Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Discussions => Topic started by: bigfoot on September 02, 2018, 04:04:46 pm
Title: New to me 87 gv
Post by: bigfoot on September 02, 2018, 04:04:46 pm
Just purchased a 1987 foretravel gv cat 3208 84,000 miles in McMinnville, Or. Getting ready to drive to Sun City West, AZ. Checking systems as best I can. Started up easy this a m Air was about 55 and ran up to 110 in about 4 or 5 mins. Not sure when all filters and oil was changed but working on finding that out. 4 Air bags changed out 4 yrs ago I see a foretravel motorcade sticker 9910. Paperwork show multiple owners. Getting some excellant coach from Gayle and Barry. Will be heading out soon for Ax Tips comments are all welcomed for this Newby Any additives recommended to take cage of setting diesel Wanted to say interior and exterior is excellant
Title: Re: New to me 87 gv
Post by: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart on September 02, 2018, 04:39:14 pm
It looks really nice. Welcome to the Forum. Some excellent CAT experts here. Is this your first RV?
Pierce
Title: Re: New to me 87 gv
Post by: Old phart phred on September 02, 2018, 04:41:51 pm
Tire date codes, full water tank, tow insurance, spare fuel filters. Matched set belts. How long has it been sitting?
Title: Re: New to me 87 gv
Post by: rbark on September 02, 2018, 04:53:10 pm
Welcome! Sure looks nice on the outside.
Title: Re: New to me 87 gv
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on September 02, 2018, 05:09:56 pm
Congrats on the new ride! The more GVs we get, the better! If any of the filters are questionable (date of install or miles) then just change them for peace of mind. Gives you a good baseline for your future maintenance program.
If the engine fires up and runs smoothly, the old diesel in the tank is probably fine. Best thing to do is use it, and then replace with fresh. If either of the fuel filters have drain valves, you can check there to see if you're getting any water out of the tank.
Title: Re: New to me 87 gv
Post by: Caflashbob on September 02, 2018, 05:15:33 pm
9910 club number sounds familiar. Original owner?
Title: Re: New to me 87 gv
Post by: Mike Leary (RIP) on September 02, 2018, 05:28:31 pm
I like the color scheme, welcome! ^.^d
Title: Re: New to me 87 gv
Post by: bigfoot on September 02, 2018, 05:56:06 pm
Tire date codes, full water tank, tow insurance, spare fuel filters. Matched set belts. How long has it been sitting?
Not sure how long but drives nice. Eng smooth. Probably change out most of the filters the important ones when and if I can figure that out. Change oil and coolant if I can get decent us. Thanks
Title: Re: New to me 87 gv
Post by: bigfoot on September 02, 2018, 06:15:58 pm
The club # is on the unit so not sure of owner or time frameNot sure how long but drives nice. Eng smooth. Probably change out most of the filters the important ones when and if I can figure that out. Change oil and coolant if I can get decent us. Thanks
I know there is a prob with tires. They ate mitclins perfect rubber no cracks what so ever bit they are 7 yrs old on the front and 8 on the back. If I drive decent would I be safe to drive to AZ. It will be lightly loaded. Thanks
Title: Re: New to me 87 gv
Post by: bofzwell on September 02, 2018, 06:20:41 pm
This looks like the GV that we first fell in love with. Went to get check from bank, and when we got back to the lot, 20 minutes later, it had been sold for cash. Wish I could locate the photos we took that day. 9910 seems to be the Motorcade number we both remember. This was in Parkland Wa.
Title: Re: New to me 87 gv
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on September 02, 2018, 06:28:39 pm
I know there is a prob with tires...7 yrs old on the front and 8 on the back.
We were driving on 8 year old Michelins in West TX 100 degree temps, right up until I replaced them this past April. I'm not saying you should or shouldn't trust them - that's entirely your decision. But if it was me, and I saw no cracks in the side walls or between tread grooves, I wouldn't be scared to use them until I got home. Have a good paid-up roadside assistance insurance policy, just in case...
On the other hand, my wife just reminded me that IF you wanted to put fresh tires on for the trip home, Oregon is a great place to buy them cuz they have NO sales tax! We just installed a full set of Uniroyal RS20 tires on our GV, and have been very happy with them.
As we like to say around here, "Do What Makes You Happy".
