New PleasureWay 04 Owner

[HiknDoug]

I just purchased a 04 PW Excel. As a VW bus driver of over 40 years, I must ask, what do you recommend I do to to the new toy?
Concerns evolve around the safety of the rig not the "bling"

[vulcanman1500]

I think I met mepboat in the keys at the bus stop . Then caught a cab together . That's a nice rig he has . I have the old Winnebago 22' .

[dreed]

Wow I didn't know about the plug problem. I always figured that I would have Ford replace them when needed as I couldn't figure out how to do it. The clearance isn't there. No trouble with my Dodge PW I had before.
http://www.aa1car.com/library/ford_broken_spark_plug_problem.htm

Dave 04 Excel TD

[mlts22]

2004 is one of the years where Ford V8 and V10 spark plugs are two piece. I'd have a dealership or mechanic who knows how to use a Lisle tool to coax the spark plugs out and have good, one piece ones put in. Time-serts might be a necessity as well (and the reason I mention these by name is that they seat well, don't have a metal piece that can break off into the cylinder, and don't seem to have many horror stories.)

I'd have the spark plugs, and perhaps the coils as well changed. Not cheap, but cheaper than a rebuild.

After that, what fordsooperduty said.

Once the rig is in good mechanical shape, I'd start on individual components. The water tanks, I'd thoroughly sanitize. Black and grey tanks, I'd also sanitize and clean out.

The generator can be a wild card. Some people are good at keeping it maintained. Others might mention that they put 3-4 hours on it total (which is worse than running it for thousands of hours), and this likely means that one will have to replace the carb on it, and even then, there may be issues with corrosion on windings and slip rings.

[bar_20]

If you are not changing the tires, most people say if over five years old replace, make sure the tire pressures are at PW's recommendation not what the van manufacture says. There should be a sticker that PW put on your unit that shows the tire pressure or look in the PW manual.

[Fastpaddler]

Like Escargot we have a 2006 Pleasure-way Plateau TS(2007 build). I drove a 2010 new Excel TS without wheel spacers and I had a rough time in cross winds. So, i assume yours will be ok. Airbags do help with stability. Tires are the most important factor in road safety and reliability so if the tires are over about 4 or so years, chuck them out! I have always used Michelin LTX M&S and have never had a problem. Other suggestions here are all helpful too. I have learned the hard way having had two C's that the B RV has enough creature comforts to enjoy on trips to most locations as long as you dont want to camp in one place for more than a couple of weeks. Even then, with Florida rooms and so on one can be quite comfortable. Happy rving and welcome.
Al

[mepboat]

Glad you have joined the pleasureway family. We got our "Keys Traveler" this past february and have put some well traveled miles to Ohio to see family and back to our home in Fort Myers Beach. Can't say enough about our baby. It is a 2010 Excel and everywhere we go someone asks if we would be interested in selling !!!! As we have posted here in other areas...Keep up with the maintenance and everything will go fine. Class "B" motorhomes..."B" safe, "B" happy, Go RVing !!!!!!

[Escargot]

... and, what fordsooperdooty said! 🙂

[SooperDaddy]

Get her a good 'physical' exam...at a trusted Shop that does RV's. Brakes, shocks, engine, tranny, tires, etc. Especially have the alignment chesked...seems to be a re-occuring problem with the Ford van Chassis. The fuel pumps seem problematic too.

And you can contact the good folks at the PleasureWay Owners Group for anything else you need to find out about your new toy!

[Escargot]

I smiled when I read your post.
Volkswagens, (bugs, 1961 Camper, and 1987 Westfalia) have punctuated my life and have provided some of the best memories.

I have a 2003 PW Excel TD (which I'm getting around to selling). The first thing I checked and changed out were the tires. I also had it tuned, oil changed, and had the other fluids checked, almost immediately. Made sure the air assist suspension was full. I also sanitized and refilled the fresh water tank, and flushed thoughly and emptied the black tank. I like to start fresh. The house batteries were replaced but a few years after I purchased my PW.

Early on during his ownership stint the previous owner had the wheel spacers installed, so I didnt have to deal with that stability issue.

My 2003 served me wonderfully! I now have a 2006 PW Sprinter bought in anticipation of retirement next year, BUT, I'm torn about keeping it and selling the 2003. Love the storage and reliability of the 2003.

Have fun, enjoy your journey!