[Archived]

There are only three reasons I start our coach:

1. I need to move the coach where I have it parked for some reason. Once I have it positioned, I shut it down.
2. We’re going on a trip.
3. It’s sat for a while and I feel compelled to take the coach out for a ride. Minimum 30 to 45 minutes.

I don’t think it’s a good idea to start the coach and run it at idle. You can’t “warm everything up” at idle. Condensation and fuel leaked down past the rings during warm up can’t be “cooked out” at high idle.

[steve]

Ok, I will only start up when I can take it out on the road for a roll. Probably better for the tires and transmission as well.

Thanks Dick!

[David]

If the coach is going to sit for a while, I would suggest periodically starting it and let run at high ideal for about 5 min. Then take it for a short drive, 30+ min. This will insure lubricant gets to all the seals etc and moisture is burnt out. I would do this when ever possible but at least once every 30 – 60 days.

Also if possible keep a trickle charger on the chassis batteries so they are not constantly going dead. If you don’t want the charger to run all the time you can use a high amp industrial timer to turn the charger ON and OFF so it charges only a few hours a day. If possible keep the unit plugged in so the house batteries stay charged. You want to cycle any slides, power awnings, cycle the water pump and toilet if possible. Cycle the leveling valves. Run your generator while driving and aux air compressor. Run the washer and all sinks a short time to keep water in their pee trap. then run your dump vales when your done.

Units that are only used a few weeks out of the year usually have the most service issues. Just my past experience.

[Bill]

Every two weeks out for 30 mile trip.

---

2005 XL Thompson Coach

Rarely tow anything behind us.

Sold: 1993 Liberty that we loved for 12 years.

[Archived]

100 mile round trip drive every 30 days.

Genset in driveway under full load at same time for at least an hour. (Do not run genset while on highway has have Provost over the road bus air)

Webasto 20+ minutes every 30 days also.

[Jon]

Yellow Jacket-

Great tips!

I’m getting the idea here. Use it or lose it.

Every one/thing benefits from regular exercise. I will make it a point to take the bus out for a roll at least once a month and use it.

Thanks!

[Bernard]

Jeff-

Good tip on the webasto! I wouldn’t have thought of that.

Thanks!

[Bill]

Why not run genny while driving. Done it for yrs.

[rafael]

I think he meant he doesn’t run it on the highway as he doesn’t need it with bus air. He runs the genset at other times.

[Roscoeapproved]

Our bus is stored an hour from our home. Since it is not plugged in, I visit it every other weekend and perform the following:

Run generator a minimum of 3 hours with all three airs running.
Turn the stove stop on and boil some water.
Run the microwave.
Flush the toilet and run all faucets including the shower.
Every other trip I run the Aqua hot
Every 60 days I take it for a spin for about an hour drive along with operating the level-low system, by raising each side and lowing just to wake things up.

And it never fails the time we do leave for a trip, something will not work… LOL

---

Jeff and Lindsay

91 Marathon XL

[Dick]

I think what you’re doing to reason. Like I’ve said above, if you start the big Detroit Diesel to start it for the sake of starting it, take it out for a 30 to 60 run … which it sounds like you’re doing. Enjoy the coach!

[rafael]

Jerry:

Your statement “Our bus is stored an hour from our home. Since it is not plugged in”.

I am on call and travel for work, there may be a time I would have to leave my coach unplugged for a period of time at a location away from my house.

What procedures do you use when storing your coach unplugged? How much do the batteries discharge during your absents?

Chuck

[Mike & Brigitte]

Hi Chuck,

This is my shut down process when I leave the bus.

All circuit breakers on the electrical panel are switched to off.

Ensure Aqua hot is turned off.

Turn off both Trace inverters.

Lower all blinds.

Turn off 12V switch.

Prop open refrigerator and ice maker.

Exit and lock front door.

Turn off rocker switch and a slide switch located in rear engine compartment

Turn off both inverter breakers 24Volt.

Ensure all bays are locked.

When I arrive back to the bus and turn on the inverters, I check the level via the inverter panel “menu 4”. The batteries read from 24.2 to 24.6, which the chart I have states 60%, so there still is drainage even though the bus in completely shut down.

Thanks,