Community Forums

NealC · 05-18-2017, 09:02 AM

In a little over two grueling crawling weeks I will get to go pickup my first and hopefully only MH. I've read a lot here about FPU and seen checklists, etc. But for those that have gone and looked back on it thinking "I wish I..." - what questions did you wish you would have asked or what do you wish you would have done while there? If you could do it over again what would you do....so I and others reading this can learn from your experience.

Thank you.

JMH · 05-18-2017, 09:24 AM

I would have exercised ALL systems more. In particular, run the generator every day for an hour or two stopping and starting atleast four times each day. Ours died the second time we used it after leaving FPU. I think we started it two or three times while there.

Run the water pump for a half hour each day. This is a constant run. We think we have a small water leak in a pipe that only occurs when the pump runs for more than a few minutes. Also if the pump is weak it will break.

If its hot, turn on the AC to get the coach real cold (mornings are good for this) then run the furnace as long as it will run. Very important if you have an Oasis system. Check where your temp sensors are. We have one on an outside wall. Not a good place for it.

Go to a car wash and run lots of water over your bay doors. This will simulate driving in rain, something Newmars test does not do well. This will let you know if the bays are really water tight.

Run your slides, alot!

Find the bumpiest road you can and drive up and down it until you are ready to die of boredom, then drive it two more times.

Find a big parking lot, drive slowly forward and turn your steering wheel to the stops. Then try to turn it somemore. If it moves more you have a popet issue, like we do.

Mark and Louene Hetrick
Newbee the last VTDP 3725

NealC · 05-18-2017, 03:59 PM

Great info! Thank you!

TomandGloria · 05-18-2017, 04:29 PM

Though we did not do a FPU, we did spend 4 days at dealership and ran everything. Also, turn both seats around. I found the drivers seat wiring was wire tied to tight and unplugged the cannon plug and seat would not move when put back into driving position.

Also, get down and look for hairline cracks in floor tile. We found one and scheduled replacement in Jan 2018. Run Oasis on electric and diesel. We had airlock and pump failure on electric. Good thing we were still there.

Check paint job closely. We found dirt under clear coat on one bay door and over spray the dealer fixed for us.

Then get out and enjoy that beauty. We love ours.

Stripe34 · 05-18-2017, 05:48 PM

Don't forget to run your washer /dryer, several times

NealC · 05-18-2017, 05:51 PM

I'm glad I asked, all great things to remember! I definitely need to exercise every system as well as drive it and stay there as long as they will let me for the FPU. I can stay as long as I need to fortunately.

HavingABlast · 05-18-2017, 06:05 PM

I wish that I would have had our tech open the engine access hatch (we have a '15 Ventana with bath and a half floor plan and took factory delivery). This is the preferred way to have access to the CAC/Radiator for cleaning.

I also wish that I would have had him show me the:

Inverter and how to reset if needed,
Where all of the GFIC outlets are located,
How to safely block up the coach for underneath inspection and maintenance.

I agree with all of the above. Run and rerun all systems. Make sure that all TSB work has been performed.

Congratulations on your new Ventana. Welcome to the Newmar family.

NealC · 05-18-2017, 06:43 PM

I'll need to figure out how to get DirectTV going too as I have that setup, want to make sure that works while there.

TomandGloria · 05-18-2017, 07:24 PM

I made several calls to Direct TV with no luck. Finally called Weinguard and they had me up and running in less than 5 minutes. You might want to start with them first.

NealC · 05-18-2017, 08:51 PM

Good to know. Thanks.

reubenray · 05-19-2017, 03:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomandGloria

I made several calls to Direct TV with no luck. Finally called Weinguard and they had me up and running in less than 5 minutes. You might want to start with them first.

What was the issue with Directv and Winegard?

TomandGloria · 05-19-2017, 04:11 AM

Direct TV kept passing me to different CS reps since it was an RV. Finally, the last rep I talked to told me to call a different 1-800 number and it was the winegard number. They hooked me up in less than 5 minutes. This was my first experience with satellite TV and I was starting to think it was a mistake. But, all is well now.

Stripe34 · 05-19-2017, 06:49 AM

Couple more suggestions - fill ALL your tanks (diesel, DEF, fresh, grey, & black) and make sure there are no leaks. Take a drive with them all full, and ask someone from camp Newmar to follow you for the first few miles or turns - to watch if there are any large spills or siphoning.

Get the official rig weight and traveling height.

Have or buy a good tire pressure gauge and ensure that your tire pressures are all correct before you leave.

freen03 · 05-19-2017, 06:56 AM

I would suggest you examine the top of your coach before you leave. Check the dates on your tires because in 2014 I found 3 tires that had dates of 3 years old. If possible you should set up a 1 week appointment 2 weeks after you leave the factory and drive the coach to some different campgrounds set up and then move to another one maybe driving 1000 to 1200 miles and make a list if you have any issues and return to the factory to have the issues repaired. I did this with my last 2 coaches from Newmar. Enjoy your new coach and have safe travels.