Foretravel Diesel Motorhome, Powertech Generator, Allison Transmission Oil, Fuel, Air Filter change

NOTE: I've since found out that 15w-40 is a better weight of oil for a big cummins engine!
I take on a few service items on my Foretravel Diesel Motorhome. Engine oil change, air filter change, transmission fluid and filter change and fuel filter change. Generator oil change, fuel filter change and air filter change. Pretty basic stuff but it might be an interesting look into servicing a big truck engine.

[@noahbluesky1218]

Love watching the video. I am also a DIY RV maintenance guy. Love that you put this together for others who may be looking for some guidance for their first time 👍🏻

[@idocars3459]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@RemyRAD]

Thank you for your efforts. I think what you have taught me here. As a, disabled, handicapped, 69-year-old, widow. I shall not be changing the oil or doing any service on my Monaco diesel pusher, myself. I just recently purchased used. This 2002, Monaco Knight 34 PST hi think? A short, rare, diesel pusher. With 65,100 miles on the odometer. That everything in perfect new like stock working condition. It's just amazing. That was so well taken care of by a couple of elderly couples before me. I bought it from this couple who was 85 and 88 years old respectively. And took it out for their last camping trip in January 2024. Right after getting it, inspected. And I got it at the beginning of July. I think it was 4 July weekend? I would gain my new independence. So, I'm still trying to get the feel for my vehicle. It's got 4 airbags. I'm still not clear on how to adjust them from the cab controls? I'm not certain mine are adjustable? The manual is not good. It's poorly written. Poorly laid out. As the first 3/4 of the 300 something pages. Tells you how to clean the windows. How to polish the furniture. How to bake cookies.. How to cook eggs. How to vacuum the floor. All that really important information. Before you ever get to the operation of the unit itself. And that it's not clear. The manual, describes everything. Shows you the device you may need to access. Does not tell you where to find, that device, to access. Shows you know pictures. The drawings are of the devices and not their locations. This is a large vehicle. Where the hell is it? I don't like playing peekaboo. With a motorhome manual.. It sucks. I'm a retired engineer. I arty know how to bake cookies! I really know how to clean the windows and vacuum the floors! What the hell is with this manual? And who and what was it designed for? The ones suffering from the worst dementia or Alzheimer's? Which one? No wonder they went out of business. They couldn't write a proper manual! Like. Here's the unit you purchased. Here's how to use it. You can do this with it. You can do that with it. Etc., etc. And at the end. Here's how to make cookies and fry eggs. Here's how to clean the windows. Here's how to vacuum the floors and clean the bathroom. In case you never learned that as a child? Or a homeowner. As you've never owned a home before you purchased a motorhome? And all of these concepts are very difficult. I just do not know? It's loony at best. And so here we are. There you are. And we are trying to live, off grid. So we do it. Anyway we have to.. RemyRAD

[@ronque23]

I think your video and videos like yours focusing on maintenance of these rigs is invaluable. People like me need to really understand that owning one of these machines is a serious undertaking, not just amenities and comfort features like most RV videos focus on. Incredible rig. Thanks for posting.

[@jcwallace78]

Just found your video on the Foretravel service. Very informative--I am purchasing a '95 U 300 SE and found your video to be helpful. I'll keep you posted on the purchase. Thanks again for sharing the video.

[@idocars3459]

You are getting my exact dream coach. Everyone thinks I am crazy given the one I have but I love the grand villa and the 95 U300 has great towing capacity.

[@christopherrasmussen8718]

I do my own work on my class A too. I wish I took videos. Did my Allison filters last Summer. If you can’t do it, it’s not cheap having it done. Thanks for the video! Every bit helps

[@andyking5007]

Very much appreciating the foretravel content. Nice work.

[@idocars3459]

Much appreciated!

[@kevinrentz187]

Love this video. I have a Damon and there is nothing easy about my coach. Cant even see the engine because its rear radiator. I know..but i didnt know when i purchased it. Good luck and thanks for the content.

[@ryry8210]

Awesome Video! I did notice sections of damaged plastic on wire loom at 28:21 from possibly the zip ties being too tight or the loom plastic being brittle. The zip ties might also start cutting into the wire insulation causing a short or fire hazard. I would check the wires for damage and replace the loom. A good idea would also be to use wider zip ties, a thicker loom or something to spread out the clamping force of the zip ties against the loom.

[@idocars3459]

Nope that is my poor wire management and modification. It's so bad that I need to make a video just about that. I have numerous examples. It's an issue ;)

[@robertb5922]

Very Helpful video👍 I bought a 2000 U320 over a year ago, but had a Cummins shop do all the maintenance prior to picking it from the seller’s area of the country. I’ll be doing all the maintenance myself now that I have it home. This video is perfect.

