Re: Newbie with lot's of questions/ 1983 FC 35 ft -- Buzzy's Question and Answer Forum

[ Show ]

Support VoyForums

[ Shrink ]

VoyForums Announcement: Programming and providing support for this service has been a labor of love since 1997. We are one of the few services online who values our users' privacy, and have never sold your information. We have even fought hard to defend your privacy in legal cases; however, we've done it with almost no financial support -- paying out of pocket to continue providing the service. Due to the issues imposed on us by advertisers, we also stopped hosting most ads on the forums many years ago. We hope you appreciate our efforts.

Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your contribution is not tax-deductible.) PayPal Acct: Feedback:

Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):

04 /25/ 24, 10:42am

[ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, 3, [4], 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 ]

Subject: Re: Newbie with lot's of questions/ 1983 FC 35 ft

Author:
Sam

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Date Posted: 09/ 1/ 06, 4:47am
In reply to: Ed Allison 's message, "Newbie with lot's of questions/ 1983 FC 35 ft" on 08/ 31/ 06, 11:55am

Ed, I have a 83 FC just like the one you just purchaced....you said your wife said it looked like the BB was leaning. If the valve went bad, you would not have to have your wife tell you it was leaning, it would be much more pronounced and YOU would have noticed. I had a valve go bad on I 80 in Iowa about a year ago...pulled into a truck stop and had it replaced....they adjusted it to what they THOUGHT was level and I was on my way. 1 mile down the road it was leaning to one side ( but not like it was with the broken valve ). When I got to my destination I took it to a tire place and they attempted to adjust it to level...thought we had it right...1 mile down the road....not level. the point I'm trying to make is that adjusting the valves to where the motorhome is level requires someone who is familier with adjusting the valve.....take it to a good motorhome place and have them do it....don't try and do this yourself unless you have the right equipment to block the frame up so the BB doesn't come down on you and kill you!! there are a few wives out there who had to sell there motorhome after there husbands crawled under there MH and it came down on them and killed them!! There are 2 valves on the back and 1 on the front. You said the BB feels like there is a lot of play in the steering....there might be, but it could be you are over steering. you said you never drove a motorhome before....sounds like you just need to relax and not oversteer. The steering wheel is big and magnifies the play.

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

[> Subject: Re: Newbie with lot's of questions/ 1983 FC 35 ft

Author:
Scott B
[ Edit | View ]

Date Posted: 09/ 1/ 06, 7:07am

Ed, FIRST of all you need to check the tire dates, if they are old you are playing russian roulette with the outcome potentially alot of damage. The leaking valve is somewhat of a common problem. I must tell you that on our 86FC I chased a leaning coach for a while, then I finally replaced every one. There are three, one up front two in the rear. If you replace one on the rear better to do both the other is not far behind. As Sam said when you have this work done, it will take several times to level, adjust drive, adjust drive. Been there, shop did not drive it just set it down, 30 miles down the road, 400 buck less, and the coach is still leaning..

If you are in Fla. I would suggesst JOSAM's in Tampa, they do chassis work, and they are top notch. In so far as systems on the coach etc I know of a couple of folks that can "inspect" the coach for you, one is in Fla, two others in Mich,& OK. Email me and I will share their names with you. (cme4boats@aol.com)

In so far as you upcomming trip I would suggest all the seat time you can get. As well as check the entire coach out. You do not want to be stranded on the highway! These old girls can be finicky in the mountains, with air brakes, weight, length to stop etc. Oh one more thing..GET GOOD ROAD ASSISTANCE INS, not the one on your insurance policy but "Coachnet" or another, BEST advice to give you for $99.00/yr you can not go wrong! Just be sure they are used to RV's it is very expensive to tow your coach.

Once you get the coach running great, get used to the "feel" of it, you will be very impressed they truly are a "wanderful" machine.

Best of luck

Scott B
86FC35RB "RUBY" 4SALE
Murrells Inlet SC "Enesto just missed stoppin in last night"

[ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> Subject: Re: Newbie with lot's of questions/ 1983 FC 35 ft

Author:
Ed Allison
[ Edit | View ]

Date Posted: 09/ 1/ 06, 8:06pm

Thanks for the recommendation on where to have the chasis checked out. I am very grateful. This BB has brand new tires all the way around. I did stumble on a post that said from the bottom of skirt to ground should be 19" on front and 20" on back. My measurements were short by approx 1' on the passenger side and over by one inch on the drivers side. (I parked it on a level spot) I know the previous owner had two new airbags put on it. Perhaps they just did not get it adjusted properly and it needs to be tweaked. The coach had sat for a day and I did not notice it rise so I am assuming that is a good indication that there are no leaks. When adjusting those valves should all the tanks be empty?
When driving it this afternoon the ride seems mushy-makes it comfortable though. What are indications that the shocks shoud be replaced? I will take your advice on the towing insurance and will never get under the vehicle untill I have been properly trained on the correct technique. Thanks

Ed Allison

[ Post a Reply to This Message ]