Stupid Newbie Question

[aggies09]

OK, I know this will sound stupid to the veterans, but as a newbie I would like to know what you do when you have a flat tire while traveling? Call AAA? I would like to hear from the pros for some practical advice.

[Orren Zook]

I use Coach Net rather than AAA, but that's what I'd do - call for road service if you have coverage. I've used them for three tire failures in the last 10 years, my longest wait for service was over two hours on 401 in Quebec, the least was 35 minutes on I-75 in Tampa three weeks ago. I'm not sure what AAA covers but Coach Net pays the service call, dismount and mount of the tire.

[Sid Tuls]

I have AAA with a Bus package for $28 a year more. Haven't had to use it .











Sid & Judy Tuls
2007 Thompson XL11 D/S

[dale farley]

I have AAA Plus, and if I had a flat, I would call them to get the necessary repairs. AAA normally will not work on your bus unless you have the extended service. Make sure that whoever does the repairs has adequate knowledge and tools for working on your bus.

[BrianE]

Tony,

Ain't no stupid questions here. AAA is a good choice if you have their RV coverage. Make sure you get the AAA agent to do a three way telephone conversation with the repair facility however so you can explain your specific needs to the repair folks. Any heavy truck tire mobile repair service should be able to get you back on the road in short order (after they reach you). Another resource is: http://www.truckdown.com. They have listings for all manner of truck repair facilities. If you're handy you might want to carry a truck tire plug repair kit. If you carry an air hose and can tap your bus air system or better yet, get a portable CO2 setup: http://www.prevoman.com/Pages/Cool%20Toos/ToolsPg1.html, you may be able to repair a puncture and not have to deal with a service call.

[Ray Davis]

There are other RV service organizations. Good Sam comes immediately to mind. My insurance company (Explorer RV) provided RV coverage from the Contentinental Car Club.

I think that FMCA has a similar service, and I believe the Camping World sells a service as well.

So, there are plenty of options.

[Loc]

Tony,

You definitely want to get road service for the bus that handles flats and towing. I have had the unfortunate experience of having to have the bus towed three times. I have used Coach-Net which is tied in with FMCA for 8 years. It costs me about $90 a year and based on the tows and one service call it has more than paid for itself. The cost for one of my tow jobs was more than $1,200 but Coach-Net covered everything. It also covers your personal automobiles. I like Coach-Net because they have technicians that know RV's and understand the difference with a bus.

Loc

[Jon Wehrenberg]

Some things we have learned.

Carry a set of plugs and the tools to insert them as Brian suggests. That is not a long term fix (which involves adding a patch to the inside of the tire), but it may keep you going.

Carry at least 50' of hose, have an air hose fitting in the steer compartment, and have the ability to add air to all tires. If the problem is a slow leak you can add air every couple of hours (be sure to over inflate). This also may keep you going.

If the problem cannot be dealt with using the methods listed above, pray.

I have had two tire failures on the road in 18 years and at least 250,000 miles. One was a sidewall cut that I got rubbing against a curb trying to avoid a dump truck that needed his and my sides of the road, and the other was a cupped tag that went down to the belts in abut 2000 miles. In both cases 12R22.5 and 315R80 22.5 neither size was available at tire distributors (one in the El Paso / Las Cruces area, and one in St. Louis.

My solution was to juggle the tires around so I ended up with the closest size to what I needed on the tag axle. In both cases I made sure the correct tires were on the steer and drive axles, and I put the size closest to my needs on the tag. I ended up matching the other side tag tire so my tag had tires of a size not delivered with the coach, but sufficiently rated for the load. I ran them until they wore out with no issues in both cases.

Who you get for road side service is not important. I did subscribe to road side service at one time, but discontinued it because I was money ahead because in both cases I was able to get to the tire shop or into a campground. If you can avoid it by making temporary repairs to get you home you are far better off. If you do need roadside repairs you are at their mercy with respect to how long it takes them to show up, and how much they soak you for a tire.

Your best insurance is constantly checking tire pressures.

[jello_jeep]

Jon, I don't remember if you have remote pressure sensors or not??





Your best insurance is constantly checking tire pressures.

[Jon Wehrenberg]

I do not have remote pressure sensors. I still like to check them the old fashioned way. I use the infrared thermometer at rest areas.

I will not use any system that requires the external sensors, and while I find the strap type internal sensors OK, I am not yet convinced I want a system that has to have wireless repeaters or a lot of additional complexity.

Just like Crestron, are the remote sensors on someone's coach going to read on my display and vice-versa at a rally at some point?

[tdelorme]

We have coach insurance through Explorer, but my policy covers all expenses for flats, towing and out of pocket expenses up to a reasonable limit. There is no company involved like Coach Net. I call for help, pay the cost of repair or towing and send the bills to Explorer. Truckdown.com is the best bet for locating help anywhere in the US.

[tdelorme]

While we're talking about issues like coach insurance, if you have not gotten a quote from Explorer RV Insurance Co. it might be worth while. I had coverage with Formost for over twenty years and had either one or two small claims. Explorer's quote was $1100 a year cheaper than Formost and I'm still kicking myself in the butt for not shoping the price years ago.
Click on the red bus at the top left side of the screen and scroll down to get a link to Explorer. We have lots of new members and some of you are paying to much for your coach coverage. These folks know Prevost coaches and can save you some serious Lewbucks.

[Gary & Peggy Stevens]

I use the infrared thermometer at rest areas.


Jon can you explain how you use an IR Thermometer to check your tire pressure, Please?

As I told you on the phone I just purchased a new Extech 830 Amp meter, and it has an IR Thermometer built in it. http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200319015_200319015

Just not sure how to use the IR Thermometer for checking the Tires? :confused:

Thanks as always for your help.

Gary S.

[Jon Wehrenberg]

I do not check pressure, but look for consistency in the tire temperatures. A common temperature is about 115 degrees measured at each tread.

If a tire is soft it will register a higher temp due to greater sidewall flexing.

I also occasionally check the wheel temp near the hub since this will indicate a dragging brake or a bearing starting to fail or low grease levels.

[aggies09]

Thanks for the input, this will help me be better prepared on the road.

[Gary & Peggy Stevens]

Thanks Jon for the IR Temp. advise.

Gary S.

[Denny]

I have the Smarttire system on my bus and would not be without it. Had it on previous plastic coaches but was not on the bus and felt handicapped without it. You still need to physically inspect the tires but the pressure and temp are monitored as you drive down the road. No need to get out the thermometer or air gauge at every stop ; push the button and you have the pressure reading and temp on each tire.

Downside is the cost since it is mounted on the inside of the tire on the rim. Around $1500 but the peace of mind is well worth it.

[Darl-Wilson]

I have the Smarttire system on my bus and would not be without it. Had it on previous plastic coaches but was not on the bus and felt handicapped without it. You still need to physically inspect the tires but the pressure and temp are monitored as you drive down the road. No need to get out the thermometer or air gauge at every stop ; push the button and you have the pressure reading and temp on each tire.

Downside is the cost since it is mounted on the inside of the tire on the rim. Around $1500 but the peace of mind is well worth it.

The price for the HCI system, Tire Safe Guard (http://www.tiresafeguard.com/) (website does not display new equipment) will be less than half of what you paid Denny. That is a special price for POG members. It will cover 8 bus wheels and 4 on the Toad. Oh, it monitors each tire every few seconds automatically without pushing a button.