Community Forums

HockeyDennis · 02-22-2022, 09:11 AM

Anyone out there have an older Beaver?

I have a 1988 Beaver Capistrano, I think.

Argosy · 02-22-2022, 05:05 PM

I have a 93 Contessa. They're awesome machines. It needed repairs and upgrading but the end is in sight. How about yours?

HockeyDennis · 02-23-2022, 04:40 AM

Mine is an awesome machine. I've been working on it for awhile. Too many distractions though. Still trying to get the plumbing right. The wood work is beautiful.

Argosy · 02-24-2022, 04:49 AM

Interesting you've had plumbing problems, I bought mine knowing there was a leak under the kitchen sink. I repaired that and a few weeks later another popped up. When a third became a problem I decided it would be better to cut the feed lines back as far as possible and replaced everything with PEX. At the same time I replaced the water filter and added a bypass. Since then I've eliminated the ice maker because of a leak, it didn't work, and I don't use ice. The toilet feed started to leak so it's new and has a shut off. The water heater started leaking last fall so that plumbing is PEX and I also added a bypass. I've been using red and blue PEX so the color coding is nice.

The one thing I don't understand considering the quality and original price is the lack of shut off valves and bypasses. Valves make repairs a lot easier and neater. They allow you to isolate a leak but still have water in the rest of system, the repair is a problem not a necessity.

I got really lucky when I found this one, except for the dinette table, front console and folding desk the cabinetry was immaculate. Those were normal wear for a horizontal surface and have been refinished. I replaced the frig, the new one is taller so I had to eliminate one of the two drawers beneath it. The fabric covered surrounds on the windows were trashed, I made new ones of walnut. They set a high bar when it comes to replicating the quality, both in the wood used and workmanship. I'd love to have seen their cabinet shop, and had a chance to talk to a few of their craftsmen. Lots to learn from them.

Wizzron · 03-16-2022, 05:12 PM

We have a 1993 beaver Lexington

HockeyDennis · 03-16-2022, 11:01 PM

Sorry don't really know how to use this chat, at least I think it's a chat. I have a 1988, not really sure what it is. It's 35 feet long.

HockeyDennis · 03-16-2022, 11:02 PM

A Argosy and a Lexington where are you guys located? I'm in the heart of Texas.

Wizzron · 03-18-2022, 07:07 PM

We’re in so. California now however moving 600 north to no California in a few weeks. As your Motorhome been a good coach so far. I’ve had mine for about 4 years and driven it maybe 2000 miles is all but been a great Motorhome. It may be old but it’s still going.

HockeyDennis · 03-19-2022, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wizzron

We’re in so. California now however moving 600 north to no California in a few weeks. As your Motorhome been a good coach so far. I’ve had mine for about 4 years and driven it maybe 2000 miles is all but been a great Motorhome. It may be old but it’s still going.

I bought mine about 3 years ago I've only driven it maybe 30 miles. I'm still remodeling it very slowly cuz I get distracted with other stuff. But it starts and runs great. Just got a lot of work to do. Still here in the heart of Texas.

Argosy · 03-20-2022, 01:03 PM

I'm in Michigan but the motor home was originally from SoCal. The people who owned it moved to Colorado for a year, didn't like the cold then moved to Arkansas. It sat for 3 years there before I bought it.

Wizzron · 03-22-2022, 04:25 PM

I’m going be going to my new home in three weeks. It will be the first time I’ve driven it any distance for a while since the Covid thing. I’m changing all the filters, oil, air, coolant, 2 fuel and and hopefully I’ll make it 700 miles. It’s always gotten me wherever I’ve set out to

vanagonjon · 04-03-2022, 10:42 AM

I bought a 1995 Beaver Marquis last year, knowing that it needed some work. After about 9 months, I can say that water damage seems to be the worst issue I have. I knew there was some, but when you pull off the scabs of previous repair attempts, which means mostly covering up the symptoms, there may be an unpleasant awakening. The coach is really superb, and I am correctly repairing all issues found. I do like the fantastic build quality, and the mid '90's are a sweet spot for Beaver with newer looking rigs, and mine has a Gillig chassis with a Cummins which is what I wanted. Other than water damage, it seems that folks can't seem to keep from hacking up the electrical systems in the house part of the coach. I am working from original Beaver schematics to repair a lot of poor wiring modifications found.

John

Argosy · 04-03-2022, 12:23 PM

You wanted what I was after, Gillig and Cummins. It must be pretty rare, my manuals have Cat and DD but no Cummins.

I've got to agree, by the time these get some years on them the prior owners are the biggest problems. They're really nice when you get them right again though, they're really heavy well built machines.

vanagonjon · 04-03-2022, 12:53 PM

The only real chassis issue I have is that the HWH control box is not working correctly. HWH has it now for a repair. It would work correctly about 10% of the time, the one in the coach when purchased has a rebuilt unit part number, so I guess after so many years it needs attention again. The coach has a Rino liner roof coating, but the actual roof leak area is along the roof/side seam, from what I am finding out it is a common problem as these coaches reach middle age. So a PO spent a ton of money fixing the part of the roof that wasn't leaking. They have a one piece fiberglass roof, another luxury coach feature. Mine also has rope lighting on almost every interior edge, I don't think it was standard, it must have been an expensive option. There are four different rope lighting zones!