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Old 06-16-2017, 11:54 AM   #1
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Buying advice: 1985 Fleetwood Southwind 27'

I'm looking at buying this motorhome. 60K, roof just recoated (no leaks), generator runs but seller says it needs a fuel pump. Seller says roof AC works great, blows ice cold, but dash AC doesn't work. Interior is in good shape, recently updated bathroom, fridge and oven, stove all work.

All the tires are old so they will need replacing. I'm not sure of the size (haven't driven to see the motorhome yet). Any idea what the size or cost of replacing tires is?

Also, he says the generator runs but cuts out after a bit, so I assume the diagnosis of needing a new fuel pump is correct. What can I do to inspect the generator?

Anything else specifically I should check for? I'll be going over (and under) the engine and tranny, I'm a decent shadetree mechanic so I'm not too worried about changing belts, hoses, etc.

I found the owners manual online but it doesn't mention tire size:
http://www.fleetwoodrv.com/resources..._SOUTHWIND.pdf

Thanks!

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Old 06-16-2017, 01:00 PM   #2
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I have one bet it's 28 foot kitchen on drivers side? They had 2 floor plans
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Old 06-16-2017, 01:10 PM   #3
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***EDIT*** Can a Mod move this thread to the vintage forum for me? Thanks!


Yeah, kitchen on driver side. Also not sure if it's an 1984 or 1985. Owner has said both on the phone. Driving out to check it out this weekend.




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Old 06-17-2017, 02:45 AM   #4
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look for a sticker behind the drivers seat on the wall also on passenger side by the door will be another the generator will have points that will need to be cleaned or replaced. let me know ill send you my number
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Old 06-17-2017, 10:24 AM   #5
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Looks pretty clean, from the pics, anyway. Interesting layout; no dedicated dinette. Chevy or Ford? Probably 19.5" tires, but that's just a guess.

A universal electric fuel pump from AutoZone will work fine on the generator and will be alot cheaper than an Onan pump. Running some Seafoam through it may also help significantly.

I'd also check the furnace operation, as well as the water pump and water heater. Turn the water pump on and leave it on while you're looking the rig over. If it "brrrrppppp's" every once in a while, there's a water leak somewhere in the system. Could be just a bad check valve in the pump, but could also be an actual leak in the lines somewhere.
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Old 06-18-2017, 04:32 AM   #6
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16 inch tires the couch was on the right the kitchen table on the left it has a 454
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Old 06-18-2017, 05:58 AM   #7
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I would suggest that any chassis or accessory can be easily fixed or replaced. My concern on a coach this age, would be the coach itself. You need to go over it very carefully looking for any signs of water intrusion and delaminating. Unfortunately, both are pretty common issues on 75% of the coaches in this age range, and either issue completely capable of sending a MH to the scrap heap. Repairs are generally very difficult huge projects - making the cost to perform way out of line with the value of the finished product - even if you were able and willing to do the work yourself.

I would struggle with evidence of a water leak that's been "fixed" in the ceiling or sidewalls.
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Old 06-18-2017, 10:11 PM   #8
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I hope you take this the right way, but I wouldn't take that rig even if it were free, unless it's just going to be parked at the deer lease. The 16" tires are not available with a decent load rating, which is not a problem as the chassis isn't, either. The 30+ year old repairs and maintenance will eat you alive.
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Old 06-18-2017, 11:04 PM   #9
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Just a follow up on the note above, if it is an Onan generator you need a low pressure fuel pump, max 5 PSI, 4.5PSI or less is better. Anything higher can cause flooding of the carburetor
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Old 06-19-2017, 05:30 PM   #10
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Don't worry about finding tires.
235/85R16s will carry 3084# each. Far more than that the coach requires.
It probably came equipped wit 215 or 225 85R16s. All of which are available from several suppliers.
The chassis will have a carbed engine and 3 speed auto tranny. It will be fuel hunger compared to the later EFI engines and over drive trannys.


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Old 06-20-2017, 05:52 AM   #11
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Additional to my original note above. I just noticed the luggage compartment (bath tub) mounted on the roof, and wanted to let you know that the leaks generated by those installs destroyed more roofs than you can imagine.
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Old 06-21-2017, 12:04 AM   #12
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Thanks for the tips everyone! I ended up buying it and drove it 3 hours down off the mountain it was on. No rust anywhere underneath, has air ride suspension (I noticed rear passenger bag is flat while crawling around underneath). The motorhome did several large mountain passes no problem. I climbed AND went down the passes in 2nd gear, seemed to work best. This was my first time driving something this big, keeping it between the lines on small mountain twisty roads is a challenge!

Tires are cracked though so I'm replacing all 6, they're 235 85 r16. Most shops around me in Littleton quoted me just under $1000 for Hercules Ironman Load Range E 16 ply, so I'm going with those.

I also ordered up a bunch of gauges (coolant temp, transmission temp, wideband (air/fuel ratio) voltmeter and ampmeter) because I like to know how the motor is doing and none of the factory gauges seem to work reliably, nor do they show any useful info even when they do).

I'm also going to remove the fan / fan clutch and put electric Volvo / Taurus fans on it. (They're very popular with off road guys, they move a metric **** ton of air and can be bought from a junkyard for $10). I'm taking a long trip in July to a family reunion and want to make sure I can keep it cool.



Driving it off the lot:



Dogs love it.
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Old 06-21-2017, 12:25 AM   #13
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I am glad you like it, hope it works out well for you.
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Old 06-21-2017, 05:06 AM   #14
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I'll get you all the manuals and my number
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