Buying first MH, what should I change right away

[AGC]

Currently finalizing a deal on a Class A MH, this will be my first MH. Since I’m buying from a private party seller we decided to get a pre-purchase inspection as I’m new to RVs and prefer to have a professional look the unit over. I know the unit definitely needs tires (original tires from 2007 has cracks on the sidewall). What else should I consider changing due to age (mileage is pretty low), I was thinking of changing oil/fluids (engine oil, gen oil, brake fluid, trans fluid, etc.) and the batteries. I was also thinking of doing the CHF and adding a SafeTPlus steering shock.

Anything else I should consider changing, we’re planning a couple of short trips over the next couple of months before we head out west this summer.

[J-Rooster]

Make sure that you will be able to steer and stop! New tires and brakes!! Very important!!!

[westernrvparkow]

I would be changing the mattress or at least doing some black light examinations. Enjoy the new rig.

[SCVJeff]

bigdisplay wrote:

larry cad wrote:
If you have a Norcold refrigerator, you should probably add several fire extinguishers.

why? I have had Norcolds for the last 15 years and they work great?
To OP not to worry make sure it had the Hi temp shut down sensor installed.Its supplied free by any Norcold service center
Overall they work great and the LPG is nice for boon docking

The reason why is that many of them have failed, and several apparently have burned even with the fail safe installed, if you search around you will find the stories and pix.I agree that they are better for boondocking, and I have the fail safe too, but I also have upper and lower Halon bottles installed.

[Flanz]

AGC wrote:
Currently finalizing a deal on a Class A MH, this will be my first MH. Since I’m buying from a private party seller we decided to get a pre-purchase inspection as I’m new to RVs and prefer to have a professional look the unit over. I know the unit definitely needs tires (original tires from 2007 has cracks on the sidewall). What else should I consider changing due to age (mileage is pretty low), I was thinking of changing oil/fluids (engine oil, gen oil, brake fluid, trans fluid, etc.) and the batteries. I was also thinking of doing the CHF and adding a SafeTPlus steering shock.

Anything else I should consider changing, we’re planning a couple of short trips over the next couple of months before we head out west this summer.

Take your time. Yes - the tires should be changed and any other "Safety" item. I would also drop the fluids and start clean.

Before you go out and spend a billion dollars on things, use it for a while. Fix things that need to be fixed and once the coach is up and running as is, then I would take a step back and add on the things that make it look and function nice. Remember, repairs can get costly so I would concentrate on this first before I would "customize" anything.

-paul

[AllegroD]

AGC wrote:
what should I change right away

Location . . . and often.

[DrewE]

Check for any not yet done recalls. Norcold and Dometic both had some on some fridges, and its possible there may be some on the chassis as well (depending on the exact chassis).

Other than safety items I would not really go spending a lot of money fixing things that may not be problems. The batteries may be fine or they may be shot, but it's not too hard to do some "camping" in your driveway to find out how they fair...and poor batteries may be perfectly acceptable if you're not going to be boondocking. Similarly, I would not go out spending lots to fix handling without having some idea whether the handling is in need of fixing.

Take the fire extinguishers off the brackets (assuming dry chemical ones), turn them upside down, and bonk them/shake them until the dry powder is moving freely. In a vehicle it tends to get settled down and compacted by vibration over time. Of course, if the pressure gauge on the extinguisher is not in the green zone, you need to have it serviced or replaced.

[hershey]

Check the fuel level regularly while smiling/driving. 🙂
I would suggest a regular check of tire pressure and have the RV 4 corner weighed and follow the tire manufacturers recommendations to the Tee as to proper pressure. If you weigh the RV too soon, you'll be light...wait until you have overloaded it like the rest of us do 🙂
Really, low pressure is the number one killer of tires.

[bigdisplay]

larry cad wrote:
If you have a Norcold refrigerator, you should probably add several fire extinguishers.

why? I have had Norcolds for the last 15 years and they work great?
To OP not to worry make sure it had the Hi temp shut down sensor installed.Its supplied free by any Norcold service center
Overall they work great and the LPG is nice for boon docking

[IAMICHABOD]

rav wrote:
I would check the smoke detectors, CO detector, fire extinguisher- - yes on the fluids- check the belts and hoses.

congrats and welcome to the forum

What is needed is a dual chamber detector that will detect CO and smoke from a slow smoldering fire such as may start in a R/V because of electrical fires and fast burning smokeless fires.

After a lot of research and talking to Kidde, they assured me that this one would work in a home and also A RV,there is no difference.

This is what I found.
A Kidde KN-COSM-XTR-B Nighthawk
That seemed to be best suited for this kind of application.

Like This

They now can be bought at Home Depot, also At Amazon.

Amazon

I suggest you read all the info and make your decision on this but I replaced the ones in my Class C with this one.They are rated for 7 years
and most are only rated for 5,If your RV is older than 5 years old and they haven't been changed they are most likely no good. Mine needed to be replaced so this was a good deal for me.

Just a reminder,a first line of defense is always the best. Check those smoke detectors and replace them if needed,all have a date on them and how long they are good for. If they don't, toss them.

Welcome and I hope that this helps.

[RedJeep]

Take it camping someplace not too far from home to find out what is broken and in need of replacement. Things I upgraded include:
* camco? Screen door arm/handle.
* bicycle ladder rack
* motorcycle hitch mount carrier
* tires

I still want to add an outside shower.

Enjoy!

[larry_cad]

If you have a Norcold refrigerator, you should probably add several fire extinguishers.

[bigdisplay]

AGC wrote:
Currently finalizing a deal on a Class A MH, this will be my first MH. Since I’m buying from a private party seller we decided to get a pre-purchase inspection as I’m new to RVs and prefer to have a professional look the unit over. I know the unit definitely needs tires (original tires from 2007 has cracks on the sidewall). What else should I consider changing due to age (mileage is pretty low), I was thinking of changing oil/fluids (engine oil, gen oil, brake fluid, trans fluid, etc.) and the batteries. I was also thinking of doing the CHF and adding a SafeTPlus steering shock.

Anything else I should consider changing, we’re planning a couple of short trips over the next couple of months before we head out west this summer.

well if mileage is low? no need to overdo it here.Did the owner do regular servicing or not? what model and engine/trans? how many hours on gen set and when was it serviced last etc. NONE of the stuff mentioned may need doing at all.Have your inspector look through things first and double check with owner on whats been done and what not. don't spend money u don't need to.Most MH people over service their units and its a waste of money

[Executive45]

Warn your co workers that silly smile on your face may be permanent....:B....Dennis

Other than what's been suggested already, I went through my entire coach with a package of zip ties and bundled all the wiring up every 12-18". This keeps the wires from vibrating while driving and prevents pesky shorts later. Also, make sure you give the generator the same love you're giving the coach with oil changes etc. SpeedCo provide oil change, lube, filters etc for about $300/diesel. They will let you go in the pit to observe also so you'll be able to get up close and personal with the underbelly of the beast....good luck and congratulations....Dennis

[mccsix]

Maybe keep one of the tires (unmounted) as a spare.
Need to know what coach you're buying, for the best advice.