Community Forums

DJ55 · 07-19-2018, 05:27 PM

My wife and I have been looking for a CC and will be viewing an '03 Allure 36 with 75k miles this weekend. Are there any particular issues that we should be aware of or look for when we're checking out this coach?

I'll add that one issue I've noted from pictures is the battery compartments have had flooded lead acid batteries and are very rusted. Even the battery slide-out mechanisms are rusted. If the rust hasn't weakened the structure, I'm assuming the compartments can be cleaned up, repainted with appropriate rust-stopper paint, and new battery slide trays installed. Any thoughts on that? We'd want to replace the batteries with AGMs.

Also, this coach has recently been driven up to Alaska (from Oregon) and back. I've never driven up there, but I've always heard that the roads on that trip are pretty rough. What type of damage (if any) should I look for, and would you recommend any particular service for after a trip like that?

-Dave

Laidbk · 07-20-2018, 10:41 AM

Dave,

Battery corrosion is a common problem. Yes, the compartments can be cleaned and repainted. Just do a very thorough inspection to make sure the strength of the metal has not been lost.

Alaskan roads are very rough. Inspect the tires very well as the roads are made of shell and chew them up in a way you can never imagine. Inspect brake lines and look in between areas where rocks may have entered. They can lodge in-between things and where out parts while you drive. Little rocks will also enter into the brakes and eventually cause a small grinding sound so, drive forward and in reverse very slowly while someone stands next to the wheels listening to odd sounds. The vehicle may have dropped into the numerous potholes. Look for damage. Alaskan highways are really hard on vehicles. I know, I lived there for 15 years and drove the highway 4 times. Always had squeaks that didn't exist before the trip. Lastly, check fluid and electrical lines very well. If it was driven to Alaska during the summer, it traveled through lots of dust. Replace air filters and any other filters that can be infiltrated by dust.

Michael

Smitty77 · 07-20-2018, 12:51 PM

I do agree with a good inspection of the chassis by a qualified shop. We did Alaska in our coach in 2014. Due to weather, we did not do the Top of The World run (We visited Chicken after spending a few days in Tok. Took our Toad and drove the opposite direction from the normal RV traffic, until we reached about half way on the Top of The World 'trek', then returned to Chicken.).

As mentioned, lots of opportunities for rougher roads, and construction is a constant norm - just different locations each year, while on this trip. That being said, we did not find the trip too stressful for a chassis. I've had more damage on California highways, then I ever had on our trip to Alaska

!

Once you get the battery compartment cleaned up, and rust proofed and painted again. A switch to AGM's will keep it looking like that for a much longer period of time then if you put wet cells back in. Even our Chassis Battery is now AGM, though I will share that the CAT Maintenance Free Wet Cell, did very little outgassing in our 5 or so years of usage. Drank some water, but much less then I had anticipated.

Good luck on the inspection, hope it turns out to be the coach for you

!
Smitty

DJ55 · 07-21-2018, 11:19 PM

Thanks, Michael and Smitty, for your helpful comments, much appreciated. We viewed the coach today and were very impressed with it. Our next step is to have it inspected by Kevin Waite. Keeping our fingers crossed that all goes well with that.

-Dave

BRex45 · 07-21-2018, 11:31 PM

Keep us posted on the deal. Do you live in the PNW?

DJ55 · 07-22-2018, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BRex45

Keep us posted on the deal. Do you live in the PNW?

Yes, we're in the Seattle area. Great to be close enough to work with Kevin and the many other CC experts in Oregon.

BRex45 · 07-22-2018, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ55

Yes, we're in the Seattle area. Great to be close enough to work with Kevin and the many other CC experts in Oregon.

Brian Schack also has a shop in the JC area. I first met him through Kevin Waite then just started calling Brian directly for troubleshooting and suspension adjustment.
Kevin is good about finding the parts.
I like them both and consider Brian a first rate mechanic.

If you end up buying the Allure, consider stopping at Exit 22 on I-5 in WA and showing it to us on your way home!