I need a RV mentor

Matt_Colie wrote:
Al,

I did not follow this thread real carefully, but I have some experience to lay on you.

As far a routine maintenance, if you cannot document that it has been done, it has not.

Even with a coach that new (way newer than ours) some things will have aged out and not just tires. At that age all rubber parts like coolant hoses, fuel lines and brake hoses should be inspected. The cooling system and brakes should be flushed. The corrosion inhibitors in the coolant are depleted and the brake fluid absorbs moisture from the air.


If you can get under it to grease it, buy a nice grease gun and a couple of tubes of Valvoline Syn-power (~8$). This is expensive grease, but it is synthetic and will not run with high temperatures and contains molybdenum disulfide (so it can permanently stain anything). Caterpillar Desert gold may be better, but it is hard to find and costs way more. No Matter, grease is always cheaper than parts.

Matt

Thanks Matt, all good info.

Al,

I did not follow this thread real carefully, but I have some experience to lay on you.

As far a routine maintenance, if you cannot document that it has been done, it has not.

Even with a coach that new (way newer than ours) some things will have aged out and not just tires. At that age all rubber parts like coolant hoses, fuel lines and brake hoses should be inspected. The cooling system and brakes should be flushed. The corrosion inhibitors in the coolant are depleted and the brake fluid absorbs moisture from the air.

If you can get under it to grease it, buy a nice grease gun and a couple of tubes of Valvoline Syn-power (~8$). This is expensive grease, but it is synthetic and will not run with high temperatures and contains molybdenum disulfide (so it can permanently stain anything). Caterpillar Desert gold may be better, but it is hard to find and costs way more. No Matter, grease is always cheaper than parts.

Matt

wolfe10 wrote:
Al,

How about let's start over.

You have succeeded in attacking quite a number of people here who, over the year have been very patient and helpful with their answers.

We look forward to assisting you with your questions. How can we help?

My deepest apologizes to anyone that felt they were attacked by me. That was not my intention. I will now take a break and use google for a bit to gather information. Happy Trails.

Al,

How about let's start over.

You have succeeded in attacking quite a number of people here who, over the year have been very patient and helpful with their answers.

We look forward to assisting you with your questions. How can we help?

Al Jones wrote:

Bill.Satellite wrote:
I need AN RV mentor!
Are you hoping to become an RV mechanic? Owner? Something else?

I just want to have someone that can answer questions now and then. We just bought a 2003 Holiday Rambler Vacationer 34TDB. Someone from my area will have knowledge of local shops and other information.

Not sure why my signature is not posting.

It should look like this:

Al & Cindy
2003 Holiday Rambler Vacationer 34PDT
8.1L/V8
Toad 2019 Chevy Spark

Is the chassis a P32 or W and if the former, would the transmission be a GM 4L80E or 4L85E perhaps? The 85 could have been used with the 8.1, but doubtful with the prior 7.4 engine.
I really don't think the P32 IFS ever had an allison tranny.
Also, 03 or 05 might have been the last year for a P32, so ????.
There were some limited production P12 solid axles, being built at one time, by GM, with an Allison tranny, but not to my knowledge, after WH took over from GM, in 99.
The later W chassis, did have an Allison, at least in some years and especially with the heavy W24.
Here's a thread, that addresses this....
Clickit...

With your signature, look at both preferences and signature, for getting it to register. You're also limited to the amount of characters.

The Allison 1000 transmission came with Dexron III Fluid but that has now been replaced with Transynd fluid which is recommended by Allison as a better alternative to Dex III. When I changed to Transynd fluid the transmission shifted better and ran cooler when I was monitoring transmission fluid temperature with my OBDII ScanGauge while towing in the mountains.

DarkSkySeeker wrote:

Bill.Satellite wrote:
I need AN RV mentor!

Oddly, I jumped right to the correct grammar too.

Oh boy, a site where I can learn about my motorhome and get free grammar lessons. (sarcasm used as satire) lol

ahhhh!

ArchHoagland wrote:
There was a brake recall on the Bosch brakes that are installed on these chassis. You need to find out if that was completed.

The calipers wouldn't release and would drag.

Have you weighed the coach yet and set the tires pressures to the tire makers recommended pressure for your weight?

I will check to see if recall was done. As for weight and tire pressure, Still loading and unloading to figure what we really need. We sold our homes and now are living full time in the MH. We won't head south until September. I'm hoping that the dealer that we bought the MH from sent us off with the correct tire pressure. We've only had the MH for about a month. Much to learn. We did make a few changes that cut some weight. removed the heavy tube TV's (replaced with flat screens) and one of the couches that was a hid-a-bed.

wolfe10 wrote:
And, if you already own a motorhome, let us know what it is.

A mentor on a gas rig will be quite different than a mentor on a diesel pusher.

Sorry that message was not for you. Clicking and not checking, still learning the format.