Community Forums

LandSailors · 11-09-2016, 09:14 PM

Hi Everyone, I am finally buying a diesel pusher National 2004 Tropi_Cal and I am excited to own my first RV! Any thoughts or advise on what to do next I have to drive it home from the dealer and park it in storage for the winter. Want to make sure I have it weatherized and covered too. Anyone owned one of these yet?
What wear and tear should I plan on fixing for this guy first and second and so on ... ?

The Captain
Landsailors

Gordon Dewald · 11-09-2016, 09:21 PM

I would have the dealer go through the winterization process with you as part of the deal. The tech should do the winterization and you should take notes and do some of the work. Any issues next spring are the dealers responsibility.

LandSailors · 11-09-2016, 09:30 PM

Hi Gordan, I think the dealer winterized it already? Why I think this is the sink had the pink stuff coming out when briefly turned on. Are there more extensive steps than replacing water with the anti-freeze like material with these guys?
rich

dons2346 · 11-09-2016, 09:35 PM

You need to weigh the coach. Some of the Tropi-Cals were over weight on the front end right from the factory. They also built some that had a very low CCC. Sorry, I don't remember what years were involved.

LandSailors · 11-09-2016, 10:26 PM

Hi dons2346 thank you for your suggestion. What do I do if the front end is over weight?
I think I follow the idea that a load can be over weight in a trailer but the front of an RV ?
What could be done or shifted?
Just need more info.
thank you for your time an any additional advise.
rich

Gordon Dewald · 11-10-2016, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LandSailors

Hi Gordan, I think the dealer winterized it already? Why I think this is the sink had the pink stuff coming out when briefly turned on. Are there more extensive steps than replacing water with the anti-freeze like material with these guys?
rich

The water system should be good if the dealer has already winterized.

Check the water in the batteries and top up as required. Fully charge batteries and then turn off house and chassis battery switches unless you are able to plug in to power for the winter then leave the switches on.

We lay out anti rodent bait. We also lay bay leaves in all of the corners, etc to help prevent incursion. We had a couple mice before we did this. Have not had any since we started the preventive measures.

If you are covering you may wish to put some desiccants to reduce any moisture and help prevent mold.

Put baking soda in the fridge and leave the fridge and freezer doors slightly open.

Take out any food stuffs that will freeze. Don't forget the liquids in the bathroom including the soap dispensers if so equipped. Probably not an issue if you just picked up the unit and have not stocked. I left/missed a soda in an early unit and found a real mess the next spring. Easy to clean up but in-necessary if I would have looked in the last drawer.

Janet washes all of the bedding etc that will stay in over the storage period. Bed is made up so all we have to do is put in personal clothing, food and toiletries and way we go.

earlmarsden · 11-10-2016, 10:49 AM

I own a 98 National Tropi-Cal with a 460 gas engine. I would think, just my opinion, that if any of them are front heavy it would be mine. Not a rear engine diesel pusher.

dons2346 · 11-10-2016, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LandSailors

Hi dons2346 thank you for your suggestion. What do I do if the front end is over weight?
I think I follow the idea that a load can be over weight in a trailer but the front of an RV ?
What could be done or shifted?
Just need more info.
thank you for your time an any additional advise.
rich

I really don't think you can do anything if the mechanical components are the culprit. You might look into the specs and see what the front end is rated at. Then you need to look at the ratings on the tires. We have friends that had a Tradewinds and the factory put on larger tires because they were under rated for the front end load. I think but not sure, but I believe the weight problems were on the first year they built the pusher Tripci. The CCC was around 300 pounds.

chboone · 11-10-2016, 10:06 PM

Two things you need to do. Join the National RV Owners Forums here on IRV2 and the National RV Forum on Yahoo Groups. No one knows your RV better then someone that owns one like it

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f105/

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/NationalRV/info

LandSailors · 11-17-2016, 10:21 AM

Done and Done thanks for the tip on the Yahoo forums. Didn't know that was out there.

LandSailors · 11-17-2016, 10:23 AM

That sounds like it would make sense. Would you take it to a weigh station or would a service shop be able to determine it?

96 Wideglide · 11-17-2016, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by earlmarsden

I own a 98 National Tropi-Cal with a 460 gas engine. I would think, just my opinion, that if any of them are front heavy it would be mine. Not a rear engine diesel pusher.

You would think, but you would be wrong

.
I owned almost the same coach as you (2000 Dolphin 36' tag V-10), and it crossed the scale at right around 7000# on the front axle.
My current tag axle diesel pusher has 13,700# on the front axle

.

earlmarsden · 11-17-2016, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 96 Wideglide

You would think, but you would be wrong

.
I owned almost the same coach as you (2000 Dolphin 36' tag V-10), and it crossed the scale at right around 7000# on the front axle.
My current tag axle diesel pusher has 13,700# on the front axle

.

I stand corrected! Thanks