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BCarp · 01-25-2020, 05:05 PM

I went to Florida last month, and the first evening we were getting into West Virginia. As we were coming down a steep hill my brake warning lights came on. I managed not to soil myself and continued on for a few miles before we got off the highway.

It was then that we noticed the headlights weren't working. I pulled into a parking lot and shut the coach off. That's when I heard my battery monitor alarm going off. My house batteries were at 50 percent!

At this point I realized my alternator had died, my house batteries and chassis battery could keep the engine going, but there wasn't enough voltage to run the headlights or keep the brake booster happy.

I tried to fire up the generator, but the batteries were too far gone. So my wife pulled the toad along side and I jumped the house batteries so I could start the generator and continue to camp for the night.

A local resident stopped by as I was charging the batteries and told me of the auto parts store down the road. I picked up an alternator that night, but couldn't see where on the engine it was located. It turns out it is on the top center on the V10s. You have to remove the cover over the intake and stand on your head I guess.

I ended up driving two more days to Florida, ruining the generator all day to keep the voltage up.

I bought the coach last year and so far I've replaced:

1. Brakes - pretty worn when I bought it.
2. Transmission service - fluid and filters because it's almost to 60k miles
3. Starter - died on me, had to have it towed
4. Generator - stator shorted, no parts available from Generac, so I have a brand new Onan now.
5. Rear slide - rollers were broken so it would get stuck
6. Alternator - died last month

My question for any of you still reading, what should I replace next proactively?

Tires are from 2015 and in good shape, so I'll wait a bit on those. I'm thinking of doing the serpentine belt.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks,
Brian

Mark_T · 01-25-2020, 08:26 PM

Vacuum hoses, oil change, air filter.

chboone · 01-26-2020, 09:26 PM

Brake fluid flush if it wasn't done when the brakes were replaced. Coolant and ALL hoses.

Reacher · 01-27-2020, 11:37 AM

11 year old chassis? Fuel pump perhaps? Rear diff fluid. ATF. Coolant. Shocks. SB bushings. The usual.

BCarp · 01-31-2020, 06:26 PM

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm mainly concerned with things that might strand me rather than maintenance, but all the ideas are good to keep in mind.

One question though, what do the coaches use vacuum for anymore? I know in the past, brake boosters, HVAC, and probably more used vacuum, but I can't think of anything that still does. Does EGR count? Just wondering how to track down parts.

Thanks,
Brian

Ted Lambert · 01-31-2020, 06:48 PM

Expect a lot of answers from front bumper to rear bumper on toad!
Your not only going to get opinions but also the things that have failed for others.
All good mind you!
My advice is this, be prepared for any type of failures, keep a good full wallet.
I was told when I bought my first used unit years ago that I could expect to pay another 1/3 of the purchase cost till everything was satisfactory to my liking.

That seems to be the norm. Also any spares you carry will probably not be the ones you will need.

You never said the mileage that makes it hard to guess the nex failure. However what you have done so far should keep you going, and you can setup your own maintenance guide for the future.

Happy motoring!