[Clifford]

I just read all I could find on the Volvo engine. There is a D13 and a D16 and they couple it to a fully automatic 12 speed transmission that they call the I Shift, controlled by a joy stick looking thing. Has D, N, R and manual where the driver can select the gears.

There is a testimonial from some trucking out fit that hauls 80,000 lbs with the combination and gets fleet wide average of 8 mpg. Now the guy I met and his mileage, maybe he travels light, after all it was specialized stuff that he carried and as an owner/operator he may well be extra careful with the vehicle but, suffice to say it apparently gets very good mileage. As for reliability, I haven’t a clue.

Wonder if the Volvo powered Prevosts have that I Shift……

[Clifford]

Thanks for the information. How should they be tightened?

DKO

[Clifford]

Rick, instead of the test light use a multitester and measure the voltage. Compare the buss voltage with the 24V buss. It should be 1/2 of the 24.

If your voltage on the 12 volt side is lower or higher than it should be look first at the house battery equalizer, and if that is OK look for loose fittings, corrosion, bad cable ends, etc.

Good luck on getting at the equalizer. Unless you put the entertainment center back in at least you will have quicker access unless yours has the batteries behind the tag axle.

[Clifford]

I don’t want to rain on this party but the problem that I see is that all the converters are depleting the batteries past 50 percent,the voltage that the converters are using for automatic generator start is less than 23 volts which according to the battery manufacturer reduces the life cycles of a battery.This low voltage does give the converter a bragging point as to how long their product will perform before the generator starts.I have been told by 2 converters that their pulling the batteries to this low voltage will not reduce the lifetime of the batteries because their instillation is unique,the battery manufacturers disagree with anything below 50 percent.

[Clifford]

I would take it to Jon’s house let him look it over

[Clifford]

I would hope that you viewed the coaches here on this site as well in your quest to determine the year model to fit your budget. There are 110 coaches for sale here.

Welcome to Prevost Community, you found the right place for help in your coach search. As you narrow down your choice, there will be lots of folks here to help. If I were going to be full time, I would be in an “H” for the bay space. As for the height, most H models are going to be right at 13’6″, not a big deal as that is the height of big trucks and most of our roads will not be a problem. You do have to plan ahead, just like those of us with XLII’s. Campgrounds will be the biggest problem because of low hanging tree’s.

Keep us posted, we’ll be glad to help you spend your money.:)

[Clifford]

Have any Vantare owners out there changed their interior halogens to LED’s?

We have started the process, but have run into a couple of snags.

The first four we changed out were in the salon ceiling, right side.

After changing one we switched them on and tried dimming them….the LED worked great on the high and med setting….but went completely out for the low setting. After changing the second one the dimming returned to normal for all 4 lights, which at that time were 2 halogen and 2 LED’s.

After changing light 3 & 4, the dimming function was really screwed up…..lights stayed full bright for high & med setting when dimmed slightly on the low setting.

We ended up putting 2 halogens back. Now all 4 work properly….but only 2 of the 4 are LED.

Any thoughts on what is causing this?

Thanks!

[Clifford]

Hey Gary, still have your Royale, welcome.

[Clifford]

Just keep the arms clean and lubed with silicone Richard and the tool works great.

[Clifford]

hey david i enjoyed my thompson but this H is so much easier to keep clean.

[Clifford]

Paul, Paul, Paul……….If I don’t buy the tire or fill the tank I won’t be going anywhere so I can enjoy the LEDs. It is a real conundrum.

[Clifford]

If Marathon had that coach and it wouldn’t sell at their price I find it odd they did not buy it at the auction.

Nobody has the ability to resell a Marathon and get top dollar for it than Marathon. They know the coach better than anyone and can put it in tip top shape quicker and easier than anyone.

Buying Prevost conversions is an activity that makes zero sense. But we do it because we love the lifestyle.

[Clifford]

Having just bought a 9-year old after researching for months, it’s is clear that one can expect at least a 10% price reduction off the asking price of any coach offered. In my case, some dealers were offering it before I even asked, and I spoke to several.

its not unlike the housing market in some respects in that time on the market and asking price are closely related. Pity those who overprice their for-sale and then, after many months finally sell for less than they could have gotten had they priced it right in the first place.

Coaches are an awful “investment”, but I sure love them! The coach I bought lost about 70 percent of its original value in those 9 years. I’m tempted To declare that most of the loss is in the conversion and not the shell, but then I’m just musing….

[Clifford]

The Jake brake in my coach auto-selects 3rd gear whenever it is engaged (speed permitting). I’m told that this “auto-downshift” feature can be reprogrammed be any Detriot Diesel shop.

i do find it a bit aggressive for my taste and may consider disabling it in favor of manual gear selection.

[Clifford]

Thanks for all the information. Looks like we will stay at Tom Sawyer as long as it isn’t flooded.