Alpine 36SDS info needed

[rmmpe]

I have just secured a 1999 36SDS and ask if any of you folks can provide information as to what I should be on the lookout for when I have it inspected. I don't want to make a big mistake by closing on it before I get expert/experienced information from those in the know.
The Coach has the 330HP Cummins 6CTA 8.3L ISC Engine and 6 speed Allison World transmission. Genny is the 7kW Onan Quiet Diesel.

Upgrades include the 10 Cu. Ft. Fridge, Leather recliner, Thermal pane windows, central vac, U-line icemaker, Leather seats, 2kW Heart Inverter, Aluminum wheels, HWH Auto leveling system and a few other less important features.

Overall condition appears to be very good and it has been religiously maintained by a fastidious former owner.

Power, handling and ride are quite good and we plan to use a small Toad on a dolly.

Lastly, any indication as to what (oxymoron here) economy can be anticipated. It has no computer.

Any and all help will be greatly appreciated and valued.

[rmmpe]

I have just secured a 1999 36SDS and ask if any of you folks can provide information as to what I should be on the lookout for when I have it inspected. I don't want to make a big mistake by closing on it before I get expert/experienced information from those in the know.
The Coach has the 330HP Cummins 6CTA 8.3L ISC Engine and 6 speed Allison World transmission. Genny is the 7kW Onan Quiet Diesel.

Upgrades include the 10 Cu. Ft. Fridge, Leather recliner, Thermal pane windows, central vac, U-line icemaker, Leather seats, 2kW Heart Inverter, Aluminum wheels, HWH Auto leveling system and a few other less important features.

Overall condition appears to be very good and it has been religiously maintained by a fastidious former owner.

Power, handling and ride are quite good and we plan to use a small Toad on a dolly.

Lastly, any indication as to what (oxymoron here) economy can be anticipated. It has no computer.

Any and all help will be greatly appreciated and valued.

[Dave Fernandez]

Hello & Welcome:

I would like to welcome you to IRV2 and would also like to congratulate you on the New Alpine. Dale Dowdy has a very complete PDI list that he has produced and if he sees this, our you contact him he will probably send you a copy a copy so you can do a complete pre Delivery check of your Alpine. I hope you will join us at an ACA Rally or one of the local Regional Alpine Rallies so you can meet other Alpine Owners.

As for economy it all depends on how you drive. On my 2001 38ft Alpine if I stay under 60 I can get from 8 to 8.5 mpg, If I travel over 60 it goes down to the mid 7's. And now that that we all use Ultra Low Sulfur fuel my mileage has gone down to about 8 mpg under 60 mph.

[Ted III]

rmmpe, welcome to the forum and good luck with your purchase if you go through with it. You had mentioned you were going to pull your toad with a dolly and I wondered if you have your dolly. I have one for sale if you have any interest.

[EngineerMike]

rmmpe- Do a search on the Alpine Owner's forum for pacbrake lube and take note of the discussions. IIRC, there is a lube made for the exhaust brake, and if the brake unit has been properly altered from the OEM installation where the pivot pin for the butterfly was vertical, to an angled position (so water condensing out of the exhaust doesn't congregate on and rust the lower pin hole and sieze the butterfly valve) then that is one thing you won't need to have done right away.

[Dale777]

rmmpe,

If you send me your email address, then I will send you my PDI checklist. I checked your profile, but I did not find your email address to send to. Check my profile to send me a private email.

[rmmpe]

Hi,
Boy, are you folks fast. A query last night and 4 responses this morning.

My e-mail address is:
rmmpe@yahoo.com (rmmpe "at" yahoo.com)

Any help you can give is appreciated.

Thank you very much.

[rmmpe]

TedIII,
I have not yet gotten a dolly and would be interested in conversing with you about yours. Can you give me the particulars (location proximity, age, condition, price, photo, etc).

[rmmpe]

OK Folks, here is what the inspection turned up:

Everything except AC (needs a recharge) works.
No leaks.
No drips.
Hoses good.
Brakes good.
ABS good.
Cruise control good.
Heated mirrors good.
Pacbrake good.
Tires new.
Batteries new.
Steering linkage is good.
Suspension is good.
Levelers are good.
Alignment good.
Shocks good.
Engine good.
Transmission good.
Coach good.

Passed state safety inspection.

Brake recall not done (but it will be).

However, it still has the original TVs in place (I just knew there was something I could change).

Sooooo, it looks like we will be the proud owners of a 99 36SDS with 38,429 miles (100 of them mine).

I guess we can now consider ourselves members of the elite (I'm doing a little Snoopy dance here).

[rmmpe]

OOPS!
I neglected to thank all of you who offered advice and encouragement.

Thanks to you all.

[hrhuggie]

congratulations rmmpe, hope to see you at one of the Alpine rallies!

[gjstacy]

rmmpe,

Welcome to the Alpine owners "club"!

As Dave and Hugh have suggested, we too hope you will join the Alpine Coach Association and attend our rallies. You will have a wonderful time, meet fun people and get lots of helpful hints for your "new" rig! Go to alpinecoachassociation.com to get the schedule of upcoming rallies (the next one is in Newport, OR in August) and see if you can fit one into your schedule. There are 4 or 5 national rallies each year. We also have local regional groups that gather in a smaller venue for rallies several times a year. I couldn't tell from your profile where you live, so I can't direct you to a specific Region. Let us know here, and we will give you all the help we can.

Again, welcome and have a wonderful time getting to know your new Alpine!

[rmmpe]

Thankk you for the warm welcome(s). It is much appreciated.

Peg and I live in Milford, PA near the borders of NY, NJ and PA. A long way form PACNORWEST.

Regardless, I am extensively travelled and Peg wants to see all the places I've been, the PACNORWEST being one (lived in Bremerton, WA for a while and made numerous trips between NYC, SLC and the Seattle area).

Unfortunately we won't be able to start any of the longer trips for a while because Peg is caretaker of a 100 year old lady and of her 93 year old Dad. Consequently, her available time doesn't allow being away for very long.

Again, I appreciate all the welcomes we've gotten and the advice.

I'll be around................

[gjstacy]

rmmpe,

ACA has a Region in the east...ACE. It actually covers most everything east of the Mississippi. You can check out their website at ace-rv.com to learn about their upcoming rallies, as well as about the Region members. The president is Peggy Bacome, a really neat lady...I'm sure she will be glad to give you any information you would like.

Have fun and safe travels in your new Alpine!