BCM Community
Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: Tedsoldbus on February 21, 2022, 09:21:31 PM
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Took my coach to my mechanic north of Chattanooga Sunday for an early morning appointment today to finally get that drippy bolt on filter on my HT-740 swapped out for a spin on housing and filter. I got there mid afternoon Sunday, got through the gate and had the place to my self. He has a huge parking lot out back and lots of orange cones so I decided to practice. Some time ago I asked advice, especially on backing since this bus is way different than any RV I've owned. I had to find the thread to re read the advice. RJ had a very useful advice. I realized right side mirror was a bit off and tuned that up like Chessie suggested. I'm backing much better now. Also practiced forward turns and have kept in my head one line that Bus Warrior sent that has helped immensely since I first read it. I think mainly because that back tire is waaaay back there and I was cutting corners and clipping curbs for a while.
So thank you guys, and I thank Bus Warrior for the simple line that burned into my head and has made me a much better driver turning corners. I say it in my head when I turn. A little weird I know, but it works.
"Watch it Start, Watch it Turn, Watch it Finish".
And finally about to take the bus to Polk City Florida. Fourth try must be the charm.
Cancellations:
1. A bad storm that hit Georgia and Florida.
2. Rita and I received both shots and the booster some months ago, WE GOT COVID!
3. This trani filter was the last hold up.
I better go before a Comet hits the earth...
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You didn't mention how many cones you squashed!
Sorry couldn't resist...
That reminds me I saw a sign on the back of a truck carrying vegetables that said: Squash do not crush.
Sorry couldn't resist (again).
On a more serious note congratulations on getting better & keeping on keeping on... :^
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Thanks DT. OK so two cones have a slight black rub on them, but nobody saw it happen so I am not telling anyone,
This group of guys has helped me keepin' on with a little less apprehension about going with a 43 year old machine. I feel confident about running it. Now trying to get more confident about keeping it running.
My trip to Fla is to meet two BCM guys and a friend of my father in law from the old FMCA days. All of these guys have taken a 6V92 apart more than once, and one them still does that! I plan to tape my mouth shut, take notes until they run out of voice, and feel more confident about keeping our bus on the road. We are also having a guys day out to go to two bus graveyards! Like kids going to Disney!!
I better giddy up and get down there and back before Putin sends Fuel prices over the moon....!
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"Watch it Start, Watch it Turn, Watch it Finish".
One other thing I learned the hard way, don't ask, is to watch vertically too.
Early on, I was making a turn into a gas station and was watching a pole until I heard "eech". I was looking at the POLE, did not look down at the base which was a round concrete base that extended out beyond the pole.
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Since I travel alone, I carry BRIGHT ORANGE CONES with me when I have to back into a campsite. Since I am too cheap for a backup camera system, I set up at least four cones so I have something to target in my mirrors. I will probably still use the cones even after I get a COLOR backup camera.
P.S. I didn't originally buy them for bus parking, but for 2 of my kids to learn how to parallel park!
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Steve -
I, too, carry four bright orange cones downstairs. Mine happen to have the bright white reflective striping at the top, for better visibility at night. I set them all around the coach and toad when stopped in a parking lot, even if it's just getting groceries. I generally place the front two in such a position that keeps nefarious pranksters from blocking me in when I'm ready to leave.
If I'm parked on the street, I'll place three of them - one at the back corner of the toad, one at the back corner of the coach, and one at the front corner of the coach, like utility workers do, again just for safety's sake.
FWIW & HTH. . . ;)
RJ