I need some help in the Northwest US

Jetjam · 01-10-2008, 05:45 PM

I'm getting ready to purchase a used Travel Supreme coach from a private seller. I have to drive it back home to the East Coast. Is there anyone in Oregon, Northern California, or Washington state that would be willing to teach me all the vital stuff? I could meet you or come by your house with the coach. I feel comfortable enough to drive it, but I don't want to work any of the systems till I have some instruction.

I would be driving it back probably in Febuary.

Jetjam · 01-10-2008, 05:45 PM

I'm getting ready to purchase a used Travel Supreme coach from a private seller. I have to drive it back home to the East Coast. Is there anyone in Oregon, Northern California, or Washington state that would be willing to teach me all the vital stuff? I could meet you or come by your house with the coach. I feel comfortable enough to drive it, but I don't want to work any of the systems till I have some instruction.

I would be driving it back probably in Febuary.

slabman · 01-11-2008, 03:00 PM

Are you able to ask the guy you're buying from to walk you through the coach? Seems like he'd be only too happy to assist and make sure you don't break something.

RVRONINPA · 01-11-2008, 04:45 PM

I would definetly ask the owner, then I would find a good rv dealer/service center close you and take it in for service/check over and ask them for a demo if you still need one. Then park it in your back yard and use it for a week and you'll soon be a pro. I live in Chambersburg Pa. if there is anything I can do to help just let me know GOOD LUCK and HAPPY RV-ing Ron

Jetjam · 01-11-2008, 09:42 PM

The problem is the owner passed away and his widow is selling it to me. Her knolwdge is limited to working the power seats. Other than that, she's not much help. Another complicating factor, I live in SC and the coach is in Oregon so I have to drive it 3000 miles to get to my backyard. I'm afraid I'll mess something up if I start the journey without any instruction. I did find a travel supreme dealer near by, but they were not to excited about going thru it with me. I'm leaving it at the previous owners house for a month or until the snow melts. I don't really want to start across the mountains on my first trip with snowy roads. I have the manuals, guess I'll just start reading!

Needless to say, it was a very good deal, otherwise I wouldn't have gone all the way out here to buy it.

WALT888 · 01-13-2008, 04:38 PM

Jet,

Here is the link to the RV Driving School.

http://www.rvschool.com/

I believe the California instructor is now in Arizona but it might be worth a stop on the way home. Other options are the FMCA convention in Pamona, CA in February where all of the vendors and sevice groups will be.... and there is an RV University that is put on in the midwest somewhere. I will send you the link when I find it again.

WALT

JIMGINOH · 01-15-2008, 07:00 AM

You did not indicate which model so I am assuming worse case, the most complicated, the Select.

After adjusting the top mirrors, seat, and pedels by power, set the steering wheel and bottom mirrors by hand.

Turn the switch on and wait for some lights to go out on the dash , which is about 5 to 7 seconds, start her up.

Wait for the air to build to about 120 lbs. Verify the other guages appear normal. Foot on brakes, press the yellow park brake button and press 6 on the shifter.

The brakes are better than you will expect. Make sure your passengers are sitting down, otherwise they will be yelling at you as they fly through the coach.

You will not have to run the generator because the inverters will take care of everything while driving. You turn them on at the bedroom panel.

The AGS panel will automatically start the generator if you turn that feature on. If you start the diesel generator manually press the button partially for about 5 seconds to preheat, then all the way until it starts.

Do not drive with the jake brake on unless you are in stop and go traffic. Otherwise everytime you relax your foot, it will put on the brakes. It will light up your brake lights and drive the person behind you nuts.

I never use the jake on high because of problems with the pressure it puts on the alternator belts slapping against the frame. Review other posts on that subject. Try to get VERY familular with the location of the switch. That way it is easy to find when you need it quickly.

If the plasma won't work on cable, turn off the antenna booster and hit the MTS button on the remote a few times. (Took me a couple of days for this one).

If you leave your halogen ceiling lights on for a while, I suggest you check the bedroom 12 volt fuse panel. Place your fingers on the fuses. If they are hot you will need to upgrade the fuse panel. The Bussman panel is only rated 20 amp and it will melt at the fuse and cause overheating. I upgraded mine to a 30 amp panel.

Couple of other things. Make sure the shower door is locked, sliding doors are locked down, place a pillow between the vanity stool and the washer door, and block the refridgerator doors.

