Community Forums

C Hammonds · 08-04-2016, 08:47 PM

I have just purchased an 04 National Sea Breeze and I am new to a W-22 GM 8.1L chassis. My coach has 44,000 miles and appears to have been reasonably well cared for. The engine and Allison transmission seem to operate flawlessly. Here is my question. My only experience prior to this was a DP, and I am having trouble relaxing and trusting this coach to take any long trips. Is there a general consensus as to the dependability of these units, specifically the W-22 8.1? I guess you could say it's a little late to be asking that question, but here I am. I would like to take it cross country which would involve some pretty good hills and I am considering pulling a PT Cruiser on a dolly although that has not been decided. I would sure appreciate any thoughts including the good, the bad and the ugly.
Carl

trode · 08-05-2016, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C Hammonds

I have just purchased an 04 National Sea Breeze and I am new to a W-22 GM 8.1L chassis. My coach has 44,000 miles and appears to have been reasonably well cared for. The engine and Allison transmission seem to operate flawlessly. Here is my question. My only experience prior to this was a DP, and I am having trouble relaxing and trusting this coach to take any long trips. Is there a general consensus as to the dependability of these units, specifically the W-22 8.1? I guess you could say it's a little late to be asking that question, but here I am. I would like to take it cross country which would involve some pretty good hills and I am considering pulling a PT Cruiser on a dolly although that has not been decided. I would sure appreciate any thoughts including the good, the bad and the ugly.
Carl

I own a 2004 Sea Breeze on the Ford F-53 chassis 22K and v-10 so are not equipped to tell you about the WH chassis, but from what I hear has more power and the Allison is supposed to be bullet proof. I have about 47,000 on mine now, very well maintained miles, oil changes always at 3,000 synthetic blend and did Transmission fluid service at 30,000 and will do again at 60,000 or 3 years whichever comes first, other thing I did to mine was flush and refill brake fluid. Assume you are aware of brake recall on those Work Horse chassis and it has been done?

Regarding coach, Sea Breeze was mid level units for National, but by far superior to many other Class A gassers I have looked at, and I looked at many. Construction quality, fit and finish, general appeal far and above many others.

Point being, I would have no hesitation to head out in mine cross country tomorrow, in fact wish I could! Hills are a challenge but take your time and you should be fine, coming down worse than up to me since little engine braking like you have been used to in a DP. Use the gears and spare the brake and stop when necessary. Hope you know age of tires and condition, would be my biggest concern on a cross country trip. Wouldn't even head out on tires more than 6 years old.

Hope you do it, and have a great trip.

WSRG · 08-05-2016, 10:41 AM

I bought our 2005 Seabreeze LX about 7 years ago with 2500 miles on the coach. It is a W-22, 8.1 just like yours. We now are approaching 90000 miles. As far as I'm concerned, its one of the best coaches for quality and design that money can buy. No major issues in 7 years. Just make sure that any recalls have been taken care of [brake calipers], and that the tires are in good shape. If the tires are over 5 years old and have good tread, check them for weather cracks on the sidewalls and in the tread grooves.

Good luck

Bill

C Hammonds · 08-05-2016, 10:46 PM

Thanks for your great comments. That gives me a little more confidence. My tires are essentially new so that shouldn't be an issue. I am pretty confident that the brake recall was done, however I believe my shocks are original, and new ones would help the handling. Driving one of these rigs takes a little getting used to but it's manageable. I make my living designing equipment, and unfortunately, that makes me look at everything as a potential for failure. It's a curse. thanks again!

Civdiv99 · 08-05-2016, 10:51 PM

Been pulling a PT on a dolly for 11 years thousands of miles at a time, trouble free with my W22 chassis Dolphin.

Enjoy yer 'breeze!

FredV · 08-07-2016, 05:37 PM

I do not recall any 8.1 engine failures and only 2 Allison trans failures in 30 years at a GMC Truck dealership in Flotida. We saw very few coolant leak, ignition problems or electrical problems. The trans issues we have seen with allisons were mostly caused by abuse or neglect at high mileage. Allisons are close to bullet proof. Your DP probably had an allison trans in it. Good synthetic oil and trans fluid maintnance should be performed. trans external filter change every 25k miles and internal filter at 50k.

TechWriter · 08-07-2016, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C Hammonds

I have just purchased an 04 National Sea Breeze and I am new to a W-22 GM 8.1L chassis . . . My only experience prior to this was a DP, and I am having trouble relaxing and trusting this coach to take any long trips. Is there a general consensus as to the dependability of these units, specifically the W-22 8.1?

I went from a 2004 SeaBreeze like yours to a 2001 DP.

Engine & transmission-wise I think the W-22 w/Allison & the 8.1L engine will do you fine.

