New to RV'ing and have questions

[DS79]

Hello, we just purchased an older Pace Arrow to take on a road trip next summer to AL. My wife and I are both new to this but wanted to go this route over a trailer as it gives our kids more room and a bathroom when 1 of them "forgets" to use it while a the gas station . The unit is in very good shape, but we have noticed a few areas we want to look at repairing or changing to better suit our needs. I can tackle any issues on the chassis and she is happy working on the interior, so I am hoping with some help from those who have done it, we end up with a nice MH that we can enjoy for years.

Our model has a "Jack and Jill" bathroom. Its nice, but it limits our sleeping areas. We are looking for ideas on how to add sleeping space without giving up the queen bed located in the rear.

We have noticed some small areas that the walls have a wave look. This tells me it had water behind them at some point. I found some repairs on the roof that would explain one area. I found and repaired the skylight and bathroom vent caulking yesterday. That was "new" per the previous owner, I did not see any damage to the wood. I also found an area around a window in the bedroom that it looks like the window is leaking. I am going to reseal that as well. Is there a way to look for mold without completely taking it apart? It does not smell like mold, and my daughter's allergies are not bothered while she is inside it. Anyone have suggestions on what I should do to further prevent water damage or mold from growing?

The carpet is stained and dirty. We want it removed and replaced with some laminate flooring. How hard is this to do? What is the best way to go about it? Any tips or tricks I should know about?

The brakes feel like they are not stopping it as fast as it should. I am used to Class 8 air brake systems and hydraulic systems on class 5-7 trucks. I know this is a vacuum boosted system not the hydro boost system, that are more common now. PO said he went through brakes and replaced pads and 1 rotor after a caliper seized and smoked one of the rears. Are these chassis known for less then stellar brakes or should I take each wheel end apart and inspect them? Possible glazed and/or incorrect pads?

Last thing for now, I noticed the engine would run warm while pulling a hill or while cruising on the interstate. PO has receipts for new radiator, hoses, waterpump, and coolant. I checked and it is full. I noticed what seems like the fan "turning off" once the engine revs up and the speed picks up. From a stop sign I can hear the fan, once I am going 25-35mph the fan noise stops. I was thinking it may be a bad viscous clutch, but I also don't know how the 460 Ford engines were setup. If I could install an air powered fan clutch I would, but I know that's not really option. Though removing the mechanical and going to electric would be something I would consider. Also, what's the best way to find parts for one of these? Mostly Ford being it is a F53 chassis, or do these manufacturers use whatever is cheap to them and charge 200% markup just to keep it all straight?

Thanks for reading all of this, and I look forward to some insight from anyone who has dealt with these before.

DS79

[beamisl]

DS79

Find a thread called "Total Rebuild" and go through it. There is a lot of remodel info there. It's a long thread but a wealth of info.

There are several people here with PA's so you should get some answers soon. These rigs are nice and there are a lot of them on the road. Water is an enemy of RV's so concentrate on that first. You can reseal your windows with butyl tape and caulk. Want to make sure you get that done.

Look through YouTube videos. Redoing my roof, How to replace the flooring in my Pace Arrow., you get the idea. Lot of info there too. There is a search engine here that you can enter a title into and get threads where people have redone and or fixed things. Look through and ask a specific question and you will get some answers.

Good luck and when you redo things please post a thread of your redo. Would love to see it. Also, fill in the info on your rig in your profile and it will help people to answer your questions to know what type of chassis, rig, whatever you have.

Best of luck, Lynne

[WILDEBILL308]

Originally Posted by DS79

Hello, we just purchased an older Pace Arrow to take on a road trip next summer to AL. My wife and I are both new to this but wanted to go this route over a trailer as it gives our kids more room and a bathroom when 1 of them "forgets" to use it while a the gas station . The unit is in very good shape, but we have noticed a few areas we want to look at repairing or changing to better suit our needs. I can tackle any issues on the chassis and she is happy working on the interior, so I am hoping with some help from those who have done it, we end up with a nice MH that we can enjoy for years.

Our model has a "Jack and Jill" bathroom. Its nice, but it limits our sleeping areas. We are looking for ideas on how to add sleeping space without giving up the queen bed located in the rear.

We have noticed some small areas that the walls have a wave look. This tells me it had water behind them at some point. I found some repairs on the roof that would explain one area. I found and repaired the skylight and bathroom vent caulking yesterday. That was "new" per the previous owner, I did not see any damage to the wood. I also found an area around a window in the bedroom that it looks like the window is leaking. I am going to reseal that as well. Is there a way to look for mold without completely taking it apart? It does not smell like mold, and my daughter's allergies are not bothered while she is inside it. Anyone have suggestions on what I should do to further prevent water damage or mold from growing?

