John Canfield
Site Team
We are currently in the waiting lounge at Freightliner Tolleson (Phoenix) while we are getting some work done on the Horizon. They did an M2 maintenance, generator service, and are in the middle of changing out the filler necks.
The old filler necks have a vent tube of 1/2" diameter, the new necks have a vent tube diameter of 7/8". One unforeseen problem that came up late today was how do you couple a 7/8" hose barb to a 1/2" hose barb on the tank. Neither the tech nor I realized that Freightliner was to supply an adapter, so that was just ordered. I have no idea where parts come from (please, not Gaffney) so it will be interesting to see what happens.
The tech has replaced two fuel tanks in this campaign, but we are apparently the first training opportunity for the filler neck change-out
These guys are really, really good here, so I'm sure they will take good care of us.
Update: 5PM MST:
The adapters will be delivered at noon tomorrow ;D. The guys will finish up everything possible in the morning while they wait on the parts. So we need to have the coach ready to go at 7AM again - oh well...
Update: Friday, 2/6/09 - 3 PM MST:
The 'adapters' as delivered late morning were a 5/8" male pipe thread to hose barb and a 1" male pipe thread to hose barb. What was missing was a 1" to 5/8" coupler/adapter, so Freightliner had to chase around for two adapters. The left side filler neck was installed without too much trouble, but the right side caused much grief. The new filler neck made a turn the wrong way and the tech had to cut the last several inches of the pipe off so the hose from the tank would line up with the new filler neck. He should be finished up within the hour - looks like we'll spend another night here since it is getting late :
Update: Friday, 2/6/09 - 5 PM MST:
Hey we're done.. too late to go anywhere, we'll leave in the morning. Jacks down, slides out.
Uh-oh - there is a terrible noise when I put out the left-hand slide. Thank goodness Jane said STOP! The tech (a really, really good and competent tech) has fastened some sheet metal together that shouldn't have been and the slide moving out has caused some minor damage to some underlying sheet metal and square tubing on the inside of the fiberglass. Hard to explain - see the picture.
Stuff happens.
We're here for another three wonderful days. At least it's free camping.
The old filler necks have a vent tube of 1/2" diameter, the new necks have a vent tube diameter of 7/8". One unforeseen problem that came up late today was how do you couple a 7/8" hose barb to a 1/2" hose barb on the tank. Neither the tech nor I realized that Freightliner was to supply an adapter, so that was just ordered. I have no idea where parts come from (please, not Gaffney) so it will be interesting to see what happens.
The tech has replaced two fuel tanks in this campaign, but we are apparently the first training opportunity for the filler neck change-out
These guys are really, really good here, so I'm sure they will take good care of us.
Update: 5PM MST:
The adapters will be delivered at noon tomorrow ;D. The guys will finish up everything possible in the morning while they wait on the parts. So we need to have the coach ready to go at 7AM again - oh well...
Update: Friday, 2/6/09 - 3 PM MST:
The 'adapters' as delivered late morning were a 5/8" male pipe thread to hose barb and a 1" male pipe thread to hose barb. What was missing was a 1" to 5/8" coupler/adapter, so Freightliner had to chase around for two adapters. The left side filler neck was installed without too much trouble, but the right side caused much grief. The new filler neck made a turn the wrong way and the tech had to cut the last several inches of the pipe off so the hose from the tank would line up with the new filler neck. He should be finished up within the hour - looks like we'll spend another night here since it is getting late :
Update: Friday, 2/6/09 - 5 PM MST:
Hey we're done.. too late to go anywhere, we'll leave in the morning. Jacks down, slides out.
Uh-oh - there is a terrible noise when I put out the left-hand slide. Thank goodness Jane said STOP! The tech (a really, really good and competent tech) has fastened some sheet metal together that shouldn't have been and the slide moving out has caused some minor damage to some underlying sheet metal and square tubing on the inside of the fiberglass. Hard to explain - see the picture.
Stuff happens.
We're here for another three wonderful days. At least it's free camping.