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mayble's avatar
mayble
Explorer
Feb 15, 2016

Just bought my first RV

Hi all.
I've just purchased a little 1993 Tioga, 22' (bringing her home Friday), my first venture into RVing. The house is in great shape and it runs and drives beautifully.
It's on the Ford E-350 chassis, 351 engine.
Any advice? Any known issues to watch for?
Any suggestions to find an owner's manual? I downloaded the basic 1993 Tioga manual, but it's pretty generic and refers to an "owner's information package" for more info.
  • Congrats. Keep us posted. You have found a good forum to ask your questions.
  • At least in my Coachmen, the owner's manual packet was a big binder with the generic owner's manual (though Coachmen's was rather more complete than some I've seen) and the brochures/manuals for every appliance and gizmo built into the RV. You should be able to track down whatever information you need for most of them from the maker's web sites, etc. Ford can get the owner's manual for the chassis.

    Check to see if there are any recalls to be done. There may be recalls on the Ford chassis (perhaps the rather infamous cruise control brake sensing switch, which should definitely be done) or on the fridge. There could conceivably be recalls on some of the other appliances, too, but those are the most common ones so far as I know.

    If you don't have reason to believe it's been done recently, I'd suggest having the brake fluid changed and perhaps the rubber brake lines replaced. Some sources suggest a three-year cycle for brake fluid. That may be a little more frequent than necessary, particularly in dry climates, but if its original it's definitely well past due.
  • Congrats. As mentioned, check for leaks.
    Also, check the age of the tires. RV tires usually age out before they wear out.
    Enjoy your travels.
  • Thanks - I sure did.No leaks, no water damage, no delamination, no nothing.
    I didn't spring for an inspection (for a $6k investment I'll take my chances and save the fee), but I went through every accessible inch of it myself. I've been through a few of them in my search and this one is a time capsule. I was surprised to find one that actually lived up to its advertising.
    My first investment will be new tires and a trip to my mechanic to look at hoses, belts, etc.
  • Hope you checked VERY closely for any signs of water leaks. Older Class Cs have a real tendency for the overhead to rot away due to poor sealing.
    Other than that, check the roof, seal every opening you see .