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New to the Group and RVing in General

Yahoo Message Number: 61617
My wife and I just took the plunge and purchased a 05 CC Inspire (400 Cat) some 3,000 miles away. I'm flying out to do a walk thru on Monday. From recent posts, it sounds like overheating may be something to look at.
Other than that, can any of you who have (been there, done that) provide any insignt about particular things to look for when we go through the coach.

We are new to this and looking forward to some new stories to tell.
I'd also be interested in what braking systems for the "TOAD" should we consider, if any?

Thanks

Re: New to the Group and RVing in General

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 61621

Remember that for every 1,000 or so complaints one owner might post a message about how his coach dosen't overheat. In other words the relatively few posts here are not a representative sample of the thousands of Inspires built and you should not jump to a negative conclusion based solely on them.
That said, there were some issues with radiators and the fan controller system. You did not provide the mileage of the coach you are going to pick up but the '05 Inspires started production in March of '04. So most of these coaches are about 6 years old. With any reasonable kind of use problems with the radiator would have already happened - and not all radiators fail - we have 40,000 miles on our coach and no leaks or overheating. I watch it closely but that should be a routine inspection for any diesel powered vehicle.
The fan controller is a separate issue and unless it is not operating properly, leave it alone. If it ain't broke don't fix it. I have seen many many dollars spent to avoid a perceived problem that probably didn't exist. The failure mode is "on" so even a failed controller should not lead to overheating.
Relax and enjoy a product from one of the best coach manufacturers to ever do business in the USA. I have been RVing since 1975 and have never had such a trouble free coach. We use it, empty and park it, perform the maintenance required and take it out again. Every previous rig we have owned would generate two pages or so of things that needed fixing or attention after every trip. Not the Inspire. It's the most trouble free rig I have driven.

Like I said, relax, enjoy and welcome.

Bob (rthandren@...)
'05 Inspire 51178

Re: New to the Group and RVing in General

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 61634
Welcome to the group. You will find a great deal of helpful info and if you have a question just ask.
One of the things you should find out about the coach, has the PTO had a wet kit installed. As for braking system, I use SMI's Air Force One braking system. Simple to use and is very effective. Just connect several connection at the hitch and off you go.
We have had our coach for almost 4 year and would not trade for many of the newer ones. The storage and floor plan is great for us as we are going into our third year of full timing.

Good luck and have a great time.

Jock Vargo
2005 Inspire
51428

Currently in Amana, IA

Re: New to the Group and RVing in General

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 61637
Ditto on the PTO "Wet Kit" and I have the M&G air brake system which I think is very similar to the SMI Air Force.

John

05 Inspire
51399

Re: New to the Group and RVing in General

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 61639
David,

In regards to your mention of a possible overheating problem, you need to know what temperatures to expect. My 2006 Country Coach Owners Manual says the normal range for water temperatures is 170 to 195 degrees. While my CAT owners manual says the norm should be 190 to 215 degrees.
Right after we bought our coach, I was so concerned about our possible overheating problem I had a service facility check out the cooling system. They told me that everything checked out OK. They said the fan came on low at 205 degrees and switched to high at 215 degrees just like it should.. They reassured me that the real norm for the water operating temperature range for our CAT C-9 is 190 to 215 degrees. They also told me that the ECU will automatically shut off the engine if the water temp exceeds 226 degrees. Since then, I don't worry about it until I see water temps above 215 degrees.

Dennis Clayton, 2006 Inspire #51581

From: davidpike48

Subject: [Country-Coach-Owners] New to the Group and RVing in General To: Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com Date: Friday, July 23, 2010, 8:11 AM

Re: New to the Group and RVing in General

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 61645
Welcome to the group - you'll find this group to be a brain trust of many, only slighty offset by myself:)!
- Check the files section, and see the PDI Check List, print it and take it with you as a good reminder on what to look into, and ask about.
- RV.Net's Class A has an excellent group of Sticky's by Jonny T and Bret W. (PDI check lists, good info on lots of things) - I went with the US Gear braking system when I did mine. SMI does make an outstanding product too. Can't go wrong with either one.
- If driving it home the first time. I'd be sure yo have Coachnet. Not that you ever want to use it, but better to have it and not need it - then to need it and not have it...
- I'd take a good Tire Pressure guage, and do your own checking of the PSI before driving off. As you will not have had a chance to load it up and weight on all four corners, go with the highest setting in the coach sticker, not the tire side.
- If it does not have a built in GPS, perhaps taking one with you in your 'travel home bag', might be something to consider. And, your choice of CD's (We go from Frank Sinatra to Pinback, with a little Plant and Krasue/Knopfler and Harris...) - Be sure to stop and rest quite a bit, not from the driving, but from the grinning -
New rigs. New used rigs - they'll have some problems to sort out, as you make this 'your rig'. Have fun along the way...

