Anyone aware of any wrecked Foretravels? I'm looking for a front 6-pack HWH manifold. I've tried both Visone and Colaw so far. Thanks.
jor
John, country coach also use this same block as I am sure others do as well. I have repaired one on CC so know aboutt that make.
JohnH
Be wary of any used manifolds, unless you can inspect them in person. Even if a manifold appears to be externally identical, the internal passages might be laid out differently.
I know HWH can be hard to contact by phone, but it may be worth trying to get through. They might have ideas on a possible source or how to identify suitable replacement manifolds.
If it's a block of machined aluminum it may be fixable. I get badly damaged single cylinder motorcycle four stroke heads welded up and my brother is a machinist/mold maker.
Steel?
Aluminum.. not sure what his problem is though with it.
It's in bad shape as you can see in these photos. I took it out with the intention of cleaning it up and rebuilding it with the kit that I bought (the one with the plungers). Two of the nuts that hold the solenoid cans would not crack (3 days of penetrating oil) so those had to come off with the brass base. All had to be removed with a chain wrench (a strap wrench wouldn't touch those babies).
I just couldn't add those nice new parts to this piece of junk so I reassembled it after only replacing the o-rings that come from HWH. It's working fine but I will replace it.
Ordering parts from HWH is sure an adventure which I have experienced before. Apparently, they are satisfied with the procedure. Anyhow, if you know the part number you can order it online - you can't actually complete the order but you can get it recorded for a later call back. However, if you need to speak to someone you have to leave your number. Then, four or five days later parts will call you to take your order. If you miss the call, it's bad news! Anyhow, that part is $802 plus shipping and it must be made.
I appreciate the advice on Country Coach and also Chuck's admoniiton.
I have this 270 almost up to my standard but I want both of these six packs to be excellent so I'm hoping to find a good used front one. The back one looks good. I don't know what would cause this kind of deterioration. Maybe it was nosed into a chemical laden snowbank for a couple of years. Who knows! Thanks to all.
jor
Broken tap guy=$150 range to maybe edm out two parts.
$30 to glass bead the part after protecting every hole.
$50 to weld up the surface. ? To bribe machinist brother to mill flat.
$80 to ceramic clear coat it.
140 miles of so cal driving in two trips to drop off and pickup parts.
1/2 day of time.
Fixable if you do this stuff regularly like my motorcycle engine parts.
Possible timesert any damaged holes.
If I had a new one I would rebuild that for a long term spare.
Have you tried sone hyd oil and acetone (I think it is) and after drying that use one of the mini torch flames on the brass part to hopefully make it expand some than lube again and try. You can actually use a pipe wrench on the post as it can be sanded after and will still work (solenoid) I had to do that on one I was rebuilding on the CC and this heat part worked. You are replcing the O rings anyway and seat.
JohnH
I like 50/50 ATF and acetone.
I used Kroil which is a good penetrator (although not good enough it seems). Thanks for the tips on hydraulic/trans and acetone.
It's working fine right now so I am going to continue my search for a good used one. I also have several new solenoids which I got awhile back as well as new pressure switches.
Anyhow, anybody comes across a wrecked FT, drop me a line and I will buy you a couple of beers and a taco plate.
jor
I thought colaws had a 95 gv that had a fridge fire
There were a lot of Monaco and Holiday Rambler units that also us.ed the hwh air level system
They do. They have the rear manifold but say they don't have the front. I think it's probably down in the mud and they guy can't get under there for a good look. I'm still talking to him, Also, we're heading for Oregon next week and I think I'll check over there - maybe stop by the old Country Coach factory. Anyhow, remaining hopeful.
jor
George M. Sutton RV - Located in Eugene, OR - Premium RV Dealership with... (http://www.suttonrv.com)
Oregon motorcoach has a lot of ex CC techs and two FT techs. Also in Eugene Current FT authorized warranty site.
Quality place.
Jor,
I see Visone RV has a couple Foretravels in stock. Wouldn't they sell you the front manifolds?
John M.
If while in Oregon in Eugene there is NorthWest RV Supply. They bought up all the old parts from Monaco and Country Coach. They have a warehouse full of every part imaginable. Check them out.
Good luck in your hunt.
see ya
ken
Thanks to all for the great Oregon references. These sound promising.
Re Visone and Colaw, I tried both. It's a bit frustrating as I suspect they both have the part as mine is the only one I've heard of that needs to be replaced so I can't imagine there is a run on these things. We were planning on going to Kansas earlier but didn't make it. That would have been my chance to get under those rigs myself.
Still on the lookout for a wreck so keep me in mind.
jor
In My limited interface with visione was that their prices were very high. Talked to them about compartment doors. Roughly the same price as new ones from Foretravel then
There was a recent thread where a member mentioned another Foretravel owner whose coach was flooded in one of the hurricanes, and was being totaled by the insurance company. Surely that was not the only RV caught up in that mess. What happens to a "totaled" coach...where do they end up? Even if a coach had water up to interior floor level, there would be a lot of valuable parts that could be salvaged. Always been a mystery to me where all the "totaled by my insurance company" vehicles finally end up.
And you never wondered how the insurance companies get so rich? :))
I remember seeing a topic on a 6pack related problem where it was oxidized bad.. I am sorry but it seems the topic was turned into 2 topics and I can not find the 1st topic.. either way I found this on ebay.. not sure if it is correct or even will work .. If it does help here you go.. if it doesnt feel free to delete topic.. thanks
HWH AP30284 MANIFOLD LEVELING VALVE | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/HWH-AP30284-MANIFOLD-LEVELING-VALVE-/381306845336?hash=item58c7a8b898%3Ag%3Aj4QAAOSwLVZVixGJ&_trkparms=pageci%253A6b18b98a-b01a-11e7-8e03-74dbd180f43e%257Cparentrq%253A15ec1f7615f0a884aa2de21dffffc4ef%257Ciid%253A6)
[Merged the eBay found part post into this topic and retitled the topic to be more descriptive - Michelle]