On the road breakdowns

[Melbo]

My girlfriend and I are having a discussion as we embark on our first major trip and what to plan for in terms of coach problems. I have installed a tire monitor system because I think that tires are the most common problem while on the road she thinks that mechanical / electrical problems are more common. I searched AAA, Good Sam, and FMCA for stats on breakdowns on the road and found nothing so I am asking you what are your experiences while traveling for breakdowns and what to plan for.

I know that given enough money and time everything can be taken care of but I am trying to avoid the obvious.

Thanks

Mel

[Dreamscape]

First, do a pre trip inspection. That is critical before departing on a trip. I can forward a copy to you if you think it would help, it is quite lengthy though.

Most of all don't sweat the small stuff, otherwise you might not enjoy it. Even if you plan well, some where down the road you could have problems. Just do the best you can to prepare for them

Happy Trails,

Paul

Dreamscape

[gumpy]

I vote mechanical/electrial problems being more prevelant.

It's really going to depend on how well you (or the previous owner(s)) maintain your coach. Most of my early problems were directly related to the previous owner's lack of detail to maintenance.

[Barn Owl]

My bus has had one flat (still don't know why, neither does the tire man), and one electrical. Easy fixes both times, never been stranded. There is your stats, 50/50, your both right.

[maria-n-skip]

Mel,

    You might give a general direction your heading on your trip just in case.
     

   Hope your trip is fun.   

Skip

[Don4107]

Murphy says it will be whatever you have not planned for. 

Try not to sweat it.  If something goes south on you just consider it part of the adventure/challenge. 

Relax and enjoy! 

Good luck.

[Buffalo SpaceShip]

I also vote for mechanical/ electrical woes. That's been the case with us. We've had our share of "roadside repairs" in the last two buses we've owned, some due to happenstance and others to my own oversight or ignorance. The most annoying was an intermittent starting problem caused by internally-corroded wiring that left us stalled/ stranded a few times. The trepidation that comes with not knowing "whether she'll turn over" takes some of the fun out of being a thousand miles from home, I must say.

Over the past few years, my skill set has evolved along with my tool set I carry with us to help cheat the odds hopefully a bit more in our favor.

But I must say that the best "tool" I've found is an Internet connection, since it is the lifeline back to this Board and the community of helpful and amazing people here that always bend over backwards in times of need to help out a fellow busnut.

Get good towing insurance (Coach-Net or Good Sam), get a few tools, and... Get out on the road. Enjoy it! Even if you break down somewhere... at least you went somewhere! 

Many happy bus thoughts,
Brian B.

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hi Mel,

Just do all your pre trip inspections, stop every 100 miles or so and repeat. Then Just Have Fun, Enjoy Your Bus, and be Safe!

If something fails you, so be it!  every trip in the bus is an adventure. Good or bad, they are all memerable.

You just can't live your life worring about everything Mel. Thats how we get old too soon!

Nick-

[Dallas]

Mel,

No matter what kind of breakdown you plan on, the reality will always be something else.

Just take a good selection of tools and parts, a roll of duct tape, some balin' wire and a pack of bubble gum.

Make sure your fluids are up and your tires have a pretty good amount of air on the inside of them.

Take your time and stop often to check things out for the first day or two.

Above all, HAVE FUN!

See ya in Tennessee!

Dallas

♪♫♫♪♪♪♫♫ On the road again, I just can't wait to get on the road again! ♪♫♫♪♪♪♫♫ Drivin' the bus and havin' good times with my friends, ♪♫♫♪♪♪♫♫ It's a real good thing to get on the road again!♪♫♫♪♪♪♫♫

[buddydawg]

I know what you mean.  I am making the first trip in the bus this weekend and it is a little unsettling.  In my case it is mainly due to the fact that I just bought the bus and it has a few obvious maintenance issues but it cranks right up and rolls on down the road.  I decided to go with Good Sam and pack tools and supplies.  I plan to stop often and check on things until I gain some confidence. 

[Stan]

While helping a friend put the head back on his 6-71 his wife came up and said "How come you spend all winter working on the bus and we travel all summer without problem?" He diplomatically explained the correlation between the two occurences.

Buses can be very expensive to repair on the road and you have to be financially prepared for that. Preventative maintenance and repairs can be done easier and cheaper when parked in your driveway. When you have lots of time, space and tools, you can shop for parts and may have nearby help available. You don't have any of these when sitting on the side of the road.

The most important thing to take along on any trip is knowledge of your bus. If you have been reading the BBS you must be aware of all the people who were towed because of plugged fuel filters or wires falling off, or corroded connections. The bad wiring should have been fixed in your driveway  and the bad filter is a fifteen minute change on the side of the road. Unless you just turned into a 50 MPH headwind, losing power and no smoke is invariably a bad fuel filter. Old DDs don't usually drop dead, they die slowly giving you lots of time to fix before leaving you stranded. Sudden mechanical failures can occur, but are rare, and usually there is some warning. The one thing we can't protect ourselves from is incompetent work done by other people (especially where you have paid big dollars for professional work).


You should never leave your driveway unless safety items like steering, brakes and tires are in excellent condition. Don't risk your life as well as the life of other road users with any kind of patched up safety items.

When on the road frequent stops are good for both the bus and the driver by doing a walkaround and putting your hand on tires and hubs and looking for any change since the last stop.

[Melbo]

Barn Owl you must be a politician -- we are both right -- or a marriage counselor

I have taken the bus on numerous short trips and know how it behaves and I have had the brakes checked and it is serviced up. I also carry all the fluids that are used in the bus so I am ready for the normal. The unknown is harder to prepare for.

As for the route -- Albuquerque to the Quad Cities ( Iowa and Illinois ) via Osage beach in MO.

Texas Oklahoma and Missouri

Thank you all for the heads up and encouragement

Melbo

[Busted Knuckle]

Melbo all I can say is just carry the normal easy to fix items like filters, belts, hoses, and little stuff like that! Other wise you'll have a spare bus in the bay. And what ever breaks will be the only thing you don't have! Be safe and have a great trip!
  BK 

[Barn Owl]

Melbo,

Do you live in Albuquerque? I lived there along time ago. Started at an apartment near Juan Tabo, then moved to Tijeras canyon right on Rt66, and ended up at the end of my stay in Edgewood. Some of the best food in America can be found in that part of the country. I hope to take a big western trip in a few years and I will be coming through that area. I can hardly wait.

Laryn