This is my intro, it’s a bit long and if it doesn’t belong here then Admin please delete.
Bought some property and it came with an RV. 1996 Fleetwood Bounder 34 footer, 70k miles. Previous owners said it just needed a fuel pump. Been parked since 2014. First RV ever, rode in one once, well, there and back. Wife: “Let’s get it running and go camping somewhere.” And the adventure begins.
Here's the progress:
Pretty clean inside and out, a little road rash, nothing major. Washed it, all the dirt came off along with the roof coating. Add to the list: "Research Roof Coatings".
Batteries:
All missing (probably scavenged by their grand kids). Loose cables everywhere. Add to the list: "Find out what are all these battery cables for?" Google, Google. Replaced the Coach Battery (new term). Gonna wait on the House Batteries (also new) to make sure it runs first.
Fuel Pump:
Sprayed starter fluid in the carb and it sputtered to life, definitely needs a fuel pump. Called around, way too expensive to have it done, plus the towing, plus would that be the only problem (then have it towed back or pay more to have it fixed). Research: “Where is the fuel pump?” Google, Google. Look underneath, how do you not hit anything when driving down the road? Jack it up? That would mean a lot of jack and block, jack and block, pass. So took the backhoe and dug an 8' x 4' x 20" deep trench. Wait, the Jacks are down. Research: "How do you raise the jacks?" Google, Google. Push this button... push that button... go outside and check... nope, still down. Back inside push this button and a different button... back outside nope (where is my wife?). Back inside, push all the buttons... nope. Hold one button and push any other button, nope. Ok, need to do more research. Back outside. Google, Google. Look over, what the…, jacks are up. Note to self, “Try and remember the secret button pushing sequence for later.”
Tried pushing, pulling (yes, with the tractor). 6 years of sitting can make some pretty deep ruts (even on road base). Wife (thru the windshield): “Your ?????? is too small!” That’s a little personal, plus a matter of preference (and genetics). Oh, she said “tractor”. NVM, still preference though. Plan B. Anyone ever have their wife spray starter fluid in the carb to start it and dump it into drive while she keeps spraying? Yeah, that works! Pushed it back over the hole (with my “little” tractor), dropped the rear jacks (they were easy since half the bolts were missing) and dropped the tank. O'Reillys ordered the wrong one, AutoZone had it, $85. Put it in, hooked it up, turned the key, battery dead. Add to the list "Check what’s draining the Battery". Charged the Battery, I hear the pump running. Ok add some fuel, remembered fill tube running toward the back, grab the gas can. Driver side, nope. Passenger side, uh uh. Hmm. Crawl back under, straight back. Look, look… flip the plate down, wow, haven’t seen that since my ‘75 Monte Carlo. Started right up. Reinstalled the jacks (with the added missing bolts and does it really need that many?). Wife: “Are we ready to go camping? “, “Sure!”(She still doesn’t get my sarcasm).
Changed the fluids (yep, used my freshly dug trench for that). Motor Oil and Filter. Antifreeze (who put the drain there?). New Plugs (didn’t know my body could contort that way and still operate a ratchet). Noticed front air bags in tatters, added to the list. Belts... also on the list.
Fuel Run/Test Drive:
Tire pressure? Google, Google. Check. Start it up head to the gas station. Why is this “Auto Park” light on? Anyone ever go offshore fishing in 6 foot swells, yeah, it was like that. Definitely put some hickeys in the seat. Wife’s decorations (that’s what she’s been up to) slinging around falling to the floor. Thought: “If it’s gonna handle like this, forget it. How much can I sell this thing as is?” Pulled up to the pump, put it in park. Started walking back thinking “Wow I still feel like this thing is moving from all the swaying”. Oh wait! It is moving! Run back to the front, brake. Ok, parking pin is broke? Well that just dropped the selling price. Push the E-Brake, release. Nope still rolling. Am I gonna have to pay someone to tow it off? My wife and I have to do one of those “Keep my foot on the brake while we switch places moves” (like playing twister). Started pumping gas, stopped the pump at $50 (no point in filling er up if I’m selling it or giving it away). Babied it back, waving my arm out the window hollering “Go around! I’m not going any faster than this!” Staring at the “Auto Park” light, maybe it has something to do with that. Get back. Google, Google. Yep, research: “How does the Auto Park work? Or not work?” Note to everyone: If you ever wanted to know more than you need to know about the Auto Park, check out
www.rvautopark.com by oldusedbear. Thanks oldusedbear , if you’re still around.
Wife: “Now are we ready?” (If sarcasm doesn’t work, maybe just a glaring looks).
Suspension:
Replaced the front air bags (the hose clamp trick works). Front and rear shocks, done (as were what I can only assume were the factory shocks). Even added a RoadMaster steering stabilizer. Second test drive was a lot smoother, I can only assume since I made my wife drive it.
And here we are. Mechanically I think she’s road ready. Still have some exterior lights to work on (How many different types of bulbs do they make and did they use every one of them?) I’m replacing them all with LEDs. New wiper blades (I think they are made with some rare parts that make them super expensive).
Inside, fixed the water pump issue (who puts a switch on the ground?) Everything else seems to be working. Draining the tanks is next (6 plus year old potable water is probably not good) and I hope the poop (sorry, gray water) tank was emptied before it was parked. I was describing it as “probably like play-doh” to my wife, and that was her part since she was “working” on the inside.
After that, I can’t wait for my wife to ask “Now can we go?” so I can say “YES!”
Fred
Hal and Pam
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