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Topic: Just Got Our First Foretravel - Renovations Started (Read 6883 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Just Got Our First Foretravel - Renovations Started

Reply #75 –
Quote from: AKATheAlchemist –
I thought it was pretty brilliant myself. :) And it seems to be working pretty well. Forgetting to turn off the water is a problem... lol. Does that mean you added the misters on yours?
For the misters and even the fans, you can buy a simple on off "snap disc" used in air conditioning. I put my snap discs on the radiator and wired fans through one, and mister solenoid through another one. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5eUQkmTwwQ
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: Just Got Our First Foretravel - Renovations Started

Reply #76 –
These new did not heat up like you are reporting. But as you posted no numbers it's had to say.

What you think is heating up maybe normal?  Not coolant loss although.

Crud in core?  Flush radiator?  Slipping water pump drive belt?  Corroded water pump impeller?  Defective sending gauge?

Bad dash gauge.  Poor dash ground for gauge? Need new cap?

Timing too advanced?  Distributor worn?
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Just Got Our First Foretravel - Renovations Started

Reply #77 –
Quote from: Caflashbob –
These new did not heat up like you are reporting.

Hey @Caflashbob - I started a new thread for the Overheating issue, since I don't want it to get lost in this renovation thread. Thanks so much for your help!
Overheating Help: FT GV with Chevy 454 on P-30 Chassis '87
Husband & Wife Team. 3 Kids. 8 yo boy, 4 yo girl, 19 mth girl. Mostly Finished Renovating 1986 Grand Villa 3300 GVF SBI for a multi year trip around the country with the kids.

Re: Just Got Our First Foretravel - Renovations Started

Reply #78 –
Hey All!

Been travleling with the fam and haven't posted much in the last few months... but we've gotten more accomplished on our renovations.

Let's see...

I made a few modifications to the bathroom for my middle daughter who was too short to turn on the lights or open the door.. and thus couldn't go to the bathroom on her own.... ever. Lol. So I fixed it:

- New switch in the bathroom for overhead light. Popped off the switch from the ThinLite and ran wire cover stuff along the ceiling and next to the door frame and put a wall mounted light switch at a height where everyone in the family could reach it.

- I also added a "Ball Spring" to the bottom of the door and cut out a little hole for it in the door frame, so when we are stopped I could put a coder pin in the main door latch so it's not used and just the little ball spring... which holds the door closed nicely while stationary... now my daughter doesn't have to be able to reach the door handle to open the potty door. She can just pull on it and it open... flip on the light and go potty. :)

Other mods:

- All interior lights are now LED. Just did LED conversion kits on all of the ThinLights. Replaced all bulbs with LED bulbs. Even the bulb in the Foretravel handle outside. Much nicer and MUCH brighter in the coach.

- Added in an original Foretravel side table that pulls up and out and has two leaves. Very nice for family dinners on those cold nights.

- ReDid the front TV box and made it level with the rest of the cabinets. Custom built a sound bar mount. Now our DVD player, Apple TV, Nintendo Switch, TV and Soundbar all look like they were meant to be there. All hidden wires. Install looks good... just need to match stain on the new cabinet door I made.

- We did finally decide to paint the wood paneling on the walls. It's a tan color that matches the floor well. High-Gloss. Looks really good. We also painted all of the little metal screen on our cabinets a metallic blue color (also from the floor)... really brings it all together. Just need to get the Roller shades to finish the look. And finish some more painting. Cabinets are staying wood.

- I finally found the Pressure Switch my Compressor needed at Grainger Industrial Supply and fixed that last night. So I can now adjust the Tag Axles on the road. Not sure why I'd do that at this point... but I'm sure I'll figure it out soon enough.

- Replaced the power steering pump... fixed the major source of my engine fluid leaks. Yay! Think I still have one more seal here to fix.

Overheating issue was resolved with a Fan Clutch (see other post listed above).

I'm running out of things to fix, upgrade, or renovate.

Only a few more on our list:
-Finish Painting,
-Roller Shades,
-Awning,
-Inverter/Solar,
-Buff, polish, and new stickers on outside,
-Still haven't figured out why generator doesn't produce power (but to be honest haven't looked much cause we don't ever really need it),


Maybe's (Cause we never use them):
-New Convection Oven/Microwave
-New dash radio
-Hose reels??

I'll put pics in a separate post... cause I still can't figure out how to add them on this screen.
Husband & Wife Team. 3 Kids. 8 yo boy, 4 yo girl, 19 mth girl. Mostly Finished Renovating 1986 Grand Villa 3300 GVF SBI for a multi year trip around the country with the kids.

Re: Just Got Our First Foretravel - Renovations Started

Reply #79 –
Below you can see the new wall color, the new blue color on the metal grades in the cabinets, the new (old Foretravel) table, the new front TV cabinet modifications and a couple pics from our travels.

We've gotten to see Lake Havasu and the London bridge, several places along the Colorado river and in the desert. Went all around San Diego. Took our dog to a show where he got his first ribbon in Palm Springs.

