After about four weeks at MOT, this is the status and conclusion of items we had done from residential refrigerator to new water hose.
a. Could not fill the fresh water tank. New relay installed.
b. Fresh water hose turned brown. Serious need of replacement on the reel. I did not know to do that, asked K. Risch...oh yes.
c. Entry step, inside the coach, became spongy. This was more serious. The plywood had deteriorated due to water. Beneath the plywood is a metal very thin plate, I think aluminum. That had to be cut out. A new step of better material was installed and two angle iron supports added. I think water got in around the bottom corner of the door.
d. Bladder replacement for LR. Found on our last trip that a leak developed on our last trip west but upon getting home, had to replace the bladder. The new bladder is thicker material and requires a larger block to exchange air. Takes less air pressure. Have to take the slide out of coach to replace the bladder on a 2000 - 2001. If you must do this work, use the opportunity to have MOT or FOT add sealant to the seam of the wall around the opening (see photo with HWH mechanism), deny that possible route for water to get behind the fiberglass. James Johnson had done twelve slide bladders that month, suggested this. Good.
e. Remove the Splendide washer/drier and install drawers. Reported this before, some members liked it. Now that have been able to fill one drawer, it a huge advantage. Initially glad we made this change. Drawers were more expensive than shelves though.
f. New carpet throughout. Supplied by East Texas Carpets, selected by Jackie and Keith Davis. Not difficult to do but have to remove most all of the furniture. Ran carpet down sides of steps. MOT made new step pads to match. Did not realize how the original carpet needed help until changed it out. Good change though original still looked good until we saw the new. Carpet was selected compatible with slide operation.
g. New foam in driver and co-pilot chairs. MOT has its own seamstress, Trina. The seats were removed, sent over to her shop across the highway from their main office. She also cleaned the seats. I did not realize the foam condition was so deteriorated over 16 years until we got the new foam. Not cheap but 20% discount helped. Very happy with this part.
h. LR slide awning seam "tear". On our last trip, high wind separated one panel of the slide awning at the seam. I thought we might have to get a new awning but MOT took off the fabric and, Trina sewed back the two panels together. She found the other seams also deteriorated, so resewed them all. No new awning for the coach, that I feared might be required.
i. Check the front end. (Forum recent reports emphasized this). MOT found two bolts that had to be replaced. Glad I asked for check.
j. Prosine charger/inverter fan noisy. Check that, it failing? MOT found the fan dirty, cleaned and that fixed it. (thinking, why getting so much dust in there, from the venting heat from the bay pulling in dust?)
k. Screen door handle falls off. Really not the best system, maybe just worn parts to replace? This still to be done.
l. PSI on dash gauges had been holding at 70 psi for weeks. Now in four weeks has leaked down to about zero. Check valve problem? Still TBD.
This has gotten too long, probably WAY TMI! I will end here and report on the change out of the Dometic to the residential refrigerator in a separate post as there are many of those photos.
Mike & Jackie, yes that bottom step has been a problem area for many as it is known as a "wet step". I have not had this problem and fitted a "wiper" door sweep to bottom of door and it seems to have helped a lot. The hinge side allows a lot of water in if not carefull, and the front passenger wheel throws a lot of it up to the wall (left side of step) so keeping this sprayed with a rubber compound I feel has also done the job.
JohnH
These are my absolute favorite posts. Great write up and awesome upgrades! I especially appreciate the bladder replacement info, thank you!
4 WEEKS ! Not a cheap way to store the coach for sure !
I spent only two days at MOT in January for a slide bladder replacement and left over 6 Coach bucks with them so I feel for you Michael for being there for 4 weeks! Also the PO removed the washer and replace it with drawers so we are glad for the extra storage space. As a side note I watch James do the bladder repair and very very satisfied with his workmanship and knowledge. The worst part of this job is that I had to buy a HWH computer from FOT in which it drop me to my knees when they told me the pricing.
I hope the rest of your remodel goes very well, Steve
FWIW - IF AT ALL POSSIBLE, send your HWH computer into HWH for REPAIR. it is very low cost, and pretty quick turn around. Buying entire units not necessary, and very costly.
Tim, I was on very tight schedule at the time so couldn't wait for the turn around. I still have the old unit and plan to send it to HWH for estimate and if the price is right I will repair it as a spare so long as I own the coach.
Steve
They repaired mine for under $120. Crazy cheap