Title: Re: New to me 87 gv
Post by: Protech Racing on September 02, 2018, 09:23:18 pm
Nice Bus, Same as I have MOL. I love my Bus. They are a great value but also a big financial exposure. All that it needs to go down the road is air pressure, tires, and clean fuel. I would get the tires done as soon as you can to simply get rid of that safety consideration. Dont foreget that you have left handed lug nuts on the left side ..** Tell the tire changer. I change my own. The air pressure might be fine . You have a few miles of air lines - lots of stuff involved . Pump it up and make sure it holds for at least 15 min over 80# or so. Engine off. Some guys try to make it totally leak free. My bus leaks a few #s per day but shows 60 or over after a couple of weeks most of the time. It was a lot worse when I got it and functioned just fine.
Snug up the belts and change them when you get a chance . Change the fuel filters and add a biobar .IMHO
Check the insulation is not hanging on the muffler . Welcome . The forum will be a huge asset to you, and you to it. If it runs like mine , it has gear for 70 and brakes for 55. Go easy on the brakes..
Title: Re: New to me 87 gv
Post by: Old phart phred on September 02, 2018, 11:09:15 pm
Tires can fall for a lot of different reasons, best I can do is recommend an IR temperature gun to detect hopefully an irregular temperature on the way home. A internal tire belt breakage or separation may show up first as an abnormal high temp. The first 530 miles I made hourly walk arounds in the 112 degree Mojave shooting spot temperatures on everything. Ran only 65 mph Made it to Winslow, AZ checked everything again while enjoying a cold one. Tightened the new mismatched belts each day. Day two I stretched out the walk around interavel to 1.5 hours and clicked off 630 miles to shamrock tx. Day 3 was only 350 miles to home. Each morning the mismatched belts would squeal like a pig for several minutes. Made it home all six mismatched gates green stripe belts were toast. Called around to source some new matched belts in a city with a 300000 population and it was a 3 day wait to get matching belts, and continental belts was all I could find. Industrial supply house had the gates green stripe matched "sister" belts in that size in stock but could not sell me them because I was going to use for an automotive application
Title: Re: New to me 87 gv
Post by: bigfoot on September 03, 2018, 12:04:40 am
Tires can fall for a lot of different reasons, best I can do is recommend an IR temperature gun to detect hopefully an irregular temperature on the way home. A internal tire belt breakage or separation may show up first as an abnormal high temp. The first 530 miles I made hourly walk arounds in the 112 degree Mojave shooting spot temperatures on everything. Ran only 65 mph Made it to Winslow, AZ checked everything again while enjoying a cold one. Tightened the new mismatched belts each day. Day two I stretched out the walk around interavel to 1.5 hours and clicked off 630 miles to shamrock tx. Day 3 was only 350 miles to home. Each morning the mismatched belts would squeal like a pig for several minutes. Made it home all six mismatched gates green stripe belts were toast. Called around to source some new matched belts in a city with a 300000 population and it was a 3 day wait to get matching belts, and continental belts was all I could find. Industrial supply house had the gates green stripe matched "sister" belts in that size in stock but could not sell me them because I was going to use for an automotive application
That is quite a story and luckily you. Wished I had the 300 horse power Bob and Carol Cox 87 gv 3208t
Title: Re: New to me 87 gv
Post by: bigfoot on September 03, 2018, 12:12:39 am
g=323653 date=1535927319] We were driving on 8 year old Michelins in West TX 100 degree temps, right up until I replaced them this past April. I'm not saying you should or shouldn't trust them - that's entirely your decision. But if it was me, and I saw no cracks in the side walls or between tread grooves, I wouldn't be scared to use them until I got home. Have a good paid-up roadside assistance insurance policy, just in case...
On the other hand, my wife just reminded me that IF you wanted to put fresh tires on for the trip home, Oregon is a great place to buy them cuz they have NO sales tax! We just installed a full set of Uniroyal RS20 tires on our GV, and have been very happy with them.
As we like to say around here, "Do What Makes You Happy".
Thank for you comments and tips. I need them Bob and Carol Cox 87 gv cat 3208t
Title: Re: New to me 87 gv
Post by: bigfoot on September 03, 2018, 12:34:26 am
We were driving on 8 year old Michelins in West TX 100 degree temps, right up until I replaced them this past April. I'm not saying you should or shouldn't trust them - that's entirely your decision. But if it was me, and I saw no cracks in the side walls or between tread grooves, I wouldn't be scared to use them until I got home. Have a good paid-up roadside assistance insurance policy, just in case...
On the other hand, my wife just reminded me that IF you wanted to put fresh tires on for the trip home, Oregon is a great place to buy them cuz they have NO sales tax! We just installed a full set of Uniroyal RS20 tires on our GV, and have been very happy with them.
As we like to say around here, "Do What Makes You Happy".
