So many questions, so little time.

[Txice]

I'm beginning to think I'm way in over my head. I'm 73, short of breath and strength. My biggest problem is lack of knowledge and skills. At 43 I was full of myself, piss and vinegar. Now, not so much. DW and I just purchased our first DP. It's a Monaco Diplomat 38' w/7500 Onan. It's been well maintained under cover but unfortunately the previous owner (passed away recently) did all his own maintenance but didn't keep written records. Taking it in tomorrow for complete service and evaluation.
1). Tires. Michelins 275/70 R22.5 just turned 4 years old. I've read enough to know age is not the most serious factor when deciding to replace. The only cosmetic worry is slight cracking of the sidewalls. By slight I mean very thin lines. I had to blink a couple of times to see them when my tire guy pointed it out. In my reading, I've yet to see an explanation why the first five numbers are interchangeable or why someone would want to buy something other than what it came with? Any explanation?
2). Air bags. Am I likely to have an air dump? When I test drove it and drove it home 40 miles I treated it like the big trucks I use to drive. I waited until the buzzer/bell stopped sounding, released the brakes and put it in gear. I have it in a storage unit and never gave a thought to my air ride bags.
3). Generator. I've checked the fluids and both measure full. This is a silly question but even when checking oil in my mowers I'm not sure if the cap should be secured or just pushed all the way in before pulling it out to check the level? With something as big as the reservoir in the generator it probably makes no difference.
4). Transmission. On the faceplate where the R, N, and D light up there are arrows. One up one down. What means?
That's all folks! At least for now. Now for any of you smarty pants that want to tell me to read my manual, save it. I'm trying but your talking to a guy that had to call in a Tech to put the kids Christmas toys together. Thanks for the help. Mike

[gemert]

Originally Posted by Txice

I'm beginning to think I'm way in over my head. I'm 73, short of breath and strength. My biggest problem is lack of knowledge and skills. At 43 I was full of myself, piss and vinegar. Now, not so much. DW and I just purchased our first DP. It's a Monaco Diplomat 38' w/7500 Onan. It's been well maintained under cover but unfortunately the previous owner (passed away recently) did all his own maintenance but didn't keep written records. Taking it in tomorrow for complete service and evaluation.
1). Tires. Michelins 275/70 R22.5 just turned 4 years old. I've read enough to know age is not the most serious factor when deciding to replace. The only cosmetic worry is slight cracking of the sidewalls. By slight I mean very thin lines. I had to blink a couple of times to see them when my tire guy pointed it out. In my reading, I've yet to see an explanation why the first five numbers are interchangeable or why someone would want to buy something other than what it came with? Any explanation?
2). Air bags. Am I likely to have an air dump? When I test drove it and drove it home 40 miles I treated it like the big trucks I use to drive. I waited until the buzzer/bell stopped sounding, released the brakes and put it in gear. I have it in a storage unit and never gave a thought to my air ride bags.
3). Generator. I've checked the fluids and both measure full. This is a silly question but even when checking oil in my mowers I'm not sure if the cap should be secured or just pushed all the way in before pulling it out to check the level? With something as big as the reservoir in the generator it probably makes no difference.
4). Transmission. On the faceplate where the R, N, and D light up there are arrows. One up one down. What means?
That's all folks! At least for now. Now for any of you smarty pants that want to tell me to read my manual, save it. I'm trying but your talking to a guy that had to call in a Tech to put the kids Christmas toys together. Thanks for the help. Mike

The D is Drive, it will normally pick it's own gears, just like a car. R, Reverse, N is Neutral. The arrows are to manually downshift or upshift. You also check the transmission fluids levels with the arrows. If like mine the buzzer is telling you that the air is low and you did the right thing to wait for it to stop.
Michelin may help you replace tires under warranty. Have a dealor look at them. Good luck.

