Bounder: Used Fleetwood Bounder 35K - What to look for?

[mromberg1]

Hi All,

We are looking to by a used 35K, somewhere in the 2015/2016 range. Hoping for some pointers on what to look for when searching. Your help is much appreciated!

[NLOVNIT]

Bounders are good coaches. Of course, I'm rather biased.

Aside from maintenance records & inspecting the tires for checking/cracks, the main thing I would look at is the furniture fabric. If it is not branded Ultraleather (it will say so on papers taped on the wall inside the wardrobe), then it's the cheap knock off fabric that, if not already, will peel off.

Good luck.

Lori-

[mromberg1]

Originally Posted by NLOVNIT

Bounders are good coaches. Of course, I'm rather biased.

Aside from maintenance records & inspecting the tires for checking/cracks, the main thing I would look at is the furniture fabric. If it is not branded Ultraleather (it will say so on papers taped on the wall inside the wardrobe), then it's the cheap knock off fabric that, if not already, will peel off.

Good luck.

Lori-

That’s exactly the kind of info I’m looking for. If it’s the cheap knockoff walk away from the deal? Or is there a remedy?

[z3406]

You want a 2016 or later. That is the year that Fleetwood did a redesign and the F53 chassis went to the 6 speed transmission. The 6 speed is light years better than the previous transmission was. I would strongly suggest you opt for a 30th anniversary edition or later. Easiest way to tell is look at the windows on the bedroom slideout. If they are on the outside facing wall they are an early 2016, if they are on the sides of the slideouts it's the product improvent 2016. A 2015 and a 2016 35K have the same floor plan but the 16 has a lot of improvements and the 30th anniversary and later even more improvements.
May I suggest you look at this thread, it will be a long read but just about anything a prospective 35K buyer will want to know is in it.
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f107/2016...ce-276429.html

[mromberg1]

Originally Posted by z3406

You want a 2016 or later. That is the year that Fleetwood did a redesign and the F53 chassis went to the 6 speed transmission. The 6 speed is light years better than the previous transmission was. I would strongly suggest you opt for a 30th anniversary edition or later. Easiest way to tell is look at the windows on the bedroom slideout. If they are on the outside facing wall they are an early 2016, if they are on the sides of the slideouts it's the product improvent 2016. A 2015 and a 2016 35K have the same floor plan but the 16 has a lot of improvements and the 30th anniversary and later even more improvements.
May I suggest you look at this thread, it will be a long read but just about anything a prospective 35K buyer will want to know is in it.
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f107/2016...ce-276429.html

Very good...thanks!

[stormy2000]

test the vacu flush and make sure it flushes (both toilets), without lights flickering and the control panel goes from red -> green without fail, no more than 73 cycles. its location is hard to get to, and if that pump (and parts connected to pump), goes so does your toilet. You don't know if the previous owner abused it and then your stuck with a faulty vacu flush which requires weeks at times to fix/replace.

Run the a/c and make sure its not leaking or making wierd sounds, in conjunction with stove/oven (light it to make sure its operable) and the sensors are not going off.

[computerguy]

Originally Posted by stormy2000

test the vacu flush and make sure it flushes (both toilets), without lights flickering and the control panel goes from red -> green without fail, no more than 73 cycles. its location is hard to get to, and if that pump (and parts connected to pump), goes so does your toilet. You don't know if the previous owner abused it and then your stuck with a faulty vacu flush which requires weeks at times to fix/replace.

Run the a/c and make sure its not leaking or making wierd sounds, in conjunction with stove/oven (light it to make sure its operable) and the sensors are not going off.

No so true. Depends what year for the vacuflush. '16 and later they moved it to above the propane and easy to access.
Also, I just did some scheduled maintenance on mine (duck bills) and I saw all parts to rebuild an entire system are available on line and from Amazon. Was pretty easy and did the maintenance myself.

[SarahW]

Originally Posted by stormy2000

test the vacu flush and make sure it flushes (both toilets), without lights flickering and the control panel goes from red -> green without fail, no more than 73 cycles.

What does this mean?? (73 cycles?)

[computerguy]

Originally Posted by SarahW

What does this mean?? (73 cycles?)

The vacuflush is a pump (or better a vacuum generator). I guess it does about 2 revolutions (cycles?) per second. So it generally should take about 30 seconds (at about sea level) to shut back off (generate enough vacuum). But in higher altitudes it takes longer.

[SarahW]

Originally Posted by computerguy

The vacuflush is a pump (or better a vacuum generator). I guess it does about 2 revolutions (cycles?) per second. So it generally should take about 30 seconds (at about sea level) to shut back off (generate enough vacuum). But in higher altitudes it takes longer.

I know all that; I have just never heard any reference to "73 cycles." Thanks.

[stormy2000]

I replaced the whole vacu flush some months ago, very difficult place on our 14 model, called manuf for parts and they just sent me a brand new vacu pump all assembled, removed old, put in new (hard angles on 14 model), replaced older pvc with a flexible one I got at a marine store (boat parts) adjusted the top part where the motor is to allow for easier removal if needed next time. wish my vacu pump was at a better location haha.

[z3406]

Stormy
That's one of the reasons I suggested the OP get a 2016 or newer coach. We had a 2014 for awhile and life was much easier when we upgraded to a 2016 30th Anniversary.
I had to replace the vacuum generator on the 2016 due to debris that got into the pump. Not a difficult job but certainly an unpleasant one.

[mromberg1]

Great info...thanks to all.