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I just bought my first RV!!!

JonnieMazda
Explorer
Explorer
It's a 1983 Aluma-Lite Holiday Rambler.
I am planning on moving into it within the next two months. It is in really good condition as far as I can tell. I paid $4,000 for it and am not sure if that is good bad or just right. I am really exited and a little bit scared about this life changing adventure I am getting myself into. Just wanted to say "Hi" and introduce myself as I'm sure I will be having problems and needing advice and can hopefully learn some knowledge from you all who are more experienced than myself.
12 REPLIES 12

Bob___Ann
Explorer
Explorer
congratulations on your new motor home.
it looks like a nice one.
Enjoy it every chance you get.
Bob and Ann
Schnauzer - Della (Rainbow B 3/31/17)
Chihuahua - Lola (Rainbow B 12/26/18)
Autumn-Red Poodle
2019 Tiffin 40 IP Bus
Powerglide Chassis
Cummins 450
Onan 10,000 Watt
Four Slide/ 1.5 Bath
2021 Jeep Unlimited Sahara Toad
Demco Dominator & Airforce One

Ham_Radio_HF_Mo
Explorer
Explorer
Good morning, JonnieMazda;

Like you, I also recently purchased my first motor home RV. I also jumped in with both feet; it is a 1987 Minnebago Elandan, and I am also learning about all the things that can be (and some that must be) done to keep a motor home RV in good working condition. Mechanically it is in very good shape, but the "home" part of the motor home really does need a lot of work on many little things. One fellow suggested that I think of it as a house that is built over the San Andreas Fault, and it is being shaken, vibrated, rattled, jostled, twisted, stressed, distorted, shifted, and in many other ways being generally taken apart slowly while it is being driven down the highway. It does seem that as I have been going through and repairing things, while doing that, more things are discovered that need repair. Not really anything truly major; just a lot of many little things. Of the 29 wooden covers over the bins, drawers, and cabinets, 5 of them needed regluing and 9 needed repairs to the latches. Little things like that. Another thing being done is to supplement or replace the existing incandescent and florescent lighting with Warm White LED lighting strips and "bulbs" that will be kinder to the batteries.

I was surprised when I put the portable spectrum analyzer in "sniff" mode and saw how much RF noise some of the LED lighting can make. That is why the old incandescent bulbs are not being totally replaced. They are RF quiet.

But I am glad that I have it. My Number One Son is coming back to the United States bringing his family, and it is much cheaper and more convenient to buy the motor home RV for them to stay in and use, than it is to build an addition onto the house, and the only way I could do that is go up. The motor home RV is much more practical, for several reasons. And when he is done with it, I get to play with it.
Ham Radio HF Mobile

dcason
Explorer
Explorer
Ditto on the keeping the water out of your unit.

Check the seals (roof and sides) OFTEN and you won't have issues...water can seep in the tiniest of spots.

Have a grand time with it.

gotsmart
Explorer
Explorer
path1 wrote:
Glad your happy. Is that trailer or motorhome?

from the OP's profile:

1983 Aluma-Lite Holiday Rambler with Chevy 454
2005 Cruise America 28R (Four Winds 28R) on a 2004 Ford E450 SD 6.8L V10 4R100
2009 smart fortwo Passion with Roadmaster "Falcon 2" towbar & tail light kit - pictures

NaViDa
Explorer
Explorer
Congrats TO YOU!!

I too just bought my 1st RV, 1998 Class A Holiday Ramble Endeavor this week, as well. I've been living in an immobile Class A Sandpiper for almost 3 years and now I have my own to continue being a Fulltimer for life.

Ain't it a great feeling?!
Full Time, Tree Huggn, Vegan Athlete living on, a shovel of dirt shy of, an acre of land
2007 Toyota Prius
1998 Holiday Rambler Holiday Endeavor 35WGS

:CTime waits for no one

JimM68
Explorer
Explorer
Congrats and welcome to the club!!!
Jim M.
2008 Monaco Knight 40skq, moho #2
The "68"
My very own new forumfirstgens.com

My new blog

Bob___Ann
Explorer
Explorer
We know that are proud of your new RV
Congratulations on your purchase!!
Bob and Ann
Schnauzer - Della (Rainbow B 3/31/17)
Chihuahua - Lola (Rainbow B 12/26/18)
Autumn-Red Poodle
2019 Tiffin 40 IP Bus
Powerglide Chassis
Cummins 450
Onan 10,000 Watt
Four Slide/ 1.5 Bath
2021 Jeep Unlimited Sahara Toad
Demco Dominator & Airforce One

Peg_Leg
Explorer
Explorer
Welcome aboard. Here's a RV maintenance and repair manual that will be very helpful for you. It just has the basic systems and it an in general overlook on RV's. I don't think it's worth the $70 new price but if you can pick up a used one for $20-$25 it will provide you a lot of info. Read the reviews. I still have a old one from 20 yrs ago that I keep on hand.

RV maint & repair basics.
2012 Chevy 3500HD Dually 4X4
Crew Cab long bed 6.0 gasser 4.10
2019 Open Range OF337RLS
Yamaha EF3000iSE
retired gadgetman

Seymore
Explorer
Explorer
Congrats and welcome. Lots of knowlege on this forum.
TV 2014 GMC Sierra Z71 4x4 Crew Cab
Trailer 2014 Rockwood Roo 21SS Equalizer Hitch

gbopp
Explorer
Explorer
Welcome to the forum.
Ask questions, someone will have the information you need.

path1
Explorer
Explorer
Glad your happy. Is that trailer or motorhome?
-Owner manuals are very hard to get. And are not that good IMO
-But you can look up all of your appliances by model numbers and download owners manuals and print out or put on computer or thumb drive and be steps ahead (heater, hot water heater, frig, stove etc)
Just knowing what you have and looking at their manuals helps should you ever need it.
-Biggest thing in RV is keeping it water tight IMO.
2003 Majestic 23P... Northwest travel machine
2013 Arctic Fox 25W... Wife "doll house" for longer snowbird trips
2001 "The Mighty Dodge"... tow vehicle for "doll house"

TucsonJim
Explorer
Explorer
Welcome to the forum Jonnie. Congratulations on your new RV! We'll try to help you through the new owner learning curve as best as we can.
2016 Ford F350 Turbo Diesel SRW 4x4
2017 Grand Design Reflection 297RSTS
2013 Ford F350 Turbo Diesel SRW 4x4 (Destroyed by fire - 8/29/16)
2014 Grand Design Reflection 337RLS (Destroyed by fire - 8/29/16)