Community Forums

Polo · 04-25-2011, 02:39 PM

We will be purchasing a 2002 36' Alpine Coach with the 350 engine in a few days. The unit has 30,000 miles and has been well maintained. Is there anything in particular that may be a problem to be checked out for that particular year? Thanks so much in advance.

Algoma · 04-25-2011, 03:37 PM

Check this out. http://www.alpinecoachassociation.com/moretech/PDI.pdf

EngineerMike · 04-25-2011, 06:50 PM

- check brake fluid color/consistency; it should be clear & thin; if brown & honey colored, it needs to be fully flushed, all 4 corners
- do a visual check of wiring harnesses to engine & tranny; they should be well supported & tight so nothing rubs or pulls on connectors
- work everything w/a switch or valve (be careful w/the dump valves & advice of this sort). Take copious notes. No, really, take notes. No, really, take lots more notes than you think you could ever use. You'll use them.
- unplug from shore power & run the gen; actually check all outlets to see you get 120V. Sales gal should know how (ROTFL)
- plug in to shore & test all outlets for 120V. Sales gal should know how (ROTFLMAO).
- run engine & check charge voltage to house & chassis batteries to see both are charging. Sales gal should know how (ROTFLMAO, this is getting thick).
- unplugged and no gen, no engine running, check to see inverter puts 120V to all outlets except by PS front seat, and maybe bedside outlets. Sales gal should know how (ho, ho, hee, hee, hee, ha, ha, ha,....). Run the microwave w/a glass of water in it till it boils, then check the house batteries. If they are not charged up (ask you know who... ho, ho, hee, hee, hee, ha, ha, ha,....), figure out if you are buying dead house batteries that need changing right away and that was figured in the price. If you are changing to AGMs right off, then no big deal.
- check tire date brand; if older than 5 years you are looking at tires pretty soon. If older than 6 then you are looking at new tires right now. Regardless of depth of tread. No, really. No ho, ho, ho or hee, hee, hee.

And welcome to the club. You will love how your new toy drives. And you'll enjoy meeting other adventurous Alpiners soon.

Polo · 04-26-2011, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EngineerMike

- check brake fluid color/consistency; it should be clear & thin; if brown & honey colored, it needs to be fully flushed, all 4 corners
- do a visual check of wiring harnesses to engine & tranny; they should be well supported & tight so nothing rubs or pulls on connectors
- work everything w/a switch or valve (be careful w/the dump valves & advice of this sort). Take copious notes. No, really, take notes. No, really, take lots more notes than you think you could ever use. You'll use them.
- unplug from shore power & run the gen; actually check all outlets to see you get 120V. Sales gal should know how (ROTFL)
- plug in to shore & test all outlets for 120V. Sales gal should know how (ROTFLMAO).
- run engine & check charge voltage to house & chassis batteries to see both are charging. Sales gal should know how (ROTFLMAO, this is getting thick).
- unplugged and no gen, no engine running, check to see inverter puts 120V to all outlets except by PS front seat, and maybe bedside outlets. Sales gal should know how (ho, ho, hee, hee, hee, ha, ha, ha,....). Run the microwave w/a glass of water in it till it boils, then check the house batteries. If they are not charged up (ask you know who... ho, ho, hee, hee, hee, ha, ha, ha,....), figure out if you are buying dead house batteries that need changing right away and that was figured in the price. If you are changing to AGMs right off, then no big deal.
- check tire date brand; if older than 5 years you are looking at tires pretty soon. If older than 6 then you are looking at new tires right now. Regardless of depth of tread. No, really. No ho, ho, ho or hee, hee, hee.

And welcome to the club. You will love how your new toy drives. And you'll enjoy meeting other adventurous Alpiners soon.

Thanks Engineer Mike! You mentioned things we never would have thought of! Hope the front seats are more comfy than the Beaver Monterey we have been driving.