Sliding open the nose for fueling

[Mr. M]

I was looking at a used Alpine coach and I was rather stunned to see that you need to slide open the nose of the coach with the generator to refuel the coach.

In my mind this seems at least a hassle, and possibly something that could lead to real problems. Like, not latching the front, or excessive wearing or crimping of the generator wires. But I don't KNOW, and everything else about the coach is really lovely. So I thought I would ask owners with experience.

Do you find that the location of the access to the fuel tank behind the nose an issue?

Thanks,
James

[tiredvet]

Nope. I like it for refueling (pretty hard for thieves to siphon) and the ease of servicing the generator,lights and a hole host of other essentials.

[Jim A]

I also like having the filler hidden from view. Not much of a hassle at all. No "latching" required. Just hit the switch to open and the other way to close. You hear when it seats when closing. There is a buzzer to remind you when it is out.

Mine has worked flawlessly for almost 10 years. No real maintenance. Probably the least of your worries.

[bcbowers]

There is one possible "gotcha". I had the HWH pump motor quit one time while opening the front to refuel. Luckily, the front went out about 8" before the motor quit. Had to drive home (600+ miles) with it out. The moral of the story is NEVER open the front slide any further than necessary for refueling.

[EngineerMike]

When I roll up to the pump I push the gen slide switch for a 10 count, it rolls out~10". When I've paid I fire up, start rolling slowly away from the pump & hit the gen switch till the alarm quits. Easy peasy.

[Rich and Cork]

Originally Posted by EngineerMike

When I roll up to the pump I push the gen slide switch for a 10 count, it rolls out~10". When I've paid I fire up, start rolling slowly away from the pump & hit the gen switch till the alarm quits. Easy peasy.

What he said......

[bcbowers]

Wow! Apparently, you guys and your wives enjoy hearing that alarm sound.

[rdownward]

I have the "mid door" (door midships instead of at the front) model which provides fuel filler inlets on both sides of the generator bay which is super convenient at various truck stops and other fuel stop locations. I also hit the switch and count to ten to open the front bay to refuel. Unlike some, after refuleing, I close the front bay before starting the engine because the DW and our 3 dogs HATE the shrill alarm. I guess it is more of a hassle than not having to open a bay to access the fuel filler inlets, but once you get used to the sequence, it just comes natural. And, like the others who have posted here, I LOVE the security off having the fuel filler inlets hidden and inaccessible to those who might either try to steal some fuel or who might try to vandalize the coach by putting some foul substance down the fillers.

[gjstacy]

Originally Posted by EngineerMike

When I roll up to the pump I push the gen slide switch for a 10 count, it rolls out~10". When I've paid I fire up, start rolling slowly away from the pump & hit the gen switch till the alarm quits. Easy peasy.

I do the same thing, while J is in paying. The alarm let's me know the slide is in for sure! If it's not out that far, it only takes a very short while for it to get back in.

James, I'm a lady that takes the coach out on my own at least once a year, and I do not find the placement of the filler a problem at all. The other benefit is that you are NEVER going to leak the last few drops of fuel down the side of your coach with it's beautiful paint job.

Hope you decide to buy the Alpine and come join our family! We're a good one...family, that is!

[bslocum]

I just drove from Seattle to Ingleside tx had no problems with slide had to spend the night an the following day at Van Horn Tx because of ice on roads next day drove to Fort Stockman for fuel pushed switch slide went out then spent 10-15 min. trying to get slide back in pushed switch on and off and finally got it in the motor is working but will only move 1/8 aT a time took bolts out worm pipe on front to check for binding cant find any problem next I am going to unhook worm drive and try pulling out very gently with a come a long to see if sometnhing is bent it moves both directions but stops and I cant see why with worm unhooked motor spins free all the rollers look like they have been turning SO ANY IDEAS WOULD BE GREAT

[EngineerMike]

Slocum- could be one or more of the "cam follower" rollers has seized up. Happened to me as I tried to retract the gen slide after fueling last year (or was it the year before??? Hmmm, got any ideas on how to fix that problem??). I oiled the offending roller, grabbed it w/my flat-parallel jaw pliers & rotated till the seized up grit inside was free. Some more rotation & it rolled fine. Friction is amazing stuff.

[kraig]

Mine sat on the coast for 3 years before I bought it. Some of the bearings were seized up. I couldn't replace them all while the generator was mounted in the motor home. I was able to replace almost all of them with the generator half way out. Couldn't get bearings with a grease zerk, so I used sealed bearings. The side bearings I had drill out the mounting bolt shaft a little bigger.

Bottom guide bearing was CFI 1/4 SB

Side bearing 1/2 inch shaft CFI 3/8 SB

Lubed up the bearings I couldn't get to.
It does make it run quieter and smoother.

[Arch Hoagland]

Do you ever get the smell of raw diesel fuel in the front cabin area if you spill fuel while you are filling?

[Rich and Cork]

Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland

Do you ever get the smell of raw diesel fuel in the front cabin area if you spill fuel while you are filling?

No. The location of the fill is such that it will go to the ground. Now, some of us have found out about the smell if you forget to put the cap on

The fix for that problem is to attach a chain to the cap.