Be safe, best luck,
Smitty
04 Allure Sold to a nice new owner! Now enjoying a 07 Magna Rembrandt 45' ISX600 #6775
"We're ONDROAD for THEJRNY!" (Toad and Coach license plates, say Hi if you see us!)

Re: New to the Group and RVing in General

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 61653
David,

I would have the radiator checked to see if it is aluminum as this has been a problem for coaches. Make sure you crawl underneath and see if coolant is starting to leak out as coolant doesn't evaporate. Make sure you check the DOT on the tires as an '05 is in the range of needing to be replaced. You also need to see if the thermostats were replaced at the 3 year mark - otherwise have them do that as well. We had a fan issue that was corrected as well as an aluminum radiator that started leaking. As a worthwhile add on you should consider installing a Silverleaf system so you know what your temperatures really are and don't rely on the analog guages. Otherwise enjoy your new coach as you will love it as much as we love ours.
Safe Travels,
Kathy

'06 inspire #51782

Re: New to the Group and RVing in General

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 61656

I agree with Dennis; we run 195-200 - I think the thermostat is ~195. Use of A/C and hot outside temps will raise it a small amount. Worst load is idling for long periods under those conditions - avoid if possible, shift to neutral when you can.

Bob (rthandren@...)
'05 Inspire 51178

Re: Radiators was New to the Group and RVing in General

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 61659

Millions upon millions of vehicles use aluminum radiators. If it doesn't leak why would you replace it - because it might? So might any radiator of any material spring a leak at any time. There was a quality problem with some radiators from some CC supplier(s) which is now the better part of a decade past in timing - this does not condemn every aluminum radiator in a coach or on the planet as defective and mandate replacement. At a minimum this is illogical. If your wallet has a bottomless design and it makes you more comfortable lining somebody else's money holder be my guest, my wallet doesn't have that capability not to mention some personality traits that prevent such behavior. Yeah, I'm cheap.
Save your money for things that need fixing - if any. If you replaced everything that might need replacing, I don't know about you, but I would have to sell the rig.
What is wrong with if it ain't broke don't fix it? And if it's broke a little bit I can buy many, many gallons of coolant for the price of a replacement radiator. You might also consider tightening up those hose clamps - amazing how many radiators have been sold over the years by a loose clamp.
Contrary to some beliefs, unless the cooling system is completely sealed so it is a "closed system" (at which point it would very likely explode when heated up to operating temps) some water will be lost to evaporation when released to the atmosphere as vapor as the coach warms up and the coolant expands and pushes into the expansion tank. The expansion tank reduces coolant loss versus not having one as most cars did not until the late 70's, but it cannot totally stop it. Topping off the cooling system once a year (or any infrequent timeframe) is not justification for spending thousands of dollars to replace a radiator; but some businesses seem to be very effective at convincing owners disaster is about to strike if any coolant ever needs to be added. Frequent coolant loss is a sign of potential problems, once in a while is not the end of the world and is normal maintenance.
Some claim to never add anything. While I suppose that is possible, particularly if the vehichle is never or barely driven, basic physics mandates some loss over time and use. And this is true whether the radiator is aluminum, steel, copper, brass or whatever.
If you have frank signs of leakage like puddles under the rig, have tightened everything and still must add coolant frequently, then you might want to consider repairing or replacing the radiator.
One last related idea - just because the place that has your coach in pieces spread over two stalls says the radiator is unrepairable does not mean that is ture. It might mean they themselves can't or won't repair it or they can get you out of there and make more money by simply bollting a new one in - not to mention your old core is probably worth $$$. Determining you have a radiator problem before being over that barrel would be a better situation and investigating radiator repair facilities a good pre-emptive approach to controlling cost. But worrying because a radiator is made out of any particular material is a waste of emotion. I prefer relaxation and watching this fantastic country rolling by through my formerly foggy but now crystal clear Se-Gi windows.

Bob (rthandren@...)
'05 Inspire 51178
 

Re: Radiators was New to the Group and RVing in General

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 61666
Bob (Cheapskate),

You're singin' my song and what a beautiful tune it is. Well stated! You have the correct philosophical mindset for owning a coach and enjoying it. Don't sweat the small stuff. Enjoy the ride and don't try to cross the bridge before you get to it. Most of what people worry about and try to avoid, never happens.

A tip of the hat to you!

Dave Trotter

01 Intrigue 11215