Diving one of these monsters is just like jumping in a new car at the dealer and driving it home, you don't have to read the manual first to drive it.

Perhaps others could add their experiences to my first trip home story.

If you have a question about location or operation of a feature I am sure one of us could help.

By the way, if the GFI kicks in the bath, it will kill the basement 110 Volt. The fridge is plugged in in the basement. Therefore, keep an eye on the light on the fridge after using a hair dryer in that receptical. Beats me why it is wired that way. If your fridge quits, just hit the GFI reset in the bath.

When you add water to your tank, turn the valve about half way. Full on at some campgrounds will cause the plastic hoses and fittings to leak or burst. They are not designed for high pressure.

This will be a trip that you will never forget. The rest just seem to blend together. Good luck.

Jetjam · 01-16-2008, 01:14 AM

Hey, Thanks for the information!!

It's a 2004 38 DS02 with a 400HP Cummins with Jake Brake.

Just one question about the transmission.. I thought it was automatic, why do you press 6 when starting up? Shouldn't you just be able to select an automatic setting, or do you have to press each gear as you accellerate? If so, why wouldn't you press 1 instead of 6 when starting up?

Also, what about the air bag suspension? Do they inflate automatically or does one have to do something to get them to come up?

slabman · 01-16-2008, 03:12 AM

You press the highest gear you want to drive with, i.e. since you will be up at hwy. speeds, you want it to go through ALL the gears, from low to high. Think of "6" as being "drive" on your automobile. Also, I like to push the "mode" button which is supposed to help fuel economy because of using higher shift points.

When you fire up the engine, a small compressor on the rt. side of the engine will fill up your air tanks (3) and bags. Look for the two air gauges on the dash to come up over 130 lbs, then you're reasy to go. If they don't, your parking brake will be set and you won't be able to drive. Same thing with your service brakes....lose air, and they will lock up and stop you in your tracks!

You'll probably not a "check engine" light when you start the engine....just wait a few seconds 'till it goes out.

Be sure those leveling jacks are up, press the "6" button and release the parking brake. Noe "FEEL" the acceleration....

Guess we should have told you to adjust those mirrirs, but you already know that. Push the power button on the rear camera to see the rear of the coach.

Also, be sure there are no antennas up on the roof and that all doors/drawers inside are shut tightly. You'll probably have low energy in your batteries, so they will charge up as you drive. Also, check to be sure they are topped off, just like a car.

AS you drive, you'll develop a "feel" for how to center the thing in your lane, using lines of sight to your steering wheel and the center post on the windshield. This will take some time, but you'll get the hang of it.

Finally, remember to take wide turns, etc. This is YOUR responsibility and don't let anyone else trap you into turning too fast or into an area with insufficient room so that you damage your coach. Slow down and let them wait for YOU!

JIMGINOH · 01-16-2008, 06:59 AM

I knew I would miss a few things. Slabman jogged my memory to point out to not asume the jacks are up because the switch is off. Go outside, and LOOK at those jacks to verify for yourself they are up. If one malfunctions or sticks you will know it.

Also, when you change lanes, always turn on your signal, then proceed to change lanes in slow motion. That way if you have a lurker, it will give them time to hit the brakes and get the heck out of your way before you crush them. (they will blow their horn usually)

When on side roads or campgrounds,keep an eye open for tree branches that will slap the windshield, then proceed to scrath the whole side. When backing I post my wife at the rear with her cell phone and we "talk" about my backing abilities, which at times results in lively conversations. If your MH has a beeper in reverse, it can be easily unpluged so that you can hear each other. It also makes it a little nicer when you pull into a campground during quite time and your beeper isn't waking everyone up.

JIM

WALT888 · 01-16-2008, 11:01 AM

And here is the link to "Life on Wheels" RV education...

http://www.lifeonwheels.com/

WALT

Jetjam · 01-16-2008, 11:26 AM

Great info. Thanks!

I'm going to take it for a test drive tomorrow, won't be heading on the long trip home until March due to the snowy roads. Tomorrow is just for learning how to drive it.

What about the fuel? It's been sitting since last August. Do you suppose the fuel has gone bad? I have no idea whether the previous owner put any anti-algee agents or other additives in the fuel, but the tanks are 3/4 full. It's been stored indoors in a cool climate but never below freezing.