Hi everybody thanks for allowing me to join. I just found out a friend is giving his 1970 coachman travel trailer away. The only problem is that it hasn't been towed out of the campsite since 1984. It has been used over the years for a hunting cabin so it looks to be in pretty good shape and pretty much everything inside works fine. The only thing im worried about is towing it home. Its about a 160 mile drive through the mountains and I havent been able to get under it to check out axles and suspension because they tell me there's a better than average chance that there could be some rattle snakes under there. Could anybody give me an idea of what to look for or if its even a good idea to tow it that far. I know i have to change the tires but other than that im not sure.

DO YOU HAVE A BRAKE CONTROLLER FOR YOUR TOW VEHICLE?If you do hook up to the vehicle while you have a tire off the ground. Spin the wheel and apply the manual brake on the controller. You should see the wheel stp turning rather quickly

Rusty wheel bearings? I would pull it out where the suspension and running gear can be inspected and repaired. Perhaps I'm too nervous after experiencing a bearing failure on a 5 year old axle that was well lubed.

What is intended use for it? Park it somewhere or tow it? First is to verify frame and axles are serviceable. If you are going to tow it then replace all the brakes. Id just do new backer plates and all. Then bearing inspection and repack if the bearings are any good. Lastly wiring. I drug home a 68 Monitor that had sat for years and lucked out with the wiring and even the brakes.Bearings were bone dry though but serviceable. So there is hope. After a few months work we camped in it and towed it thousands of miles.

If you think you want this to use and be cheap, think really hard about it. Before I would even think about spending a dime it needs to be evaluated by an experienced rv owner just after a pouring rain. I bet it's soaking wet everywhere. If you think you really want to try it out, get a low bed trailer capable of carrying the size and weight of it, and put it on there, take it home safely without having something break and do it safely. Good luck.

The bearings will probably be frozen on the spindles, ie, bearings will be shot, the brakes will be shot, and the tires; who knows? It can be done but be prepared and don't expect it to move.

1970 coachman | Good Sam Community

Artum_Snowbird
Explorer
Jun 20, 2017
If you think you want this to use and be cheap, think really hard about it. Before I would even think about spending a dime it needs to be evaluated by an experienced rv owner just after a pouring rain. I bet it's soaking wet everywhere.

If you think you really want to try it out, get a low bed trailer capable of carrying the size and weight of it, and put it on there, take it home safely without having something break and do it safely.

Good luck.
K-9_HANDLER
Explorer
Jun 20, 2017
What is intended use for it? Park it somewhere or tow it? First is to verify frame and axles are serviceable. If you are going to tow it then replace all the brakes. Id just do new backer plates and all. Then bearing inspection and repack if the bearings are any good. Lastly wiring.
I drug home a 68 Monitor that had sat for years and lucked out with the wiring and even the brakes.Bearings were bone dry though but serviceable. So there is hope. After a few months work we camped in it and towed it thousands of miles.
WayneAt63044
Explorer
Jun 20, 2017
Rusty wheel bearings? I would pull it out where the suspension and running gear can be inspected and repaired. Perhaps I'm too nervous after experiencing a bearing failure on a 5 year old axle that was well lubed.
darsben1
Explorer
Jun 20, 2017
DO YOU HAVE A BRAKE CONTROLLER FOR YOUR TOW VEHICLE?
If you do hook up to the vehicle while you have a tire off the ground. Spin the wheel and apply the manual brake on the controller. You should see the wheel stp turning rather quickly

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