Community Forums

BOUNDER45601 · 06-27-2012, 09:06 AM

Hey all,
We just purchased a 1993 Fleetwood Bounder Chevy 454 31'. Has 50k on it and still very clean. We are first time camper owners so looking for a little know-how, help, advice, etc.

First off, we need new front sway bar bushings, any idea where I can purchase those?

Second, any recommendations for wax, polish, etc for this type of RV panel?

We would appreciate any other tips, info, anyone can give!!!

Lets go camping!!

Skip426 · 06-27-2012, 10:30 AM

Hello, and Welcome to iRV2.

Sway bar bushings should be available from NAPA,or Autozone, best if you could have the old bushing on hand to have them check dimensions when looking for the part.
Wax,you will get as many opinions,as there are types available. Condition of the surface to be waxed is the first consideration , are there vinal decals, make sure any wax you do try is compatable .
Check the date code on all the tires , before you travel , replace if over 7 years old.

LSC9901 · 06-27-2012, 10:52 AM

Hi Bounder and a big welcome to IRV2. I have the same exact Bounder as you do. As for waxing it I went the route of using a product that can be purchased at either Home Depot or Lowe's. It is a floor wax product called ZEP Wet Look. There are several threads on this process. The short story is you need to make sure your rig is clean. Clean because anything left will be sealed in. The suggestion is to apply 4 coats of the wax and you'll have a great looking finish. I was a bit apprehensive at first and I was afraid it would take me forever. My particular clean up process was somewhat long. I can PM you about that but the actual waxing didn't take more than 4 hours and probably a little less. By the time you get around the RV you can start all over. First coat doesn't appear to accomplish much but by the end of the 3rd coat your jaw will drop. I did the 4th because all I read about it suggested 4 coats. Darn thing looks new now. The first picture is when we bought it in Feb of this year. The finish on it was dull, it had a lot of black streaking on it and a lot of acid rain type spotting on it. The 2nd picture was after I did the process.

Yeah .... we love it. I also have some PDF files for different manuals if you're interested. I also have all the books that came with mine so if you need a copy of anything I'd be very happy to help.

BOUNDER45601 · 06-27-2012, 11:49 AM

Thanks guys, for the replies!! I will definitely look into the ZEP wax! Any special cleaners used for getting the RV clean? Or just regular car wash and elbow grease?

Also, LSC9901, do you have a lil on/off switch to the left as you walk in the bathroom? What is that for, if you do? We also have switches for the Water Pump in there.

LSC9901 · 06-27-2012, 07:12 PM

On mine the switch controls the lights over the mirror. We have the 31K model.

BOUNDER45601 · 06-28-2012, 07:23 AM

Thanks LSC!

Im trying to think of any other questions....

What about the switches for the Auxillary Off, etc on the cabinet up high on the right as you walk in? How do those work?

Yes we have a manual, I have just been too busy at the Hospital to sit down and read them

LSC9901 · 06-28-2012, 07:47 PM

Those two switches connect/disconnect the MH batteries. you have one 12 volt chassis battery that basically operates the same as your car. You should have two 6 volt batteries that are "House" batteries. These will operate all your lights if you are anywhere without electrical hook ups. Make sure the aux batteries are on when you are driving. They will get charged up that way. When my MH sits for any length of time I do shut the batteries off.

Another note that you may or may not know. Make sure your gas detector is on if you plan on using propane. If it isn't on none of the propane operated appliances will work. Just a safety factor. The detector is the one near the oven close to the floor.

Post some pictures sometime. We are considering swapping out the current bed for a set of twin beds. At home we are used to a very big bed so two of us in a 54" wide bed doesn't work real well. When we do it I'll document it with photo's.

Steve

4Knights · 06-28-2012, 07:50 PM

You can also get the OEM bushings from any Chevy dealer- got mine for $24 each, took about an hour to install. Be careful the bar is very heavy and hurts if it falls on you! Don't ask how I know

BOUNDER45601 · 07-02-2012, 09:06 AM

thanks!!
The gas detectors, below the stove right? It beeps after your turn it on?

I will make sure the batteries are on while were on our way out.

Whats the rule for when you have the coach plugged in? Should batteries be on to charge? or does it work that way?

I will check with the Chevy Dealer on parts...

I will post pics after the weekend, going to try and get her shined up with the Red Max this week/weekend....

The previous owners did a swap from bunk beds to a queen bed, it doesnt look bad! But sounds like youd like to do the opposite

4Knights · 07-02-2012, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BOUNDER45601

thanks!!
The gas detectors, below the stove right? It beeps after your turn it on?

I will make sure the batteries are on while were on our way out.

Whats the rule for when you have the coach plugged in? Should batteries be on to charge? or does it work that way?

I will check with the Chevy Dealer on parts...

I will post pics after the weekend, going to try and get her shined up with the Red Max this week/weekend....

The previous owners did a swap from bunk beds to a queen bed, it doesnt look bad! But sounds like youd like to do the opposite

The propane detector beeps when you first turn it on and then the beeping stops and a light just continues to flash every few seconds to tell you it's on. It can be on any wall near the stove- mine is across the hall on the exterior bathroom wall.

I only turn our batteries off when in storage. I have a battery maintainer installed- $19.00 from Walmart- easy to hook up.
The converter is supposed to charge the house batteries while plugged in and the maintainer I installed gets power from the outlet and float charges the engine battery.

I wouldn't want bunk beds or singles as I like to sleep with DW!

looking forward to pictures.

LSC9901 · 07-02-2012, 11:07 AM

I love sleeping with the DW also but..... the coach bed is 54" wide. Our S&B bed is almost 80" wide. We are both very used to the space we each have. While a twin isn't 80" it is almost half that and for the time we spend in the MH I can deal with being a foot away from her instead of fighting for room. I think both of our bodies have spread out a bit in the last 36 plus years. We need the room.

LSC9901 · 07-03-2012, 08:14 PM

Bounder45601 .. since we have the same unit I have a favor to ask of you. Could you lift your dash and look at the back side of your heater/AC controls and follow the pinkish wire (2nd from the right) and tell me where it plugs into the fuse box. Mine is out and I'd like to put it back but I'm not sure just where it goes. If need be I can take better pictures.

Steve

lpkirby · 07-04-2012, 07:47 AM

I have a 94 34J and I second the Floor wax, I was amazed at how great it shines now. I used TSP powder from Lowes and Bar Keepers cleaner to make sure that I got it really clean before. The first 2 coats look bad but by the third it pops, and the fifth is awesome! Good Luck and have fun in it, I am and Happy 4th everyone!
P.S My switch in the bathroom also controls the light over the mirror if it is turned on first. And the other one is for the water pump.

Leon

LSC9901 · 07-04-2012, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lpkirby

I have a 94 34J and I second the Floor wax, I was amazed at how great it shines now. I used TSP powder from Lowes and Bar Keepers cleaner to make sure that I got it really clean before. The first 2 coats look bad but by the third it pops, and the fifth is awesome! Good Luck and have fun in it, I am and Happy 4th everyone!
P.S My switch in the bathroom also controls the light over the mirror if it is turned on first. And the other one is for the water pump.

Leon

GO NAVY !!! 4 years was enough but it was a great time of my life. Thanks for your time. I used the Bar Keepers cleanser also. I was a bit nervous after I used it because it left fine scratches but it was clean. 4 coats and I was super shiny. I'll see what it looks like after a VT winter and maybe do another coat in the spring.