Thank for you comments and tips. I need them Bob and Carol Cox 87 gv cat 3208t
This looks like the GV that we first fell in love with. Went to get check from bank, and when we got back to the lot, 20 minutes later, it had been sold for cash. Wish I could locate the photos we took that day. 9910 seems to be the Motorcade number we both remember. This was in Parkland Wa.
This looks like the GV that we first fell in love with. Went to get check from bank, and when we got back to the lot, 20 minutes later, it had been sold for cash. Wish I could locate the photos we took that day. 9910 seems to be the Motorcade number we both remember. This was in Parkland Wa.
Yes, this maybe the one. I looked up the vin and it was sold in WA at a RV dealer site. It was sold a few yrs ago and had 67,000 miles
Title: Re: New to me 87 gv
Post by: bigfoot on September 03, 2018, 12:51:31 am
Where would I find my build #
Title: Re: New to me 87 gv
Post by: bigfoot on September 03, 2018, 12:56:12 am
Where would I find my build # for my 87 gv 36 ft 3208t
Title: Re: New to me 87 gv
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on September 03, 2018, 08:35:58 am
Where would I find my build # for my 87 gv 36 ft 3208t
Look on the wall next to driver seat. Find the manufacturer data plate. Bottom line on the plate, see the Model number. Reading from the left, the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th digits are your build number. On my plate (below) our build number is 4359.
Title: Re: New to me 87 gv
Post by: Tim Fiedler on September 03, 2018, 09:11:14 am
I second the Oregon purchase decision on tires - at the risk of boring regular readers of the forum....
I had an 8 year old Michelin blow out on left front steer position - tire was 5 minutes out of pulling away from an overnight at Walmart, ambient 60 degrees, speed at 55MPH on a two lane road. Steer tire aired to 110 PSI, a little higher than was needed, had just checked all 6 tire presses along with the oil level.
Left Steer Tire blew, no big deal keeping the coach off the road and on to side of road BUT took al day to get a service truck out with one tire and then drive to the tire store and have 5 more put on (and they ruined 3 studs on my front wheels over tightening them) Then a trip to Xtreme for the $6,000 insurance claim for fiberglass repair. Total waste of SIGNIFICANT time and aggravation, plus missed a social event in Chicago that was planned.
tires were beautiful on outside - no cracking or checking, lots of tread - but steel belts embedded inside the carcass had rusted severely and one let loose. Even had you dismounted the tire and checked the inside of the tire I know of no way of checking this issue. Tire wintered in FL 6 months of the year and was filled with whatever air the tire company or service facility (usually MOT) used. - no nitrogen, no balancing golf balls, centramatics, etc. No TPMS, but as I said I had just checked all air pressures - when tire blew it was obvious the steel had failed.
Tires can blow at ANY time. Road Hazard, Heat and overloading (another way to say heat) are primary culprits. I second the IR gun approach when you pause on the road - great for brakes too
But 8 year old tires can not be trusted. If you get away with running every red light you encounter for two years and don't get into an accident or get arrested, does that make running red lights a good standard operating procedure? Same with running tires past 7 years.
Why not increase your piece of mind and get a set in Oregon - On your age and value coach, I would shop price over brand as long as you stayed with tires you could get warranty service on local to where you are most often parked.
Why wait if you know
Tim Fiedler
Sure Start Soft Start (http://www.gen-pro.biz) - home of SureStart soft starters TCER Direct (http://www.tcerdirect.com) - home of Generac Approved Aluminum and Copper TCER Composite cable generator-gas-prod (http://www.generatorgasproducts.com) - home of X-Riser Gas Risers for PE installation Call me at 630 240-9139 Gen-Pro
Title: Re: New to me 87 gv
Post by: Old phart phred on September 03, 2018, 10:13:55 am
On my GV the build number is also on the white tag on the inside of the glove box door. Unit no. 3504. Along with alignment specs and ride height.
Title: Re: New to me 87 gv
Post by: bigfoot on September 03, 2018, 11:26:35 pm
ate=1535980274] I second the Oregon purchase decision on tires - at the risk of boring regular readers of the forum....
I had an 8 year old Michelin blow out on left front steer position - tire was 5 minutes out of pulling away from an overnight at Walmart, ambient 60 degrees, speed at 55MPH on a two lane road. Steer tire aired to 110 PSI, a little higher than was needed, had just checked all 6 tire presses along with the oil level.
