Class A Diesel Idling

[harryjr]

Disclaimer: NOT trying to start a firestorm

We were on the road for the last 3.5 weeks. It takes us approx 30min. to break camp in the morning. We then start the truck and position, hook up, do a final walk around and leave. Truck idles for maybe five minutes and is Tundra V-8 quiet.

So why in 3.5 weeks did we run into so many diesel class A's who feel the need to start the engine at 6AM and then do God only knows what for the next hour and a half before they leave? You bought a $400K, 400HP, 40 foot RV. Does it really require a 90 minute warm up before you can safely drive it down the road? We only spent one night together, but I promise to miss you when you're gone. Do you need to wake up the entire park to wave goodbye?

Before you tell me I'm just jealous that I don't have a diesel pusher, I'm not. (Well maybe just a little bit). Saw one today that was such a bargain my wallet started to twitch, but I digress.

If there is a reason for the 90 min. warm-up, please explain it to this dumb 5th wheeler.

Thanks,

[Grit_dog]

Don't often camp where you can fit a pusher but the few times we have, I believe this is a true phenomenon. Especially one NF campground last year. We were waiting to move campsites to where these folks with a DP were leaving that morning. Nicest old Canadians you'd meet. Thought they were leaving when the rig fired up. Over an hour later they left.....and it was not cold out, it was July.

[Executive45]

Everyone has their own procedure to leaving a campground. I follow Monaco's instructions which is: Start engine, fast idle, allow air to max, turn off engine and pull in the slides. Restart engine and disconnect the utilities then drive off. This only takes a few minutes. If this 'offends' anyone then that's their problem not mine. Of course, we usually get up, have coffee, take a walk, come home and shower then break camp so it's usually around Noon....Dennis

[down_home]

Newer diesels are tuned totally different and may only need five minutes warm up in cold weather.
Our Cat takes a few minutes , the colder the longer, to get it rolling.
They talk about cylinder wash down if let idle too long.
We use cruise control to idle about100 rpm and for at least five minutes usually ten if cold especially. During that time power cord is disconnect as well as sewer and water, Awning in jacks up and pads stored. Sometimes takes 15 minutes.
We are usually in no rush so we don't start out at 0 dark thirty.
We try to ensure our neighbors are up and about usually gone when we prepare to leave.
We have tried to leave with the engine and transmission stone cold. It doesn't want to go anywhere.

[goducks10]

Call me goofy but when camped next to a big DP I enjoy the sounds it makes. Not at 6am but latter on in the morning or when pulling in.

[jplante4]

et2 wrote:
All that said, I'd wager there's probably a lot more sound nuisance to many other people than your complaint. Example .... Unsupervised kids screaming all day running through your campsite, barking dogs, loud music, drunks, etc.

You forgot impact drill drivers to retract the jacks. I'd rather listen to an idling diesel.

[Mr_Mark1]

cross21114 wrote:

Mr.Mark wrote:

On our coach, we have to start the engine to pull the slides in (all electric).

I don't doubt this but am surprised you have to do this. My strategy is pull the slides in, lift the jacks, disconnect power and hoses (If I didn't do that the night before), do a walk around, start up and pull out as soon as the air pressure alarm goes off. Usually only 1 minute to air up unless been in the same spot for a long time.

Like the idea posted earlier to build air up the night before.

The engine must be running for the compressor to air-up the air bags as the coach needs to be at ride height for the slides to come in. We do not have jacks, air bag leveling only.

Our slides are extremely robust and (I'm assuming) need the full electric power to keep everything running smooth (we have four alternators).

Also, we do not leave early so I would think we are not bothering anyone.

MM.

[Veebyes]

No need at all to run for more than a few minutes to get the oils flowing.

Start up. Immediately do whatever to hookup to trailer. Shut it down. Lift legs, disconnect & stow shorepower, hook up power cable to truck, load truck with snack bag & small cooler bag, do whatever else needs doing, jump in, restart & go. I get no pleasure listening to a diesel engine idle & not be producing ant work for me. Same with loud motorcycles. I am not impressed with the noise. I am annoyed by it.

[et2]

There is the time required to air up suspension and brakes. Also engine on to retract leveler and retract slides. No it doesn't take a hour or more.

All that said, I'd wager there's probably a lot more sound nuisance to many other people than your complaint. Example .... Unsupervised kids screaming all day running through your campsite, barking dogs, loud music, drunks, etc.

Everyone has some complaint. Personally an idling diesel wouldn't bother me.

[cross21114]

Mr.Mark wrote:

On our coach, we have to start the engine to pull the slides in (all electric).

I don't doubt this but am surprised you have to do this. My strategy is pull the slides in, lift the jacks, disconnect power and hoses (If I didn't do that the night before), do a walk around, start up and pull out as soon as the air pressure alarm goes off. Usually only 1 minute to air up unless been in the same spot for a long time.

Like the idea posted earlier to build air up the night before.

[Mr_Mark1]

The loud diesels that we have encountered have been the early start-ups from 'worker' trucks that need to be at their job at the crack of dawn.

On our coach, we have to start the engine to pull the slides in (all electric). Before starting the engine, I have already connected the toad if it was unhooked (and if we are in a pull-through). Then, I start to empty the holding tank and make sure we have at least a half tank of fresh water (don't want to get too low).

It is recommended by our engine manufacturer to always put the 'high idle' on to circulate the oil when stationary. So, that will make for a fairly loud engine.

Once I start the engine, the air bags start to fill to level. That probably takes about 30-45 seconds. I wait until I hear the coach 'sneeze' before I start to pull the slides in. Each slide takes 10 seconds for the air seal to deflate before the slide moves and another 30 seconds per slide to come in all the way (times 4 slides). I control the two front slides from the driver's seat area and the rear two from the bedroom.

I'm sure we are not bothering anybody as we never leave before 11 AM. In most cases, we'll drive until 5-6PM and set up camp again. I surely don't want to miss the cocktail hour! 😛

Safe travels,
MM.

[Thunder_Mountai]

You can't fix stupid or rude. I feel bad because we have to run the Cummins to pull in the slides and jacks. Then I shut it down while finishing up such as hooking up the toad. Think some people (men) just like to hear their diesel 'cause they are so deaf that is all they can hear. Go back to my first sentence.

[DC_MC]

Funny story: a few years ago at an RV park in Arizona some friends were parked next to us and had a noisy diesel pickup. They were planning to go REALLY early for shopping the day after thanksgiving. Their pickup parked right next to us. We told them not to worry, we would go back to sleep. Anyway they messed up somehow and their car alarm went off instead. Woke up half the RV park. We had lots of laughs at happy hour about that one.

[dodge_guy]

I too have seen the extended idling from the diesel people. I don't think they truly understand how they work.

Run the A/C to cool of the MH? 99% sure they are plugged in! if not they are equipped with a quiet generator.
Run the heat? again, heat may run off the 12V system, if not, again they are plugged in!
I don't unplug until I`m ready to pull out.

As far as cooling down after an extended run on the highway? getting off the highway and driving into the campground and checking in, the engine and turbo are cooled down. as far as warming up a diesel, best way to warm it up is to drive it! start it up 5 minutes before you leave. that's all it takes. If you say it takes 30minutes to fill your air tanks then you have a problem with the system! get it looked at!

[GHop]

The manual for Ram (Cummins) recommend after towing or travel, you should idle to cool down. I believe the max recommended time the cooldown is only five min. Don't know why a person would idle for 90 min.

[JaxDad]

All of the above, plus ..........

A 42’ DP won’t fit in the parking lot at Dunkin Donuts so you have to claim bragging rights somewhere..........