New to us 06 Tropical

[Don and Kim]

Hello All,
Well we just picked it up! We found a T398 which had the floorplan and options we wanted. Its a bit of learning curve coming from a gas coach! The first adventure was filling it up, when I got a nice "burp" and splash on my arm. Apparently I was filling too fast. Anyone else experience this?
Somewhat disappointed with the ride on bumpy roads. Seems to ride harsher than what I expected. Tire pressure is at 110. Maybe changing shocks may help? We changed our old coach(Workhorse gas) to Koni FSD's and it made a nice improvement.
We received all the keys except for the round one w/ a triangle insert(hope that makes sense). Anyone know where I can get one? It opens the engine access cover in the bedroom and the generator access in the front.
Also looking for any tips, tricks, etc for a couple diesel newbies.
Thx, Don

[Belgian]

Don, congrats on the new M/H. The 06 Tropical is a really nice year. Same old story on the ride quality, weigh each corner fully loaded and determine proper air psi for the tires. That alone can make a big difference in the ride. We installed the Konis on our Dolphin after adjusting tire psi and they do make a noticable difference in the ride.
I'm not familiar with the fuel system on the Tropical but on our Dolphin the vent tube was too low between the filler and the tank and gas would puddle in the hose and not allow the air to exit the tank as the fuel was entering. I've also read here on other pots about removing the fuel cap on the oppisite side of the vehicle to allow better venting. Not sure if this would apply to the Tropical.

[Family Time]

Don,

Check for a kink in the fuel tank filler and vent hoses, you can can see them from the right front wheel well. Make sure they are a straight shot to the tank and not pinched down where they are clamped to the frame. I've found that I generally need to use the slowest flow on the pump and insert the nozzle completely. The truck stops with high flow pumps can be too fast on the lowest setting.

The tire pressure does seem too high.I replaced the shocks with bilstiens, a big improvement but not completely happy, considering a change to Koni's.

I did also install the motion control units and a super steer bell crank, both noticeable handling improvements.

A 7mm six point socket works fine for the triangle key locks.

[Richard S.]

Link below has information about you key.

Hood key

[DaveG39]

110 psi is too high. Contact Goodyear for a weight inflation chart. You should be closer to 90-95lbs depending on the axle weights.

[Don and Kim]

Great responses, the 7mm socket on a nutdriver handle works great! Never would have thought of that.
Want to get the unit weighed to check my axle weights, it would be nice to drop the air pressure to soften the ride. Freightliner suggested measuring the ride height which can cause a poor ride. It's on my "to do" list.
Anyone know where the keyless entry module is hidden? The lock function works, but the unlock does not. Would love to find the wiring diagrams.
Tomorrow I plan on changing the trans filters and fluid.
The fuel filter looks like a royal pain to change, access is difficult, on these beasts!

[Family Time]

Don,

I assume you have a Cat C7? The fuel system is difficult to bleed after a filter change. Some people add a primer pump(cat option) to the secondary filter housing (this is what I will do before my next filter change), and some people fill the new filters with fuel before spinning them on.Google Cat Yahoo Group, lots of info over there,you can find instructions and part numbers for the primer pump if interested.

I seem to recall hearing that transmissions built later that mine(possibly yours) came from the factory with high capacity filters and didn't need service till 100k miles. Check with Allison, you will need your transmission serial number it is on the sticker in the left front overhead compartment(at least on my 2005 model).