| |
Subject |
Author |
Date Posted |
Forum
|
 |
RE: UFO Workhorse Chassis VIN
Great! That should do it. I have gone to a Workhorse dealer so they should be able to do it with that number.
Thanks again,
|
BigRabbitMan
|
05/16/12 09:34pm |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: Total Rebuild of a 1979 Dodge Class C
... my mother showed me the hidey-hole where they'd kept my kiddie teeth from curious young eyes.
Were they still there? That would have been cool.
|
BigRabbitMan
|
05/16/12 01:34pm |
Class C Motorhomes
|
|
UFO Workhorse Chassis VIN
I have an unusual request. As many of you know, I have a rear engined coach with a gas engine. I am in the long process of converting it to a Duramax 6.6L diesel. The engine and transmission are being extracted from a rolled 2006 GMC Sierra. All is good so far, but I have a minor problem.
The GMC has a puller fan since it is front engined and I need a pusher fan since it will be in the rear. I have attempted to order the pusher fan that was used on the UFO chassis coaches, but the dealers cannot look up the part number without a VIN number and there wasn't one on the lot locally.
So my request is if I could get a UFO vin number sent to me via PM so that the parts guy can look up the part number.
I thank you for any assistance you can give me,
|
BigRabbitMan
|
05/16/12 11:58am |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: Campground Oops
I, too, have cleaned off yellow paint from gas station posts. Fortunately
there was no damage and it only took some rubbing compound and elbow grease,
Join the club!!
When I bought my coach and went into my insurance agent to put insurance on it, at the end of the visit he said "Just be careful in gas stations." I asked "why?" and he just repeated what he had just said so he got my attention and I have avoided the gas pump posts successfully.
But that didn't help me avoid the tree branch in my own driveway! I was able to do that fiberglass/paint repair myself. I tried to blame it on the wife as she watered the tree, but, as she was in the house, she wouldn't accept responsibility!
|
BigRabbitMan
|
05/14/12 11:02am |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: CoachNet
In all of my multiple dealings with Coach Net, they have always asked if I needed a tow or a service call (other than tire issues). They pointed out to me the time that I asked for a service call that if it turned out that I needed a tow, it would be my nickle.
This thread points out the need for everyone to fully define what they want when they call either CN or GS. In CN's contract it is to tow to the nearest "qualified" repair location OR provide a service call for up to four hours of labor. There is no guarantee that a service person will solve your problem. You can select to be towed regardless of the reccomendation if you so elect.
I have been double towed to get me to a qualified repair loction at no cost. I have also elected to get towed to a facility further away than the nearest qualified location for personal reasons and paid the tow company the additional cost for the added miles.
I am fully satisfied with Coach Net.
|
BigRabbitMan
|
05/14/12 10:44am |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: What would you do?
This is obviously an emotional subject and I would like to hear what others would do.
Not emotional for me! I just chuckle while sitting in my '76. I have read that rule a number of times. It is as others have said, just something to be used when needed. We FMC owners, all built from '73-'76, have had rallies at parks with the rule so they welcomed a whole group of us.
|
BigRabbitMan
|
05/11/12 11:30pm |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: Newbie question about dual a/c units
... which a 1987 model is ... The coach he is looking at is most certainly a 30 amp coach, BUT the above statement is incorrect. In fact, my 1976 coach is as all FMC's a 50 amp coach.
I agree that he needs 50 amp to run both air conditioners, but the year built does not indicate capacity. I can run both of my AC units on 50 amp and one on 30 amp or both on my 7000 watt generator.
|
BigRabbitMan
|
05/10/12 08:02pm |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: Scary situation--help?
I had the wheel do that on my Ramcharger 4X4 but it did the first part not the second part, didn't correct itself. Turned out the steering box moved on the frame. Repositioned and retightened no further issue in 150,000 miles!Given the mechanical structure of everything between your steering wheel and the wheels, this sounds like it is very possible. You steering mechanism may also have a pitman to transfer direction of the mechanical force and it it slipped on its mount and then shifted back it would do exactly what you describe.
But you do need to have it checked and inspected to see if there is any evidence of some pivot point shifting one way and then back.
