New to us 2000 U320

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New to us 2000 U320

May 09, 2019, 06:31:42 pm

We're at the Flamingo Lake RV Park in Jacksonville, FL, getting acquainted with our 2000 U320; the one ducktape was considering last year. Thanks to the excellent information on this forum, we went into this deal eyes wide open. Yes, there is some rear bulkhead issues but nothing I can't handle. Jim, the mechanic at Dick Gore's RV World, and I, made temporary repairs to get us the 1900 miles home, where I'll separate the interface and do the job right. Several other issues to be resolved when we get back home... chassis battery is sulfated, Gel house batteries are toast... still work, but pregnant...writing is on the wall. I look at the latter as an opportunity to go with LiPoFe and some roof mounted PV. Our land based residence of 16 years is off grid; all engineered/installed by yours truly....it works...use it.

Some will ask why we would travel 2000 miles to consider a coach with known issues. The answer is simple (to us). We like the 4000 DGFE floor plan and I wanted the Aquahot and ISM. Cathy really likes a LR slide... OK, I do to. We didn't know a 4010 DGFE was ever made until I took a second look at our current ride. Yeah haw! ...and the purple interior kinda grow on ya... like a fungus? When we're done making this ours, it will be near perfect for our use.

We plan to be in Nac. next Monday/Tues to visit at FOT, MOT, and Extreme... hopefully will find the co-pilot seat required to keep peace in the family ...avoid black eyes and other injury.

Greg

Re: New to us 2000 U320

Reply #1 – May 09, 2019, 08:48:49 pm

Welcome! Lots of info here and great people!! When your at FOT next week look around in the shop for our 2000 4010, it will be the one with the slide removed....😕
Also we like pics here so offer up some please 🙂. Let's see that purple passion!

Re: New to us 2000 U320

Reply #2 – May 09, 2019, 09:45:34 pm

Quote from: hdff – May 09, 2019, 08:48:49 pm

Welcome! Lots of info here and great people!! When your at FOT next week look around in the shop for out 2000 4010, it will be the one with the slide removed....😕
Also we like pics here so offer up some please 🙂. Let's see that purple passion!

Thank you! Looking forward to seeing your rig at FOT. Will y'all be there?
Pictures coming, once we get back home, of our diamond in the rough? LOL

Re: New to us 2000 U320

Reply #3 – May 12, 2019, 05:53:27 pm

We pulled into Camp FOT a while ago. No major problems getting here. The chassis battery is "waking up" nicely... house batteries still toast, as expected. At least I discovered the reason for trashed house batteries was whomever installed the Magnum inverter had it programmed for FLA...duh! In fact, all the settings were set to the factory defaults. It was installed in 2011, so who knows how many sets of gel batts gave their life for a minute of buffoonery? Since I disconnected the worst of the three, the max charge current has been reduced to squeeze a few more days from the remaining ones. Now we can go a few hours before going into LBCO

Overall, having a great time learning this critter. There's a couple of really sweet GV's here... may go over and say hi, later, after a couple Mount Gay and Cokes... liquid courage

Re: New to us 2000 U320

Reply #4 – May 12, 2019, 06:23:09 pm

No we are not there, dropped her a week ago and they said it would be 2-3 weeks or so, sorry to have missed y'all!

Re: New to us 2000 U320

Reply #5 – May 12, 2019, 07:54:09 pm

FLA ??

LBCO

Wish I was in the club.....secret codes and all.....

Re: New to us 2000 U320

Reply #6 – May 12, 2019, 08:05:50 pm

Quote from: GleamB – May 12, 2019, 07:54:09 pm

FLA ??

LBCO

Wish I was in the club.....secret codes and all.....

Flood Lead Acid; just a guess!

Re: New to us 2000 U320

Reply #7 – May 12, 2019, 08:48:03 pm

Mount Gay and Coke is a smooth cocktail. My uncle lived on the island of Grenada from 1950 until 1975. Rum and Coke was very popular down there. He tried all of the available rums, and chose Mount Gay as the best of the bunch. In the old days a rum and coke was 25 cents - 5 cents for the rum and 20 cents for the Coke because it had to be imported!

