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Petty Complaints
Let me preface my comments by saying that after 22 years of Prevost ownership and now three coaches I am amazed at how each coach we have purchased has had so many improvements over the previous one that those improvements surpass anything I could have imagined. Each coach has been easier to live in, has driven better, and offers more creature comforts than previous ones. So why complain? Actually I should not label the comments as complaints, but suggestions or minor criticisms.
My focus has been on setting up our latest coach for our needs. I think we are through the part where we have to decide where to store the stuff we carry such as the various items we all need ranging from the vacuum to kitchen utensils, to the CDs and DVD to the cleaning supplies. All coaches have been good in providiing us with logical places to store these things. But I have some simple comments such as why is the Prevost data plate that lists axle weights stuck next to the seat where my old eyeballs cannot read the numbers. I don’t know about other folks and their coaches, but all of mine have not had those data plates easy to see. We are loaded and as soon as I have a full water tank, empty holding tank and full fuel I am going to get my axle weights so I know how much air pressure to put in the tires and if I am OK on weights.
Part of owning a new coach is getting the driver’s area set up. In a car you adjust the seat, set the mirrors and you are ready to go. Same thing with the coach with a few more things to do. But I cannot do anything unless the key is on. Why do I need the key on to adjust the seat and mirrors? A radio is not a radio anymore. It plays CDs, either singly or from a stack in a player. It can scan the radio stations and store the strongest. It is the GPS. In other words it takes more to learn the radio than it does to figure out how to drive the coach. Yet it needs the key on before you can begin the long involved learning process on a device made for the eyes of a teenager with buttons so small only a person with perfect vision and a deft touch can learn the device. That suggests we should play with the radio and its learning process while driving. I don’t think so.
On our coaches we have labels to show us the wiring diagram for the batteries. We have lists of the relays, circuit breakers and other significant devices in the front and rear electric boxes. What we do not have is a list of trade numbers for belts, filters, and all the other replaceable items during routine service. With reference to a book provided by the converter I can get those numbers, or I can cross reference from the parts already on the bus, but it shure would be nice if along with relays and circuit breakers those were listed on the chart that shows lubrication points.
Don’t get me wrong. My observations above are in no way meant to be construed as me not liking our new ride. We are almost giddy about the new coach and as soon as I get a decent photo the avatar is going to be changed.
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12 Replies
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If you would like to surrender that ride of yours for a few weeks, use my 12v vintage rivet machine with manual doors, manual shades, manual awnings, manual bed lift, manual locks and stand alone radio, I’ll sort out all the items of concern for you.
Hey, what are friends for….
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Congratulations Jon, you just bitched your way into the over 68 group, don’t be claiming that age anymore. Ha,Ha.
Those small things will be bothering you more and more as you move along in life.
Now think of the data plate realistically, if you could see it, would you remember what you saw.
Make it easy on yourself, take your camera, hold it down there and take a picture of the plate. Print it out and put it in a drawer.
Oh, my radio plays with the key off, maybe Roger can help you set yours up that way.
JIM sniker, sniker,
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The radio in my 97 is a “key off” device as is the driver’s seat. Maybe the mirrors also. I don’t remember.
I would love to take a picture of the Prevost data plate, but I can barely get my hand between the seat and the data plate, much less a camera so I can take a picture.
I hope you guys who think you are breaking my chops realize I am currently in the ultimate position having a no slide rivet coach and a no rivet slide coach so I have the best of all worlds. Tom, your chances of using my ride so you can teach me all this stuff is slim to none. But you can buy your own and then teach me after you learn yours……..
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Mine plays all the time key off. It is how we get background noise when parked. A simple fix for a radio guy (but which I am not).
Catch me in Myrtly Beach and I will figure out how to get a picture of that plate for you. I will probably use some newfangled tech item like my iPhone, as well as skinny arms and young eyes! 😉
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Sawbonz I am going to take you up on that offer. Unless I can get my shop mirror in there and see it.
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Hey Jon, if you want to stop all these (kind folks) from harrasing you about your new coach, just add rivets to it like your old one and silicone the slides shut and you will be back to a no slide rivet coach.
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Buddy,
Those folks picking on me just don’t even rise to the level of minor irritation. They have to bring their “A” game if they are going to wipe the grin off our faces. Now that I have 2 coaches of different generations I feel entitled to argue and debate with the best of them.
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Point well made !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tell them you own the best of both worlds, well almost, it’s not a CC.
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Buddy,
You were doing good right up intil the last comment about CC. Next thing you know you are going to stir the pot about OTR, roof airs and Cruise Airs, and then follow that up with some questions about tires filled with nitrogen.
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Don’t forget the lithium ion batteries either! Lots of stuff floating around about those..
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From the early reports I understand the lithium batteries have been doing well, but as long as you brought up batteries that has always been a topic which has caused a good discussion. Only now the debate can range from lead acid to AGM to gel and now lithium. The only problem is while we can all hold opinions about what battery type is best, our coaches are likely designed around a specific type of battery and for that application that is the battery that may be best. If you have AGM it is probable a lead acid might not be an acceptable replacement, just like if you have lithium it is unlikely you will ever use a different type.
Each battery type has specific installation requirements (gel doesn’t handle heat real well, lead acid needs good ventilation, etc.) and while we may have preferences, we are pretty much committed to a specific type
Anyone remember when the only battery option was size?
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Jon, size always has mattered , hasn’t it? That said, I can remember with my first car, a 1953 dodge, not wanting to buy a new battery, often finding a place on a small hill (difficult sometimes in NW Ohio) so that if the battery did not crank it over, I could give it a push, jump in, put er in gear and pop that clutch. Whew, the Old Days got to me again.
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