Why do class A's run engine when leaving RV Park at site?

Thanks for the replies...now I have a better understanding.

2oldman wrote:
I've heard them idle, but rarely 20 minutes. Wow. My Cummins would start regenerating in that time, and you don't wanna be around that!

I've been known to not turn mine off once it's running - for instance, to leave the site and dump. It takes a long time to heat up 15 gallons of oil. Heck, sometimes I don't even turn if off when fueling. Truckers do that too.

No, I don't have a Class A, but no matter, it's still a diesel with air.

What I don't understand is why OTR trucks idle them ALL NIGHT, when it's not cold or too hot outside.

I have found that many of the OTR trucks that are "idling" are actually running the refrigeration unit on the trailer. Since that is food that I may buy in that trailer, I am all for keeping it cold!

2oldman wrote:

hipower wrote:
Is this really something that rises to the level where we need to give it a second thought?

You responded.

Yes I did, and it begs my reasoning also. I guess.

hipower wrote:
Is this really something that rises to the level where we need to give it a second thought?

You responded.

I'm sure those who idle their units excessivly do so just to make sure others have some reason to question why they do something so anti social.

Is this really something that rises to the level where we need to give it a second thought? Many of the units who were parked around us all winter disconnected and hooked up in preparation for departure early in the mornings and I slept through every departure. Apparently they were not excessive idlers or I'm a real good sleeper.

We Cant Wait wrote:
About 90% of all class "A" have air brake systems that have to be filled by the air compressor on the motor first off, then like mine the motor HAS to be running before I can activate the coach leveling system to both level and retract the hydraulic levelers. Also running the slides in requires a good amount of power so once again the motor needs to be running for this too. Believe me most of use do not like to run our motors at an idle any more then we absolutely must due to the exhaust regeneration system used to capture the exhaust soot.

Does your engine have to be running for the jacks, or does the ignition just have to be on? On mine the ignition just needs to be on but the engine can be shut off.

Most somewhat modern Gas coaches are pretty darn quiet when idling. Ours is. Except for the initial short roar when it turns over, it's about as loud as the roof AC running. I heard an older one with the 460 and it wasn't very loud either. The OP is probably mostly noticing DPs unless they are camped somewhere very quiet.

The reasons DPs are idles for a while are already listed.20 min seems a bit much but there are all different types of owners. I had a neighbor once that idled his Duramax Chevvy 2500 pickup for about a half hour at the LEAST. He also used it to pull a small trailer with one mower and some weed eaters.

We Cant Wait wrote:
About 90% of all class "A" have air brake systems that have to be filled by the air compressor on the motor first off, then like mine the motor HAS to be running before I can activate the coach leveling system to both level and retract the hydraulic levelers. Also running the slides in requires a good amount of power so once again the motor needs to be running for this too. Believe me most of use do not like to run our motors at an idle any more then we absolutely must due to the exhaust regeneration system used to capture the exhaust soot.

We Cant Wait

Right you are!

IMO, 90% of the 90% with air brake and air suspension systems don't know that some diesel coaches have neither air brakes or air suspension.
BTW, I would guess that 3-5% of all RVers have no idea what we are talking about. :-)

Mel
'96 Safari, hydraulic disc brakes, spring suspension

I run my engine to bring in the slides and air up too. I unhook while that is being done. Then I have to hook the jeep up after I pull out of my spot in many cases. I am started and running. It takes about five mins to bring the slides in and unhook it takes five mins too hook up. I will run for about ten mins leaving and about five mins or so when I arrive. Arriving means leveling and I use the engine compressor for that. How long it takes is dependent on how level the slope is.

We Cant Wait wrote:
About 90% of all class "A" have air brake systems that have to be filled by the air compressor on the motor first off.....

Agreed that air brake systems are why Class As frequently run the engine for a few minutes before leaving. However, I do NOT agree with that 90% figure.

Only diesels MHs have air brake systems like you describe. Gassers do not. And, diesel MHs do NOT make up anywhere near 90% of all Class As. More like 50% would be my guess.

With our V10 gasser, only thing I have to have engine running for when leaving is to retract the jacks. Typically we get everything else done, fire up the engine, retract jacks and roll out. Engine isn't idling for more than a minute or two before wheels start rolling. With the way these huge engines use fuel, I prefer to idle it as little as possible. :)