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bossturbo · 02-15-2017, 05:00 PM

Hi Guys! Been lurking for a while and reading a bunch, great info!

I will be picking up a '99 dutch star diesel pusher (3865) on the spartan chassis with 300 cummins motor shortly. This will be my 4th RV, two travel trailers and a Class A Winnebago Adventurer previously. I also used to own a medium duty diesel boxtruck, so familiar with diesel service sticker shock.

The pre purchase mechanical inspection yielded old filters and other odds and ends, but nothing major. Overall good condition, front ball joint boots are good, air bags weathered but holding air. I plan on having the following done when I pick it up including:
-oil change (best weight/brand? for hot climate?)
-lube
-new filters, at minimum, fuel, air intake, oil, (air dryer??)
-they will check the air brakes - I don't recall what he said they specifically check
-batteries charged/topped off (all are dead)
-Tires will need replacing most likely, if they are scary old, I'll get it done before I even drive home, at a minimum the front two
-Roof probably needs the regular sealing

What else is recommended to be done/checked in the initial service, or before I drive home?

What might be recommended that I do "soon" on my own. I'm moderately mechanically inclined, but don't want to chance too much on the drive home.

Thanks!

ewlee · 02-15-2017, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bossturbo

Hi Guys! Been lurking for a while and reading a bunch, great info!

I will be picking up a '99 dutch star diesel pusher (3865) on the spartan chassis with 300 cummins motor shortly. This will be my 4th RV, two travel trailers and a Class A Winnebago Adventurer previously. I also used to own a medium duty diesel boxtruck, so familiar with diesel service sticker shock.

The pre purchase mechanical inspection yielded old filters and other odds and ends, but nothing major. Overall good condition, front ball joint boots are good, air bags weathered but holding air. I plan on having the following done when I pick it up including:
-oil change (best weight/brand? for hot climate?)
-lube
-new filters, at minimum, fuel, air intake, oil, (air dryer??)
-they will check the air brakes - I don't recall what he said they specifically check
-batteries charged/topped off (all are dead)
-Tires will need replacing most likely, if they are scary old, I'll get it done before I even drive home, at a minimum the front two
-Roof probably needs the regular sealing

What else is recommended to be done/checked in the initial service, or before I drive home?

What might be recommended that I do "soon" on my own. I'm moderately mechanically inclined, but don't want to chance too much on the drive home.

Thanks!

You have a good handle on maintenance items and a great start. From your post I gather you do not have previous maintenance records. Tires are easy to tell age from their date codes. Oil and fuel filter, water/fuel separator, are all good investments as well as the air dryer. I would have the belts inspected/changed as well as coolant tested and changed if required. Both Tranny fluid and axle oil changed. I am a firm believer that preventive maintenance is better than reactive repairs that interrupt a planned trip.

Mr_D · 02-15-2017, 09:12 PM

Sounds like it's on a FL chassis and has the beam axle. The problem ball joints were on the IFS Spartan chassis.
We had a '00 3865 on FL chassis. Good rig but late DW wanted more slides and I wanted the ISC, hence the '02 DSDP 4090 on Spartan.

vsheetz · 02-15-2017, 10:01 PM

Serpentine belt.
Hoses.
Cooling system flush and refill.
Transmission service.

Ludmilla · 02-16-2017, 07:11 AM

Replace transmission fluid
Replace air dryer filter
replace air filter
Lube pac brake
Replace oil in hubs (if that is the type of front hubs you have)
Clean CAC and radiator

Using the Freightliner and engine maintenance sheets, put together a list of what should have been done and assume it was not done.

bossturbo · 02-16-2017, 08:40 AM

Some good items I didn't think about. To clarify, it is a Spartan chassis. It has 101k miles. I'll look online for the manuals, too.

Keep the posts coming, let's see how big we can get this bill

Charlie and Martha · 02-16-2017, 08:40 AM

I agree with Ludmilla. In fact a lot of the things I did when we bought our 2005 NSDP was at her suggestion. It was and is good advice. Her initial service list above is spot on. These are things that really should be done straight away along with the belts and hoses if required.

These things aren't specific to a Spartan or Frieghtliner chassis they are specific to good maintenance and stopping a problem before it starts.