First off, hello all! This is my first post here...but I wanted to tell you guys about my recent stroke of luck. I recently came into an 86' Chieftain 22ft. Basically given to me. It had been sitting for the better part of three years, so I ventured down south to take a look at the ol' gal. It was in as good of shape as you would expect for a slowly deteriorating vehicle. Needs work, needs some love, etc. etc. Anyways, this has become my newest project/labor of love (and housing). It had no batteries, so naturally I had to get those. Rebuilt the carb (she was running rich and would diesel at shutdown)Changed the oil + tranny filter and fluid Re-aired the tires (just about flat) surprisingly, they are in great shape Have it running good now, but with my first snag (isn't there always a snag?) The right front wheel is locked up, suspect caliper/brake issueAs for the interior:Pretty good shape, much better than I expected for the ageVery little water damage (nothing I can't fix) Primarily damaged the bed frame (plus the junk mattress) Got some lumber and rebuilt that this week (better than original might I add) The LP tank is pretty rusty, I could use some suggestions there Replacing some air ducts to the furnace (**** pests) The rear shower wall has a crack in it - suggestions?Hard to tell if the fridge works well or needs replacementAll the electrical seems to be in good working orderMileage is 34XXXIf anyone is interested I can add pictures as I go along. Thanks for reading.

Welcome to the forum. It sounds like you are capable of restoring your 86.Check the roof, a small leak can cause a lot of damage if not repaired quickly.RV tires usually age out before they wear out. They are replaced at around 6-10 years, with 10 years being a stretch.Check the Tire Date Code.Tire Date CodesDefinitely post some pics when you get a chance. I like older RV's.Don't hesitate to ask questions on the forum. There is a lot of information and experience available, just ask.

For the rear shower wall (if fiberglass) you can use fiberglass repair epoxy. It can blend to most colors. It won't be perfect but can fill cracks.

The Lp tank is certainly aged out. Being rusty is an additional death sentence. You should replace it. You are likely to encounter places that will not fill it, generally happens when you REALLY need LP. If it were not rusty, you could probably get it recertified but a new one is really the way to go.

garyemunson wrote:The Lp tank is certainly aged out. Being rusty is an additional death sentence. You should replace it. You are likely to encounter places that will not fill it, generally happens when you REALLY need LP. If it were not rusty, you could probably get it recertified but a new one is really the way to go.If it's a portable DOT cylinder, along the lines of what one uses for a backyard grill, this is excellent advice. It's not improbable that the old cylinders also don't have the OPD valves that are required in all but a few specialized cases now for cylinders.If it's a built-in ASME tank, it takes a lot of rust to render it unsafe as they are much more heavily built. Usually if it's just surface rust all that is required is to clean and repaint. A propane shop (a full-service one, such as AmeriGas or others that rent tanks and have trucks to fill them and so forth) could likely give you specific advice if needed, and help with any parts that need replacement. ASME tanks do not "age out" or need periodic recertification, though shops may reasonably refuse to refill one that is in poor enough shape due to safety concerns.I would generally expect a motorhome to have a permanent ASME tank rather than cylinders, but either one is certainly possible.

Well Dreams, Your coach is so new that you probably don't think about these things, but I can tell you from experience that you should. None are all that expensive, but all are important. Somebody mentioned to check the tire date codes. That is real important. It will also be a pain as they are usually between the duals. But along with that, you should suspect everything rubber and most of the plastic. Then there are other things that age out like coolant and brake fluid. And, buy a good grease gun. Grease is cheaper than parts. About the propane tank, If it is bolted to the frame, it is an ASTM code tank. It is good until it rusts out. Just wire brush the ID plate (carefully) and spray a new coat of paint on it. About that water leak, Winnies are a construction often (rudely) referred to as "Stick and Staple". The coach frame is pine 2x2 with the aluminum sheet stapled to it. If you have not been on the roof to look for any possible breaches, do so very soon. If you feel any soft places, save all your money your might spend on upgrades and use it for as long as it lasts. If you get a year more, you are luckier than many. Matt

86' Chieftain Acquisition | Good Sam Community

femailyetti
Explorer
Mar 07, 2017
Pictures I want pics. Wood and stick= rot and mildew, but ya don't need a welder to fix. just a lot of time and creativity. Money never hurts either from my experience with my project. If its so you have something out of the main stream and want something different, the go for it. don't expect to get your money back most times. Use it and have some fun.
Matt_Colie
Explorer II
Mar 07, 2017
Well Dreams,

Your coach is so new that you probably don't think about these things, but I can tell you from experience that you should. None are all that expensive, but all are important.

Somebody mentioned to check the tire date codes. That is real important. It will also be a pain as they are usually between the duals. But along with that, you should suspect everything rubber and most of the plastic. Then there are other things that age out like coolant and brake fluid. And, buy a good grease gun. Grease is cheaper than parts.

About the propane tank, If it is bolted to the frame, it is an ASTM code tank. It is good until it rusts out. Just wire brush the ID plate (carefully) and spray a new coat of paint on it.

About that water leak, Winnies are a construction often (rudely) referred to as "Stick and Staple". The coach frame is pine 2x2 with the aluminum sheet stapled to it. If you have not been on the roof to look for any possible breaches, do so very soon. If you feel any soft places, save all your money your might spend on upgrades and use it for as long as it lasts. If you get a year more, you are luckier than many.

Matt
DrewE
Explorer II
Mar 07, 2017
garyemunson wrote:
The Lp tank is certainly aged out. Being rusty is an additional death sentence. You should replace it. You are likely to encounter places that will not fill it, generally happens when you REALLY need LP. If it were not rusty, you could probably get it recertified but a new one is really the way to go.

If it's a portable DOT cylinder, along the lines of what one uses for a backyard grill, this is excellent advice. It's not improbable that the old cylinders also don't have the OPD valves that are required in all but a few specialized cases now for cylinders.

If it's a built-in ASME tank, it takes a lot of rust to render it unsafe as they are much more heavily built. Usually if it's just surface rust all that is required is to clean and repaint. A propane shop (a full-service one, such as AmeriGas or others that rent tanks and have trucks to fill them and so forth) could likely give you specific advice if needed, and help with any parts that need replacement. ASME tanks do not "age out" or need periodic recertification, though shops may reasonably refuse to refill one that is in poor enough shape due to safety concerns.

I would generally expect a motorhome to have a permanent ASME tank rather than cylinders, but either one is certainly possible.
garyemunson
Explorer II
Mar 07, 2017
The Lp tank is certainly aged out. Being rusty is an additional death sentence. You should replace it. You are likely to encounter places that will not fill it, generally happens when you REALLY need LP. If it were not rusty, you could probably get it recertified but a new one is really the way to go.
crasster
Explorer II
Mar 07, 2017
For the rear shower wall (if fiberglass) you can use fiberglass repair epoxy. It can blend to most colors. It won't be perfect but can fill cracks.
gbopp
Explorer
Mar 07, 2017
Welcome to the forum.
It sounds like you are capable of restoring your 86.

Check the roof, a small leak can cause a lot of damage if not repaired quickly.

RV tires usually age out before they wear out. They are replaced at around 6-10 years, with 10 years being a stretch.
Check the Tire Date Code.

Tire Date Codes

Definitely post some pics when you get a chance. I like older RV's.
Don't hesitate to ask questions on the forum. There is a lot of information and experience available, just ask.

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