|
08-22-2014, 07:29 AM
|
#1
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Johnston IA
Posts: 22
|
First Diesel and what I need to know
Saturday I pick up my first diesel engine vehicle and am heading into unknown waters.
I've done some initial research, talked with some folks.
Now looking to lean on any of you who want to offer things I should keep in mind, be aware of, maintenance, general upkeep, fuel preference/additives, storage, and any other nuggets of wisdom.
How was your transition to diesel and what have you learned along the way?
|
|
|
08-22-2014, 07:43 AM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 825
|
You love the diesel for towing. I learned to change your fuel filter sooner then recommended, I usually do every 10,000. Buy you fuel at places that have good turn over of their diesel. If you taking long trips I recommend the Pilot RV card. It is great pulling into the truck bays to fuel up, easy in and out. I am assuming your truck is new so you will have DEF, diesel exhaust fluid. Make sure you fill that up before trips so you do not have to deal with that during your travels. Besides that it requires normal maintenance like any tv, more frequent oil changes, trans fluid changes, and differential fluid changes. IF you tow diesel the way to go, enjoy!
__________________
2012 Cedar Creek Silverback 29RE
2011 GMC 2500HD Diesel
|
|
|
08-22-2014, 07:58 AM
|
#3
|
Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
|
So what are you buying?
TURBS
"SABRE OWNERS UNITED"
|
|
|
08-22-2014, 08:14 AM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: BoCoMo
Posts: 2,784
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by JimNix
Saturday I pick up my first diesel engine vehicle and am heading into unknown waters.
I've done some initial research, talked with some folks.
Now looking to lean on any of you who want to offer things I should keep in mind, be aware of, maintenance, general upkeep, fuel preference/additives, storage, and any other nuggets of wisdom.
How was your transition to diesel and what have you learned along the way?
|
Go to the Diesel truck Forum for the type of your truck. Those guys/gals will know 'their'/your truck inside and out. Read their advice and learn from their mistakes and then go make your own.......
__________________
Brother Les
2013 Forest River Salem Hemisphere SBT312QBUD
2001 CrewCab F-250 7.3 PowerStroke Diesel
SuperChip, BTS transmission, 6.0 Trans Cooler
|
|
|
08-22-2014, 08:27 AM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Dallas TX
Posts: 1,675
|
I would assume that since this is posted in the Berkshire forum, that the OP's new diesel is a Berkshire 390RB-60 instead of a truck.
Jim, I'm not sure where to start since you have so many questions.
I guess I would suggest you browse this Berkshire forum as you will probably find most of your curiosity has already been discussed many times.
My first diesel also. Hope you enjoy yours as much as we do.
__________________
Dan
2014 Berkshire 390RB-60
|
|
|
08-22-2014, 08:31 AM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: BoCoMo
Posts: 2,784
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by dan-nickie
I would assume that since this is posted in the Berkshire forum, that the OP's new diesel is a Berkshire 390RB-60 instead of a truck.
|
That is a good one......
I can't read backwards to much in the title... my apologies....
__________________
Brother Les
2013 Forest River Salem Hemisphere SBT312QBUD
2001 CrewCab F-250 7.3 PowerStroke Diesel
SuperChip, BTS transmission, 6.0 Trans Cooler
|
|
|
08-22-2014, 08:46 AM
|
#7
|
Cyclone
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Iowa
Posts: 182
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by JimNix
Saturday I pick up my first diesel engine vehicle and am heading into unknown waters.
I've done some initial research, talked with some folks.
Now looking to lean on any of you who want to offer things I should keep in mind, be aware of, maintenance, general upkeep, fuel preference/additives, storage, and any other nuggets of wisdom.
How was your transition to diesel and what have you learned along the way?
|
Always good to see Iowans on the forum. If your gonna run in cold weather, never leave home without diesel service and diesel service 911 fuel additives. Be sure you've got the right oil and antifreeze, they're different for heavy duty diesels than for gassers. The manual is your friend. Assuming this is a motorhome, you've got air brakes to also learn about.
__________________
2015 SOB 5th Wheel
2013 Chevrolet 3500 CC, DD SRW
1 Wife, 2 Kids under 5
Camping nights: 2015 - 19, 2014 - 39, 2013 - 48
|
|
|
08-22-2014, 08:58 AM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Cut Off, La.
Posts: 1,830
|
Although I have not attended, I would recommend Camp Frieghtliner.
