[al]

Sounds like I10 (except near New Orleans = I12) is the route to take!

Thanks to everyone for the excellent advice on routes, stops, restaurants and updates on road conditions.

Really appreciate this forum and the wealth of info that is shared so willingly – based on actual experience.

[al]

I’m not sure I agree with Dick.

While there may be a buyer who places a value on a coach with a fresh engine, the market is a cruel place that tends to place values based on model year and possibly some features such as slides, but only seems to give a slight nod to exceptional maintenance or a long list of expensive replacements.

My cynicism suggests a lot of uneducated buyers are more swayed by tire dressing rather than an invisible strong maintenance history.

[al]

Bill, there are check valves as well as a protection valve that will come into play if the accessory tank loses air.

On the Prevost car web site accessible through the parts and service link are pneumatic diagrams for your coach that show both the location and type of valves and components that will prevent all primary and secondary air system pressure losses.

https://techpub.prevostcar.com/en/

[al]

Al, Internally a bay door beneath the skin is mostly angle iron framework. Depending on where and how much damage it is not unusual to find cutting out bent parts that cannot be straightened and replacing them with new pieces of angle stock restores what is under the skin.

There are numerous sources for outer panels, including junk yards, and offers such as Bob’s very generous offer.

Sometimes the angle or channels at the bay opening on the chassis also get damaged but those pieces can either be pulled straight or cut out and replaced with new parts.

[al]

Bill, Here is free advice, worth every penny you pay for it.

If you do the test as Don provided you have done 1/2 the checking you get to do beneath the coach. The second reason for draining the tanks is you are doing a moisture check. Assuming the system is not flooded it is probable the only two places you would expect to see moisture is the wet tank and the accessory tank.

If you maintain the air dryer you likely will never see a drop of moisture in the wet tank or the primary and secondary tanks. The accessory tank can get moisture if you do not have a good quality water separator or dryer installed downstream from the aux compressor. If you do run the aux compressor keep in mind it will produce water and your vigilance is the only thing to prevent that moisture from migrating into the accessory tank, and then into accessory systems.

When I am using my coach I can collect moisture produced by my aux compressor in a water trap, and I drain that as required to keep moisture from my accessory tank and systems. If I failed to keep water from my accessory system I could introduce water into my air bags and throughout myNorgrens which shortens their life.

I change my air dryer every two years and if I ever get anything from my wet tank it is dust. The air dryer will protect the entire bus pneumatic system very well, but it does need maintenance.

So if you cannot get beneath the coach (I do it every 5000 miles) keep up with the maintenance of your dryer and moisture traps and you will be OK.

[al]

Thank you, Joe. Thank you for the clarification.

Yes, the flat head screws that hold the strike plate to the door and box are the ones I was talking about.

Davy

[al]

Ralf, when a capacitor goes bad ours does the same thing as yours.

[al]

This is only a guess but our chassis batteries will not be able to withstand voltages at the bulk voltage rate continuously, especially given the probability they are in a relatively warm environment.

For all of my coaches for the last 31 years I have replaced chassis batteries every five years and never experienced a need to replace sooner than that. The batteries removed were performing well and replacement was not because it was needed, but to do it before there was a need.

I have always insured my charging voltage was no more than 27.7.

Having said that there are 3 stage voltage regulators now on the market and they may be an acceptable alternative to a constant voltage. I do not know if those are sensing temperature to insure the correct charging voltage.

[al]

That seems to me to be like taking an aspirin for a brain tumor.

If the coach is water tight you are not going to get moisture inside that needs removal. If on the other hand the coach has any leaks, regardless of size you have to do whatever is required to remove moisture. From my perspective it would be to eliminate the leaks.

As a related matter, a slide coach that is not in indoor storage has a high potential for leaks, especially if the pneumatic system is not pressurized. Water can get past the seals and I’m not sure a dehumidifier will be able to deal with what has the potential to be a lot of moisture.

This is just my opinion.

[al]

nice so mine is in real bad shape lol

[al]

Congratulations Jon!

The group is very fortunate to have you and Tom working to keep us all informed on Prevost ownership.

Chris

[al]

I will, ordering thermostats today it’s takes 2 of them

[al]

Thanks for sharing the great news, Jerry! Nice to hear how well they took care of you.

Just curious… how did you find them?

[al]

It should be kept in focus that the TX power grid is unique. TX does not tie into the National grid to avoid regulation issues. If they had, this never would have happened as they would have been able to tap other resources in other States and Texans would have been warm and comfy. It’s not a Green vs. Oil discussion but I sure hope it becomes a discussion about the Texas isolationist mindset at the expense of its residents.

[al]

Steve, I would not let the lack of complete wiring diagrams sway you away from a Marathon. The wires are numbered and make sense. Marathon was happy to tell me where the other end of some extra pulls t the plumbing bay terminate on the other end.

I really don’t think lack of wiring diagrams will stand in your way of doing your own upgrades. It’s not like you will be re-engineering the Tech-Link system.

I’ve owned two Royales, and they did have basic house wiring schematics. I referenced them a few times, that’s it.

I strongly discourage you from limiting your search based on availability of wiring diagrams.