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05-15-2016, 03:58 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Michigan
Posts: 3
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Checking in from Michigan -
Hello everybody!! I'm a new mh owner from the Flint side of Michigan. I'm playing around with an '88 Sportsman Pathfinder 31' with a 454 gas guzzler and a lot of work left to do
I wanted an older rig to learn on, because I don't get the complicated electronics of newer motors. I kind of like having something that didn't have complicated electronics on the motor so I can work on it.
My first thing I did after buying it was dropping it off to the mechanics. The braking system had never been gone through... All new seals, bearings, calipers, wheel bearings and rubber hoses. The kind of stuff I can't do in my driveway without the tools I don't have anymore. After that, I replaced the 15 year old house batteries and tried it out.
Nothing. Everything worked at the guys house I bought it from, and again at the mechanic's (plugged into shore power). So I get out my multi-meter and find out that the auto transfer switch was fried. Tried soldering in a new diode but it blew out right away. So I ordered a new ATS and upgraded the old magnateck converter.
I could have gone newer and more expensive, but I must admit, I'm having fun learning the systems intimately. I originally floated this plan by my wife as a mobile writing office, thinking I was about to die... After I flinched and found out I wasn't dead... I found out she was gung-ho and on board. With kids ranging from 21 to <1, 2 dogs etc... a 31' motor-home was perfect for when she wanted to go up north and get away from it all.
I must admit, I was surprised she was on board... But now I've also got a writers cave that I can unhook from shore power here at the house... drive wherever... and have enough juice w/o plugging in for a long day away from the house and still keep a beer cold. Salut!
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05-15-2016, 06:41 PM
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#2
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Senior Member/RVM #90
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Columbus, MS
Posts: 54,626
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Hi! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!
Congrats on the new rig! Keep her between the ditches!
Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!
__________________
Joe & Annette
Sometimes I sits and thinks, sometimes I just sits.....
2002 Monaco Windsor 40PBT, 2013 Honda CRV AWD
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05-16-2016, 07:21 AM
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#3
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Community Moderator
Winnebago Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Weyauwega, WI US
Posts: 8,660
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Boyd3;
We are pleased you joined us. Congratulations on the purchase of your first RV. My first RV was a 87 Pace Arrow 34'. I really enjoyed working on my rig. I did most of the service on it. Browse the forums that interest you and don't be afraid to ask questions. Our members like to help when they can. Enjoy the forums.
Don
__________________
Don & Bev Morgan Weyauwega WI, 05 Itasca Horizon 40KD, 400 HP Cummins, Adopted by a great couple, Toad 07 Saturn Vue AWD, Air Force One, TST 510 TPMS, Mayor of Weyauwega 2007 - 2013, Waupaca Co Board Supervisor 2010 - 2014
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05-16-2016, 07:37 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Seeing the USA
Posts: 2,646
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Hello and welcome from a fellow Michigander!
__________________
Neal and Deb + Mya and Gizmo, the pup's
2003 Winnebago Sightseer 30B
May the roads rise up to meet you, May the winds be always at your back...
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05-16-2016, 07:56 AM
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#5
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Community Moderator
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Point Pleasant Beach, NJ
Posts: 31,307
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Glad you joined us here in the forum.
Happy Trails!!!
__________________
Tony & Ruth........... FMCA#F416727
2016 London Aire 4519, Freightliner chassis, Cummins ISX, 2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, Blue Ox Avail with AF1. TST 507 TPMS
No amount of money can buy you an extra second of time.
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05-16-2016, 08:39 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,569
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Boyd3
.......go up north and get away from it all.
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Being from Flint myself it brings back memories hearing someone say, " Go(ing) up north". Many folks take I75 "up north" every weekend. The rest of the country have no idea we're talking about only a 1-3 hr trip to get away. Funny!
__________________
1996 Tioga Class C
2007 Monaco Diplomat 40 PDQ
TOAD 2012 Cadillac SRX 4
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05-21-2016, 02:16 PM
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#7
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Michigan
Posts: 3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by okcnewbie
Being from Flint myself it brings back memories hearing someone say, " Go(ing) up north". Many folks take I75 "up north" every weekend. The rest of the country have no idea we're talking about only a 1-3 hr trip to get away. Funny!
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LOL! So true! For me, it's more like 4 hours or 5 hours, but that's because we're a bit off the beaten path once we leave 75 in Gaylord.
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05-21-2016, 04:27 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: MI
Posts: 4,733
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Boyd3,
Welcome to the Forum! I live in MI about 40 to 50 minutes from you. Sounds like you've got quite a project on your hands but these older rigs can be amazing!
There is a thread called "Vintage RV's" Take a minute and check it out. There is a lot of info there and a lot of guys with some amazing skills. I think you will find it very informative.
At least it is finally warm here and camping should be nice over the Memorial Day Weekend. Enjoy your rig, Lynne
__________________
Retired January 4th, 2018 Lynne & Jerry RVM 105
04 WBGO Itasca Sunova (Miss May) Blue Ox Tow Bar
15 Equinox (Noxi) 18 RAD Mini e-bike, 04 Tracker
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05-23-2016, 04:12 PM
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#9
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Michigan
Posts: 3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by beamisl
Boyd3,
Welcome to the Forum! I live in MI about 40 to 50 minutes from you. Sounds like you've got quite a project on your hands but these older rigs can be amazing!
There is a thread called "Vintage RV's" Take a minute and check it out. There is a lot of info there and a lot of guys with some amazing skills. I think you will find it very informative.
At least it is finally warm here and camping should be nice over the Memorial Day Weekend. Enjoy your rig, Lynne
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Thanks Lynne! It's going to be fun, and this week is our first big family adventure!!
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05-23-2016, 07:49 PM
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#10
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Member
American Coach Owners Club
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 36
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Welcome to the forum, I'm new too.
I'm a first time motor home owner as well, mines "vintage" also, you do have me beat by 5 years though.
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05-23-2016, 07:57 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Michigan
Posts: 178
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Welcome aboard, kind of new here myself but have learned a bunch from reading the comments found here. Also from Michigan near Clarkston. Good Luck
__________________
Joe & Doreen FMCA #F466873 PassPort America
2004 Winnebago 35U 8.1 Vortec, Allison Trans.
Pushed by a 2008 Jeep Wrangler 4 dr.
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