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Topic: Sat around (Read 853 times) previous topic - next topic

Sat around

Hello everyone! I just bought a 1994 grand villa unicoach  that hasent been used in 12 years and hasent been started in 4 years. My intentions are to get it up to par and run it as long as i can. I dont know much about it but i am so delighted that this forum exist😁.
Ok so i got the vin and decoaded it , its a detroit engine, 28 to 33,000 gvw. My main question is where do i start. What should i make shure of before i try to drive this 4 hrs home?
Does anyone think old tires will do a 4 hr drive?
Should i change the oil in the engine first?
The widow says it run when she last road in it. 
It has 109,000 miles on the odometer.

Re: Sat around

Reply #1 –
I am sure others will chime in, but I would look at the age of the tires. Check the DOT month/ year info on the tires. If over 7 years I would be concerned about them.
And if they have been sitting for a long time that is not good

Re: Sat around

Reply #2 –
After checking the fluids, will she start? If she does, make sure you've air pressure to the bags.  I'd at least check the tire pressure,12 years is a LONG time for the tires; is there a tire outlet close by?  Any paperwork available on what the PO did ? Welcome to the forum!  ^.^d

Re: Sat around

Reply #3 –
If any of the tires were sitting completely flat on the ground, I would not trust them.  Sitting flat can cause damage to the sidewall.

If it starts and runs, and the engine oil looks OK on the dip stick (not milky white), and the level is good, I'd drive it the 4 hours and then change the oil and filter.  Better to change oil when its hot and well stirred up.

Re: Sat around

Reply #4 –
Where it me I would have it flatbed towed to where it needs to go. Your place if you are handy, your shop if not. As to tires hard to tell you more than likely unsafe. Of course it needs a full service of all systems. On the other hand it may start and run just fine with just batteries. If so you may be able to ease it home after airing the tires to correct pressure. You could have found a gem or a money pit. You might post where it's located and a knowledgeable forum member may offer to lend you a hand.  Welcome Good luck.

Re: Sat around

Reply #5 –
Thanks everyone! 
I will go put a day in trying to get it ready then if all else fails, a flat bed it will have to be.
Anyone know the total height to the top of the ac units?

Re: Sat around

Reply #6 –
Agree with Chuck. If it airs up including tires, I'd take it home.

Re: Sat around

Reply #7 –
Our U300/Detroit had not been started in over three years in North Carolina. Three new engine batteries and belts at Autozone, a trip to WalMart for bed sheets, air in the tires and we headed to visit friends a few hundred miles away on the ocean and then home to California. Broke a belt on the way but even stopped at a couple of NPs. Two days at the fuel cutoff of 82 mph too.

Changed oil when we got home. That was eleven trouble free years ago. Uses almost no oil and gets good fuel mileage. Have made another coast to coast, National Parks and several trips to Mexico. Zero coach bucks for broken/failed stuff since then. All the $$$ have been for insurance and fuel.

Pierce

Re: Sat around

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Oldjug –
Anyone know the total height to the top of the ac units?
Our coach has the original Penguin air conditioners, which are "low profile".  The highest "hard" point on our coach is the top of the ladder.

The ladder is 2" higher than the A/C units, and measures 11' 2" from ground level with the coach at ride height.

If the air conditioners have been replaced, it is possible they might stick up higher than the ladder.

I use 12' even as my "safe" pass under height.  On the road when going under bridges, you have to consider the effect of the road "crown", and also the possibility that the road has been repaved several times.  Better safe than sorry!

Re: Sat around

Reply #9 –
Somewhere here there is a drawing that someone made of a U300, giving nearly every dimension. As I recall, that showed a max travel height of 11' 10" so I have a placard on the dash saying safe clearance 12' 6".

Re: Sat around

Reply #10 –
Oldjug, Where are You?  maybe one of our members could meet you at your new coach and go over it with you. Lots of knowledge here and many of us have a lot of free time and would be happy to be an extra set of eyes...  ^.^d

Re: Sat around

Reply #11 –
Before you change the oil, google the oil Detroit 2 strokes require. Or search on this site.

Re: Sat around

Reply #12 –
Unihome not unicoach

Re: Sat around

Reply #13 –
Quote from: Oldjug –

>>Hello everyone! I just bought a 1994 grand Villa Unihome  that hasn't been used in 12 years and hasn't been started in 4 years.

Congratulations.

>>My main question is where do I start. What should i make sure of before I try to drive this 4 hrs home?

Stating the obvious here: Chassis batteries.
 
>>Does anyone think old tires will do a 4 hr drive?

Only you can say.  Air up the tires and inspect them for weather checking and blisters.  If you choose to drive home, stop and check often at first.  Keep the speed down.

>>Should I change the oil in the engine first?

Probably not.  As others have said, inspect it for condition and quantity.  Check all of the fluids, check the rubber boots on the engine intake air.

>>The widow says it run when she last road in it.

Umm, yeah.  ;D
 
>>It has 109,000 miles on the odometer.

And you've purchased a home on a genuine truck chassis with genuine truck components.  If the over the road driver's traded in their vehicles every 100,000 miles none of our goods would ever get to market.

Congratulation on your new to you Foretravel.  After I had spent weeks learning about Fleetwood Bounders, my partner said "Have you considered Foretravel?  Why?  Because Foretravel is a high quality manufacturer, factory support and they have active community of owners.

Here I am.

P.S.  Any chance you can drive it across town to the tire store?