Re: New to us 2000 U320

Reply #8 – May 12, 2019, 09:35:49 pm

Quote from: MisterEd – May 12, 2019, 05:53:27 pm

LBCO

Low battery cut off

Mike

Re: New to us 2000 U320

Reply #9 – May 12, 2019, 10:07:52 pm

Quote from: juicesqueezer – May 12, 2019, 08:05:50 pm

Flood Lead Acid; just a guess!

Yup, flooded lead acid. LBCO= low battery cutout. The purpose of LBCO is to disconnect the inverter from the batteries prior to over discharge, reducing the chance of damaging the batteries.

Re: New to us 2000 U320

Reply #10 – May 12, 2019, 10:31:25 pm

Quote from: hdff – May 12, 2019, 06:23:09 pm

sorry to have missed y'all!

Same here. Maybe next time. We plan to be at the S Padre KOA over Thanksgiving... an annual meeting with a couple from SC.

Re: New to us 2000 U320

Reply #11 – May 13, 2019, 11:00:51 am

For a guy with ways and means to repair things it can be a deal for a unit to need some things as long as the buyer knows of the issues going in and pays accordingly and it sounds like you have a clue. Good fortune and have fun.

Re: New to us 2000 U320

Reply #12 – May 13, 2019, 02:41:43 pm

@ hdff
We saw your coach this AM... Nice! It's in good hands and the remodel is progressing well. David is like a Foretravel encyclopedia. He came out to have a look-see at our pilot seat, for a match; remembered our coach and the name of the original owner right off. He fixed us up with a serviceable copilot seat: 25 clams (.025 coach bucks?), plus another 200 for a new leg rest gear assembly. Two happy campers, here. She has her seat, with even more gadgetry than the pilots seat. I get to make it home, sans Fred Flintstone lumps on me noggin.

@ Dub
Thanks. We're enjoying our "new" coach. I can't think of anything new we would rather own. In fact, I doubt we would even be comfortable in most of the newer high end units; very nice, just not us... and beyond our financial means by a long shot. We're fortunate that things electrical/mechanical have always come easily to me. That's a good thing, since we really can't afford to make this rig ours by paying others to do all the work... and then there's the satisfaction of doing for ourselves and being familiar with the unit.

Greg

Re: New to us 2000 U320

Reply #13 – May 13, 2019, 04:34:08 pm

Tell you of an observation.. I've spent some time in rv parks and often times there will be a buss nut or two that has a clue. We all like the looks of a new top end buss but the one a buss nut will walk over and look closely at is one with some years on it that is top shelf and squared away. He will appreciate all that the work that has gone into the unit and shows pride in ownership. If I were out to impress anyone and I'm not, it would be the buss nut that has had some grease on his hands and accomplished something at the end of the day vs the ceo who wrote a check for a million and drove off without as much as a spare fuse on hand.. just my way of thinking. Now I can have conversation with the million dollar owner if he knows crap from crab apples and get along just fine but they often don't.

Re: New to us 2000 U320

Reply #14 – May 21, 2019, 12:12:16 pm

We made it back home Friday morning with little incident. The only alarming issue happened on a desolate state road in Texas when the engine stalled on a long downgrade, just after applying maximum thrust on a long upgrade. Due to the lack of a real shoulder, I pulled over in the grass and appeared to remain calm, so as not to upset Cathy. After a key off, key on and wait, she started right up. Whew! I think it either got a gulp of water in the line during the climb and it took a while for it to get to the filter through the long run of -10 line, or enough air entered the system through the badly aged lines and needed to be purged. Regardless, all new fuel lines and filters acquired for engine, gen, and Aqua Hot, that I'll replace this week.

This thing is a beast.

Anyone watching me pull out of the RV park in Jacksonville surely figured me to be a novice

I was. Fact of the matter is, I've never driven a 40' coach before and had to get accustomed to the larger turn radius, after driving a 36' for so many years. Now I that have 2k of seat time in it we're becoming old friends. This coach drives and rides so much better than the last one. And that's saying a lot, especially since I have yet to get her on the scales and am running tire pressures for max GVWR.

@Dub
Our coach certainly isn't top shelf: it may never be. It will be squared away with the best of em. I guarantee that... just give me a little time. Grease on my hands....but not whilst working on the interior

Re: New to us 2000 U320

Reply #15 – May 21, 2019, 01:10:53 pm

I spect you and your coach will fair just fine Greg because you have the right rig and you "aint afraid".