[@DLTJR1959]

Just saw your video. Our Wanderlodge was purchased in Oct of 19. Prior owner had 6 new Michelins installed on the drives and tags. Well guess what? The dummies put filtered valve cores on all of the new tires except one. That's right. One didn't have a filtered valve core. I guess the installer ran out of filtered valve cores and just used what he had. I had a slow leak that my service guy found zeroing out the coach prior to our first trip. Took it to my tire installer and they found the fouled valve stem. Lesson learned. Thanks for the videos. I need to get my bus serviced too. This was a great help. Love your Foretravel. Great quality bus.

[@idocars3459]

Thanks! Yeah I was surprised. After this video I took it back to them on 2 separate occasions and they pretended to put filtered valve cores in but they leaked next time I checked them. I finally took things into my own hands and ALL of them were unfiltered and I replaced them all myself except the inner duals, one of which leaked during a trip and we had to make an emergency stop to fix it. Pretty ridiculous if you ask me.

[@QLFProductions]

You're a certified beast!!!! I have done everything you just did on my coach but never all at once!

[@geraldcaywood3248]

Nice to see a fellow KZbinr! You will be supported and be amazed how many people you help.

[@idocars3459]

I watch all of your videos too. I'm jealous of your ability to drill large holes in your coach without freaking out

[@jamescorcoran4684]

Thank you for doing a well thought out video on mantanence. Those hitch spacers are very helpful.

[@idocars3459]

Glad it was helpful!

[@petegeoffrey4939]

Those rigs come with the incredible Telma Retarder.

[@johns6290]

love your coach. I had two slide 42 foot for years.

[@idocars3459]

A lot of times I wish I had yours. Intellectually i know the no slide coach is better in that there are less issues but man that space would be so nice.

[@foretravelman]

Nice job and attention to details! I purchase all the filters and then make my way to a Safeco at Loves for the change, since we are fulltime and no place to change all that oil, etc. On our '98, we had an open generator like yours, but on my 2000, it is enclosed. Was not a fun time in changing the generator end bearing! Something you might want to look at depending on the hours on your generator. We had over 3500 on ours!

[@idocars3459]

Generator end bearing is one of the next videos. It's an interesting process on mine due to the external exciter

[@phillipcustance1618]

Great informative video, thanks for posting these 🍻✌

[@nightstorm9128]

What you should do is clean the treads on the new oil filter before fitting,,,,you would be very surprised the amount of metal sworf on them from the factory,,that sworf is going into your engine...I've never seen anyone doing this on YT ,,,got the idea from Marty t ,,,YT channel ...

[@franticproductions]

Thanks, bro. very helpful.

[@RVIntoRetirement]

Great video!

[@idocars3459]

Thanks!

[@josesantiago1876]

great job!

[@idocars3459]

Thanks!

[@clysack07]

Thank you for making this video. We have a Foretravel U320 1998 and I have been looking for this video forever.

[@idocars3459]

Glad I could help

[@clysack07]

What model of Powertech do you have? It looks exactly like ours. Ours is a PTSIDL10EFT and I can’t find the Powertech manual. Also I called Powertech and they informed me that they don’t carry the manual anymore since it is discontinued. Would you happen to have the manual? Also I noted that you used 5W40. I have not added the oil just yet, but I purchased 15W40. I believe the 5W is synthetic. Would like your thoughts if I should use the 5W? Thanks

[@dennisreynolds6915]

That thing rules

[@kevinmccfp]

Excellent video. Out of curiosity how much did all the filters and oil cost? What would it cost to have the service done in comparison. I don’t have a coach yet, but I’m looking at the Foretravel and interested in what it cost to maintain one.

[@haiyangai6057]

Thanks for making the video. That's a lot of fluids and filters. I have two questions, where do you recycle the fluids, and approximate costs for all that materials?

[@stanleyhawkes-uj8ho]

get a couple of roll of blur shop towels works better than regular paper towels js

[@TallyWacker]

Great video! What size hitch extensions are you using to block up the coach? Thanks

[@idocars3459]

They are something that harbor freight sold. Around 12" long I'd say. Just a basic 2" hitch extension.

[@ralphballtrip2214]

If you don’t care which diesel pusher, do you recommend going to buy one pretty soon a used one. Thank you for the video again.

[@idocars3459]

Foretravel and Newell are some of the best. Prevost conversions are probably considered the very best. There are plenty of nice rigs from other brands but Foretravel is what I know and love. I also like older Wanderlodge and country coach.

