New 06' Executive Owners... Ride Home

[Ocean_Mist]

Spent about 1 hour looking over the coach and proceeded with the purchase. Drove home over 2 days, and although had a few issues, it was a great, safe and memorable ride. What a Coach...!

The seller was gracious and we had a fun time learning about our new coach.

Aqua-hot is low on is it Boiler fluid? and I forgot to ask how it works.

The Seller was not very handy and usually pays for everything to be done, which is fine. I am more detailed, and now the fun starts...

I did here some metallic noise going over bumps at low speed. I think it may be the rubber bushings and the rubber in between shock absorber where they attach to the frame...?

It does porpoise a bit on dips at high speed.

When i raise the TAG, It does not lift off the ground is that normal?

The steering seems loose, and requires a lot of correction. And, when an 18 wheeler passes me on the left, my Rig pushes to the right and I have to correct to the left but the steering is loos and so i have to correct again because it goes to far left. It doesn't feel like it's accurate. It's like loose. I understand it's an RV, but what are normal steering issues that i can repair/replace to make steering and chassis like new again?

I notice that while steering, it is hard to keep her centered as she wanders left then i have to correct right. This is constantly, and requires to much attention to drive. What items can I have Source engineering do to correct these issues? I mean i see that Source has 8 Airbag Ride Enhancement kit, I wonder if they have a 10 airbag Kit...?

When i use the remote to lock the bays, i hear them click, but only a few lock...

The seller neglected to tell me that the tile behind the chair was cracked. I can only imagine it was when someone activated slide without checking if passenger chair was too close. There is tape covering the area, which i did not see until my road trip.

I would like to address these issues and more. Below are some ideas I'd like to do. Can you take a look and offer suggestions...?

1. I Will see if I can pressure wash the entire underside of coach to see about any leaks.

2. Gently spray greaser on engine and generator and rinse with hose. No Pressure water there...

3. Contact Source Engineering for replacing all shocks and ask about Ride enhancement Kit. anyone use Source?

4. Anyone upgrade their bushings?

5. I can feel the bedroom is hot when we stop. Anyone have a link to those fans that remove engine heat?

6. Any other things Inherent or I should be aware of?

[Ivylog]

Sam, without the engine running you want less than 1/2" free play in the steering wheel...it costs nothing to adjust as the bolt with the lock nut is easy to get to on the side of the box. Start with a quarter turn CW...it has a slot in its head.

Chris, the OP has a heavier engine/tranny than you so your tag only needs 35 psi max. Are you having to hold pressure to the right to go straight or is the steering wheel not centered? If not centered it can be repositioned without doing an alignment.

[cvbdsl]

Ivylog wrote:
Adjust the TRW steering box so you have less than 1/2" movement on the steering wheel before doing anything else. On the left side of the engine area there is a pressure regulator/gauge for the tag axle...needs at least 40 psi. Push the black knob in and turn CW to increase the pressure.

Weighing before loading your stuff is a waste so try 110 front tires, 100 drive axle, and 80 in the tag and go test drive it. Unless you have leaking oil around a shock I would not replace with only 64K miles if I remember correctly.

The chains that lift the tag may have too much slack in them...probably not worth adjusting as long as you hear air expelling when you try to lift it.

I would put up to a gallon of distilled water in to top off the AHot...do not use car antifreeze.

Ivylog; not trying to hijack the OP's thread but this is good information for me as well as an new owner of a 2008 HR Scepter 42PDQ.
The dealership "tech" did not know anything about the tag during the PDI- it reads around 20 lbs - I have read the owners manual about calibrating the tag and plan to do that soon, as well as having weighed.
My steering wheel is consistently to the right to go straight. It has a True Center switch but it seems not to work (manual says pressing the switch more the 30 secs burns it out).

I'll be checking tire pressures (dealer put on all Goodyear RVs -
not my fav). After loading and weighing my next step is an alignment.

Back to the OP - congrats on your new coach. Isn't it a lot of fun learning the new systems? Especially with the help of members of this forum.

Chris

[cvbdsl]

Here's a link to the Aqua Hot manual (450d). It might be the same as your model year.

Aqua Hot Manual

Lots of good info for a newbie like me.

