Community Forums

Waiter21 · 03-05-2017, 04:18 PM

Very good condition, F53 with 57k miles. We are upgrading from our 2001 Mirada (30ft). We'll pick it up Wednesday, then start going through it to bring the maintenance up to date (shocks, brakes) and make a few minor repairs.

Rambow · 03-05-2017, 04:43 PM

Welcome to the club. We have a '99 Southwind 36Z that we ordered and took delivery of in Sept. '98. If you ever need any tips on the old girl, I am at your service. Have fun!

Waiter21 · 03-05-2017, 05:17 PM

Rambow, tnks.

Is the trailer connector a 7 pin?

I looked at it and the outside cover looks like 7 pin, but when I was thumbing through the 1999 manual, it says its a 4 pin (round)...

We're driving our toad down to pick it up wednesaday and will tow the toad back home behind it.

buzz57 · 03-05-2017, 10:13 PM

We have same model.....it is not wired for 7 pin, nor does it have the connector for a brake controller

I'm just going through and wiring mine on our trip south.

Rambow · 03-06-2017, 07:08 AM

Mine has a four pin round.

Rambow · 03-06-2017, 07:15 AM

Now I have one for you, Waiter. How do you like your Vue as a toad? Been thinking about getting one. Any issues or quirks I should know about or special requirements to tow it flat? What tranny is yours?

Waiter21 · 03-06-2017, 03:11 PM

I have an old 2003 . 2.2l with manual tranny. Its our "Rescue Vue" It was heading to the junk yard and we got it for almost nothing.

It originally had an auto tranny in it that was blown. The old owner did a swap and put a manual tranny in it. (did a good job) However, they couldn't get it running and it sat in their driveway for 6 years.

I towed it home and in about 4 hours had it running. They had two connectors hooked up wrong and burnt up the ECM. I have about 3 grand in it, its like brand new inside and mechanically its in excellent shape. I installed a Demco base plate thats compatible with the Blue Ox pins. I bought a Blue Ox tow bar that uses a 2 inch ball. Thats what we've used on the Mirada.

I disable the steering lock so the only thing we do is hook it up, make sure its in Neutral and the parking brake is released.

The Southwind came with a Blue Ox tow bar, the kind that plugs into the receiver. We'll use that when we go pick up the Southwind tomorrow.

The previous Southwind owner sent me a text that the MH has a 7 pin connector, so everything should be OK to tow the Vue.

Waiter21 · 03-06-2017, 03:25 PM

The inside is in very good condition and almost everything works. The PO installed air bags front and rear (less than a year old). Rear tires are 2008, fronts are 2012. I need to get 4 tires for the back.

The frig doesn't want to work on propane. AC and heat work. slide works, levelers work.

It needs the CHF.

The rear shocks are original and need replacing. Front shocks are Bilstien, but not sure how old. I'll take one of them off and test to see if they are OK.

It needs brake pads and hoses. Probably re-pack the front bearings while I have it apart.

I also need to double check the passanger exhaust manifold, I believe it has a crack in it.

No rust, everything under it looks good. paint looks very good, one minor damage in the back drivers side above the water door.

I will need to order the trim piece and some of the trim insert stuff.