New Damon 3578 owner

[Kathy_MD]

Hello:
As long as the pre-purchase inspection goes well I will be taking ownership of a 2008 Daybrake 3578 this Friday (Oct 3rd). My dealer is Leo's in Maryland. Before I sign on the dotted-line, are there any potential "gotcha" items I need to address?

Thanks for your time.
Katherine

[Kathy_MD]

Hello:
As long as the pre-purchase inspection goes well I will be taking ownership of a 2008 Daybrake 3578 this Friday (Oct 3rd). My dealer is Leo's in Maryland. Before I sign on the dotted-line, are there any potential "gotcha" items I need to address?

Thanks for your time.
Katherine

[John-D]

Thousands of potentials (Well perhaps only dozens) but most are covered under warranty.

The big thing is a good Pre-Delivery Tour of the rig, I got the 30 minute special when I got my rig and, well,, Thanks to doing a lot of research that was enough for me (though I've had to find a few things I know the man showed me) But by the time I got there I'd already read the manual, I'd already read the user guides (generic) and of course spent years (I do mean years) on the internet chatting with others,, Plus I've experience with trailers.

Issues I've found that you should check. and/or will need to fix.

The big one is this. I've found RVers tend to have a few screws loose.. No, not that kind, the kind you tighten down with a screwdriver, A #2 Square bit or a phillips (also #2) will fit most of 'em the square fits best, There is a special bit which is a combination of the two (it's blue you get it at Lowes or Home Depot) and it fits best of all.. These screws include a number of trim screws, window treatment screws and about 1/2 of the screws in my master electrical breaker panel.. If for example an Air Conditioner works one time and not the next.. Suspect loose screws, Each circuit has 3, white, bare or green and black wires. MAKE SURE YOU ARE UNPLUGED AND GENERATOR OFF WHEN TIGHTENING.

2: read the manual for the generator, There is a reason they say to run under load for 1/2 hour a month.

3; Pay very close attention when the delivery guide shows you the location of fuses, breakers, low point drains, the booster switch for the antenna and other things like that. TAKE NOTES in fact, Or better yet wear a pocket recorder and take notes.. You never know when you are going to need this informaion.

Locate (or have him show you) the converter (or inverter if so equipped) note make and model and post to this thread for a review of it.

If you live, as I do, in the great white north (Michigan in my case) consider having it winterized up front.

Also pay attention when he shows you how to drain the water heater... Even before I'd completed delivery of my rig I was walking through the shop (They were installing base plates on my car) and with my service rep and an insurance rep (not mine) who was there to look at a water heater that was not drained the fall before.. OUCH!) Insurance might not cover that kind of thing since it is owner neglect.

READ READ READ (manuals and guide books)

The final comment.. Tire pressure.. There are two numbers that are all but guaranteed to be the WRONG pressure for your tires (Actually 3)

1: The pressure stamped in the sidewall.. If you read close it says something like

Maximum load 7,500 pounds at maximum pressure of 100 PSI

Of course if you are only putting 6,500 pounds on that tire, You don't need 100 PSI

The second wrong pressure is on a sticker somewhere inside the rig (have the tour guide show you that sticker, and the sticker with the color codes for the paint job) That's dry weight, no water, half a tank of gas 150 pound driver, no passengers, no cloths, food, dogs, cats, chairs or such.

The third wrong pressure is the pressure it's got when delivered (may be one of the above)

The right pressure is found by weighing the rig, each wheel seperate, and going to the tire maker's web site and looking it up.

or you can call someone like Aweigh-we-go (The RV safety Institute IIRC) and they will not only weigh it for a reasonable fee (less than 50 bucks) but provide you with a copy of the chart from the tire maker's web page

This is the ONLY way to do it right, And it matters not if it's a car, truck, trailer or motor home that is the right way.

I like to run a few pounds high myself to allow for "Molecular Migration" as one plastic wrap company used to call it in their ads (All tires leak air, ALL of 'em, no exceptions, some do it fast(We call those flats) and some slow, but they all leak)

if you do not have one, consider a Tire Pressure Monitoring System, Smart tire is the best but ... Pressure Pro is much easier to install and I rank it #2 (You install PP, ST requires professional installation)

CW sells Smart Tire. I do not sell PP but can give you the E-dress of a friend who does or .. Well, Most any RV magazine has ads or you can join www.rvforum.net and message PP direct (they belong to the forum)

[Red Leader]

Great, I just picked up the same model on Sept 18, 2009. Ive only traveled 500 miles so far and I am trying to get used to the size. What chassie did you get the ford or the workhorse, I have the workhorse and hope I made the right choice. On the way home it was clear my dash air was not working properly (living in Texas one would know) the drivers window would not stay closed and the unit had 3100 miles but the oil was not clean when checked. The dealer has resoved all of these issues and I'm looking forward to a trip to Mo. here in a couple of days.

[Kathy_MD]

Thank you, John D, for taking the time to write such a lengthy and informative reply. I will keep your words in mind as I perform the pre-purchase inspection. Additionally, I will research the tire pressure equipment you suggested.

Again, thanks
Katherine

[Kathy_MD]

Red Leader (May the force be with you).

I have the Ford chassis. I've done a bit of research on the 2008 F53 chassis and found the list of adaptive engineering changes interesting, especially the steering (50deg cut) and the brakes. I will report back my experiences. However, as this is my first Class A I lack a baseline.

Good luck with your (our) unit.

Katherine