Fulltime Maintainance?

[RufussSewell]

I'm about to leave on a 2 month tour of the U.S. with my band in our (new to us) 1997 Beaver Patriot. The tour will be approx. 18,000 miles. It's in almost new condition and we want to keep it that way!

Other than an oil change every 10k miles, what are the basic things we need to check at every gas stop?

What should we schedule for maintenance on the road?

Thanks!!!

[RWeigant]

Took a trip like that in our 97 Winsor and never put a dime in it. Stayed in 85 camp grounds and put 12k miles on our tow car. Best thing to do at a gas stop is to clean the windshield.

[flaggship1]

Be sure to check the handle on the pump at the "gas stop" - you want the green one - for diesel for starters.

[PyrateSilly]

We did 5 weeks and 7k miles last year and no maintenance at all on ours except when we decided to have a oil change and transmission fluid change along with checking things out at W.W. Williams in MI. Thom's job at the time paid for the oil change. Cost was quite a bit but they found a few other things and fixed some without extra charges. We had not had the coach for very long and not sure when it had really been done the last time so it was peace of mind for us.

[RufussSewell]

Ok, great to hear. We just stumbled into buying a Class A. We were looking for Sprinters, which we have rented in the past, but really fell in love with the idea of always being at home no matter where we were.

But now that we have it, it's a bit overwhelming. Luckily this amazing forum is here! I'm sure I'll be asking all kinds of dumb questions for the next two months, haha.

Actually the "stupidest things you've done" thread is helping me with many cautionary tales.

[flaggship1]

If you have not as yet - take it for service - and have them give it a look see. Oil and filter change, lube etc - there is usually some inclusive deal with a 50 or 70 point check list that's not too expensive and have them tell you the service intervals. Some things are 1 year or xxxxx miles, some are 3 years - etc. It depends on what you have. If you have manuals, it's I'm there. If not - lots of info specific to what you have is online. You have a lot riding on getting where you're going - so I suggest a professional once over to get you started on a baseline.

Ya didn't say what kind of band?

[RufussSewell]

I'll definitely be taking it in for a service before we leave.

We're a 2 piece rock band called One-Eyed Doll.

This is our latest video: Committed by One-Eyed Doll OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO - YouTube

[flaggship1]

Jack and Meg in reverse roles.

[wa8yxm]

Originally Posted by flaggship1

Be sure to check the handle on the pump at the "gas stop" - you want the green one - for diesel for starters.

The advice to double check to make sure you have the right pump is good.

The suggestion it's the GREEN ONE not so much.
Check the nozzles at a BP station,.. they are all Green, Both Gas and Diesel all green, they are trying to convince us they are a "Green" company (WHich by the way I do not believe for an instant)

To the O/P.. The above.. Just routine maintenance, Note that for what you are doing you use the "long drive" oil change intervial, you may well not need to do one for 20,000 miles.

Keep an eye on tires, and check you tow gear if towing and things like that.. ASSUME some brat is going to pull a pin on your towed in order to cause an accident.

Also check bolts on the tow gear if you tow.. I'd do (I do) that at campgrounds though, not fuel stops.

This is all routine stuff.. Check tow pins every time you stop and leave the RV.

[flaggship1]

^^^ I haven't been to a BP since they dumped a gajillion gallons of crude in the Gulf. Guess I hadn't gotten the word they've gone green.

[JFXG]

How many people travelling on the coach? Coach condition aside, I'd be concerned about your condition. You're talking about an average of 300 miles a day, every day, for 60 days straight. You're a two person band. I hope you have at least two extra bodies to share the driving.

[RufussSewell]

Yeah, it's a 5 person crew. One of them is the full time driver. Then a roadie, merch girl and the two of us.

We're also replacing the kitchen table with a bunk bed.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by flaggship1

Be sure to check the handle on the pump at the "gas stop" - you want the green one - for diesel for starters.

And then you'll find that that doesn't work at some stations! It's NOT a universal or standard that the diesel pump cover be green.

[RufussSewell]

Originally Posted by Mr_D

And then you'll find that that doesn't work at some stations! It's NOT a universal or standard that the diesel pump cover be green.

We'll be sure it's diesel, haha.