New Member

[wchowells]

Hello Everyone,
We completly new to having a motorhome, which is a 78 winnebago Brave 26ft. We would appreciate any suggestions on care and maintanance. It hasn't been on the road for about 9 years. so not sure what we need to be looking for in the way of road readiness, leaks, and etc.
Thank you.

[AFChap]

Welcome to the list!

Hasn't been on the road / hasn't been driven for 9 years? Wow! Hopefully it has not been totally ignored for that long, as non-use is an RV's worst enemy...

It needs new tires even if the old tires "look new" ...learn to read the DOT date on the tires. The last four digits are the week & year of mfg (0408 = 4th week of 2008). If your tires have only 3 digits they are WAY old. But tires that have been sitting that long are dangerous. It also needs new belts and hoses, new fluids (oil, transmission, differential, brake fluid, coolant, etc). If it started on 9 year old fuel, that is amazing in itself! It very likely needs new front wheel bearings. Both chassis and house batteries likely need replaced.

If it has a generator, the generator needs all the same (fluids, belts, hoses, etc). Unless it has been started and run regularly, a gasoline powered generator likely won't start due to fuel gum in the carb, and if it does may not work properly. The most common cause of generators not working is lack of use.

The ac units, furnace, water heater and refrigerator need to be checked for proper operation. It is highly likely that the burner tubes on the LP appliances (furnace, WH and fridge) have spider webs or other critter nests blocking them. They need to be cleaned out BEFORE attempting to light the appliances on LP.

All electrical items need to be checked thoroughly for proper operation. Depending on where/how the rig was stored, critters often chew on the wiring.

Basically, you need to go through the rig from end to end, examining, exercising, cleaning and lubricating every possible thing you can. And it needs to be serviced from one end to the other by an experienced RV mechanic.

Hope you enjoy the little Brave!!

[wchowells]

Thank you thats more info then I could find anywhere else. the gentlemen I bought it from did say he had been putting some new parts into it. Hot water tank, and some engine parts, he was moving a did not want to take it with him. It did start but sounded like the carb needed rebuilt.it also has an onan genset that runs and sounds good, he said he redid that as well. So with some luck I might not have to much to do to it.
Again thank you.