[windsorbill]

Originally Posted by Txice

I'm beginning to think I'm way in over my head. I'm 73, short of breath and strength. My biggest problem is lack of knowledge and skills. At 43 I was full of myself, piss and vinegar. Now, not so much. DW and I just purchased our first DP. It's a Monaco Diplomat 38' w/7500 Onan. It's been well maintained under cover but unfortunately the previous owner (passed away recently) did all his own maintenance but didn't keep written records. Taking it in tomorrow for complete service and evaluation.
1). Tires. Michelins 275/70 R22.5 just turned 4 years old. I've read enough to know age is not the most serious factor when deciding to replace. The only cosmetic worry is slight cracking of the sidewalls. By slight I mean very thin lines. I had to blink a couple of times to see them when my tire guy pointed it out. In my reading, I've yet to see an explanation why the first five numbers are interchangeable or why someone would want to buy something other than what it came with? Any explanation?
2). Air bags. Am I likely to have an air dump? When I test drove it and drove it home 40 miles I treated it like the big trucks I use to drive. I waited until the buzzer/bell stopped sounding, released the brakes and put it in gear. I have it in a storage unit and never gave a thought to my air ride bags.
3). Generator. I've checked the fluids and both measure full. This is a silly question but even when checking oil in my mowers I'm not sure if the cap should be secured or just pushed all the way in before pulling it out to check the level? With something as big as the reservoir in the generator it probably makes no difference.
4). Transmission. On the faceplate where the R, N, and D light up there are arrows. One up one down. What means?
That's all folks! At least for now. Now for any of you smarty pants that want to tell me to read my manual, save it. I'm trying but your talking to a guy that had to call in a Tech to put the kids Christmas toys together. Thanks for the help. Mike

what year coach? you didn't mention that.

In response to you questions, You'll probably have lots more, but the good folks on this site are really here to help.

1. Michelins. I know they were having a lot of problems with side walls cracking. I'd follow your tire guys advise. My coach came with GoodYears but I hated them. They wore very uneven and eventually I had a catastrophic tire failure, over $6k in damage. I now have Bridgestones and when the time comes, I'll replace them with the same.

2. You probably do have a air dump. I'm guessing you have jacks for leveling?? The air system alone is worthy of it's own subject line

3. Generator oil level (mine only holds 3 quarts). I usually push cap all the way in to test it. Again, you could start subjects on generators all by themselves.

4. Transmission. As already mentioned the D, N, R. If you hold down both arrows at once, the transmission will slowly count down and finally stop at transmission oil level. The is the recommended way to check your transmission oil, not the dipstick. In fact you may not even have a dipstick in the tranny. Anytime you test it, the transmission has to be at operating temperature and in neutral.

I would have all fluids and filters changed so you have a new base point. I send out oil samples (there are several out there, I happen to use Blackstone Labs). This way you can start seeing trends over a period of time.

Good luck and keep the questions coming.

[Txice]

I did leave out the year, sorry. It's a 2002 Monaco Dip. New to us. We had a 5th wheel once but only took a few trips. Thanks Jerry and Bill

[jacwjames]

Windsorbill pretty much nailed it including his recommendation on tires.

Did you get all the manuals with your coach. In not you can find the operating manual here.

Manuals

Also, contact Monaoc and ask for your Datasheet, it will have the manufacturer, model, and SN of most of the components you have in your coach. This is good to have if something breaks. If you are internet savy I'd take the time to search for operating, parts, and service manuals for most of these components. I've created an extensive library on my coach.

Use the center column of the web page below and ask for your data sheet, you will need your VIN for them to supply it. It might pay to register yourself as the new owner. If you never need info Monaco has good tech support, I've used it several times.

Contact Monaco Coach

Just keep asking questions on IRV2. There are also 2 Yahoo groups that support owners of Monaco coaches. One is the Monacoers group and the other is Monaco Coach Owners. The Monacoers group seems to be more active now and has an extensive file data base including a parts listing that provides alternative sources.