Let us know what is ultimatel found.
|
BigRabbitMan
|
05/10/12 07:52pm |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: California to Vancouver Trip
I would head over to the coast and take hwy 101 north. I-5 is the direct truck route through the central west coast.
Concur. The Avenue of the Giants redwoods are not to be missed.
Go west to hwy 37 and then over to 101. Stop part way up and take the Skunk train over to FT Bragg and back.
|
BigRabbitMan
|
05/10/12 07:37pm |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: Any 413 Dodge fans ?
Again: I have NEVER, not ONE SINGLE TIME seen a cast-crank 440 in a motorhome. EVERY motorhome (or HD truck) 440 I have seen had a forged steel crankshaft. The only cast-crank 440's I have seen were in cars and light-duty trucks.
Come look at mine, it has a cast crank!
|
BigRabbitMan
|
05/09/12 09:56pm |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: Brake Inspection Areas prior to grades?
You can go too slow a 1000 times
You can only go too fast once.
So true!!
A long time ago I lived just past the bottom of a 15 mile grade that started at about 4-5 percent and then, after the brakes were warmed up, it changed to 6-7 percent for the last 5 miles.
Those that didn't understand the above quote, are no longer with us.
|
BigRabbitMan
|
05/09/12 09:51pm |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: The old girl is back - where to start
If I read those messages correctly, this swap has been in the works for something like 5 years now, right?
Right!
Yes, a conversion from gas to diesel adds complexity and that is why it took a number of years to decide if I wanted to do this large of a project or not. And since it would be a large project, I would only do it if I could see significant gains. That took a lot of investigation and time.
As has been discussed above, what constitues a "gain" is different for differentg people. One person's gain would be to sell the coach and buy a newer/different one. That probably fits the high majority of people. But, it doesn't fit all.
I started with a simple, high quality coach in good condition. I had just made a couple of trips to the midwest and back and had a good experience. I have put 50,000 miles on the coach since I bought it so I do "use it" and not just work on it. The end goal is to use it a lot more. A year from now, I expect to be on my way to Alaska.
I like my coach and don't want another one as this one is the right size for me, is very well made (top of the line when manufactured), and has a number of features I cannot get in a different coach like a floor that is 16 inches from ground level. Two steps and I am in!
My main satisfaction will be driving a coach over, around, and through the Rocky Mountains that will handle all of those grades (both up and down) in a very capable manner. The second satisfaction will be doing it in something that I designed and physically put together. The next item is the expected fuel mileage gain - enables me to drive it twice as far for the same dollars. Since I am not hiring anyone to do the work, I will recover my cost of the conversion in 30,000 or less miles and I will not take too long to get those miles on it. It will not be a "garage queen".
The last reward will be that when it comes time to sell it, it will be the most desirable FMC available and will command a favorable price. That factor will be good for my heirs!
It is just like a garden. Some people buy all vegetables at the store. Some people just like dig in the dirt and eat a few fresh vegetables that they grew themselves. Financially, it makes no sense to go catch fish, but a lot of people do it! I prefer upgrading my coach vs fishing!
I also did this stove/oven replacement due to my wife's sensitivity to fumes.
Have a good day and keep the white line moving,
|
BigRabbitMan
|
05/09/12 09:06pm |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: Fly's
Male or Female? If it lands on a beer can, it is male. If it lands on a telephone, it is female.
|
BigRabbitMan
|
05/08/12 09:48pm |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: Analysis of battery/charging times using generator...
There is NO way I would head out for four months knowing I had bad batteries.
I concur with this opinion. Also, the biggest effect on your genny run time is not the batteries, but how you use electricity.
If you are conservative and turn off lights not needed, etc verses leaving things turned on while not in use, will reduce you genny use more that anything else.
Sounds like a great trip to me!
|
BigRabbitMan
|
05/08/12 09:41pm |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: Plugged into 50amp, getting 30amp
UPDATE
....I am not sticking anything in anyplace Chris LOL
This!! From a NURSE!!!