Left Steer Tire blew, no big deal keeping the coach off the road and on to side of road BUT took al day to get a service truck out with one tire and then drive to the tire store and have 5 more put on (and they ruined 3 studs on my front wheels over tightening them) Then a trip to Xtreme for the $6,000 insurance claim for fiberglass repair. Total waste of SIGNIFICANT time and aggravation, plus missed a social event in Chicago that was planned.
tires were beautiful on outside - no cracking or checking, lots of tread - but steel belts embedded inside the carcass had rusted severely and one let loose. Even had you dismounted the tire and checked the inside of the tire I know of no way of checking this issue. Tire wintered in FL 6 months of the year and was filled with whatever air the tire company or service facility (usually MOT) used. - no nitrogen, no balancing golf balls, centramatics, etc. No TPMS, but as I said I had just checked all air pressures - when tire blew it was obvious the steel had failed.
Tires can blow at ANY time. Road Hazard, Heat and overloading (another way to say heat) are primary culprits. I second the IR gun approach when you pause on the road - great for brakes too
But 8 year old tires can not be trusted. If you get away with running every red light you encounter for two years and don't get into an accident or get arrested, does that make running red lights a good standard operating procedure? Same with running tires past 7 years.
Why not increase your piece of mind and get a set in Oregon - On your age and value coach, I would shop price over brand as long as you stayed with tires you could get warranty service on local to where you are most often parked.
Why wait if you know
Tim Fiedler
Sure Start Soft Start (http://www.gen-pro.biz) - home of SureStart soft starters TCER Direct (http://www.tcerdirect.com) - home of Generac Approved Aluminum and Copper TCER Composite cable generator-gas-prod (http://www.generatorgasproducts.com) - home of X-Riser Gas Risers for PE installation Call me at 630 240-9139 Gen-Pro
Excellant post Tim and I don't think you bored anyone. You opened my eyes even more
Title: Re: New to me 87 gv
Post by: bigfoot on September 03, 2018, 11:43:34 pm
Look on the wall next to driver seat. Find the manufacturer data plate. Bottom line on the plate, see the Model number. Reading from the left, the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th digits are your build number. On my plate (below) our build number is 4359.
Thank you. Learning. I hit the quote to leave a reply. Doesn't feel right but getting it done
Title: Re: New to me 87 gv
Post by: Caflashbob on September 03, 2018, 11:53:44 pm
Wet air rusts tire cord belts
Title: Re: New to me 87 gv
Post by: bigfoot on September 04, 2018, 12:01:54 am
Makes sense and this motorhome has set in Oregon for awhile. Wet wet
Title: Re: New to me 87 gv
Post by: Bob & Sue on September 04, 2018, 01:34:56 am
Bob. Susie and I live in the McMinnville area. Sent you a PM. Let's get together.
Title: Re: New to me 87 gv
Post by: Caflashbob on September 04, 2018, 09:00:43 am
A tire inspection with removal from the rim should have caught the rusting belts.
I plan to run my 2015 Michelin's at least ten years subject to a 5 year and a 8 year removal for inspection.
Dry air from the coach air out or Nitrogen only for me.
When and while removed I will install the bendix commercial truck tire pressure and temp internal sending units.
Title: Re: New to me 87 gv
Post by: Twig on September 04, 2018, 09:13:49 am
You have drum brakes all around that heat up quickly.
Title: Re: New to me 87 gv
Post by: Tim Fiedler on September 04, 2018, 09:19:27 am
Belts imbedded in rubber, not visible inside or out We live in America, land of choice, I was firmly in your camp until my blow out
Title: Re: New to me 87 gv
Post by: Caflashbob on September 04, 2018, 10:31:38 am
While I am not a tire engineer it serms that moisture CAN transfer through the thin rubber coating over the steel cord belt as evidenced by the actual rusting that caused the failure. The moisture that caused the failure was not in the tire when made.
My memory of these 30 years ago same questions I asked after having seen multiple failed tires from rusted cord belts included a then current component of the constriction of the carcass that included a dry acid coating of some kind over the steel belts themselves to allow the rubber like coating to adhere to the belts better during the process.
I was told that Introduction of water vapor under heat and pressure into the tire over long enough activates the acid which speeds the rusting process.
Probably why our coaches all came from Foretravel with a DRY air full pressure air outlet installed when new.
Michrelin tires carcass are guaranteed for 7 years, 700,000 miles and three retreads from an authorized Michelin rebuilder.
As has been posted here the tires are designed to release an agent during use to promote a longer, non cracking life that we d9 not generate near as much of from our low mile use.
I,assume the same agent is present in the inner cord belts construction. If under used the inner carcass may not seal out water vapor as well over our much longer term use.
Adding non dry air or CO2 or Nitrogen would seem to be a contributor to our non commercial,uses issues with our tires.
The low miles of use and the extended years of use and the non release of the non cracking agents from the low use and then adding non dry air into the tires would seem to all match the observed failures..