Re: New to us 2000 U320

Reply #16 – June 12, 2019, 03:51:15 am

I've been staying busy getting some of the more important issues squared away. Being I'm still at the steep end of the learning curve, been mostly reading here and at Barry's excellent site. Thank you, sir!

The first order of business was to remove the added sectional sofa/sleeper, which, IMO, trashed the floor plan and, more importantly, was where Da Bosses co-pilot seat needed to be. I spent 2 full days cleaning up the CP seat we got at FOT...turned out pretty darned good, Fixed the footrest drive. Installed.

Was going to do the fuel lines but, after looking further into it, knew there was no way I would have that "fun" project done before Memorial day weekend. Instead, I removed the roasted 8D gel batteries (9 months pregnant... had to saw the handles off to get em out), Sent Cathy into town to get a 100AH AGM for the house batt, and we went up to Canyon Speedway in Peoria, AZ for a weekend of sprint car racing. Ran the generator a lot...had a good time. We spent Mem day at Wildhorse Pass Casino. Cathy lost money, I stayed in the coach, worked on small stuff & sipped some Mount Gay.

We got home the following Tuesday. I started working on getting all the new fuel lines pulled, removed and cleaned the filter housings, and all new fuel filters. What a PITA! Thought I had it whipped and discovered the engine prime pump locked up. Took that apart, again, managed to get it running, re-installed, run the primer, and find out the engine fuel Line is pinched. Pull the tank, again, and re-rout the line. OK, it works now. (I'll document line lengths and engine and genny line routing in the Tech forum) About the time I had the engine lines primed, my cobbled primer pump locks up... ordered a new 790R30 from the Racor Store. Not a big deal since the new line is primed and will now hold. While pulling lines, I also discovered the AquaHot filter lines were reversed at the filter. Probably happened when the PO had the steering box replaced. Maybe that's why the burner doesn't work?? Will have to get back to that one, as I can't get the access cover off the AH without rolling out the Joey bed, and that won't come out far enough while she's in the garage

.

On to installing new air springs and ride height valves. I started with the rear, since the front holds really well. As suspected, the rear ride height valves have a fair amount of desiccant in them; Rebuilding the Haldex/blowing the tanks was the first thing I did after installing the co-pilot chair.

It had to come through the wet, and rear tanks, and six pack, to get there. While I have the springs and valves out, I'm doing a little clean up/Rustoleum satin black in that area. Pulling the tanks for internal cleaning, and cleaning the lines and valve gear will give me something to do while the paint is drying...might as well treat the tanks to a fresh coat of Rustoleum while they're out... no doubt, I can find something to do while they're drying.

I'm not complaining. After all the fun with the fuel lines, everything else is a piece O cake.

While going through the owners manual this AM, I found a floor plan drawing. (See attached) Ours is "Special"

Greg

Re: New to us 2000 U320

Reply #17 – June 12, 2019, 08:47:53 am

So your coach from the factory did not have a copilot seat? That seems rather unusual, or I've just never heard of it reading the Forum.

When you (earlier) mentioned getting a new copilot seat, I thought you were just replacing the old one for some reason.

Congrats on getting the fuel lines done! Haven't had that pleasure........yet.

Re: New to us 2000 U320

Reply #18 – June 12, 2019, 08:54:57 am

Didn't we hear stuff like this from Don and Tys a few years ago. Surprised Don hasn't jumped in on this thread. Good luck with the on-going adventure!

Re: New to us 2000 U320

Reply #19 – June 12, 2019, 10:29:20 am

Chuck,

Yes, it came with a co-pilots chair from FT. You are correct...I did replace the old one...that we never had. I'm told the PO's were a Gospel/Bluegrass band. They pulled it, the small WTFE style table, and the recliner out and put in the sectional sofa. Removing the sofa and installing a co-pilots chair was THE pre-purchase agreement with Cathy

....peace in the family.

lgshoup,

Having read a lot of post from Don and Tys "adventures", I can say that the sharing of information on this forum had a major bearing on our decision to "dive in". Thanks to all.

