New member with old Fleetwood Southwind

[Crosley]

I was recently given a 1983 Southwind MH. 454 power, about 30-32 feet long, 48k miles on the speed-O. I am a car guy - mechanic for a living so I know sometimes free stuff is the most expensive.

This RV has set for 6 years, I've known the RV about 12 years and have worked on it in the past

I may have 5 - 50 questions for you folks since this is my first RV. Beyond 'fresh , gray . black' water tanks , I know little of RV stuff.

I will need some plastic parts - valves , vents for this old MH. Glass is good in it, windows do need some caulking. No obvious roof leaks / stains on the ceiling.

I have the engine running(48k), the brakes are operational again, water pump needs replacement. Being a mechanic for 3 decades the chassis is no problem for me... the RV section I will seek help on.

The fridge gets cold on 110 voltage. I've not fooled with the propane items yet. Onan 6.5 gen will need attention

Plans are to run this unit around Arizona a bit to get our feet wet(not literally) to see what we like / dislike about RV stuff and layout.

Retirement is about 5 years out for us ... so my wife and I want to start checking this RV stuff out. We know this 25 yr old unit is not an ideal starting place. We are simple folks and don't need a great deal to be comfortable.

Tony

[Crosley]

I was recently given a 1983 Southwind MH. 454 power, about 30-32 feet long, 48k miles on the speed-O. I am a car guy - mechanic for a living so I know sometimes free stuff is the most expensive.

This RV has set for 6 years, I've known the RV about 12 years and have worked on it in the past

I may have 5 - 50 questions for you folks since this is my first RV. Beyond 'fresh , gray . black' water tanks , I know little of RV stuff.

I will need some plastic parts - valves , vents for this old MH. Glass is good in it, windows do need some caulking. No obvious roof leaks / stains on the ceiling.

I have the engine running(48k), the brakes are operational again, water pump needs replacement. Being a mechanic for 3 decades the chassis is no problem for me... the RV section I will seek help on.

The fridge gets cold on 110 voltage. I've not fooled with the propane items yet. Onan 6.5 gen will need attention

Plans are to run this unit around Arizona a bit to get our feet wet(not literally) to see what we like / dislike about RV stuff and layout.

Retirement is about 5 years out for us ... so my wife and I want to start checking this RV stuff out. We know this 25 yr old unit is not an ideal starting place. We are simple folks and don't need a great deal to be comfortable.

Tony

[Steve&Dora]

Good luck with it, a good sign is that there is no roof leaks, although you should probably go up on top and walk it, it will need some caulking. Another thing you should do is the sanitize the water tank, and of course replace the tires.

[Crosley]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Steve&Dora:
Good luck with it, a good sign is that there is no roof leaks, although you should probably go up on top and walk it, it will need some caulking. Another thing you should do is the sanitize the water tank, and of course replace the tires. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

yes .. tires are on the list. The front tires are real bad, I would not travel at school zone speeds with them.

i've looked at some used 8r-19.5 tires locally .. only found tires that are near the same shape on the RV.

Water holding tanks hold water. except the fresh water tank. Drain valve is rotted plastic...

I found under the sink next to the toilet a rodent nest. Also a water pipe with chewed hole in it. Rodent is still in the nest - dead.

I will need to find flex water line and couplers to repair. Reinforced plastic water line with copper rings at connections

Tony

[Hillbilly2]

Try tubing called "PEX", should be able to get the same size and you can get commpression fittings instead of having to buy the ring tool. I think they even make connectors called Sharkbite that you just push on, though there a little pricey. You can get this at any big box hardwares. The sponsor of this site probally also carries simular products.

[JOMARFL (FMCA 401058)]

Hope you get it all fixed up and have great memories down the road. This is a great place for advice, good people, great information.

[MonacoMama]

HEY - WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS PAGE OF POSTS??? I'll tell you...<UL TYPE=SQUARE><LI>Crosley<LI>Steve&Dora<LI>Hillbilly 2<LI>JOMARFL[/list]None of you have "Fleetwood karma"!! Just say something like "I'll take some Karma please" and I will be able to sleep better tomorrow night!

[JimElliott]

Hi gut, Welcome to the fleet of 25 year old RVs.
Mine is a 83 Itasca and yup I've spent some money on it......
With 32,000 miles on it it is a nice rig and from top to bottom & end to end I have replaced many items.......
The first to go was the 20 year old air conditioners...A Coleman (power saver) 13,500 AC up front and the 8100 Coleman "Polar cub" in the back......They were changed due to the desert heat (115º +) and the lower use of power, Both running the total amp draw is less than 17 amps.....
Next step is the removal of the "Magnajunk" 6300 converter for a PD9145....Sweet with zero battery problems.....Fire away with your questions cuz this old "gear head" will find you the results of your questions.....

Jim

[JimElliott]

That should READ...HI GUY, Sorry

Jim

[Partsmgr]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Jim_Elliott:
That should READ...HI GUY, Sorry

Jim </div></BLOCKQUOTE>


The newer Magnetek 6300 series converters are better-- these offered full power to the battery up to the max of 45 amps of 12v power used. Old ones only offered 5 amps to the batteries-- New ones have a quieter fan and are more reliable.

[JimElliott]

Hi Brian.....I have not checked into the new series so I just stick to the known converters that work well......

My PD9145 just cruises along with the pendant winking at me every 15 seconds or so and the battery water might need a sip once a year...

Is the new magnetec a 3 stage charger?

Jim

[Steve N Sal]

Hey, can I trade my odometer with 112K on it for yours? LOL
Good luck with your new to you rig. I'm sure after playing around with some things you'll get it up to par. They seem to be a labor of love for a lack of better term. Mines at the dealer right now to have the passenger side front window replaced and new entry steps. Heck by the time I get finished revamping everyting it should be good as new. Now how about that odometer?? Be Happy and Safe Traveling!!!!

[Mahlon]

Tony... I feel your pain. See my saga here.