I am only relaying the answers I remember from long ago so please if a current commercial tire engineer would like to comment I am all ears.
After explaining this to every purchaser of a motorhome from me or my staff I had no further rusted cord belt failures.
Or you can buy $4-5k plus sets of tires every five years versus hassle with using the built in coach air system.
My coach required replacing the oil soaked and weak from long use D2 valve to raise the coaches air pressure from 90-110 as received to 110-130 to fill the tires quicker and for stronger brakes.
My car tires are all nitrogen filled and I have a large tank in my shop I fill everything with.
Using the nitrogen on my sir tools stopped the rusting of the tools internally or I could run an air dryer from my 165 pound pressure compressor an add a oil luber for better sealing and wear reduction.
Our use does not match the truck tires design for crack prevention necessarily. Later tires seem to show less external cracking in the results posted here.
Unfortunately any internal issues are not visible without removal.
A removed tire with no internal rusting or damage visible that meets the tires external manufacturiers condition guidelines would seem to be useable safely for another set time?
You have to fill the tires without water vapor if you want a long term safe ride IMO.
Or buy tires much quicker and/or buy less expensive tires to help defray the accelerated costs....
Title: Re: New to me 87 gv
Post by: wantabe on September 04, 2018, 11:14:05 am
I think your question was regarding fuel sitting a long time. The diesel will have bacterial growth in it, the black goopy stuff and will have lost cetane. Carry extra filters and be prepared to change the primary one as ofter as needed or polish the fuel. There are cetane additives for diesel that you can by at any automotive store that will refresh the stale fuel. Happy trails and good luck.
Wantabe
Title: Re: New to me 87 gv
Post by: nitehawk on September 04, 2018, 12:55:11 pm
Depending on your fuel delivery system and battery life, in addition to the filters, wouldn't it be a good idea to carry a gallon of fresh diesel fuel to prime the filters?
Title: Re: New to me 87 gv
Post by: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart on September 04, 2018, 01:26:12 pm
Even biodiesel B-20 can sit for years and while not meeting emission specs, will start just fine. If you don't have a algae to begin with, it won't magically start growing even with some water in the tank. There has to be a trace of algae to begin with. Biocide is nice to have in the tank to insure the algae can't grow in the diesel/water interface. If you look into the water trap on the primary filter, you will see any water/algae collect there. Our U300 picks up fuel from the bottom of the tank and driving will cause any water/algae to quickly travel to the primary filter. Stick the oil, check the air filter restriction gauge, look at the primary filter using a flash light if necessary every day or so.
So, to the fuel polishers, you start with a nice clean tank until the first time you fuel up. Then you are at the mercy of what comes out the hose. 99 plus times, you get nice clean diesel. But when you do get water and or algae, it's back to square one. Since the engine only uses a small percentage of the fuel pumped from the tank, the rest gets returned and "polished" to the size of the secondary filter. The engine's pump/injectors are looking for the factory micron number and anything smaller is overkill.
Carrying extra diesel risks a spill in a compartment and also risks contamination when you hand fill the filters. Better to leave them a turn loose and fill with the hand or electric prime pump and then finish tightening.
Pierce
Title: Re: New to me 87 gv
Post by: craneman on September 04, 2018, 01:51:36 pm
The diesel fuel in my Lincoln welder is now 20 years old. Has a Perkins engine and starts and runs fine when I need it. It is on the service truck I used when in the Cat. loader rental business and it has to have the fuel pump changed every time I need to move it in the yard thanks to the methanol in the gas. I will have more time now and will put the truck on a regular run cycle with Stable added to the gas. I don't need a 400 amp welder very often now and have wire feeds and smaller Miller portables is why the fuel is lasting so long.
Title: Re: New to me 87 gv
Post by: Barry & Cindy on September 04, 2018, 06:48:43 pm
We carry a red plastic gasoline can full of diesel, marked with date filled, to prefill fuel filters. We carry 3 -4 changes of our three fuel filters.
Title: Re: New to me 87 gv
Post by: Old phart phred on September 04, 2018, 10:31:49 pm
My cat 3208 has a manual push pull pump on the secondary filter. Primary filter is a drop in variety with sediment bowl below. Secondary filter is at least 3x the size of the primary filter. It fires right up when changing the primary since that filter is top loading and not much fuel loss if any. Secondary filter change requires loosening the easily accessible outlet fitting and about a dozen pumps. Pretty nice design for on the road primary filter changes. Pull off the road swap out primary, fire the engine wash hands while coach is ildeling. Half hour is about the most you could spend swapping the primary. Engine will probably hiccup a couple of times as a small air bubble makes it's way through the system.