We are in Vegas now and will be hitting up Grand Canyon, Sedona, Picacho Peak, Kartcher Caverns, Guadalupe National Park, And Carlsbad Caverns over the next two months.

Should be lots of fun. :)

Oh and I forgot to mention on the last post... I fixed the Fiberglass damage that we caused on our first day with the coach. That was much easier that I though it would be. :) The last pic shows it almost done. I need to take a pic now that it's completed. :)

And I replaced the ladder. On one of our trips in California, something hit the top of our original ladder and ripped off one of the sides on the top. It's all new now. Looks and works great. You can kind of see it on the last fiberglass repair pic.
Husband & Wife Team. 3 Kids. 8 yo boy, 4 yo girl, 19 mth girl. Mostly Finished Renovating 1986 Grand Villa 3300 GVF SBI for a multi year trip around the country with the kids.

Re: Just Got Our First Foretravel - Renovations Started

Reply #80 –
Quote from: AKATheAlchemist –
I can now adjust the Tag Axles on the road. Not sure why I'd do that at this point
I do not  have a tag axle, but my understanding is that one of the reasons to lift it is to make tighter turns.
 
Trent
Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385

Re: Just Got Our First Foretravel - Renovations Started

Reply #81 –
Tag axle should be down when running over the speed of about 5 mph. You lift them to enable a tight turn, such as backing up.
Lynn and Linda Day and Harry the pug
RIP: Tank 01-2008 to 03-2020
2012 Nimbus 42' build 6555
ISX12-500hp
2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee
MC# 17723

Re: Just Got Our First Foretravel - Renovations Started

Reply #82 –
Don't believe 1986 grand villas had a lifting or unloading tag. Might be adjustable tag air bag pressure though.
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: Just Got Our First Foretravel - Renovations Started

Reply #83 –
Yeah. It doesn't lift. Just adjustable pressure.
Husband & Wife Team. 3 Kids. 8 yo boy, 4 yo girl, 19 mth girl. Mostly Finished Renovating 1986 Grand Villa 3300 GVF SBI for a multi year trip around the country with the kids.

Re: Just Got Our First Foretravel - Renovations Started

Reply #84 –
Quote from: AKATheAlchemist –
Yeah. It doesn't lift. Just adjustable pressure.
Usually, more weight requires more pressure.  How you would determine "how much" pressure...I don't know.
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: Just Got Our First Foretravel - Renovations Started

Reply #85 –
Best way is go to "cat" scale or similar, an put drive axle on one table and tag on another. Check axle capacities and adjust bag pressure till that axle is taking the proper proportion of the total rear weight.
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: Just Got Our First Foretravel - Renovations Started

Reply #86 –
@jcus - good to know. I was reading about the axle capacities in the manual and wondering how you'd even figure that out. Thanks!
Husband & Wife Team. 3 Kids. 8 yo boy, 4 yo girl, 19 mth girl. Mostly Finished Renovating 1986 Grand Villa 3300 GVF SBI for a multi year trip around the country with the kids.

Re: Just Got Our First Foretravel - Renovations Started

Reply #87 –
Hello.  We have just made our first MH purchase with an 86 FEG 454, 33' tag axle...  i will attach a photo.  Also about 40,000 miles on a well maintained coach.  We found on ebay, flew to San Diego and from storage ( stupid idea really) drove it 1300 miles straight back home to Boulder CO...  no overheating issues ... so sorry to hear about your constant heating problems.  In fact.. our radiator back up reservoir was missing . Half of the bottle still in place but dried up and gone the rest... but good temps all the way back to boulder thru AZ mountains and NM near CO border.    We hear the fans kick on with just little elevations changes but we tell ourselves its the " TURBO" and all is good... we some AC work , gen set tune up, some minor toilet leaks but all appliances have good clean bill of health.    We have the original orange binder manual from FT but its seems worthless as its just a long book to read.. no pics... no diagrams.. very little detailed info....  we are very very virgin ... we will learn a lot.... hopefully not in the side of the road...
1986 Grand Villa, 454 Chevrolet, 33 SBI tag axle
Build # 2658
2nd owner, original owner was Newman/Freeman Racing, racer Bill Freeman and actor/racer Paul Newman

Re: Just Got Our First Foretravel - Renovations Started

Reply #88 –
Quote from: Subsilked –
...hopefully not on the side of the road...
Even being stuck on the side of the road is not a total disaster - you have something to eat and drink, a roof over your head, and a bathroom!
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: Just Got Our First Foretravel - Renovations Started

Reply #89 –
@Chuck & Jeannie - it's true... we've been on the side of the road a few times... it's not bad if it's level. lol.

@Subsilked - Glad you haven't had any overheating issues. Ours seems to be all good now. Had a loose distributor cap that was causing lots of issues. I still think we will need a new radiator at some point... especially if we want to hit mountains. But the last several hundred miles it's been driving like a dream. Though... i do think one of my ac's just gave up the ghost. WE have been using it almost 24/7 for a year.

