owner said there might be room to park it beside the house, but there is a sprinkler system there, and I don't think driving over it would be good for it.

Quote Selected

Re: Storing coach questions

Reply #3 – June 03, 2020, 09:29:58 pm

Winterize coach.  Remove batteries. Drain tanks?

Quote Selected

Re: Storing coach questions

Reply #4 – June 03, 2020, 10:15:08 pm

Congrats David, this must be exciting and very rewarding.

Quote Selected

Re: Storing coach questions

Reply #5 – June 03, 2020, 10:31:34 pm

Remember, if your batteries are fully charged at around 12.7 volt, they won't freeze until lower than minus 70F but if partially discharged, minus 30 could ruin them. Trickle charger will keep voltage up along with the battery temp.

And congratulation on  your new position.

Pierce

Quote Selected

Re: Storing coach questions

Reply #6 – June 03, 2020, 10:42:51 pm

Can remove sprinklers. Usually 1/2 or 3/4 threads. Can purchase plugs to cap. 
But!!!!
Remember to water . Make sure water doesnt stain from iron or hard water on coach or other items. Normal depth is 18" deep for sprinkler.

Quote Selected

Re: Storing coach questions

Reply #7 – June 04, 2020, 12:04:31 am

David,  You may want to send an PM to Andy2.  Riverton is his homebase.  He can likely advise about winter weather and winterizing

Quote Selected

Re: Storing coach questions

Reply #8 – June 04, 2020, 10:26:43 pm

I winterize mine. We get down right cold here in the winter. I wish I could keep her inside out of the winter elements, its not an option though. My solar panels keep everything charged all winter long, I havnt had any problems yet. Youre right in the same place as Andy, he has lots of knowledge on that subject.

Quote Selected

Re: Storing coach questions

Reply #9 – June 05, 2020, 12:17:35 pm

Andy made us buy our Foretravel
Never even knew the brand existed
It's his fault
.....and Pete's🤣🤣🤣

Quote Selected