While we were driving from Trinidad, CA to Susanville, CA in our 2001 Dutch Star DP, we experienced some engine over heating about 2/3 of the way. On several occasions, I was able to pull over let the engine return to normal and continue for a short distance. After we traversed the hills and started level or downhill I was able to keep the engine temperature normal by driving in 4th gear at 2000 RPM. At Susanville I bought a window fan and placed it in front of the radiator and plugged it in. (It fit between the grill and radiators). I located the closest Freightliner service facility and called them. I was advised that they would get me in the next day for repairs. The next day, Thursday August 15th, I drove to Reno/Sparks NV to the Freightliner facility without incident-temperature remained normal. I arrived there at 10:30 AM. We unloaded some clothes and turned the coach over them. They called later to tell me that they test drove the coach and verified it did in fact overheat. They indicated that they would have to diagnose the unit to determine the problem. I called to get an update and they informed me that we were number four in line for the diagnostic team to get it in and that would happen Tuesday August 20th. I called Tuesday afternoon to get an up-date and learned that we were in the number two spot. They did get it in Wednesday the 21st and called me to give me the information and I gave them the go ahead for the repair. They indicated they had the necessary parts and we could pick up the coach on Friday. Friday came and went and it was not ready. We kept getting revised completion dates that stretched until Friday the 23d. That did not happen but we were told it would be done Saturday around 11:00. We finally checked out of the hotel and headed for the facility. After a couple of delays we were finally told that it would not be ready until Monday, August 26th early morning. We could not get a room where were staying so spent several hours finding a place to stay. Because we travel with Molly, our Border Collie availability of places is limited. We finally got the last non-smoking, pet friendly, room available. Monday morning, August 26th around 8:30 AM they called to say there was another delay. We stayed in the motel room until check out time and drove to the repair facility. To my surprise the work was done. It took about a half hour to get the paperwork done and pay the bill. We drove about 200 miles from Sparks, NV to Tonopah, NV. Twice I had to pull over to let the engine cool down. It got hotter than normal and I stopped before it over heated. I did not let it get to the warning light and beep. I believe I still have an issue with the cooling fan not working properly. I may continue to the Phoenix area to see if I can find a shop that can actually make the repair.
You cannot imagine all we went through cancelling reservations, loosing deposits, missing seeing friends and family we were scheduled to see. We ended up cancelling our visit to Yosemite in an attempt to get back on schedule, however, the constant delays and missed completion dates has completely destroyed the efforts we made to meet family, who planned a vacation to be with us at the Grand Canyon.
I hope that anyone driving a MH with a Freightliner chassis never needs service in the Reno, NV area.
