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New to the RV community

Hello All,  just pulled the trigger on chapter two of our journey.  2003 U320 40'. 

We are excited to get going on our first trip.  Hope to see some of you on the road !
2003 U320 40 AGDS Build 6157 161K miles

Hampstead NC

Re: New to the RV community

Reply #1
Congratulations and welcome to the family!  Please insert your signature at bottom listing coach, year, etc.  Where are you located now?  Trips?  Wishing you many safe happy miles in your newly required coach.  8)
Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus

Re: New to the RV community

Reply #2
Welcome to the family
 Where are y'all from orrrr where is your base camp?

Rick
1992 FT U240
Vin# 1F96D3362NN054378
Model # G92401236SBIU240
Model # 4012
2007 Toyota FJ
2007 Cadillac
1984 Jeep Cherokee
2008 Polaris Ranger
2018 Polaris Ranger
More cars, pickup, and tractors than anyone 83 years old needs. :)

Re: New to the RV community

Reply #3
Purchased from a private seller in Nacodoches Thursday. Drove it back home to Hampstead NC.

Three problems right out of gate. The steps would not lower or retract on day two. Ratchet strap working fine for the ride home. The airbag on the passenger side tag axle went flat. Tire rubbing on something and spewing molten rubber all over the place.  The airbags were just installed. Found that the installer did NOT put the nut back on the bottom of the linkage. Instead put two nuts on the driver side of the tag axle.

Aria deluxe toilet needs a flange seal. It was uncomfortable unless running both fans.  Can't seem to figure out which model toilet I have. Aria deluxe 1 or Aria deluxe two.  If anyone knows if the flanges seals are interchangeable I would be very thankful.

I knew I would adding stuff to the punch list and rather enjoy fixing stuff. 
2003 U320 40 AGDS Build 6157 161K miles

Hampstead NC

Re: New to the RV community

Reply #4

Congrats. If you call FT parts and give them your vin , they can tell you your build number along with every part that it came with. They'll be able to tell which toilet and sell the flange seal.

Who installed the air bags? That's a shame but should be an easy fix. Fwiw, I had a similar experience with one newly installed airbag, it happens.

Before you do any of the below, search the sticky and get some steel blocks to block it up. Mandatory before you crawl under one of these, especially with a potential major air leak.

If the step doesn't work and you have low air in some bags, that could be really dangerous and point to a large air leak. After you fix the 2 PS bags, air up to max, turn off the coach and check for leaks. I use dawn dish soap and water to spray the fittings, look for bubbles. Like when kids blow bubbles. If you see that, there's a leak. The steps can be a little more fun to work with since there are regulators and Norgren valves. Plenty of posts on here that discuss them.

Get some of this and put it on. I credit Chuck for telling me about this, works well. There is also a permatex one that isn't so runny.
Amazon.com: Loctite 483630 592 Thread Sealant, 50-Mililiter Tube : Automotive

Feel free to ask questions, have fun.

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
Jason
2000 U295 36' Non-slide  ISC350

Re: New to the RV community

Reply #5
If you call FT parts and give them your vin , they can tell you your build number along with every part that it came with.
Or, you can find it yourself.  The build number is the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th digits in the model number on metal ID plate.

Either way, the "Build Number" is very important to know anytime you call the factory to ask a question or to order parts.

Welcome to the group!

1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: New to the RV community

Reply #6
For the step you are dealing with air and wiring. On mine the electric connection on the
Norgren Valve was shot plus the Norgren valves was leaking. The electric connection stop
them from working.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: New to the RV community

Reply #7
I had the build number and called FOT today.  The last owner swapped out the original for the thetford. Thetford had the flange seals and got them on order.

Haven't tackled the steps yet waiting for some cooler weather this weekend. 

Airbags all working fine after 700 miles. Unit seems to hold good pressure but will bubble test everything once I get my blocks under there.
2003 U320 40 AGDS Build 6157 161K miles

Hampstead NC

Re: New to the RV community

Reply #8
If things didn't smell good- you may have a bad air admittance valve gone south. 10 bucks at lowes. They call them kitchen vents. Easy to remove and install.

Re: New to the RV community

Reply #9
On our 2003 u320 it had a 2 step Kwikee step that is electric. You can find a utube on troubleshooting the step
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: New to the RV community

Reply #10
The flange seal is certainly part of the problem. The toilet flushes fine and holds water in the bowl indefinitely. 

It takes just a few minutes to grease up the seal and reinstall. Looks like the old seal was cut when the new toilet was installed.

The steps are electric two steps just not sure which brand. Still have not been back under there to take a closer look.

2003 U320 40 AGDS Build 6157 161K miles

Hampstead NC

 

Re: New to the RV community

Reply #11
If it's like ours it will be a Kwikee brand.
Richard & Betty Bark & Keiko our Golden Doodle
2003 U320T 3820 PBDS
Build # 6215
MC # 16926
2016 Chevrolet Colorado 4X4 diesel