2002 Tradewinds Founders Owners

[kenneth cumm]

looking for 2002 tradewinds founder edition owners

[xfirechief20]

Just purchased new to us 2002 Tradeswind LTC 7374 Founders addition. Will take delivery 4/2/11. Hope this was a good decision. Unit seems to be excelent, 58,000 miles. Has slight vibration and is being fixed before delivery. Runs like a rocket empty. I will have lots of questions in due time.

[Submustang]

We have a 37, number 17 of 40. It has been a great coach, very comfortable. We have made a few mods, including a 32" LCD, new satellite dish and home theater system. We also took the tiny sun visors out and replaced them with power visors.

[xfirechief20]

I assume the founders plate inside over the couch is where we will discover the number of ours? We decided the sun visors would be a reto before we purchased. Not yet retired but ready to get this show on the road.

[Submustang]

We have a separate plate with the number on it located on the switch panel by the co-pilot seat. On ours, it is by the power awning switches. I hope you enjoy yours as much as we do ours. When you are ready to mod the front overhead, I can send you some pictures.

[xfirechief20]

The plate is missing where you mentioned. However, the run sheet, with all the books and paperwork indicates run #25433. It is just a guess, but it may be 25 of 40. The front tv has been changed to a flat screen already. All seems to be fine with the coach. A slight problem with the smart wheel with the delayed wiper feature. Still doing a lot of reading. Looking forward to our first trip. How many Founders have you talked to or are aware of?

[Submustang]

I saw one passing through Eugene, OR. Other than that, I have heard of maybe 2 others through some of the on-line groups. We hope to get to one of the National RV specific rallies to maybe find some others. Did you see in the book, that you press the delayed wiper button once, then a second time to set the interval? It confused me when we first got it. Good luck with it. We were out in ours this last weekend. It is a great driving, comfortable way to travel. We're off to the North for about 6 weeks in it soon, looking forward to it.

[xfirechief20]

Submustang, we are taking our first long trip in 2 weeks, 5,000 miles. Montana to Illinois and back. Question, what is your average distance on a tank of fuel? Based on refueling before a quarter tank. Planning out our stops for fuel. Fuel cost here in Montana is $3.69 , better than a few months ago. I have been thru the coach front to back ,still looking for fuel filter other than the water seperator filter. any help. Have made a few mod's like solar panel, improved cup holders for driver, added color rear camera, exterior frig. fan with thermo coupler, updated navigation system and replaced (V.W.) sun visors . Short trips have allowed tire presure adjustments and location of rattles.
Safe Travels.

[Submustang]

We get about 650 miles. Best was over 700, but that was mostly 2 lane, 55 -60 mph. Driving speed seems to effect range more than towing or not towing. We tow a 5k lb pickup. The only filter on ours is the fuel filter water separator. There is also a coolant filter next to the oil filter.

[xfirechief20]

Thanks for the reply. Coach is good to go but frig decided to flat quit working today. Checked fuses and both were good . I found the coolant filter just felt there should be a second fuel filter. I believe we are getting between 10 and 11 mpg. I will get a more accurate reading on the trip. No tow on this first trip. Plan to pull a 20' flatbed with our 4 door 1ton dulley or the wife's Sorenta and razor atv.
Safe Travels

[xfirechief20]

After 4000 miles it makes no difference , hills ,flatland, cruse at 75, or csuse at 65 we get by computer 12.1 mpg, or my calculations 9.7 mpg. trouble free first trip for most part.

[mygusto]

My coach is Run # 27157 by National RV. Anybody know what this number means?

[desobelman]

SubMustang, and all other NRV owners,

There is an FMCA Chapter called The PacNats in Or/WA/ID. You can find them at www.pacnats.com.

There are about 8 NRV owners clubs around the USA. The Dophins in the Southwest, RV NUTS in Florida, NorEasters in the NorthEast, etc. You can find them on the FMCA website.

You can get a lot of information from the members of these clubs. There are about 200 members of the Dolphins, alone!

If you are a member of any of the clubs, you will be welcomed by any of the other clubs as you travel around the country.

You can check out The Dolphins at www.dolphinclub.com.

Happy Trails!

Darryl

[skysadlo]

Ok I have a Founders Edition and we love it. We are at about 60k on miles. Something we wonder about is the numbering of the unit. We have unit 41 of 40, at least that is what the plaque says, I would post a picture of it if I could. We have the Founders Edition on the plackard over the sofa that talks about the founder. Does anyone know how many were actually made? Does anyone have a copy of the original sales brochoure for the founders Edition?

Thanks,
Skysadlo