Also... be prepared to fix or replace all of the appliances... even the ones with a good bill of health. All of ours worked when we got the coach. But the coach is 30 years old... and with only 40K miles on it at the time.... it hadn't been used much. So... when things that old go from not being used to being used all the time... they start to show their age and fail. We had our microwave, water pump, water heater, refrigerator, propane alarm/solenoid shut off valve all fail over the last year. Replaced or rebuilt all fo them. Had a propane connection leak. And now our front ac isn't calling anymore. I recently replaced the fan and capacitor... which got us a few more weeks of life.... but it seems the compressor is bad... which means a new unit. Not too upset about that... cause I've wanted to replace them since I got it so I could hook up a digital thermostat (and the new one's are like 20% quieter).
Husband & Wife Team. 3 Kids. 8 yo boy, 4 yo girl, 19 mth girl. Mostly Finished Renovating 1986 Grand Villa 3300 GVF SBI for a multi year trip around the country with the kids.

Re: Just Got Our First Foretravel - Renovations Started

Reply #90 –
AKA,

Sometimes these coaches just have low coolant levels and will overheat. The sight glass looks full, but the glass is stained green if it has not been removed and cleaned. I have heard, foretravels have a slight beep sound if coolant is low, although, there are many models with different options and most likely depends on year? I just rebuilt my entire aquahot unit for a fraction of the cost of sending it in. Who says you can't replace the copper pipe around the boiler? It was fun to learn about the system.
'The strength of the effort is the measure of the result'
1995 U320SE
40'
#4740
#17648

Re: Just Got Our First Foretravel - Renovations Started

Reply #91 –
Quote from: cubesphere –
I just rebuilt my entire aquahot unit for a fraction of the cost of sending it in. Who says you can't replace the copper pipe around the boiler?
You're not gonna stop posting photos at that point, are you?  We want to see the rest of the restoration job, from start to finish!

MORE PHOTOS!
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: Just Got Our First Foretravel - Renovations Started

Reply #92 –
WHAT CHUCK SAID! That's a big undertaking!
Richard & Betty Bark & Keiko our Golden Doodle
2003 U320T 3820 PBDS
Build # 6215
MC # 16926
2016 Chevrolet Colorado 4X4 diesel

Re: Just Got Our First Foretravel - Renovations Started

Reply #93 –
Chuck,

I will post more photos as soon as I can. I was not sure if anyone was interested in a project like this, however, if one can completely restore your aqua hot for under a grand, why not, right? It will most likely be this weekend when I get to the rest of the pictures. Here is a few more in the meantime, feel free to ask any questions.
'The strength of the effort is the measure of the result'
1995 U320SE
40'
#4740
#17648

Re: Just Got Our First Foretravel - Renovations Started

Reply #94 –
One other thing, I simply made a stand to support one end from the ground, the other rested upon my truck, this way, I could wrap all the pipe without issue. Not very high tech I know, it worked great. I also changed the way the tubing ran in and out to make it more efficient if the unit ever needed removed again. I used shark bite connections where making replacing the pumps fast and easy. Make sure the those shark bite connections have the right heat rating. You see a picture of the mastic, that is tricky to work with, as it starts to set up, which is fast, then it can be cleaned up, until then it looks like lumps. I hope this adds some insight into this project. I marked all the connections, electric, water, and the pumps.
'The strength of the effort is the measure of the result'
1995 U320SE
40'
#4740
#17648

Re: Just Got Our First Foretravel - Renovations Started

Reply #95 –
Cubesphere:

It would be very helpful (to future searches) if you would make this AquaHot project report a separate thread, and post all of your photos there.  There will be a lot of owners interested in how you did it, what it cost, list of materials, problems encountered, etc.

THANKS!
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: Just Got Our First Foretravel - Renovations Started

Reply #96 –
Out of curiosity what size is the tubing? There was a previous replacement covered on the forum where they said the tubing was 1/4" and the pictures looked like it was larger, more like 1/2"
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Just Got Our First Foretravel - Renovations Started

Reply #97 –
Craneman,

Good eye, it's half inch, with some of the connections being reduced. The OD is really 7/16 on the pipe I removed.  I will do a write up in the future like Chuck suggested when I get time for those willing to take on something new. The unit has never worked so well.
'The strength of the effort is the measure of the result'
1995 U320SE
40'
#4740
#17648

Re: Just Got Our First Foretravel - Renovations Started

Reply #98 –
Quote from: cubesphere –
Craneman,

Good eye, it's half inch, with some of the connections being reduced. The OD is really 7/16 on the pipe I removed.  I will do a write up in the future like Chuck suggested when I get time for those willing to take on something new. The unit has never worked so well.
Maybe title the post as "Aqua Hot rebuild" to make a search for it easy
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Just Got Our First Foretravel - Renovations Started

Reply #99 –
Quote from: craneman –
Maybe title the post as "Aqua Hot rebuild" to make a search for it easy
It's already been done (2 years ago): Aqua hot Rebuild
John Fitzgerald
1991 U300 (SAI) Side Aisle Island Bed 40'
Detroit 6V92 with Allison Retarder
Meridian (Boise), Idaho