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discovery4us · 02-17-2023, 09:23 AM

After 12 years of faithful service we decided to let the 1999 Discovery go to a new home and in her place we welcomed a new to us 2005 American Tradition.
Had intended to go much newer but found this rig and felt like it was the right choice.
It is a bit backwards to me but it is a 2004 coach build on a 2005 Liberty/Spartan chassis registered as 2005. ISL 8.9 370HP, Allison, and a lot of updates from the 1999 that I have to learn.
Now to get it loaded and out for a trip. We picked it up about 200 miles from home and I must say it is comfortable to drive.
We are a bit overwhelmed trying to adjust. The simplicity of the Discovery has been replaced with thermostats that are programmable, energy management that has too many options to wade through, a residential fridge with inverter, and a generator that can be programed to start on its own. I can't even imagine what the brand new rigs technology must be like.
We are excited to start putting our touches on and in it and see where it leads.

speedway · 02-17-2023, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by discovery4us

After 12 years of faithful service we decided to let the 1999 Discovery go to a new home and in her place we welcomed a new to us 2005 American Tradition.
Had intended to go much newer but found this rig and felt like it was the right choice.
It is a bit backwards to me but it is a 2004 coach build on a 2005 Liberty/Spartan chassis registered as 2005. ISL 8.9 370HP, Allison, and a lot of updates from the 1999 that I have to learn.
Now to get it loaded and out for a trip. We picked it up about 200 miles from home and I must say it is comfortable to drive.
We are a bit overwhelmed trying to adjust. The simplicity of the Discovery has been replaced with thermostats that are programmable, energy management that has too many options to wade through, a residential fridge with inverter, and a generator that can be programed to start on its own. I can't even imagine what the brand new rigs technology must be like.
We are excited to start putting our touches on and in it and see where it leads.

Congrats on the purchase, nice upgrade.

Our situation was similar, looking at newer stuff (post DPF/DEF) but came across a 04 (built in 12/03, titled in 04) 1 owner MA and decided to purchase. Coach is our first and has been (relatively) reliable, thanks to original owners maintenance and keeping it in covered storage.
We have done a few interior upgrades (residential fridge, 52” TV with theater seating).

Good luck. Safe travels

Gary RVRoamer · 02-17-2023, 11:47 AM

Congrats - I think you are going to luv it. I owned a 2004 Tradition and traveled North American in it for 12 years - a splendid coach. I have a lot of tech manuals and such for it and will be happy to send copies if you need any. Mine was on a Liberty/Freightliner chassis.

I'm going to send you a private message with some further suggestions.

153stars · 02-17-2023, 05:23 PM

Well that's a fine upgrade right there.Pre DEF and market crash. I love the looks of 2000s American coach. I'll bet you can find vids to show you some things about EMS and inverter settings panel. The AGS is hopefully set up pretty close for batteries you have in it one thing to watch is leaving it on in storage if batteries are draining. One owner thought he got fuel ripped off but storage employee said the generator would run often. The thermostat/s may have zones as well as option to run on heat pump or furnace. From my understanding if heat pumps can't keep up it turn on furnaces or hydronic heat. It comes up often enough to find and have thermostat reset instructions on you phone or printed out though. Sometimes owners will get zones out of wack. So your not trying to look up reset and zone instructions in the middle of the night.
Now share some pics.

Gary RVRoamer · 02-18-2023, 11:56 AM

That vintage of American Coach will activate the furnaces automatically if too cold for the heat pump. And yes, the Atwood Comfort Control thermostat is multi-zone and controls both heat pump & the dual-speed Atwood furnaces.

153stars · 02-18-2023, 12:20 PM

Agreed GFCI or button breakers on inverter. At some point soon, you should check and tighten the connections in the ATS mentioned too. They a prone to loosen... then overheat in loose connector. Many owners check once a year as preventive maintenance . A bad neutral can cause wacky issues on 50 amp coach. Like over volts on one leg under on the other.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

That vintage of American Coach will activate the furnaces automatically if too cold for the heat pump. And yes, the Atwood Comfort Control thermostat is multi-zone and controls both heat pump & the dual-speed Atwood furnaces.