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11-26-2017, 05:47 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Searcy, AR
Posts: 179
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Potential new Dolphin owner
Hello
We are seriously looking to buy a 2003 Dolphin LX. We really like the layout and the test drive was positive. It has a nasty whine between 35-45 mph - that seems to be coming from the engine. It did not affect performance at all. It looks in good condition for its age - 47,000 miles.
What sort of things should I look out for before taking delivery/parting with any $$$.
I have been on the roof and it looks sound. I will check tires etc and have them change all the fluids etc.
What else please? We are coming from a 5th wheel. We really liked the 5th wheel we had, but it was too rough on my wife's messed up vertebrae. The test drive alone won my wife over - the ride etc was so much better. I was very happy with the easier handling as well.
Any help advice is gratefully accepted.
Thank you.
Keith
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11-26-2017, 06:49 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 698
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The whine is the allison transmission, normal in the first couple of gears. You get used to it pretty quick. I like my 03 Dolphin but it does move around a bit at interstate speeds. Make sure the tires are inflated to the correct pressures after getting it weighed. The PO of my coach had the tires inflated to 110 lbs, way too much. I replaced the crappy Michelins with 245x75x22.5 Yokohamas this spring. Great ride and very low road noise.
What model number is it? Lot of good info on this site. Welcome aboard. The Dolphin is a pretty well built coach. This is my 4th A and it is by far the best built coach I've owned.
__________________
1996 Challenger 313
2003 Dolphin 5320 sold
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11-26-2017, 07:07 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Searcy, AR
Posts: 179
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Thank you
The whine is the allison transmission, normal in the first couple of gears. You get used to it pretty quick.
What model number is it? Lot of good info on this site. Welcome aboard. The Dolphin is a pretty well built coach.
Thank you Charlie. I hope you are right about the whine and it is 'normal'. It sure is loud. Anyhow I am having the dealer check it out.
It is a 6320
Thanks again
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11-27-2017, 07:41 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 698
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Quote:
Originally Posted by keef033
The whine is the allison transmission, normal in the first couple of gears. You get used to it pretty quick.
What model number is it? Lot of good info on this site. Welcome aboard. The Dolphin is a pretty well built coach.
Thank you Charlie. I hope you are right about the whine and it is 'normal'. It sure is loud. Anyhow I am having the dealer check it out.
It is a 6320
Thanks again
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I was concerned about the whine too, but my buddy that went on the test ride with me assured me it was normal. He worked on large trucks for the state for 30+ years. I've put 3700 miles on my coach this summer, and it hasn't changed at all. The more I use the coach the more I like it. I've done quite a few upgrades to mine this summer. Replaced both TVs, converter, batteries, and tires. I really like the floor plan, and the coach has plenty of storage space. Check the windows real careful, I had to have my two front windows repaired. They were NOT just dirty like I thought, they were fogged up. Not too many places around to repair them either. I drove over a 1000 miles round trip to have mine fixed, at a cost of $500.00 plus the trip.
__________________
1996 Challenger 313
2003 Dolphin 5320 sold
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11-27-2017, 08:41 AM
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#5
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Member
National RV Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Tillamook, OR & Yuma, AZ
Posts: 91
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My 2004 Dolphin 6342 also has a whine which is normal for the Allison transmission, if You are on the West coast, and have windows that are fogged Dave Root in La Pine , Oregon does a spectacular job of repairing them. This is My 4th Coach and absolutely love it.
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11-27-2017, 09:24 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 672
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Hi Keith. I have the same MH that you are considering. I bought it new and have done many upgrades including suspension and TV's. If you have the original TV's you'll probably want to upgrade to LCD. Here is a link to my upgrade. http://www.irv2.com/forums/f105/lcd-...-x-117797.html
If you have any questions feel free to send me a private message.
__________________
Fred Kennerson
2003 Dolphin L/X 6320
Yucaipa, Ca
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11-27-2017, 10:55 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Searcy, AR
Posts: 179
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kennersonf
Hi Keith. I have the same MH that you are considering. I bought it new and have done many upgrades including suspension and TV's. If you have the original TV's you'll probably want to upgrade to LCD. Here is a link to my upgrade. http://www.irv2.com/forums/f105/lcd-...-x-117797.html
If you have any questions feel free to send me a private message.
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Thank you.