The carpet is stained and dirty. We want it removed and replaced with some laminate flooring. How hard is this to do? What is the best way to go about it? Any tips or tricks I should know about?

The brakes feel like they are not stopping it as fast as it should. I am used to Class 8 air brake systems and hydraulic systems on class 5-7 trucks. I know this is a vacuum boosted system not the hydro boost system, that are more common now. PO said he went through brakes and replaced pads and 1 rotor after a caliper seized and smoked one of the rears. Are these chassis known for less then stellar brakes or should I take each wheel end apart and inspect them? Possible glazed and/or incorrect pads?

Last thing for now, I noticed the engine would run warm while pulling a hill or while cruising on the interstate. PO has receipts for new radiator, hoses, waterpump, and coolant. I checked and it is full. I noticed what seems like the fan "turning off" once the engine revs up and the speed picks up. From a stop sign I can hear the fan, once I am going 25-35mph the fan noise stops. I was thinking it may be a bad viscous clutch, but I also don't know how the 460 Ford engines were setup. If I could install an air powered fan clutch I would, but I know that's not really option. Though removing the mechanical and going to electric would be something I would consider. Also, what's the best way to find parts for one of these? Mostly Ford being it is a F53 chassis, or do these manufacturers use whatever is cheap to them and charge 200% markup just to keep it all straight?

Thanks for reading all of this, and I look forward to some insight from anyone who has dealt with these before.

DS79

Welcome to the forum.
On the cooling issue I would replace the fan clutch with a heavy duty one like this.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/h...view/make/ford
I would also get a new "hi flow thermostat and a new radiator cap. There use to be lots of talk about geting Motorhomes to cool. Do a search. One big thing make shure the radiator and ac condenser are clean and not stopped up with dirt and bugs. Also plug any gaps around the radiator and you could add some baffles to direct all the air coming into the grill goes through the radiator
If I had any questions on the brakes I would go through each wheel and check them out. You can get better braking material. Check and make shure the brake hoses are in good shape.
You can find most of the parts you need at Summit or Jegs.
Bill

[Wroughtnharv]

Welcome to where the journey and the destination are one and the same. First rule, no pics, didn't happen. So take some photos and upload them for us to see what you are talking about.

IRV2 is a great source for solutions and information. Don't be afraid to use the search box and seek advice, usually with pictures, no pictures, didn't happen.

We just ripped out the carpet and original hardwood in the kitchen in our coach and are going back with Allure vinyl planks "Life with Jane".

[DS79]

Thank you everyone for the replies! I have spent some time reading the "life with Jane" post, lots of great information in that one! We actually found a pattern/color we liked in the Allure brand flooring so I know what I will be doing this winter!

I noticed the fan only runs at low RPM's so I think the clutch has failed to some degree. I have an older Cummins truck that uses 2, 12v fans in place of the original clutch. I am thinking I may go this route over the viscous drive. That truck is the farm workhorse and has yet to give us issues when towing so I know those fans are plenty capable to move enough air. I need to look into the high flow thermostat and maybe making some kind of ducting to force air across the radiator while cruising.

I again had an issue with my brakes being less than stellar this weekend. Went down a hill I probably should not have went down and by the bottom I could feel the brakes were fading and were hot. Took a note of this and was very cautious of any other hills for the day. Has anyone found a better brake pad/rotor setup that helps with this or is it just something you get used to with this chassis?

I have resealed most of the roof seams that were cracked or looked rough. I still need to silicone the rails along the drivers side edge, but that goes pretty quick since the old silicone was crap and just peels away. Any suggestions on a good sealer for the entire roof?

I'll update the top post with some pictures and try and take as many as I can remember to take while I make repairs and update some things.

DS79

[DS79]

Since I can't edit the 1st post I'll just add some pictures here. Just a few of to give you an idea of what I am working with. Sorry the top 2 are sideways, not idea why or how to fix it.
DS79

[MSHappyCampers]

Hi ! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

Congrats on the new rig! Keep her between the ditches!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

[sam-3]

Looks like a nice Pace Arrow on the outside. Do not use silicone caulk. It is a bear to remove. Depends what kind of a roof you have as to what caulk to use at the roof edges. Dicor Lap sealent would be a good product to use around roof vents. AC ect. I would suggest that you watch a utube video on how to remove your windows and reinstall with butyl tape and Lexel caulk. Lexel caulk is a premium caulk that can be found at ACE Hardware or Lowes or on line. Bones..when you remove a window it will give you a chance to see the inside condition of your wall. Keep the questions coming and we will answer. For now I am sure you could spot treat the carpet and shampoo and scotch guard. Best of luck in making it yours.