Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
RV Trip Planning Discussions

Go Back   iRV2 Forums > MOTORHOME FORUMS > Class C Motorhome Discussions
Click Here to Login
Join iRV2 Today

Mission Statement: Supporting thoughtful exchange of knowledge, values and experience among RV enthusiasts.
Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on iRV2
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 06-21-2013, 05:14 PM   #1
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 24
New owner questions

I bought a American 27' by cobra. It is on a ford e 350. Everything but hot water heater works has 62 k on it. I payed 2 k for it. Oh and it is a 88.

Questions I have is this. How much up and Down movement is normal of the cabover? I had to rebuild the bunk since it water totally rotted.

Question 2. Since I haven't finished the trim work off inside I noticed there is side to side movement like a twist between the cab and the rest of the coach. Is this normal as well?

Thank you so much for any advice you could give a newbie to rv's

Neil
Neracoal is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 06-21-2013, 05:36 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
Skip426's Avatar


 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Powell River, B.C.
Posts: 31,311
Sounds like you have a project on your hands.
I'm not sure if your 350 is on a uni-body chassis or has a full frame under it. So I'll just have to say this , the Dodge chassis ; a uni-body should have no movement between the cab and coach , because the floor is continuous , if you can follow the frame from under the cab and see the metal floor of the cab under the coach you have uni-body and should no real movement between the cab and coach. If underneath the cab you have a full frame , like a pick-up truck , with mount between the frame and the cab floor , then the coach will have its own mounts and some movement, there should also be a visible flex joint between the cab and coach to deal with the movement.
Your cab over is attached to the coach and if the coach moves independent of the cab the over head will too.
__________________
99DSDP 3884, Freightliner, XC, CAT 3126B, 300 HP /ALLISON 3060
2000 Caravan toad, Remco & Blue Ox.
Skip426 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2013, 06:04 PM   #3
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 24
I just went and looked. It looks like any truck I have ever owned. It has a full frame. Cab forward is on rubber body mounts. The rear is mounted solid. There is what appears to be a chalk joint between the cab and the coach. Hope this made sense.

What about up and down movement of the cabover? Is that because of the solid frame?
Neracoal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2013, 06:27 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
Skip426's Avatar


 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Powell River, B.C.
Posts: 31,311
Yes, because the coach and cab are independently mounted you will have movement , between the two, how much I afraid I can't say. Was there not a cab cushion , on the roof of the cab for overhead support?
__________________
99DSDP 3884, Freightliner, XC, CAT 3126B, 300 HP /ALLISON 3060
2000 Caravan toad, Remco & Blue Ox.
Skip426 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2013, 06:47 PM   #5
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 24
There is a gasket that looks like a door seal gasket, maybe 3/4" thick. I get about 1/4 - 1/2" movement up and down. That would be 1/8" a 1/4" up or down from center. The only thing I have not done as far as fasteners is the screws that go thru the cab into the overhead bunk. Should I maybe put in a bigger gasket so it is real tight. Maybe I replaced the bunk a hair higher than factory.
Neracoal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-22-2013, 07:53 AM   #6
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 24
Thought about it and I think it is because I haven't screwed the cab to the bunk yet. That should make it move more as one piece. Thoughts?
Neracoal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-22-2013, 08:26 AM   #7
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 24
Thought about it and I think it is because I haven't screwed the cab to the bunk yet. That should make it move more as one piece. Thoughts?
Neracoal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-22-2013, 08:33 AM   #8
Senior Member
 
Skip426's Avatar


 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Powell River, B.C.
Posts: 31,311
A lot depends on the way the original overhead was held to the cab. If the cab moves and the overhead can't , because the coach & overhead is solid to the frame, then your going to start straining or breaking structure. Then there is the possibility that the straining of the structure of the overhead was what caused the leaks in the first place. Could be the leaks were the result of poor design, or the deterioration of the cab mounts. Maybe the cab is moving more than it should. Definitely there is a need to study this , because having gone this far with the repair you'd hate to really tighten things down and have every thing split the seams on your first trip out.
__________________
99DSDP 3884, Freightliner, XC, CAT 3126B, 300 HP /ALLISON 3060
2000 Caravan toad, Remco & Blue Ox.
Skip426 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-22-2013, 08:50 AM   #9
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 24
I agree. The body mounts on the cab look to be in good shape still. There was screws in there so will put some back in and see what happens I guess. I know that for sure the leaks came in on the front corners of the cabover.

I am lucky to at least have a metal frame in the cabover instead of just wood.
Neracoal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-22-2013, 09:09 AM   #10
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 1
what to do about smelly hot water tank
chama103 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-22-2013, 09:26 AM   #11
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 24
I just removed mine.
Neracoal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-22-2013, 09:46 AM   #12
Senior Member
 
Skip426's Avatar


 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Powell River, B.C.
Posts: 31,311
Quote:
Originally Posted by chama103 View Post
what to do about smelly hot water tank
How old is your RV? Have you tried anything to stop the smell ?
__________________
99DSDP 3884, Freightliner, XC, CAT 3126B, 300 HP /ALLISON 3060
2000 Caravan toad, Remco & Blue Ox.
Skip426 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-22-2013, 10:00 AM   #13
Senior Member
 
Skip426's Avatar


 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Powell River, B.C.
Posts: 31,311
Neracoal , Chama 103 , could you both take a few moments and from your " User CP " fill out a " Signature Line " so anyone reading your posts knows what RV you have.
More info = Better answers.
The signature will appear below your posts and save time when asking questions about your RVs.
Thanks.
__________________
99DSDP 3884, Freightliner, XC, CAT 3126B, 300 HP /ALLISON 3060
2000 Caravan toad, Remco & Blue Ox.
Skip426 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-22-2013, 10:15 AM   #14
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 24
Done.
__________________
1988 27' Class C American by Cobra. 7.5L 460
Neracoal is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply



Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:53 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.