Community Forums

eastern1 · 07-04-2022, 08:24 PM

We are new to Class A and had our first breakdown last week on I95 in Savannah. I am paying attention now to all the breakdown threads and mechanical work required. Not sure I am on board with all this wrench work and systems failures I see. I have 2 boats and 2 houses that keep me really occupied and I really don't need a rolling project. Thought these diesel pushers would be more reliable?

Skip426 · 07-04-2022, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eastern1

We are new to Class A and had our first breakdown last week on I95 in Savannah. I am paying attention now to all the breakdown threads and mechanical work required. Not sure I am on board with all this wrench work and systems failures I see. I have 2 boats and 2 houses that keep me really occupied and I really don't need a rolling project. Thought these diesel pushers would be more reliable?

eastern1 ; when you're here in the forums you see all the bad in the RV world , and very little of the good by comparison .
Just like the local newspaper , good news doesn't sell .

Yes , I've had break downs with my coach; one tow truck required in 12 years ; I've also had breakdowns with my cars and trucks over the years ; no forums around to post about those .

96 Wideglide · 07-04-2022, 09:28 PM

Yeah, reading these forums can really freak you out, but honestly, keep up on regular maintenance, and breakdowns are rare.

Knock on wood, I've never broke down!

rssnape · 07-05-2022, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Talloaks

Why, did your only screwdriver melt from the starting current when you jumpered the solenoid?

I’ve added a couple of the tyvek coveralls for when you know you are going to get filthy. If you dont, no harm just roll them up for later. Filthy, pitch them in the closest trash can.

153stars · 07-07-2022, 07:13 PM

Nobody posts about every day without a problem. A lot of little things you can live with until part and time is at hand.

Quote:

Originally Posted by eastern1

We are new to Class A and had our first breakdown last week on I95 in Savannah. I am paying attention now to all the breakdown threads and mechanical work required. Not sure I am on board with all this wrench work and systems failures I see. I have 2 boats and 2 houses that keep me really occupied and I really don't need a rolling project. Thought these diesel pushers would be more reliable?

DuaneMiller · 07-08-2022, 08:58 AM

This is one of the reasons why I always leave my coach idling while I fuel up at truck stops... Now days, with the push button starts, my fear is shutting off the engine and not being able to restart it again...

Flyer15015 · 07-08-2022, 09:20 AM

Reminds me of the line from the young engineer in the movie "Passengers".

We have enough spare parts to rebuild the whole space ship !

Mike in Colorado

TandW · 07-08-2022, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuaneMiller

This is one of the reasons why I always leave my coach idling while I fuel up at truck stops... Now days, with the push button starts, my fear is shutting off the engine and not being able to restart it again...

X2

ga traveler · 07-08-2022, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip426

Similar situation ; my first ( of two ) starter relay failures ; had to slide under to jump the starter solenoid , through somebody else's fuel spill .

I've since wired in an emergency start button in the engine bay.

Same thing happened to me on my 1998 pace arrow. I installed a emergency start button on my dash. It bypasses all the safety crap and directly goes to the starter. It will work every time.

thegats1 · 07-09-2022, 04:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuaneMiller

This is one of the reasons why I always leave my coach idling while I fuel up at truck stops... Now days, with the push button starts, my fear is shutting off the engine and not being able to restart it again...

Yes Duane, this will be my procedure going forward. Decided that while I was sitting for over 3 hours. I didn't do this before because I was thinking there might be some sort of issue with the engine in running the engine with the fuel cap off. I see truckers do it, so yes, I will be doing it too. I did this for the remainder of the trip.

MO Fred · 07-09-2022, 07:27 AM

I broke down at a truck stop fuel pump a few s years ago. I pulled in, turned the coach off and fueled. Turned the key to start and…. Nothing. It’s never a pleasant feeling when you’re blocking others from fueling. After about an hour of trouble shooting I called roadside assistance and was towed about five miles to a repair facility. Upon releasing, it rolled backwards and hit the tow truck causing about $2000 in damages to my coach. The tow company paid for the damage after about 6 months. Anyway….. as it turned out the problem was a faulty battery disconnect switch. I now carry a spare.

Jzack · 07-10-2022, 06:51 PM

Always a relief to find and fix the problem to avoid a tow. We had our first "break down" last week in Bryce Canyon. Major coolant leak on top the motor that turned out to be a failed hose clamp. Had to crawl up inside the engine bay from the ground so I put on my pajamas so as not to ruin any good clothes! I do carry a yoga mat though for crawling under. Works well.

I never shut down for fueling either. Don't like cooking my turbo.

Cummins recommends to idle for 3-5 minutes before shutting down.

dmctlc · 07-11-2022, 06:46 AM

Well though I was always told shut you engine off at a gas station and been to a few gas stations fires at the pump, a lot caused by smokers, in spite of the signs. I just carried that forward towards fueling up our DP. Though I did let it idle a bit before I did shut down but after reading this thread and knowing diesel fuel is not like gasoline plus the fact I'm fueling in the truckers lane who mostly seem to be fueling while running I've started to take that approach myself now. Still shut my car off if fueling but now leave the DP running while fuel. These stories of breakdown in at the pumps though are rare I just don't want to be part of that statistics....thxs