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Topic: Friendly Reminder - Preflight Checks (Read 861 times) previous topic - next topic

Friendly Reminder - Preflight Checks

I had a very fortunate breakdown coming back home from Ian evacuation...

Every morning predeparture I check my tire pressures and every time they are correct.  Except that one time the one inner dual lost all the air.  Of course I didn't check that time because I was just moving the coach across the yard and the tire unseated from the bead.  Now I had to call someone in with a tool that I now know you can buy cheaply called a bead blaster to pop the tire back onto the rim.  But in all honesty I don't check much else.  I do a cursory look under the coach for puddles and head out.

This time out we had a 3 day long drive and on the second day I found a coolant leak.  The 2.5" silicone hump coupler (as it's called) connecting the water pump inlet to the transmission cooler sprung a leak.  I detected this with my nose because I was walking around the hot coach applying bug spray due to copious ant hills.  Upon further inspection I noticed the coolant overflow was empty.

But had I not walked around I quite likely wouldn't have noticed this because my morning check involves looking for puddles (which this didn't leave one).  The low coolant light didn't come on the previous day and the temp never budged off 180.  We simply didn't leak enough coolant to detect it that way.  I would have set off and inevitably had to shut down on the side of the highway.  Instead I got to stealthily repair the problem in the cool morning on a cold engine hoping the KOA staff didn't happen to notice me filtering 6 gallons of expensive OAT coolant for reuse.  (They noticed but they took pity on me and didn't say anything).  The hump coupler wasn't available locally but I had one in my stash from my previous coolant coupler replacements ~8 years ago when I bought the coach.  The old takeoff was super stiff and when I squeezed it several cracks appeared on the inside.  The drive home was a nervous one!

The moral of the story is, besides your tire pressures, always look at your hydraulic oil sight glass (steering or fan leak), coolant overflow and coolant box sight glass before leaving.  You can use a flashlight through the engine vent and see all of them without cracking the engine door open.  Also the other moral of the story is, save everything you ever replace during maintenance and carry it with you.  Along with all of your tools haha.

Re: Friendly Reminder - Preflight Checks

Reply #1 –
Mark was your 2.5" hump coupler a silicone coupler or was it oem rubber?  If silicone, did it split?  I was under the impression that the silicone hoses were more durable than the rubber hoses.
George Mann
2002 U320 #5934
2017 Rubicon
2013 BMW GS
Waterford MI

Re: Friendly Reminder - Preflight Checks

Reply #2 –
I have a very detailed checklist I go by before I drive off in our coach. I also have a membership to Coach Net along with  a fully stuffed tool box. I also too stock up on parts as well. I know I can't prepare for every eventuality on the road but by taking these simple steps it helps me feel somewhat confidant driving down the road.
EMT living in Missouri. Recently purchased 1987 Gran Villa 36 Ft. long,460 Ford engine with 40,000 miles on it, new tranny has 3000 miles on it, coach has 75000 miles on it, new 5000 watt genny new fridge, new tires. Am both excited and scared out of my wits at the size of this beast. Love it but need time to become accustomed to it's size.  I'm sure it will take time to experience all the secrets this RV has to offer. Any and all advice gratefully accepted.

Re: Friendly Reminder - Preflight Checks

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Geodmann –
Mark was your 2.5" hump coupler a silicone coupler or was it oem rubber?  If silicone, did it split?  I was under the impression that the silicone hoses were more durable than the rubber hoses.

Actually it might not be silicone.  Gates 23562.  It has a silicone like construction though.  The lower pipe kind of goes into the hump area and rubs a bit.  It split there.

Re: Friendly Reminder - Preflight Checks

Reply #4 –
Pre Flight  checks are well worth the two minutes it takes: look up, down and around. just before leaving the Branson Grandvention a beautiful Foretravel was leaving the campground with its very expensive satellite dish up and circling looking for signal, funny but could have been costly. We ran and stopped the coach. All ended well!
David & Emma Roche
Dino (Golden Doodle)
1999 U270 WTFE 36' Build # 5534
Xtreme "Lights, Stripes & Roof"
Motorcade# 18321
Dayton, Ohio
Towd: Jeep Grand Cherokee
Two Townie Electra Bikes

Life is made to enjoy, the Foretravel helps!

