Update:
Flew into NJ yesterday(I have to add that the flights went extremely well...knox to atlanta to Philly). Scott RV in Lakewood NJ sent a guy named "Bubba" to pick me up at the airport. Bubba was on time and was 80 years old..they guy was a jewel...had me laughing the 1.5 hr drive to Scott's.
Before I agreed to their price(pending the inspection & test drive) I requested as part of the deal a complete brake fluid change. When I got there it was on the rack so I got a good look at it's under belly. Remarkably there was virtually no rust...Mark the salesman had assured me there was none and he was right. No headers...darn it, but someone had recently replace the drivers side caliper and the rubber brake line. Also nice blue air bags hiding in the front coils.
Down off the lift and I did a walk around. Paint and decals are faded(completely expected for a 18 year old coach). Other than a crappy caulking job between the lower walls and the basement everything was in really good shape. Up the ladder I went....wow the whole roof was solid as a rock and had been re-coated with something in the polar white flavor. And there was a 45 watt solar panel there in great shape charging the two coach batteries while I was staring at it:)
Then inside, recent carpet in the cockpit & doghouse, a nice tasteful tan SHAG! Peel and stick tile everywhere else...bueno. Everything worked, fridge, stove, furnace....could not test the hot water heater since it was winterized but I'm ok with that. Kinda a mothball smell.....hmmmm 55K miles over 18 years the thing has spent it's whole life in storage. I was wrong about the genny hours...not 700....170! A Micro 4000 regular gas burner and it fires right up and runs perfect. Now the interesting stuff.....4 big auto levelers and a control panel for them in the cockpit....yep they all work!.
Test ride goes well, no Pitch, some Yaw...and a bit of Wander. I checked the air bags....20lbs, so I had them pump them up...they seemed to be holding air. Soooo, I agreed to the deal.....$11,806 out the door. Yes there was a $299 Doc fee, but they spent 3 hrs picking me up at the airport, so I'm ok with that. They also filled the propane tank before I left...no charge.
So off I go...700 miles home. On flat land I am getting just under 10mpg...in the hills....7-ish. Engine battery was marginal before I left and it gave up before I got home. So I stopped and replaced it. I also found a tiny rock chip on the drivers side windshield that was walking a half an inch on each side. I had a glass guy drill the end of each "leg" and fill the holes ....hopefully that will stop it.
Engine and tranny worked as they should...oh, and all fluids on this thing were clear/fresh, even in the genny. I did hear a quiet "chit chit chit" when at idle, then a chitchitchitchitchit" when driving. Thought it was the dreaded 454 manifold leak...nope it's coming from the engine A/C compressor. I tested the dash air(it was in the 50's) and it seemed to work(heard the compressor kick in) so I am not sure what the chitchitcht is....come summer I reckon I'll find out.
When I got home I checked the front air bags, they were down 20 lbs. Pumped them back up and gave them and the lines the soapy water treatment. Drives side bag is leaking a bit at the line inlet under the bag. I could not figure out how the air lines are secured. I see a brass fitting but it just spins when I turn it with a pair of needle nose. I use RIDE ON in my motorcycle tires...kinda like slime but it actually works to stop most flats and automatically balances the tires. So I put in a few ounces, pumped them back up and will see if that stops the slow leak.
Checking the undercarriage after the drive: Rear section of tail pipe hanging/flopping around...wired it up properly. Front sway bar is now missing 2 of of 4 rubber bushings...4 new ones will go on tomorrow. Finally tracked down a big annoying rattle/vibration somewhere around the entry door...it was the glass in the door. Took the door off, removed the two clamshell plastic surrounds, re-sealed everything and put the door back on.
All in all the coach was better than I thought. Engine did not burn any oil. Other than the wander, it rode fine Sooooooo, I am prepping "Wanda L" for or 2600 Christmas round trip to Manitoba......live on the edge ...right?