__________________
Keith
2012 Tiffin Allegro Open Road 35QBA
2022 Ford Maverick Hybrid
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11-27-2017, 04:01 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 698
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kennersonf
Hi Keith. I have the same MH that you are considering. I bought it new and have done many upgrades including suspension and TV's. If you have the original TV's you'll probably want to upgrade to LCD. Here is a link to my upgrade. http://www.irv2.com/forums/f105/lcd-...-x-117797.html
If you have any questions feel free to send me a private message.
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I never seen your install when I was searching before, looks nice. I never documented my install but I do have a pic of the finished job. I also installed a sound bar below the TV about a month ago, worked out nice, but have to have a separate remote. Not fond of that idea but I couldn't find anything to work with a 32 " Samsung.
__________________
1996 Challenger 313
2003 Dolphin 5320 sold
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11-28-2017, 06:54 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Searcy, AR
Posts: 179
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kennersonf
Hi Keith. I have the same MH that you are considering. I bought it new and have done many upgrades including suspension and TV's. If you have the original TV's you'll probably want to upgrade to LCD. Here is a link to my upgrade. http://www.irv2.com/forums/f105/lcd-...-x-117797.html
If you have any questions feel free to send me a private message.
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Thanks Fred. That is a great upgrade. I believe the one we are looking at does not have the older RCA screens. They are flat screen, I just cannot recall the brand. I guess we will check it out closer later.
I did notice there is a cheapish RCA sound system in there. They may have to be replaced.
Keith
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11-30-2017, 06:25 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Pacific Northwest or SoCal
Posts: 3,035
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You haven't mentioned when the transmission fluid was last changed and what fluid was used.
When I switched to Transynd fluid the transmission shifted smoother and ran cooler. (Temp indication on ScanGuage II)
Fred
__________________
Fred and Bonnie
2005 Dolphin LX 6375
Abby, Ruffles & Scarlett, "The Cats"
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11-30-2017, 06:30 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Searcy, AR
Posts: 179
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fred and Bonnie
You haven't mentioned when the transmission fluid was last changed and what fluid was used.
When I switched to Transynd fluid the transmission shifted smoother and ran cooler. (Temp indication on ScanGuage II)
Fred
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The auto shop is ordering some parts to repair the whine. Don't know anymore yet but it sounds as if it was not the transmission I was hearing.
Will update when I know more.
__________________
Keith
2012 Tiffin Allegro Open Road 35QBA
2022 Ford Maverick Hybrid
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12-03-2017, 04:19 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club National RV Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: St. Charles MO
Posts: 4,920
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Potential new Dolphin owner
Quote:
Originally Posted by keef033
The auto shop is ordering some parts to repair the whine. Don't know anymore yet but it sounds as if it was not the transmission I was hearing.
Will update when I know more.
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I would go to the Workhorse Chassis Forum it would not be a National Dolphin issue. It could be the cooling fans MAYBE? But I'm leaning in the direction of the others stating the transmission. Is it louder earlier in the warm up period?
I see your from Searcy AR the RVFogDr is in Searcy they do fogged window repair if you need it. I had mine done there.
__________________
2002 Monaco Windsor 40PST 2019 Equinox 1.5L, Blue OX Aventa LX tow bar, Roadmaster EZ5 baseplate, SMI Stay-In-Play Duo, TireSafeGuard TPMS
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12-04-2017, 06:19 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Searcy, AR
Posts: 179
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tmw188
I would go to the Workhorse Chassis Forum it would not be a National Dolphin issue. It could be the cooling fans MAYBE? But I'm leaning in the direction of the others stating the transmission. Is it louder earlier in the warm up period?
I see your from Searcy AR the RVFogDr is in Searcy they do fogged window repair if you need it. I had mine done there.
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Thank you. That's great info. I have seen their stop in the past, but did not really know what they did. Good to know.
__________________
Keith
2012 Tiffin Allegro Open Road 35QBA
2022 Ford Maverick Hybrid
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12-07-2017, 06:49 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club National RV Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: St. Charles MO
Posts: 4,920
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Hey keef033 I forgot there is actually a Allison Transmission Forum as well.
__________________
2002 Monaco Windsor 40PST 2019 Equinox 1.5L, Blue OX Aventa LX tow bar, Roadmaster EZ5 baseplate, SMI Stay-In-Play Duo, TireSafeGuard TPMS
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