__________________
2013 Berkshire 390BH
|
|
|
08-22-2014, 09:14 AM
|
#9
|
ARLO
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: N Chili, NY
Posts: 910
|
suggestions
Proper maintenance based on hours or miles is extremely important. We base out maintenance by hours or miles whichever comes first. I would also suggest that you have your maintenance performed at a shop that provides oil sampling and testing. For a few bucks extra, they can send a sample of your oil out to be tested for problems. This can catch problems and possibly save you thousands of dollars in repairs.
|
|
|
08-22-2014, 09:53 AM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: On Another Adventure
Posts: 2,563
|
ABSOLUTELY recommend Camp Freightliner ..... Will teach you more than you ever wanted to know.....
Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums
|
|
|
08-22-2014, 01:52 PM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Alberta Canada
Posts: 440
|
Congrats on your new DP. We have had Gas, Propane and DHL motor homes and I feel the DP is by far the best choice. One the upside you get a much more substantial unit with more power, better braking, longer life, and much more.
On the down side they are much more.expensive to fix and maintain.
My first and best piece of advice for you is ... even if it is not a requirement in your region to get air brake certified .... do it anyways. In our area the 2 day course costs about 150 dollars but is well worth is. The majority of the course is on how air brakes work, how to identify problems and what to do if they occur.
Unlike hydraulic brakes ... Air brakes are an open system. This means that each time you thought the brakes you loose a small volume of air. If you are in the habit of pumping your brakes on the way down a hill, you can very quickly run out of air and find yourself with no brakes.
Air brake systems have and in line compressor that is constantly replenishing your supply .. However if is very easy to outset that supply.
On a general maintenance front I have been told by Cummins that you should never store a MH for an extended period with dirty oil ... As dirty oil is very acidic. I take my unit in for engine and genset service once a year just before putting it into storage.
Always let your unit come up to temp before driving it under load. This is easily determined through the Allison display.
Other than that ... not much different than gas
Enjoy
Tim
|
|
|
08-22-2014, 01:57 PM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Dallas TX
Posts: 1,675
|
Good stuff.
__________________
Dan
2014 Berkshire 390RB-60
|
|
|
08-22-2014, 09:14 PM
|
#13
|
Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Rowlett, Texas
Posts: 49
|
Grip it and Rip it Jim, you will be just fine! The computer has it all..
|
|
|
08-22-2014, 10:02 PM
|
#14
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 7,916
|
IMHO. One cannot beat Schaeffers oil products. Fuel, oil and lubes.
Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums
__________________
2017 Puma 297RLSS
2005 Ram 2500 4X4 diesel SMOKER!!
I love puns, irony and tasteless jokes...
born in Texas.... live in Arkansas
|
|
|
08-23-2014, 12:59 PM
|
#15
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Southwestern Mi
Posts: 1,242
|
X3 on Camp Freightliner. First diesel here also.....no comparison, but as stated above, maintenance costs can be high. You can offset by doing some work yourself. eg. Oil changes $80 myself....$200 at shop. Have fun with your new coach!
Rich
|
|
|
08-23-2014, 05:28 PM
|
#16
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 7,363
|
Not sure from your post Jim as to what you purchased. But if you run into any issues a question on the forum will most likely get you a correct answer quicker than anywhere else.
Did you buy a coach from Total Value?
Russell
|
|
|
08-23-2014, 11:12 PM
|
#17
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Alberta Canada
Posts: 440
|
Gas man
Things must be a lot cheaper in the US. In western Canada the oil alone costs 90 dollars and up ... not to mention the cost of the filter.
The cost at a shop would be more than twice as much as you quoted.
|
|
|
08-23-2014, 11:53 PM
|
#18
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Southwestern Mi
Posts: 1,242
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by lefaivre
Gas man
Things must be a lot cheaper in the US. In western Canada the oil alone costs 90 dollars and up ... not to mention the cost of the filter.
The cost at a shop would be more than twice as much as you quoted.
|
Walmart for Rotella and oil filter (I use Wix) at parts store. Freightliner oasis dealer in Kalamazoo, Mi $198 for oil change. I guess I'll quit complaining...LOL
Rich
|
|
|
08-24-2014, 08:11 PM
|
#19
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Johnston IA
Posts: 22
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by f1100turbo
So what are you buying?
TURBS
"SABRE OWNERS UNITED"
|
390-RB-60...
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|