[@MyPettawayLife]

Can you remember where you purchased your stands you use to keep the air bags up

[@idocars3459]

Harbor freight. They are 2" hitch extensions.

[@ralphballtrip2214]

Hear you got chickens in the background March 23 eggs without the roof

[@philramsey8588]

Man my time is worth something and for the 4 to 5 hundred dollars I would save I would let the rv shop do just what you have done plus they will have it done in a few hours. I feel as much as i have invested in the motorhome let the pros do it!

[@MrBNARick]

6:53 They should have GIVEN you the gator caps considering their poor installation required you to return TWICE. Lesson learned on poor service and customer appreciation. 1:03:16 Use a Glad sandwich container (about $4.00 at Wal*Mart for four of them) you can hold it right under that filter on that Kubota ;) BTW... BEAUTIFUL coach

[@idocars3459]

Thanks, yeah and after this I found yet another bad one that a gator cap is holding. I've gotten very good at replacing the stems with air still in the tire.

[@roypoe1865]

Do you not fill the fuel filter with fuel? How do you keep from loading the fuel lines with air?

[@jimw3799]

The chassis engine has a priming system built into the fuel filter. It has a small electric priming pump that after a couple of cycles will have it going. He mentioned that he forgot to hit the button. My old coach had that same system and my newer coach the prior owner must have taken it off for some reason... I'm trying to find one to put it back on... makes life much easier!!!

[@POSTgoodVideos]

Where do I get genuine fleetguard filters ? At reasonable price.

[@idocars3459]

I shop around each time but the last time I got them from "the modern group". Not sure how you'd know for sure if they are genuine.

[@philramsey8588]

What else have you forgot?

[@foretravelman]

Why did you not pull the pan on the transmission?

[@idocars3459]

That would be a complete waste of time. The filters are removable without removing the pan.

[@chrigdichein]

😂 thats such a thing in the US. Worldwide all trucks run on diesel, just you guys are used to thirsty gasoline engines. They are cheaper to build and quite. Furthermore, this is, like inly noticed in the states, a two stroke diesel. They run on higher rpm obviously. The fact that you can’t drive away directly is a matter of the heavy truck air break, pressure has to build up to losen it. Only coaches have air suspension. I drive here in Australia a 6.5 ton RV still with hydraulic breaks, but everything over 10 ton surely has air breaks. Thanks for the video, awesome to see a 2 stroke diesel 👍🏽I think only trucks used day and night commercially should service yearly, otherwise its a waist of oil and cash. Nothing ages except the break fluid, that collects water and rusts in the pipes.

[@ralphballtrip2214]

Why did you have to prime the engine? Did you change the fuel filters? I didn’t see that. what was call beside the airbags I didn’t see that before. Thank you for the video you need to do a little bit more talking so we can understand. What are you doing? Thanks.

[@ralphballtrip2214]

Where do you buy them at? Thank you.

[@idocars3459]

I buy filters from wherever looks good. Usually modern group. I have a priming fuel pump. I pressed the button to prime it.

[@ralphballtrip2214]

The transmission fluid looks awful good don’t not dirty at all

[@idocars3459]

Yep, that's the goal of maintenance.. To replace things before they are an issue which will help maximize lifespan. Anyway, I know the service interval is overkill.

[@jeffw7644]

FWIW, 5-40 is probably not recommended, 15-40 might be a better option, after spending 25 plus years running my own trucking business 15-40 would probably be a better choice, jmo. I realize this is a year old but anyone watching should be mindful of there choice of oil viscosity.

[@idocars3459]

Interesting. I am looking now at Cummins documentation and I see that you are right. I'll be switching. Thanks! In theory the 5w-40 should be fine, especially since the "warm" weight on both is 40 but I suppose if the oil shears down the "5" portion of the oil could be a problem. I get oil analysis with every change. In practice 5w40 T6 has caused no problems whatsoever and oil temperatures are quite cool (almost too cool).

[@jeffw7644]

@@idocars3459 sounds good, I usually do not tell people what oil to use but 5-40 seems a bit thin on the 5 wt side as you stated. Fwiw I use the 5-40 T6 in my ford diesel pickups but 15-40 in my heavy trucks and equipment.

[@3sons66]

Screw the Foretravel...I'm here for a better look at your E39 M5 in the background. Beautiful car! No really..Foretravels are great coaches but the older ones have the ugliest face on them. Your next project should be a facelift for this old girl.

[@daleolson3506]

The wiring in the engine compartment?was it done by a kindergartner?horrible job

[@idocars3459]

It is pulled apart for diagnostic and repair of a trailer wiring issue but thanks for the awesome feedback!