All kidding aside, my wife is with you. As a young girl, she had a younger sister put a bobby pin in an outlet. Nothing happened. The wife then plugged something into the outlet .... KAZZZAAAMM ... lots happened! This was overseas with 240 volt outlets (double the power of our USA outlets).
To this day, many decades later, she still has me do the "sticking in" if I am around. If not a significant item, it will wait until I get home!
Have a good summer and get some "camping" in.
|
BigRabbitMan
|
05/08/12 08:53pm |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: Crazy things we do!
Before leaving for a trip Saturday it took me 10 minutes of panic over why the engine would not start when I realized I had the disconnect off.You mean that I am not the only one!!!
|
BigRabbitMan
|
05/08/12 08:32pm |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: What did you do to your Class A MH today???
I finished the installation of my replacement stove and oven. Gas is gone and electric is in. It can be seen in this photo album on webshots.
|
BigRabbitMan
|
05/08/12 08:23pm |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: Marquis Gold 5500
Mine has the short dip stick on the oil fill cap.
Mine too, unscrew the yellow fill cap and it should be there. Make sure you do not open it while the engine is running. If you are changing oil, be aware that when filling the oil goes in real S L O W
Same here with both the dip stick and the S L O W filling.
|
BigRabbitMan
|
05/08/12 08:20pm |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: The old girl is back - where to start
Hey BigRabbitMan
Awesome looking project you have going on there. I hope you keep up the posting so we can see the finished product one of these days. New to the world of RV's but this seems like it would be fairly straight forward and just about a perfect choice for your motorhome. I have an LBZ but mine is still under the hood of my truck where I hope to keep it. One of those in an older coach would be sweet. Keep us posted. I think the classic motorhomes are the way to go and this just makes them last even longer.
Stay safe out there.
Ken
Ken, there are basically three aspects to a coach in my mind: running gear, body, and interior. You can change the running gear and the interior as generally straight forward projects in most cases. The body is the one you really can't change very easily. That means that if you are looking at an older coach, you must ensure that you get one with a sound body.
You are correct that the engine change I am doing is rather staight forward. Has a lot of detail that needs to be done correctly, but no magic to it. Given the engine tranny combination I am using, I don't have to make any changes to differential or wheels, etc.
The body on an FMC is a steel custom frame, an aluminum body framework with an aluminum interior skin for the interior wall and one piece fiberglass roof and sides half way down. No end caps. No seams. No leak prevention needed except for roof peneterations and windows. No wood to rot even if it did have a leak (other than floor and cabinets). I like the size at 29', rear engined, low height at 9'3", four wheel independent suspension and low floor (16" from ground). There is no modern coach that fits that description so if I like that description, my only choice is to R & R as needed. I can't go buy something like it, but newer as it doesn't exist.
I was just ready for a more modern power plant that would give me more power and more mileage and still keep the coach balanced. The Duramax and Allison fit the bill. When done, I will have a "new old coach"!
A previous owner did one change to the interior and I have done another by changing the stove,oven out as you can see in that album.
If you have a coach with a sound body design, you can change it to fit your likes. I expect that at this point, most FMC coaches have been modified to some degree. Some a whole lot and some just a little. I know of a couple of nice ones for sale due to owner age should you want to take a look (send me a PM if you do).
Yes, I will keep updating the two files on this project until I am back on the road with results to report.
|
BigRabbitMan
|
05/08/12 08:06pm |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: The old girl is back - where to start
I also followed this project from start to finish. I also have an older coach. I also am in the middle of a major project with it.
I am changing it from a gas coach (Chrysler 440) to a Duramax 6.6L Turbo diesel with six speed double overdrive. If you want to follow my several year decision process go to this thread on the The Diesel Page website.
If you want to follow the end decision in pictures with commentary, go to the Webshots Album.
This is an ongoing project and I will be updating the album and thread as I progress. Updates will be posted weekly or biweekly as I have time to work on the project. I expect that it will be about another 6 months before the test drive.
The coach will go from 225 hp to 350 hp and torque will go from about 350 ft lbs to 650 ft lbs. I am expecting mileage to go from 7 mpg to about 14 mpg.
Thank you,
|
BigRabbitMan
|
05/07/12 09:31pm |
Class A Motorhomes
|