Re: Friendly Reminder - Preflight Checks

Reply #5 –
As I have gotten older and the memory is not what it used to be, I have developed a comprehensive Pre-Flight Check List.  I can't tell you how many times, I have missed something trying to do it from memory.  It could be something minor, or it could be something expensive like David mentioned above.  A list with a walk around, for me, is a great tool.

I also have an "Arrival" list that I follow when setting up.  I have them laminated to last.
Mark & Bev
2001 U295 36' Slide
Cummins ISC 8.3 350HP
Build #5802
Jeep Wrangler Toad

Re: Friendly Reminder - Preflight Checks

Reply #6 –
Quote from: "Irish" –
Pre Flight  checks are well worth the two minutes it takes: look up, down and around. just before leaving the Branson Grandvention a beautiful Foretravel was leaving the campground with its very expensive satellite dish up and circling looking for signal, funny but could have been costly. We ran and stopped the coach. All ended well!

David, I am surprised it did not stow.  Most are set up on the ignition and when turned on, the sat stows.  At least mine does!  And yes, they are expensive, our new Winguard Traveler dish was just over $2400.  Getting ready to pull the plug on the Starlink system!  There are 6 RV's here in Wildwood that have the dish up and running.  I will be asking questions!!!!
Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus

Re: Friendly Reminder - Preflight Checks

Reply #7 –
Quote from: juicesqueezer –
Getting ready to pull the plug on the Starlink system!
If I may ask? Why.....
Tim Dianics
Pam Sapienza
Vader PupZilla Labrador Canine Beast (AKA Pup)
Columbia, MO
1996 U320 4000
2021 Jeep Gladiator, Diesel

Re: Friendly Reminder - Preflight Checks

Reply #10 –
Yes, should have said it that way, but will be going the Star Link route!
Everyone I have spoken with loves theirs and say it was a real game changer.  Dish, $599, Flag Pole Buddy with dish adapter $179 and service $135 a month for RV service!
Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus

Re: Friendly Reminder - Preflight Checks

Reply #11 –
Pre flight?
Before leaving on our last trip,  my "pre" noted the engine radiator tank could use a quart of coolant. Funnel required, coolant added, all well and drove 580 miles to Branson for the Grandvention.
Open the engine bay to ask someone a question, what do I see but my coolant tank cap sitting on the black box beside the coolant tank where I stupidly left it.
These old coaches must really have a smoother ride than I thought !
David & Emma Roche
Dino (Golden Doodle)
1999 U270 WTFE 36' Build # 5534
Xtreme "Lights, Stripes & Roof"
Motorcade# 18321
Dayton, Ohio
Towd: Jeep Grand Cherokee
Two Townie Electra Bikes

Life is made to enjoy, the Foretravel helps!

Re: Friendly Reminder - Preflight Checks

Reply #12 –
I've done the same and the cap was still there.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Friendly Reminder - Preflight Checks

Reply #13 –
I check  and adjust tire pressures before leaving the barn on a trip, for the next 2 weeks that's the last time I put a pressure gauge on one BUT , I keep a hammer in a propane bay drawer and EVERY time we stop in a days running I bump my tires, probably more than the average fella. I'm not perfect by any stretch but after 50 years of having over the road trucks I know what a tire sounds like when hit with a hammer 3 times and the air pressure is normal. After a couple weeks on the road and sitting at a campground much of that time I go back to my gauge and down on one knee and check myself. I always instructed my drivers to bump tires at least 5 times in a days run, some did some didn't the ones that didn't always got discovered and talked to. We checked the tires with a gauge every 15000 miles pm service. I will add this, be careful each time you take a gauge off a valve stem and follow it up by a quick couple jabs to be sure valve core seated completely. More times than a few I've seen a core be caused to leak by the angle the stem was when the gauge was taken off of it. I will add that I will put a gauge on my steer tires more often than that. Pay attention to your tires and notice how they sound when hit with a claw hammer, equipment will talk to you if you will listen. Sounds, smell and visual has always been important to me in running equipment.
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: Friendly Reminder - Preflight Checks

Reply #14 –
When I stop after driving for a while I put my hand on each tire and feel for heat but cold the
hammer is the only indicator other then using a gauge to check the tire.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport