Maiden voyage -- after action report

[Lawrence Tarnoff]

We had a great four-day adventure, about 200 miles from home at Peninsula State Park in Door County, WI. A little chilly with high temps in the 50s.  I only filled the water tank to 3/4 or so, so we were running low by day four.  The steering issue -- almost constant correction required -- diminished on the way home and I suspect we were experiencing higher cross winds on the outbound leg.  All systems performed well, although we did not try the propane stove yet.

Interesting post-trip note:  Took the coach to a local RV dealer who offers 24-hour self-serve dump facility.  Since this was my first time unloading the tanks, I asked at the service counter if someone would be willing to look over my shoulder.  Sure -- for a fee of $130!!!  Needless to say, I figured it out on my own.

Larry

[Stan Simpson]

Larry,

When I was a "rookie", I spent some time at the Flying J in South Beloit visiting the dump station. As units came in, I simply asked if they were going to dump, and if so, could I watch.

Learned a lot, and was even handed the gloves a couple of times for "real" experience!   

[Keith Moffett]

Larry, I'm with Stan on this.  Our first trip in a diesel rig was to learn what to do with a diesel pusher.  I didnt even know what I didnt know.  We went from one flying J with Rv island to the next and stopped read some manuals and looked at the item I was reading about.  Ok got that part down.  So each time we stopped or started out again my check list got longer and better.
By the time we got from Houston to Seattle I had gained some good fundamentals and when next I read this forum I could actually understand some of what was discussed.  Then I began to realize that not all of it pertained to our coach. 
We still have a check list before starting out that we laminated and use to make sure nothing was missed and one for parking and leveling etc. .  It just helps to have a list so you arent working from memory every time.

[Chuck Jackson]

Yeah, you never quite forget that first time you pull the T handle on the blank tank and pray that everything is connected properly! I remember sneaking out early in the morning - fully prepared for a spill...gloves paper towels, etc. But all was good. When in doubt (like when the adapter doesn't feel like it threaded in just right), I pull the T handle on the gray tank for a few seconds and if there are no leaks I let the Blank tank rip!

[Gerald Farris]

Larry,
If this is the first long wheelbase coach that you have ever driven, there may be nothing wrong with your steering. No coach drives like a car, especially a SMC era Magnum chassis, so do not expect it to. There are a few things that can been done to reduce the need for frequent corrections like adding a steering stabilizer with a trim unit, but you might just need to get use to driving a long wheelbase coach.

Gerald 

[Frank Towle]

Re constant steering correction:

Agree that it takes some getting used to handling a bus! 

Had a serious steering problem caused by purchasing the WRONG tires for my '96 Beaver. 

Was sold 16 ply RATED tires that were really 12 ply.   Got a great price - saved $150+ per tire.  Thought the installer was having a much too easy time mounting them but assumed truck tire dealer knew what he was doing.  Actually traveled about 100 miles on them returning to my home with the rear end fish-tailing all over the road with constant steering correction.  Scary! 

Fish-tailed back to the tire dealer (should have gotten a police escort) and had them replaced with the same brand, TOYO, in full 16 ply.  First tires flipped off the rims like silly putty - Ah, ha!  Took two husky men to nudge each of the stiff 16 ply back on - Ah, ha, ah, ha.   

Traveled cross-country several times after that with sure footed tracking and steering. 

Lesson: be sure all tires are full 16 ply - I know, heard this song before...