Re: New to us 2000 U320

Reply #20 – June 12, 2019, 12:10:15 pm

Just an observer on this one so far since I haven't seen any questions that could benefit from my contribution... but I am always interested in watching owner generated transformations!
Don

Quote from: lgshoup – June 12, 2019, 08:54:57 am

Didn't we hear stuff like this from Don and Tys a few years ago. Surprised Don hasn't jumped in on this thread. Good luck with the on-going adventure!

Re: New to us 2000 U320

Reply #21 – June 27, 2019, 02:21:49 am

The compressed air system refurb was completed today, except for the front air springs that will be done when I have the front fenders off at a later date. The front six pack was badly corroded but I managed to salvage it with some machine work, and excellent plunger kits from Tom. Will document the corrosion repair in the tech section. It, also, had an open R raise solenoid coil. Fortunately, I ordered 2 from FOT... so much for having a spare

The on board compressor will need a rebuild ...runs but pumps zero air. Taking that out tomorrow to see what parts I need to get. I planned for a week on this project ...it took two, but I feel the extra time to do a thorough job will pay off in the long run. Oh, I refurbed the vacuum generator for the dash air ... a chunk of desiccant was blocking the orifice. The air doors now work on the dash air but doesn't cool. A project for another day(s).

Tomorrow I'll check out the HWH for proper function... confidence is high. After that, I'll be moving onto the roof projects. (I need a little break from working on my back, eating dirt). The roof is sound, but filthy... no, make that really filthy. Both roof heat pumps are getting pulled for a thorough cleaning and any other repairs they may need. They'll be placed on new seals, as the originals are shot. I haven't decided, weather or not, to put a drain kit on those ...may just make my own from metal, and plumb it to below the bay floor, via the fridge vent hole, soon to be capped in preparation for a residential unit. Everything on the roof is coming off and getting resealed before I wash, polish, and seal it. Then I'll wash the 2500 miles of grunge offa the ol girl and get a few pics to post.

Last week we picked up 2KW of Sun Power 250W PV panels. I've determined that they, and my converted 1.2M MotoSat FTA dish, will fit up there with enough room to walk, back to front.

Greg

Re: New to us 2000 U320

Reply #22 – June 27, 2019, 08:24:46 am

Greg, Nice job of documentation. Thanks for that. By the way, I love the photos of your well sawn sawhorse.

Re: New to us 2000 U320

Reply #23 – July 18, 2019, 10:14:57 am

@ Jan & Richard,

Those well sawn saw horses owe me nothing. I used them when I built our AZ home, and for building the shop/coach garage; something I always wanted to do and have now gotten out of my system

Now that they've been "refurbished" am using them for coach remodel and photo backdrop.

Re: New to us 2000 U320

Reply #24 – July 18, 2019, 11:54:33 am

Well, I've been making some progress. It seems that it takes me longer to get things done nowadays. Maybe cuz I'm more particular than I used to be?

The plan was to get after resealing everything on the roof but I ended up fixing/adjusting the roadside bay doors, first. ...figured an easy fix for the, hard to adjust, narrow doors behind the rear, and in front of the front, wheels. I'll post that in the tech forum. Removed the front fenders and replaced the air springs. Cleaned and painted the area around the springs, plus anything hard to get to with the fenders mounted. I'll get the rest done when the wheels are off for brake inspection. BTW, the brakes on our FT's are excellent. ...had to put em to the test on our way home (Nameless pilot was fiddling with other gadgets, not paying attention to the business at hand... almost missed the red traffic light

) and was impressed (understatement) with how well they hauled the beast down to a full stop; and that was without using the retarder. Fringe benefit of the quick stop (besides the instant lower GI cleansing) was sticky RF caliper pins now freed up.

Also have done lots of small things, including: Replace the fuel filter/primer with the new Racor 700. Rebuilt the HWH compressor. ...contributing factor to it's demise just might have been lack of O-ring on filter bowl

We took advantage of the Lowes Independence day discounts and bought a new fridge https://www.lowes.com/pd/Samsung-4-Door-Flex-22-6-cu-ft-4-Door-Counter-Depth-French-Door-Refrigerator-with-Ice-Maker-Stainless-Steel-ENERGY-STAR/50073201 and matching microwave. Removed the old Dometic fridge through the CS window, yesterday, with aid of a friend and bucket forks on the loader. Tried to get it out through the entry door, but that proved futile.

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