Hope this is the right forum for this as I am new here.
Just bought a used, 1994 Southwind and have a few questions as this is our first Class-A. Up to now, we have had trailers (tongue-towed). I've been searching the forum but have not seen these questions come up but will admit that my "search-fu" is weak. We bought from the 3rd owner who really did not know anything about the vehicle.
So here goes:
1) There are two roof A/C units, front and rear, but it appears that only one will run at a time. Is this normal for this model? The AC power-cord does have a 30-amp plug so I'm guessing that is why but just want to check. Oh, yes, both units work, just not at the same time.
2) Seems that just a little "steering correction" causes a lot of movement in the vehicle as in side-to-side. I've driven large trucks (bobtails) and don't recall this being an issue in those. So is this normal?
3) The brakes, compared to our mini-van, seem to require a fair amount of leg strength to engage. I'm guessing this is because it is just so big and heavy but have to ask, is this normal?
4) For tires and engine maint. should I start to seek out a local truck mechanic/shop or just haul it to the local RV dealer?
I'm sure there will be more questions later but this is it for not. You might be thinking, "Why did he buy this if he didn't know what he was getting into?" Well, short story is the price was really too good to pass on and my wife liked the layout. Plus I didn't have to buy another vehicle to tow a trailer, which is what she was looking at.
1. With 30 amp service usually only 1 A/C can be run at a time, some units had a power management system that would not let both A/C start at the same time so you could run both on 30 amp service.
2. you didn't list which chassis you have or size of rig. A long over hang is like the tail wagging the dog. Some times front and rear track bars can help.
3. Could be the brake material you are using you are driving a rig heavier then your mini van.
4. I'd look for a local truck mechanic shop. Or do the maint. your self (oil,lube, etc.) Any tire shop should be able to handle your tire needs
John & Carol Life members
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wildbill001 wrote: Hope this is the right forum for this as I am new here.
Just bought a used, 1994 Southwind and have a few questions as this is our first Class-A. Up to now, we have had trailers (tongue-towed). I've been searching the forum but have not seen these questions come up but will admit that my "search-fu" is weak. We bought from the 3rd owner who really did not know anything about the vehicle.
So here goes:
1) There are two roof A/C units, front and rear, but it appears that only one will run at a time. Is this normal for this model? The AC power-cord does have a 30-amp plug so I'm guessing that is why but just want to check. Oh, yes, both units work, just not at the same time.
2) Seems that just a little "steering correction" causes a lot of movement in the vehicle as in side-to-side. I've driven large trucks (bobtails) and don't recall this being an issue in those. So is this normal?
3) The brakes, compared to our mini-van, seem to require a fair amount of leg strength to engage. I'm guessing this is because it is just so big and heavy but have to ask, is this normal?
4) For tires and engine maint. should I start to seek out a local truck mechanic/shop or just haul it to the local RV dealer?
I'm sure there will be more questions later but this is it for not. You might be thinking, "Why did he buy this if he didn't know what he was getting into?" Well, short story is the price was really too good to pass on and my wife liked the layout. Plus I didn't have to buy another vehicle to tow a trailer, which is what she was looking at.
TIA
Bill W
1. Normal
2.Check your swaybar bushings, mine were toast and did the same thing.
3.Yep, the brakes on these suck, they are way underpowered for the size of vehicle, just drive accordingly.
4.Maintenance isn't that hard to do yourself, everything is just bigger and heavier. If you do your own stuff on your cars it isn't much different.
If this is the same as my old Pace Arrow they had a switch box in the kitchen cupboard. You can select with A/C you want to operate. When on the generator you can operate both. There was a mod for that. You can run 2 cords out and put another one of the switches that is in the cupboard in the kitchen in the generator compartment. When on shore power plug in the second cord. I used a 30 amp cord but had adapter so if no extra 30 or 50 handy I would adapt it to 20 amp. Never a problem and I could run both A/Cs off shore power.
Tell us what Chassis you have. Ford or Chevy.
If it is a Chevy P-32. Yes the brakes suck. There should be air bags up front that need about 70 PSI in them. Look into new shocks. I prefer Bilsteins
Tom & Bonnie
Crossville, TN.
Aspect 29H 2008 Type C
Ford Flex SEL 2010 There is no B+
Not real sure about the chassis. Steering wheel says Chevrolet. Owner manuals say Chevrolet forward control chassis. Haven't gotten the VIN number and translated it yet.
Ok do you have a P 32 Chevy chassis than.
Next to see which v8 454 engine it has. TBS or Vortec 7.4.
unless they were replaced you will have air bags inside the front coil springs. More air will make them stiffer. Less air front end will float more.
Hmmmm. that might explain an old receipt I found with all the paperwork saying to add air to the airbags. Now all I have to do is located the valve for the things and figure out which engine I have.
A '94 should be fuel injected. I think the last GM engines with carbs were in 1989 or 90.
Our '02 Geargetown has dual a/c. One is hooked to the MH 1120Vac wiring and runs on the shore power cord. The other one is hard wired to one of the generator's outputs. There's a switch panel in the bedroom, that is a regular two-switch residential unit, and depending on how the switches are set, you can run either the living room or the bedroom a/c on shore power. When the generator is in use, both can be on at the same time.
Ours is a Ford chassis and the brakes seem OK. They're a bit heavier than our Kia minivan, but not outrageously so. You might want to check that the power brake booster is working properly. Maybe also get an experienced RVer just to do a reality check for you.
Frank Damp, DW - Eileen
Anacortes, WA
'02 Georgetown 325, F53, V-10, bought used in 2010 at 13,000 miles.
Dogs - 2 Labs again, both yellow males, both 9 yrs old and both adopted.
Look under the front springs. There may be just schrader valves like your tires or there may be air lines going to a remote location. Just trace the line back to the valve and add air like any tireexcept go slow. the bags are not as big as a tire and will inflate quickly. 75PSI to start don't exceed 100PSI Welcome to the fun. Probably 19.5 tires, take a look at the DOT markings to see the age. If more than 7 years, some would say 5 years, think about immediate replacement. Join FMCA and buy your new set of tires at a discount from Michelin. Research, Research, Research About everything you need is here someplace. Have fun.
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