Community Forums

winniman · 01-22-2020, 07:38 AM

A little research shows DEF freezes at +12 degrees F. It says engines are designed to run for up to 30 minutes without DEF to allow the reservoir to thaw. I would imagine most people aren't running their motorhomes in those temperatures, but I guess it happens. Seems like the more complicated they make machines, the more they break down over something stupid.

boyland · 01-22-2020, 08:13 PM

Ah I see what the one poster is saying on slides out. Well in our case we cannot use the motorhome all the time so i was more referring to packing working on things etc. I do not leave mine out when we are storing even in my drive of course they are out when we are using it.

But no i do not leave out when it is 12 degrees and snowing or ice and raining whilst we pack to leave.

Maybe my DW is different than yours but she usually packs for weeks trip over a number days sometimes a couple weeks. I open up so she can pack then i close up when not.

It is because our weather is not predictable here in Indiana we had and 1/4 ice just a few days ago then snow then rain then a deep 5 degree freeze followed by 50 coming up in 3 or 4 days. with a rain snow ice storm in the middle of the next 5 days.

I could not image leaving the slide out for this but maybe some do i am not going too.

foundwaldo · 01-22-2020, 08:21 PM

Mine the key just had to be in the run position.

I am in St Louis Missouri, so I know where you are coming from with quick temp changes especially this year. I would not trust leaving the slides out with the ice and snow we have had recently. I can not see it being good on the awning that cover them. Especially if you need to leave and there is a layer of ice on the awning.

Ray,IN · 01-22-2020, 09:44 PM

[QUOTE=JohnBoyToo;5118098
Oh, and ours the engine can't be running to move slides - i thought it was a safety feature on all rv's to not allow them to move while traveling down the road ![/QUOTE]
The Transmission gear selector is what limits slide operation, the engine can be running, but when you attempt to shift into gear, the TCM gets interacts with the slide room safety to prevent movement.
That is a very clumsy attempt to explain the safety feature, sorry.

JohnBoyToo · 01-23-2020, 09:36 AM

Thanks Ray, but on our Monaco, I've started the coach to warm it up, and go back to bring slides in, then had to walk back up to the front to turn the engine off so I could bring the slides in...

So, ours must be a special beast

especially since the hydraulic levelers require the engine to be ON

But that's ok, it works for us !

foundwaldo · 01-23-2020, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnBoyToo

Thanks Ray, but on our Monaco, I've started the coach to warm it up, and go back to bring slides in, then had to walk back up to the front to turn the engine off so I could bring the slides in...

So, ours must be a special beast

especially since the hydraulic levelers require the engine to be ON

But that's ok, it works for us !

So do you level with slides in or out. Cause that does not sound right. Mine is the same system for the slides and levelers.

boyland · 01-27-2020, 08:40 AM

Used the high idle setting on the cruise worked fantastic.

Cannot believe i never knew about this before.

JohnBoyToo · 01-27-2020, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foundwaldo

So do you level with slides in or out. Cause that does not sound right. Mine is the same system for the slides and levelers.

When the oem L16 batteries wore out in 2016, I put in trojan t105's since we never boondock...

They don't have enough power to run the electric-hydraulic pump for the levelers - that's why I have to start the engine...

Airstreamer6 · 01-28-2020, 03:50 AM

Could a 25A or more battery charger be used to boost the battery while operating the slides instead of starting the engine? If so, that would be my choice to avoid the process of engine starting and idling and not reaching proper engine oil temps before shutdown.