Checklist help

[Tedsoldbus]

Every bus is different, but I have built this over two years. Kept adding things I thought I'd remember.  Now that I'm 65 so about to put a name tag on the wheel so I remember who I am...

Ideas welcome:

Pre Start
Outside:
wiper sleeves off
"before flight" banners off mirrors
awnings locked
tool box secure
belly bay items secure
bay doors locked down
propane "on" if fridge on
Engine: un plug bat charger/ block heater
check oil/ coolant/ engine fan oil level
grease
walk around TWICE

Inside:
cabinets and doors pinned
toilet lid down
TPMS awake
radio and Garmin power up
back up camera "on"
water pumps and heater "off"

Start Engine
check oil pressure and other gages
check engine box - oil pressure, belts, look for leaks
blinkers/ lights check
when air pressure up, check brakes before moving.

Shut down:
engine cool down for 5 minutes
check trani level while still running
look for leaks
shut off engine
drain air tanks
propane off
add shore power
plug in bat charger
engine oil and cooling fan dipsticks
Shut off radio/ garmin/ back up camera
Shut off H/W heater/ pumps
Grease

All ideas welcome. If I think they suck I won't tell you.

[Tedsoldbus]

I regret the snarky comment "if they suck". No idea is a bad one.
Thanks gents.
Added :check under bus after cool for leaky wheel bearings.

[sledhead]

I try to do most of that but every now and then I do a old fart moment and crap happens

it's a old fart thing no fixing that

[lostagain]

Your state (Georgia) will have the pre and post trip inspection check list for commercial vehicles on their DOT web site. Every state/province is a little different, but pretty well all the same.

[RJ]

Ted -

Perhaps this should help. . .

http://busnut.com/forum/index.php/topic,3259.0.html

FWIW. . .

RJ

[Tedsoldbus]

All good ideas! Thanks. There is a danger I make it longer than the ten commandments but the list I have now has helped. I hate going to get gas and have doors slamming. Hated it when the old toilet seat used to slam down. I put a no slam on the new toilet, but you know what I mean. I'll study the thread RJ sent. Mostly concerned I am not missing a major mechanical thing I should look at. Still too new at this.

[Tedsoldbus]

Great list RJ. Mirrors. I forgot mirrors and had to stop twice on the last trip to adjust. Otherwise I guess I'm close.

[luvrbus]

5 minutes is a long time to idle your 6v92,even working 1 hard a minute or 2 is good

[Tedsoldbus]

Thanks. You would know.

When I start I make sure I am ready to launch right after I do the engine box "look for leaks and oil pressure", but it takes 5 to 6 minutes for me to get 100 or better on air. Should I be adding a little higher idle for that time frame as far as oil circulation? Maybe the first minute or so? I can do that from the back when I am looking for leaks.

I hate to sound stupid but just trying to keep the old girl lubricated and happy. The PO started it once a month just to air it up, and then shut it off. I can't fix the wear he put on it, but trying to keep it happy. I start it every month or month and a half and then drive it for an hour including 30 minutes of highway time. Tires, bearings, fluids, engine etc get a little work out. I am told by many that is best. Also run my generator during that and put a load on it.

Glad to hear opinions from you, BK, Bob Glines, Buswarrior and others that really know.

Thanks for the help.

[luvrbus]

People do it different I just parked mine and never had a problem, your bus came with the 1st version of the 6v92 called the "green" engine they never liked the idling even on fast idle they prefer a load

[Tedsoldbus]

Roger that. I've left it running when I fueled and at rest areas when we are only stopping for 10 minutes.

It always starts in a nano second so I'll quit that. Thank you.

I guess like most "Newbies" I will know a whole lot more about it about the time I sell it....
But it is a fun journey and great to have this forum to speed up fixing my ignorance.

I appreciate it.

[luvrbus]

Protect the old girl the best you can out of frame rebuilds are close to 30k + on the 92 series now with today's prices and done right with OEM parts,and you don't want to go down that road 

[buswarrior]

One clean pass.

If something has to be touched, arranged, adjusted, picked-up, or otherwise was forgotten and discovered...

Go around again, cuz the thing you had to mess with may have distracted from others.

Takes some steady personal discipline, but as we age, with some luck, as the wandering mind goes in and out of focus...

No clean pass, 'round you go again.

I would also add a very strong desire to check carefully underneath for stray things, accidental or purposeful.
For instance, glass bottles under tires make for dangerous shrapnel. Too many peeps think the underside of a bus is a fine place to chuck things...
Yeah, getting on the ground and back up again doesn't get easier as time goes on, maybe if we got on the ground more, it might get easier?

The engine is cooling right from throttle lift out on the highway, coasting into the decel lane, puttering around to a parking spot. Really no need for further idling at that point. Any city street distance at all, there's no heat there to worry about.

Run the engine to drive it, otherwise, leave it off. Saves wear and saves fuel.

I like your monthly regimen, take it for a proper drive to get all parts up to operating temperature, bearings, transmission and engine.

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

[Jim Blackwood]

Once you guys have this all sorted, could you give us a bulleted list that can be printed out and maybe laminated? I'm sure that would be a big help especially for the less experienced owners like myself.

Jim

[Tedsoldbus]

Will do Jim. How are the cabinets coming?
A benefit for me and those reading this is the other great advice they have offered over the past 2 years.. Like the walk around, don't idle my engine, don't get interrupted.

I have to re-start my hook up list whenever I stop at a campground.
"What year is it, how long have you had it, didn't know they made one without a tag wheel, how much fuel does it carry, what is your mileage...etc".
I force a smile, try not to look annoyed, start checklist over....   
You can't blame them. Probably the only thing in the park not made out of fiberglass.

Other gems from Buswarrior and the salty guys on other threads over the last 2 years was the advice on turning.

Watch it start
Watch it turn
Watch it finish

That is one of my favorites. Seems obvious, but it isn't. It has kept me from coming close a few times. Even had to back up a few times and "adjust". If you live by it, it keeps you from hitting gas pumps, curbs, and fire hydrants. (sorry Fred)