How long has it been since you . .

[RJ]

. . . did a walk-around your coach and checked all the lights?

Reason I ask is that last night while returning a car trailer to a friend's house, I was passed by a Prevost conversion coach on Hiway 99 south of Fresno, CA.

What caught my eye is that two of the front "Michigan Marker" lights, one of the rear "Michigan Marker" lights and the RR corner clearance light were burned out.

And this was a fairly new H-3 series!

So, how long has it been since you checked your coach's lights??

[gumpy]

I do it every time I go out.

Same marker lights are still burned out that were burned out a year ago 

Actually, I'm planning to remove all my clearance lights this spring an converting them to my own internal LED design. The Maxxima LEDs just didn't work out.

[jjrbus]

I do a walk around on my coach every time I go out. I make sure all lights are functioning on coach and toad. I also do a walk around almost every time I stop. I check everything with a tempature gun. If I leave the coach in a public area I always check the the hitch pins befor boarding. I would not have to do this but the paranoids are after me 

[oldmansax]

jjrbus,

Just because we are paranoid don't mean they are not out to get us!

TOM

[Ace]

I always check mine the day before taking it out on a run. That way if I see anything NOT working, it gives me time to fix it. So far I haven't had to lose time fixing any because they all work! subject to change at any time of course due to changing weather conditions etc.

Ace

[Christyhicks]

I always check mine the day before taking it out on a run. That way if I see anything NOT working, it gives me time to fix it.

Well, that's just TOO organized for us.   We check ours when we hook up the toad, right as we're ready to leave, and then, if there are any problems, we cuss and figure out what's wrong and repair them, out in the bar ditch, in front of our house, so that we can leave.   

I finally did break Larry of the habit of deciding he'd start a major project on the coach the week before we were supposed to leave.  I think it was the new deadbolt project that almost left us without a way to lock the door that sealed the deal. From then on it was "no projects started within the time frame that  is less than the time required to search out, order, receive AND install the replacement parts!"   Christy Hicks

[TomC]

Every morning, before driving, this MUST be a ritual.  Dump tanks, put cap back on the sewer fitting, unhook electrical, fill water tank and unhook, check water and oils, start engine and do your walk around to make sure nothing is dragging, leaking, everything is closed and retracted, lower TV antenna, kick tires, test lights on both bus and towed. When pulling out test brakes.  Then EVERY hour of driving, stop for a break, walk around the bus and feel the tires for heat.  If one is hotter than the others, most likely it is low.  I'll say this again.  STOP EVERY HOUR TO CHECK THE TIRES!!!  I did that in my big rig, and it is a good idea all around.
Good Luck, TomC

[H3Jim]

Gumpy, I thought those Maxximas were pretty good.  What didn't work out with them and what else does your new design do that the M's didn't?

[belfert]

TomC, which commercial bus operator stops every hour to check tires?  I couldn't afford the lost time to stop every hour.  Every four or five hours would be a lot more practical in my book.

Why not a PressurePro or similiar system if there is that much concern about low tires?

[muddog16]

Maximmas , oh no! and I just bought some?.....It's Gumpy's fault!

[TomC]

Belfert- yes the Pressure will tell you if you have a low tire.  It still won't tell you if you have a hot running tires (for whatever reason), a tire that is starting to delaminate, a tire with a side wall bubble, a tire that lost its' tread or cap and didn't hear it come off (I've had tires loose the tread without a sound, just peal off the tire), smell or see a leaking hub, smell a dragging brake, etc.  I realize that passengers take a long time off and on the bus, but you can do a two minute stop every hour without the passengers getting off-especially during summer when it is hot.  Good Luck, TomC

[JerryH]

. . . did a walk-around your coach and checked all the lights?

Reason I ask is that last night while returning a car trailer to a friend's house, I was passed by a Prevost conversion coach on Hiway 99 south of Fresno, CA.

What caught my eye is that two of the front "Michigan Marker" lights, one of the rear "Michigan Marker" lights and the RR corner clearance light were burned out.

And this was a fairly new H-3 series!

So, how long has it been since you checked your coach's lights??

Russ:

There's always a Bus "pre-trip" to be followed.  Mine is the same used for our districts school bus operation that I Sub for.  The pre-trip includes everything from... (these are in no order)...
* checking fluids
* thump tire check
* walk around
* check all lights
* check mirrors
* interior check (for school buses)
* check emergency door operation
* check body
* check under bus
* check for inspection stickers, insurance cards, etc., etc.  (this since we change buses frequently)
* air-brake check
* check between duals on drive axles
* check and inspect safety kits/ first-aid kits, fire extingusiher, etc.

I have a nifty check-list they provide.

Jerry H.

[RJ]

JerryH (and others) -

There's also a generic pre-trip posted here:

http://www.busnut.com/bbs/messages/12262/16203.html?1167072615


I just threw out the question because it never ceases to amaze me at the number of RVs out there on the roadways with malfunctioning lights.  Makes me seriously wonder what other maintenance items are being neglected, too. . .

[bobofthenorth]

I'm with Craig - I check mine every trip & the middle marker on the road side is still burned out, hasn't come on by itself.  I took it apart once & apparently the electric is supposed to get to it by miraculous appearance since the wires don't seem to be connected to anything.  Other than that all lights work.  As soon as I come up with a good idea for how to run a lead to that one errant light it will be back online too.