Closed the deal- awning retracting spring broken, trans temp gauge not working

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Closed the deal- awning retracting spring broken, trans temp gauge not working

March 11, 2016, 02:14:46 pm

So we did it. Bought the 1999 U270. low miles at only 30,000 but needs some TLC. Still has original Michelins which got us safely from Spokane Wa back to Seattle. Will replace immediately. Scheduled for service updates, trans, oil, filters etc Has upgrade awning package and two of them have broken retracting springs, is that a DIY project or should I take it to a service shop, also tach is not working but I read the previous threads and can work thru the probabilities. Transmission temp gauge is not working so any advise there is greatly apprecited. Working towards our first campout of the season with Puget Sound Good Sam Club. Will be at Gig Harbor Wa second weekend in April. BTY this forum is the BEST!!!
Dale Bernice and Gracie

Edited for searchable title.

Re: Closed the deal

Reply #1 – March 11, 2016, 03:14:36 pm

Quote from: Dale Bernice and Gracie – March 11, 2016, 02:14:46 pm

Has upgrade awning package and two of them have broken retracting springs, is that a DIY project

Hey! Now you've done it, welcome. That's our ex-neck-of-the-woods and we miss the seafood and the smell of low tide. If those are Zip-Dee awnings, DO NOT ATTEMPT, we've heard of serious injuries playing around with those springs, which are akin to a garage door opener. Keep in touch. M

Re: Closed the deal

Reply #2 – March 11, 2016, 03:22:46 pm

Dale, Bernice and Gracie
Welcome to the ForeForum and Foretravel ownership. Keep us posted on your progress!

Greg & Nettie

Re: Closed the deal

Reply #3 – March 11, 2016, 03:33:47 pm

Congratulations and welcome to the community... it is a big decision! Good to see you have already included your coach info in your signature. It helps people give you a relevant answer to your inevitable questions. One thing though, I think your build number is unlikely to be "15178" for 1999. We also have a 99' U270 and it is build number "5402".
Don

Quote

"U270 1999 36ft foretravel. 30500 miles coach #15178"

Re: Closed the deal

Reply #4 – March 11, 2016, 03:39:05 pm

A new to you coach! Great fun! The awning springs are tricky if you've never done it. I had my issues fixed by an actual awning guy. It was relatively cheap. I would go that way and keep my 10 fingers attached.
Welcome and good luck!

Re: Closed the deal

Reply #5 – March 11, 2016, 05:00:08 pm

Quote from: Dale Bernice and Gracie – March 11, 2016, 02:14:46 pm

Transmission temp gauge is not working so any advice there is greatly appreciated.
Dale Bernice and Gracie

Welcome aboard! The transmission temp gauge not working probably is just the wire unplugged from the sender. This happened on mine. The wire is not well supported and can easily slip off. (On my 1991 U300) on the driver's side I found a dangling wire on the side of the tranny, and the sender nearby with no wire attached. Plugged the wire on, and had tranny temp again.

Re: Closed the deal- awning retracting spring brokeand trans temp gauge not working

Reply #6 – March 11, 2016, 05:59:15 pm

Quote from: Don & Tys (AKA acousticart) – March 11, 2016, 03:33:47 pm

One thing though, I think your build number is unlikely to be "15178" for 1999. We also have a 99' U270 and it is build number "5402".
Don

Yes, that's one of the previous owner's Motorcade Club number, not the coach number (MC stays with person so you will want to take those numbers off).

Your build number will be in the "Model number" on the plate by the driver's knee. On a 1999, it should be the 4 digits immediately after F99 of the model number (F99 meaning Foretravel 1999)

And welcome to Foreforums!

Re: Closed the deal- awning retracting spring brokeand trans temp gauge not working

Reply #7 – March 11, 2016, 06:25:05 pm

If you do try to repair your awning be very careful!!
We had to repair our patio awning while at Cagle CG in TX. It was a matter of had to and not wanted to. The rear awning #10-32 bolt broke and the awning could not be put in a position that would let us drive anywhere. Also, the pewter rafter casting broke and was unrepairable.
I thought I had unwound the spring enough--BUT-- turns out not enough, and I now have an extremely irritating ache on my right thumb/second joint, where the pewter casting let me know I hadn't turned the end enough.
I now use the entire rafter arm to preload the spring while the DW holds the main tube away from the coach.

Re: Closed the deal- awning retracting spring brokeand trans temp gauge not working

Reply #8 – March 11, 2016, 06:47:25 pm

Quote from: nitehawk – March 11, 2016, 06:25:05 pm

If you do try to repair your awning be very careful!!
We had to repair our patio awning while at Cagle CG in TX. It was a matter of had to and not wanted to. The rear awning #10-32 bolt broke and the awning could not be put in a position that would let us drive anywhere. Also, the pewter rafter casting broke and was unrepairable.