Chris

[Executive45]

OceanMist:
1. Your undercarriage should be sealed. No steam cleaning necessary.
2. Recommended service interval for the AquaHot is annually. I would have it serviced completely then either annually or every other year depending on how much you use it. The diesel boiler should be fired up at least once a month according to my mechanic. Make sure they check the fuel pressure gauge when doing the service. Cost is around $200.
3. My AquaHot uses special fluid. DO NOT MIX DIFFERENT FLUIDS. Determine what YOURS uses before adding anything.
4. You have a gauge in the engine compartment to adjust the tag. The lighter the tag, the lighter the front axle. Conversely, the heavier the tag, the heavier the front axle. Use that gauge to adjust any weight issues. Mine lifts off the ground but will automatically drop if you exceed 5MPH. Use caution if you are going over speed humps with the tag lifted. If it bumps the hump you may get an ABS warning signal that will persist until you exceed 35MPH and it resets.
5. A good alignment shop will make your steering issues disappear. I doubt you need to do anything else.
6. Once loaded for travel, get it weighed and adjust your tire pressure to specs.
7. Check the tire date codes.
8. Check the SCA in your radiator....Dennis

[Ocean_Mist]

Thanks everyone for all the very much needed information. I'm getting a bit overwhelmed, my parents are elderly and I am helping them right now and it s taking a lot of time. I am trying to make a punch list for the rig, and your replies here are helping greatly!

I will have to slow down unlike in the past where I could devote all of my time to restoration, now I will have to do bits and pieces.

I'm going to get the roof done with this Dicor 502-LSW Self-Leveling Lap Sealant https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LZXOC77/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

and then Steam Clean the undercarriage, and then gently clean the oil off the generator.

Go to DMV, to register vehicle and go thru the lengthy process to get my Non commercial class B, oh yeah and insurance...

[Ivylog]

Adjust the TRW steering box so you have less than 1/2" movement on the steering wheel before doing anything else. On the left side of the engine area there is a pressure regulator/gauge for the tag axle...needs at least 40 psi. Push the black knob in and turn CW to increase the pressure.

Weighing before loading your stuff is a waste so try 110 front tires, 100 drive axle, and 80 in the tag and go test drive it. Unless you have leaking oil around a shock I would not replace with only 64K miles if I remember correctly.

The chains that lift the tag may have too much slack in them...probably not worth adjusting as long as you hear air expelling when you try to lift it.

I would put up to a gallon of distilled water in to top off the AHot...do not use car antifreeze.

[Mr_Mark1]

joraz wrote:

Aqua-hot is low on is it Boiler fluid? and I forgot to ask how it works.

We had Aqua Hot on one or our rigs. It just used standard anti-freeze coolant.
jor

Our Aqua Hot used 'Boiler Fluid' that was red in color.

Ocean, make sure and use the correct fluid as yours may use anti-freeze like joraz's.

Your Aqua Hot may very well have two electric elements that you can use to heat the water. The Aqua Hot (electric elements) can also be used to heat the coach if it's not too cold outside, maybe down to the low 40's, otherwise, you will have to kick on the diesel burner.

If the exhaust is really smoky/smelly, you probably need to have it serviced. The Aqua Hot will have a little exhaust smell but shouldn't smoke while running, it will probably have a little puff of smoke on start-up.

MM.

[joraz]

Aqua-hot is low on is it Boiler fluid? and I forgot to ask how it works.

We had Aqua Hot on one or our rigs. It just used standard anti-freeze coolant.
jor

[OLYLEN]

You may not have enough pressure in the Tag, too little light front and over steer.

LEN

[John_Wayne]

Load it for travel get the wheel weights for each wheel or at least each axle. Then set tire air pressure to the axle or wheel weights then take it for another ride and see if it handles different. You should also do this before having the alignment work done.

[Mr_Mark1]

Ocean,

I would get a three axle alignment done first before adding additional parts. I think the steering 'correction' problem could be related to the alignment. I'm not a mechanic but I've seen this talked about many times on this site.

You might need to have the Aqua Hot serviced and checked out. The unit might need to be blown out and the nozzle replaced along with the fuel filter, etc.

If you 'wet' the engine area, try your best not to get the alternators wet.

I don't think fans in the engine area will make one bit of difference to remove heat. You've got a big-honking 600hp engine that puts out a lot of heat. You could maybe open the engine door when you park to dissipate the heat faster. I think the hot bedroom is normal. You can inspect the insulation in the engine area to see if it's there but we had the same issue with our Dynasty which I didn't see as a problem.

Our tag axle on the Dynasty would come all the way off of the ground. Make sure you are on level ground when you test it. It could be that it might need adjustment.

You can also check the dates on the airbags as they can age out.

The bay door locks might need to be sprayed with WD40. If your locks were like our Dynasty, you can take off the cover that is inside bay door and see how they operate.

Good luck,
MM.