New, have questions...

[garyde]

Welcome to POG. If you hang around here for a while youll learn a lot about do's and don'ts , also you can search thru different threads previously posted about any subject. Generally speaking, generators need to be used and operated under a sizable load monthly. You won't wear out a generator in these coaches unless it is your exclusive source of power all the time. Just keep it maintained per its maintenance schedule. Enjoy

[Jon Wehrenberg]

Bill,

We all have learned about the do's and don't's and in some cases our education comes the hard way. Superior is not a converter represented here so any answers we give you have to be in the context of generalities rather than specific to your coach or converter.

Over the years there are postings on this and similar forum about things you shouldn't do. I think at the top of the list has to be don't forget to empty your holding tank. I know there are sensors, I know there are ways we remind ourselves to empty it, but no matter how you intend to be assured it never has its capacity exceeded, be sure to remember to dump the tank before your shower (or worse, your floor) gets flooded.

Not so obvious, often an expensive lesson is maintaining the batteries. They are critical to enjoying the coach and if you can study the topic of charging batteries and make absolutely certain your inverters are set up or programmed with the correct charging protocol for your type of house batteries. What may be fine for lead/acid batteries in terms of charging voltages may ruin a set of gel cell batteries in a short amount of time. If you can, limit the discharge of your batteries to around 50% to get the maximum life from them. Deep discharges shorten the number of charging cycles which impacts the life of the batteries. A lot of autostart systems on the generators are set with a battery voltage that is too low and the life of the batteries will be compromised. Conversely, pay attention to your charging protocol. Some inverters always go into bulk charge (higher voltage) every time power is reapplied to the inverters, such as when connecting to shore power. If the batteries are fully charged, and then they get hit with bulk charge voltages they could get damaged. The best thing to do is understand how your systems and inverters are set up and manage their operation so your batteries are not damaged. Some systems will do that for you, some require you to adjust things manually.

Don't fail to recognize the coach takes up a lot of real estate to negotiate a turn. There are a number of us who have had some body work done because the coach scraped low lying rocks or posts on the inside of a turn. Ditto on the height. Don't ignore the fact low bridges or tree limbs will play hell with your roof and anything sticking up from it. You've been warned and if you fail to listen to the warning you may get an award at one of our rallies.

Don't leave the bus parked at home for months on end. The worst thing any of us can do to our coaches is let them sit. They were designed and built to be run for many miles and they have fewer problems if they are used often. By using the coach you are exercising all the systems and the adage "use it or lose it" was probably first said by a Prevost owner. There are a lot of moving parts in a bus and those parts such as the leveling system valves are less likely to become problems if used regularly.

Don't let the little things that go wrong accumulate. I think every one of us has a list at the end of a trip that includes all the minor stuff that needs attention. Everything from a loose cabinet door hinge to a light bulb that needs replacement will be on the list. But the list may also include some items such as a temperature reading that might be a needle width higher than what is normal. Those little things if ignored can become show stoppers. Do investigate stuff like that and make sure it is not a sign of an impending problem. If you end up on the side of the road with a serious problem that was developing over time you will be kicking yourself when the service company gives your the bill. They know you have money because you drive a Prevost and they will bill you accordingly.

And speaking personally, don't forget to release the parking brake on your toad.

[rahangman]

And, as an addendum to Jon's note about releasing the parking brake, if your tow vehicle has a steering lock out, be sure the key is in the correct position to enable the steering to follow the bus, not just be locked up in the "tire destroying" position. (Confession is good for one's soul!)

[JIM CHALOUPKA]

And, as an addendum to Jon's note about releasing the parking brake, if your tow vehicle has a steering lock out, be sure the key is in the correct position to enable the steering to follow the bus, not just be locked up in the "tire destroying" position. (Confession is good for one's soul!)

Rodger are you saying you left the steering in Railroad Mode?

JIM

[rahangman]

Wellllllll, in short, yes. Just bought the new Toad, and on the way to Ohio stopped in Indy for dinner and when we came out to finish trip, did the walk around, checked everything inside GC including emer brake, transmission in P and Gearcase in N, key, ooops.....missed the slot. I am having that removed so that it cannot happen again. 2 new front tires when arrived at destination. Went back to unhook and smelled rubber, knew right away, looked at tires, saw cords !!! felt heat and no tread. Lucky we did not have a blow out. Kinda thought that the Tattle Trail might have picked it up, but didn't. Good thing I70 from Indy to Dayton is mostly straight, and I75 from Dayton to Bowling Green also. Whew, talk about a lesson learned. I feel better already.

[JIM CHALOUPKA]

Glad everything turned out to be minor, say wondering about the Tattle Trail, does it pick up anything good and worthwhile. Just wondering, seems expensive for what it is. I think it is priced over the perceived market value, can't be much cost in the product. Do you still think it was a worth while purchase?

JIM

[Jon Wehrenberg]

Jim I have the Tattle Trail and so far I think it is going to do the job. But, I think as users we can ruin its benefit.

It operates by sensing an out of level condition, but also by sensing vibrations or impacts, such as expansion joints. Roads do not have the same surface texture so a smooth road will produce no sound unless there is a problem such as a tiure going flat. Then the alarm will sound with an increasing level to connote a sense of urgency.

But road conditions vary. In the northeast on the trip to Maine the roads went from good to smooth to crappy within a few miles. With a change to the worse the Tattle Trail would yelp. I have learned to leave the setting where it normally sets for the average road and to differentiate between rough roads and what might be a failing tire.

However never having a flat or blowout while using the tattle trail I am only expressing theory. The reason I opted for the Tattle Trail was because I can switch to either of our toads with ease. If I only had a single toad I may have preferred another choice. So far for me it is a good choice. But I will report back after I get my first flat. It does not warn of any issues with the bus.

[JIM CHALOUPKA]

Thanks for the report. I will be looking for follow up opinions and experiences with the gizmo.

JIM

[Jon Wehrenberg]

To me the ideal gizmo given I could tow our H2 or the pickup is one in which the toad tires with sensors are seen by the receiver so I don't have to reprogram or move sensors. I also want in my ideal gizmo a sensor that is not the only thing standing between the air pressure and the atmosphere. I have the fill-thru-cap type valve stem covers and since putting them on I haven't have to adjust tire pressures more than a pound or two regardless of how long it has been between trips. Having that double seal cures whatever small leakages may be experienced through the normal Schrader valves.

In other words the band type sensors seem to be the ideal, but the receiver needs to be programmed if we go from one toad to another.

I will not consider the sensors that screw on the valve stem. I not only lose the double seal, but I cannot leave my valve stems as they are and easily fill the tires. So until the ideal tire pressure monitoring system comes along I will check tires the old fashioned way, by hand.

The Tattle Trail in my opinion is better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick, but I am willing to risk that it works. The last time I lost a tire on the toad I felt it pop and sensed a slight tug while going 62.5 on I-90 just east of Mentor. The tire had a huge hole in the side and I got it stopped so quickly the tire never had a chance to start to come apart or break the bead on the rim. If I am not so lucky to catch it the next time I hope the Tattle Trail does it for me.

[rahangman]

Jim/Jon, I bought the TT in lieu of a TPMS for the sensors that Jon talks about. I have the same valve covers (I think) as Jon and it made a difference for me to not add air all the time. I do the old fashioned "job" with a good gage as Jon. The TT took a little time to learn how to adjust for a rough stretch of road, but I can only hope it saves me a horrible experience.