[John]

Mayor of Polson knows all about them…..I’am sure he’ll have a opinion.

My opinion FWIW….if it runs good leave it. Just dropping a gear or two is no big deal going up hill.

[John]

Fueled the bus at Flying J in Peculiar, MO. Using Loves fuel card accepted, began furling. At $500 pump shut off displaying message “see cashier”.

Cashier said she just started employment a week ago, had no idea. Any one have any ideas ?

[John]

Gerald always writes good advice, but I want to make a simple correction so you understand something.

He is absolutely correct, but there are two O rings. An outer one and a relatively small inner one. Make sure you are not just expecting one.

[John]

Oops. Thanks Gerald for the last post. I will also check the battery voltage during the 5 second invert indication period to see if it is trying to load the batteries. I think that is what you were asking.

[John]

Don’t be offended by sharp answers. The only dumb question is the one not ask…..

[John]

I am assuming a “Maryland State Inspection” has something to do with safety, etc. Kind of like when I was growing up in MA, they required an annual safety inspection in order to get your reg. Checked your lights, windows, tires, brakes, exhaust and the size of the rust holes. Gave you a sticker in the window and a cert for reg.

You dont need that. You need them to simple do a detailed mechanical inspection which should be to go over the vehicle’s chassis, engine, transmission, etc. Read codes from the engine/transmission and check for fluid leaks, wear items, and the like. Talk to the service writer and not the receptionist. Some people who answer phones can’t get beyond basic concepts. If the service writer can’t get past that, then ask to talk with a tech and explain what you are looking for. Any shop should be able to do this. You just want one that knows the engine/transmission and can look at other chassis items to make sure they are sound (axle seals, brake systems, etc.).

The best choice would be Prevost as they do a very detailed mechanical inspection (which does take 4-6 hours) and provides you with a detailed write up of their findings and what they feel is needed to be serviced. Well worth the $500-$600 (I think that is what I paid four years ago at DFW Prevost). But like I said, any DD/Allison shop should be able to inspect the chassis and give you a good report on the coach from a mechanical standpoint.

[John]

Thanks for the info.

How do you tell which version of DDEC the coach has?

[John]

We were not plugged into shore power it back fed from the motor home.

[John]

Thanks to all who responded with advice for our keypad problem. This forum and community is really a lifesaver

for owners and want to be owners of all levels of experience.

I just got word from TGO that the locksmith was able to get the door open. We now have access to the keys,

and are able to lock and unlock the door with the key. Thanks again to all that replied.

[John]

John,

Not sure who you have spoken with in terms of DD/Allison techs in the area, but a quick search turned up Johnson & Towers with three locations in that area (http://www.johnsontowers.com). The owner may need to bring it to one of the two NJ locations if the Baltimore location can’t get you in.

They say they are DD/Allison premier service center, so they should be able to do a mechanical inspection on the engine/transmission and the chassis (they also provide fleet services).

As for the house side, you will need to find someone that knows Marathon systems or just spend the time yourself (as has been pointed out, could be a couple days) going through all systems, learning them and working them to confirm they are working.

If the seller is not willing to work with you to get the coach inspected, I would walk away from the deal.

Just a quick note. Just because something was inspected, passed and there is documentation doesn’t mean there wont be issues. Airbags can look fine will on the coach, yet pulling them you can see everything and an inspection could have missed some major cracks. The amount of hoses and other fittings on these coaches is hard to inspect everything and make sure a coolant hose may not fail 5000 miles down the road.

Expect to have repairs, replacements, etc. after you buy any coach, it’s just a way of life with any RV (not just a Prevost). One of the big differences with the Prevost is the importance of the air system. People wouldn’t complain about it so much if we had jacks to level with, yet we depend on a tight air system to keep our coaches level while parked.

Documentation is great, but the documentation is only as good as the tech that did the work. Johnny’s mobile repair may not know what they are doing on a Marathon, yet there is an invoice for work on it. Doesn’t make it solid. Heck, you can hear negatives against Prevost service, marathon service, Liberty Service, etc. Just be aware and go into a purchase with an open mind knowing not everything is perfect and it may need something day two that wasnt caught even during standard service.

[John]

It is all about perception and votes. Truck drivers need a strong lobbying effort because while their companies don’t vote, they do vote.

If you think it is bad now, just wait until trucks are speed limitied putting more of them on the road with less skilled drivers because some moron thinks passing legislation like the speed limiting will get him votes.

[John]

Fully agree with Tom, regardless of model. Just have a glass installer remove it, reach in and open the door and he can replace the glass. If it is an XL or a 4 window H3 he will be done in 1/2 hour.

[John]

Take the windshield out, it’s a 15 minute job assuming it’s an XL and the glass shouldn’t break. We used to do them at Rally’s. As I mentioned to Terri with my e-mail, have you checked the side windows driver & passenger to see if one is unfastened and can slide? Even a broken windshield would probably be cheaper than a drilled out lock.

[John]

In NC we closed several rest areas as the Obama “Great Recession” began. Several of the rest stops without buildings were left open for use as a rest area for truckers only.

As for the ticket writing, in NC the court system is our Enemy #1 against Traffic Safety. For example, a Nurse at our regional hospital caused a fatal, six months later a double fatal crash less than a mile away from the hospital. She was operating on the first four lane divided highway in NC, NC #2, traveling an estimated 75-80 MPH by motorists she passed, and with a blood alcohol level of 0.24. She rearended a couple retirees from Pinehurst. The wife died instantly and the husband stayed in the hospital for six months before he passed also. Now for the explaination for the nurse’s actions. Put a positive spin on them if you can. She stole her roommates car after gettig all tanked up, because she caught her roommate with a man! Can you believe that? She faced a charge of careless and reckless driving plus vehicular manslaughter. She got a lawyer, of course, and pled guilty to the C&R charge. Before she could be brought before the court for the VM charge she left the State and went to norther New York. How do I know that? Well I went to the courthhouse and asked the clerk of the court when she was scheduled for trial. Oh she is no longer in NC but in NY. The clerk knew where she was and declined issuance of a supeana since it would not be worth bringing her back for trial.

In NC we have a system where the judge autoimatically grants a prayer for judgement for a first moving violation. Then the record is expunged after one year of no other moving citations. If on the other hand you rack up another moving violation then you are allowed to plead to Improper Equipment a $250 fine and court costs then sent on your way. Now if there is a third moving violation are you in for trouble. The third violation will result in a plea to going 9 miles over the spped limit. You see at 9 over there is no insurance consequence on your license. So, just how many tickets would you write under these circumstances? Just this morning on my commute to Raleigh, SHP 392 passed me traveling 15 plus over the posted. I’m certain he was on a fast trip to NCSHP Headquarters for a staff meeting. So here in NC some LEO’s don’t even display a good example for us minions to follow.

That is just one of my experiences during 15 years as a Division Traffic Engineer with NCDOT.

[John]

Jon and Mike,

The chassis year model is 2007. I appreciate the information that you have provided.

Reese