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ecp3031 · 02-01-2008, 05:58 PM

I came within a minute of buying a 2002 Tradewinds LTC 7374 today but an annoying squeak stopped me. The coach is hardly used, 17000 miles, mechanical checked out perfectly by a diesel mechanic friend of mine. Took it for a test drive and the squeaking coming from the cabinet above the dash was terrible. Owner had mentioned it in previous meeting,but didn't think it was that bad. Boy was I wrong. It was so loud, it interfered with normal conversation with wife in passenger seat. Sounds to me like metal to metal. Can't see anything inside cabinet without disassembly- TV and stereo are in way.
Any one have any thoughts on this. How hard to remove and reinstall cabinet unit, once electronics are removed?
Right now deal is, I am interested and will give owner opurtunity to correct. But if squeak persists, it's a deal breaker. Am I being too hard nosed and giving up a good bargain - he reduced price $10000 the day before I saw it the first time. (Maybe the squeak is the reason for reduction.)
Thanks for any thoughts or ideas.

ecp3031 · 02-01-2008, 05:58 PM

I came within a minute of buying a 2002 Tradewinds LTC 7374 today but an annoying squeak stopped me. The coach is hardly used, 17000 miles, mechanical checked out perfectly by a diesel mechanic friend of mine. Took it for a test drive and the squeaking coming from the cabinet above the dash was terrible. Owner had mentioned it in previous meeting,but didn't think it was that bad. Boy was I wrong. It was so loud, it interfered with normal conversation with wife in passenger seat. Sounds to me like metal to metal. Can't see anything inside cabinet without disassembly- TV and stereo are in way.
Any one have any thoughts on this. How hard to remove and reinstall cabinet unit, once electronics are removed?
Right now deal is, I am interested and will give owner opurtunity to correct. But if squeak persists, it's a deal breaker. Am I being too hard nosed and giving up a good bargain - he reduced price $10000 the day before I saw it the first time. (Maybe the squeak is the reason for reduction.)
Thanks for any thoughts or ideas.

bdpreece · 02-01-2008, 07:01 PM

So if you like it offer him another 5K less and if he takes it take it to a repair shop and let them fix it. National made a great coach but everything has some problems.

kennersonf · 02-01-2008, 07:44 PM

I had the same irritating squeak when my coach was just a year old. It was a result of the cabinets facing inward from the sides rubbing against the cabinets at the front of the coach(facing backwards). The squeak was wood rubbing against wood. This occurred where the cabinets come together. National fixed it at that time by getting into the cabinet and screwing the two cabinets together. I still get the squeak now and then. I might have to fix it myself this time. I have a speaker in the side cabinets and think I can get into the space from there.

beaverjim · 02-02-2008, 12:40 AM

i guess unless sombody already changed it the tv is still of the crt type. (heavy) when we changed our front tv to a lcd we lost about 50 lbs. of weight hanging overhead solved some squeaks and rattles also gave us a nicer tv to watch. going to need to change soon anyway! good luck on your decision

bldrbob · 02-03-2008, 06:33 AM

Squeeking is usually caused by movement.I have a 2000 Tradewinds with 115000 miles. The cap moves enough that The windshield does not stay in the gasket.It pops out on the upper corners.I finally gave up and put wide tape to stop the wind noise.Other than that I have had no other problems.
BOB