Was that on an Zip-Dee awning?

Re: Closed the deal- awning retracting spring brokeand trans temp gauge not working

Reply #9 – March 11, 2016, 07:47:02 pm

Welcome to the community, Dale!

We have the same year/model (as do Don and Tys), and it's a good one.

Concur with others about the ZipDee awning spring replacement. It's a great thing to watch someone else replace it first, (if you're going to do it,) since the spring can really generate some force, and can get away from you easily.

Re: Closed the deal- awning retracting spring brokeand trans temp gauge not working

Reply #10 – March 11, 2016, 08:02:38 pm

Welcome to Foreforums and congrats on your new coach.

Dennis and Martha

Re: Closed the deal- awning retracting spring broken, trans temp gauge not working

Reply #11 – March 11, 2016, 11:22:59 pm

Thanks for the helpful info. It is off to the shop for the awning repairs. Will get my coach # in my signature and take the motorcade #s off. Gracie the Great likes exploring her new motorhome.
Bernice discovered the step well power cover while standing on the middle step. At least we know what that button does.

Re: Closed the deal- awning retracting spring broken, trans temp gauge not working

Reply #12 – March 12, 2016, 12:22:18 am

Yes, our awning is a Zip Dee awning. The pewter end of the upper rafter arm after a deluge that collapsed our awning while it was in the "caravan" position (open only about 24") broke. The Zip Dee service rep told us that our style awning was obsolete and parts no longer available but he came up with an end that fitted on the "axle" shaft or the awning itself. This mandated taking the awning tube/axle out of the pewter end casting, hence needing to unload the spring force.
I since no longer use the crappy #10-32 bolts but now use the hardened spring steel clip pins like on our Blue OX tow bar. There is room to slip them on and they don't rust and not very visible to the average person.

Re: Closed the deal- awning retracting spring broken, trans temp gauge not working

Reply #13 – March 12, 2016, 10:07:02 am

Found the coach #5422

Re: Closed the deal- awning retracting spring broken, trans temp gauge not working

Reply #14 – March 12, 2016, 06:33:16 pm

Welcome and congratulations- sounds like you have a good plan for getting her ready for your adventures on the road. We have been living full time in our U270 for over 8 years and have no intention of stopping. Take care of her and she will take good care of you. Hope to see you down the road.

Re: Closed the deal- awning retracting spring broken, trans temp gauge not working

Reply #15 – March 12, 2016, 08:46:03 pm

Thanks for the warm welcome. I hope our paths will cross too

Dale

Re: Closed the deal- awning retracting spring broken, trans temp gauge not working

Reply #16 – March 13, 2016, 12:47:33 pm

If you have (need) to make your own repairs to the awning,
there are several video's on the web that demonstrate how its done.
Be VERY Cautious.. pc

Re: Closed the deal- awning retracting spring broken, trans temp gauge not working

Reply #17 – March 13, 2016, 12:55:05 pm

Quote from: pocketchange – March 13, 2016, 12:47:33 pm

If you have (need) to make your own repairs to the awning,
there are several video's on the web that demonstrate how its done.
Be VERY Cautious.. pc

I watched a couple of Zip Dee pros repair our long curbside awning, not a fix I would attempt, even in my prime! If anyone has awning problems, a old-time Airstream outlet would be my choice. There is a great one in Tucson, AZ.

Re: Closed the deal- awning retracting spring broken, trans temp gauge not working

Reply #18 – March 13, 2016, 01:33:06 pm

Welcome & congrats on the coach. We have a 2000 U270-40. Bought last year. You'll love it. I replaced the Zip-Dee end cap & lock on our 1st coach. I watched several videos, and was VERY careful. Doable but ....
I bought 6 new Toyo tires from Les Schwab in Shoreline. Could have gotten them a little cheaper down in Or.but I asked and they matched the price. Nice guy.
We're still in Shoreline, Wa. Know of a couple of FT's in the area.

Enjoy the coach.

Ric

Re: Closed the deal- awning retracting spring broken, trans temp gauge not working

Reply #19 – March 13, 2016, 02:11:07 pm

Thanks for the tip on Toyo's in shoreline. I will give it a try. Got a price quote from Auburn Schwab and MIchelins thru FMCA are about the same price. Would like to have a local dealer and les schwabs service network. will give shoreline a call. Having Pacific Torque do my engine and trans service Wednesday. Probably going to pay too much but they are the authorized Allison dealer in the area. I will let everyone know how that works out.

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