Tradewinds LTC Front-end Overhead Remodel

[Submustang]

We finally finished our remodel. We started by replacing the bubble tube TV with a 32 inch LCD and the combo receiver tape and CD player with a home theater receiver. Fortunately everything fit with only a few modifications to the existing cabinets because I am NOT a cabinet maker. Stage 2 was installing power visors in place of the little tiny visors that came stock. The challenge was the center hump in the underside of the cabinets to accomodate the oem TV. I originally intended to use wood blocks to attach the visors around the hump. After we dropped it down, we decided to go ahead and cut away the hump and line the inside of the plastic molding with a piece of wood to cover up the resulting hole. Did I mention I am not a cabinet maker. Anyway, we made up a pattern, double and triple checked it and cut out the board to fit. After a lot of shaping and sanding we got it to fit within the molding. We got it all back up, the visors and the fans rewired. Everything works! Althogh not perfect, it all looks perfectly satisfactory and we love the new visors. We also are much happier getting rid of a 75 lb plus TV and replacing it with a 20 lb one. I'll try to post some before and after photos.

[Warden]

Looking forward to seeing what you did, I plan on changing my Front TV in the SeaBreeze in the future already changed out the rear BR to a flat panel TV

[Submustang]

Here are the pictures:

[kenneth cumm]

looks nice i am going to change ours some time 2002 founder

[Thewellz]

Nice work!...looks good

[bigdog]

Nice job... I just finished installing my 22" flatscreen and that wasn't too hard,once I figgered that what I wanted to do wouldn't work and revised the plans..Need to change the color of the wood that I installed as a new surround. Looked good at the store and then when I got it home and done it's just not the same color stain.

What I want to know is,what is the difference between the regular LTC and the Founders model?

[Submustang]

I have never found a brochure so I don't know for sure, but the best I can tell is the founder has a Cummins 350 ISC with a side radiator, it has only 5K towing rating rather than 10K, I suspect the paint schemes are different, some differences in interior color schemes and it has independent front suspension. I have never seen an LTC, so some or most of these might be LTC features as well.

[bigdog]

I have a 39' LTC with a 330 turbo cat and the side radiator. My overhead looks different as the cabinet and TV stick out a bit farther and the right hand cabinet is shallower. We have the front door,washer/dryer combo,pass thru storage underneath,myfriends 37' doesn't so would imagine a different chassis,I have the 7.5 diesel gennie. I also have a 5K tow rating.
I still can't figger out the weights on this thing as they seem to be the same as on the 37'.My front end is 200# over with hardly anything in it.I am running 255's,but that doesn't changrthe axle rating. I am about 1K# under on the rears.

[sgtjoe]

Bigdog, that's interesting, you have a side radiator on your 01 7390 LTC and my 01 7390 has a rear radiator. I'm on a freightliner chassis and my CAT 300 can be programmed up to 330. So, what chassis are the 01 LTC and 02 Founder's Edition sitting on.

[Ken C]

I seem to recall that the Founders Edition models were originally built as Country Coach Mystique coaches. When National, or CC pulled the plug on the Mystique, the unsold models were re-badged as Founders Editions and sold as National models. I believe there were 20 - 25 left over.

I'll tried attaching a file with the Mystique specs but it is too large. I can try sending it to you directly if you are interested.

The 2002 LTC specs are also available online at thsi site -
http://www.mediafire.com/nationalrv

[bigdog]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgtjoe Bigdog, that's interesting, you have a side radiator on your 01 7390 LTC and my 01 7390 has a rear radiator. I'm on a freightliner chassis and my CAT 300 can be programmed up to 330. So, what chassis are the 01 LTC and 02 Founder's Edition sitting on.

The chasis is a Freightliner and my engine is the 330 3126B Turbo Cat.I have the combo washer/dryer,7.5 diesel gennie,110 gal fuel tank and 255/80R 22.5 instead of the 235's listed.Of course those could have been upgraded by the former owner.I am heading out in a bit to mix up a bit of Blue Dawn and water in my 1 gallon sprayer and do a bit of radiator cleaning.
I just printed out a 2001 brochure that I didn't have on the Tradewinds. I just found it on the thread about the 7350..It's got some real differences as to equipment,but I think that it's kinda generic as it covers all from the 7350 to the 7390,but it doesn't list a LTC option.

[Submustang]

My founder edition is on a Freightliner chassis.

[Theberrys]

Sub

Nice clean built in look. A lot more TV and a lot less weight. I think those heavy TVs in the overheads were a big contributor to the windshield problems the Tradewinds had.

Nice Job Enjoy.

Dick

[bigdog]

I missed it when I bought mine,but the right w/s had dropped in the gasket and the left one was about 1/2" out at the upper l/h corner. They pulled both W/s and put in a new gasket ($350) and didn't seal it.The whole job cost me $850.It moves in the gasket,is watertight and is showing no signs of any leakage or popping.They did say to be careful where I went so's not to torque the front end too much and to get rid of that 40-50# TV.