However, ride-wise . . . well, one of the reasons I switched to a DP was the wandering ride of the SeaBreeze. On long trips the SeaBreeze was an effort to drive. By contrast, our 2001 Newmar is almost effortless.

C Hammonds · 08-08-2016, 07:45 AM

In answer to the last two comments, I appreciate that input. I did choose this rig because of the 8.1 and Allison. It's good to hear the general consensus on their dependability. My concern is all the little things that can and will happen on a 12 year old coach. A little leak or loose wire can strand you just as badly as a thrown rod. I have been working through issues since I purchased the coach and hopefully I have about got it de-bugged and ready to travel. A hot water heater, dash air compressor, belt tensioner on the engine, and gen set gas pickup gone bad. For that I am installing a separate 18 gallon auxiliary tank just behind the main tank with external fill and vent just like the main tank dedicated to the gen set. I couldn't find anyone that would drop the main tank and fix the pickup. You are sure right on the handling. Driving one of these rigs is more like herding it down the road. I had a 40' Foretravel before and there is no comparison. On the downside though if I took it to a shop for service, it was $ 1,500+ just to service all the filters and fluids from front to rear. So, all that comfort comes at a price. I wish I had it back now, some more of that 20/20 hindsight. Hopefully for our limited needs at this time, the Breeze will be a reasonable alternative. I guess it is all part of the gamble of buying something 12 years old, it just takes a period of bringing it up to snuff. I sure appreciate all the comments on this forum. I trust user's wisdom and experience much more than shop "experts". So far, I haven't found anyone that I really trust. They are all figuring it out as they go.
Carl

Coloradodude · 08-08-2016, 03:57 PM

Welcome

I bought my 2004 Sea breeze 8.1 last fall. I love it. It had 31000 miles now I have almost 33000. Search my posts and you can read some of the things I have done to it.

Have the coach right where I want it. Love it. On the engine side I have a had a few issues this summer. I improved AC by installing an isolation valve

Read this post

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f103/dash...le-293824.html

I have had an O2 sensor go bad. I recommend you change out plug wires and plugs and carry Mass Air Flow cleaner with you. In my research Mass air flow sensor and plug wires are 2 common fail points with our Motorhomes.

Other owners have also said keep gas tank full as fuel pump can get hot if tank get low. Next year, I am going to have my mechanic drop gas tank and change out fuel pump and fuel line to generator. The fuel line to generator is a common fail point as you now know. I have had to splice mine.
Be sure to change out the fuel filter and carry an extra.

Overall I love our rig. Keep me posted with anything you learn, I will do the same.

C Hammonds · 08-08-2016, 09:28 PM

Great information. I read the thread on the dash air and commented on it there. I did install the same valves in both to and from hoses to the heater core. That helped, but still only cool, not cold. So, looks like the expansion valve or dryer may be next. Not sure. I do have to get it fixed though, it is hard for one roof unit to keep up when driving. I hate to have to run both units when under way. I have heard about the mass flow sensor and plug wires. I wonder what one of those cost to take as a spare. I need to research the item since I have not had any experience with kind of equipment before. I would like to stay in touch and hope you will do the same. I have done some other things to the coach but wont bore you with that in this post. We like this coach. It is the perfect size for us and sure hope we can get it leveled out and on the road. Thanks again!

Benicia Tom · 08-08-2016, 10:03 PM

We have a 2005 Sea Breeze with the work horse. We have put over 20,000 miles on since we got it 5 years ago and have had no problems what so ever. We had hendersons line-up in Oregon install Koni shocks and some work on the chassis so it wouldn't wander, also put on a safety plus. It drives nice with no push from wind or semi's passing us. One more thing, it is loud going up grades and coming down grades when using my grade brake. We love ours, unfortunately we want 40' and diesel so will be selling ours when we get back from this adventure.

C Hammonds · 08-09-2016, 07:43 PM

Good for you.......good luck on the DP. I'm sure you will love it. By the way, what is a grade brake?

rjsupersonic · 08-09-2016, 07:57 PM

You have a great motor home. We have 30 thousand miles on ours, only issue I had was a rear pinion seal leak. We have the Ford Chassis but I have heard many good things from other National owners on the Workhorse chassis. National made a great product I wish they would come back... safe travels.

Benicia Tom · 08-10-2016, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C Hammonds

Good for you.......good luck on the DP. I'm sure you will love it. By the way, what is a grade brake?

On the right side of your instrument panel there is a rocker switch that says grade brake. When going down steep hills or grades you tap your break and it down shifts for you. When going down a steep grades I try to start it at about 50 then tap the break, when I hit 62 I bring it back down to 50 as quick as possible without throwing yourself through the wind shield.😳😮 The point is not to ride the breaks.