RE: Don't buy from this dealer
It 'sounds' like they're going to take care of me. The real issues are the leaking anode rod, and the door skin they said they replaced (I'm doubtful of that after looking at it). After camping in it twice, the anode rod doesn't seem to be leaking anymore though. I used rectorseal on the threads instead of teflon tape (because it wouldn't seal). I just hope I can get the rod out at the end of the season
RE: Don't buy from this dealer
My expectations were set by what the salesman told me, 'everything will be checked out and disclosed at purchase'. Had I known of all the issues, I would have just gone with a PP sale, and saved $1500 on a camper of this vintage, and condition. I'm past the 3 day mark anyway, but Drew the sales manager is going to help me out. The door skin they replaced is falling off, and if I can't get the threads for the anode rod cleaned up enough to make a good seal, he's going to replace it too! I told him that his saleman told me all this stuff was checked out, and he says that's not something he would do on such an old trailer. There just isn't enough money in it to spend the 1000 for the shop to go through it.
As far as the bearings go, I was told by a dealer of Bearing Buddies not to install on a trailer, they're made more for the boat trailers. I packed all the bearings as directed by the owners manual I found online. The bearings still feel loose to me, but they're adjusted according to manufacturer specs. One was much more loose then the others. Either way, I know they're packed right, and have a baseline.
The pump wasn't on when I pulled the anode rod, but it had been pressurized by the pump before removing it. I had no clue that the tank was pressurised like that, LOL :S
Thanks Vic, that's why I registered here :)
I'm also going to drain both the waste water holding tanks, so that I know they're empty, then I'm installing the quicky flush device from Camco.
I had to light the furnace on Sunday morning because it got kind of chilly up there. I ended up waking everyboth in camper when the motor started squealing like cat with its tail slammed in a door. Turned that off and added it to the list. Got home yesterday, and checked the furnace out, thinking/hoping that there was a mouse nest or something in it. Nothing! So I started it up again and let it run for 10 minutes, but there was no noise, LOL. Maybe it was because it hadn't been turned on in so long...
I think all will work out ok, and we'll get lots of use out of it :)
Thanks for the encouraging comments. And the discouraging/useless ones, LMAO
RE: Don't buy from this dealer
I bought it from Windish RV. I was going to wait until I talked to them about the issues, but I don't want to bother now. Besides, I'm leaving tonight for the lake :). The salesman had a chance to make it right IMO, and totally blew me off
RE: Don't buy from this dealer
your father passed on fathers day? oh my the stress you are under is very real and hard to deal with I am sure. ANY problem at this time would seem horrible.
So sorry for your loss. prayers are with your family at this time.
relax. slow down. take it easy. don't let this new purchase drive you over the edge. take time for yourself. Problems, no matter what they are, will be amplified now. I hope all goes well for you truly and take care of yourself.
He sure did, complete surprise to everyone. He went peacefully in his sleep, and did not suffer at all, so I'm comforted in knowing that. WAY too young though, at 52 :(
I'm more calm now, after sleeping on it, LOL. I will get it up and going for us to use for years to come :)
If you can't find a thread chaser that big, you might try making one. This worked for me. Get about a 6" pipe nipple the same size as the anode. Then use a Dremel with an abrasive wheel (or similar tool) to cut 3 or 4 grooves perpendicular to the threades, about the depth of the threads. Use it just as you would a thread chaser with some oil. The steel isn't very hard, but it should work well enough to clean the threads out.
That's an awesome idea, I'd have never thought about doing that! Thanks!
RE: Don't buy from this dealer
After reading the owners manual online, it says to put 5 gallons of water in the black tank after it's been emptied, with a deoderizer. Maybe the gauge is off, and that's all that's in there (it sure doesn't 'feel' like it's 3/4 full when hitting the tank from below). I'm going to Angies list to say something about the dealer for others to read, and then fix the camper to my specs myself. It's just more stress than I need right now (my father dies on Fathers day, and we're still dealing with that). I'll pack the bearings, and use a thread chaser for the HW tank threads. Use teflon tape and maybe a little Rectorseal on the threads. That should seal it, assuming I can get a thread chaser that big. No HW this trip, but I haven't ever had that luxury while camping, so it won't be missed for the first couple trips :)
Thanks for the help guys :D
PS, I just got off the phone with a marine dealer here that sells BB's, and he says what some of you said. They're a glorified dustcap, LOL
RE: Don't buy from this dealer
It must have been filling the HW tank, but it seemed to take a long time, and I was worried about the noise. I took a bath in that water when I pulle dhte anode rod out, thinking that it would only be minimal static pressure in the tank :S. So the pump will pressurize the HW tank? To what pressure?
I am more angry that the salesman lied to me, but I should have known better. I thought I did my due diligence in my previous inspection, but I did blow the bearings off because I was told they'd be checked. You say they do a safety check and a guy I talked to last night said they do it on all trailers before the sale (different dealer); then why wouldn't wheel bearings be checked??? I've seen them fail and cause a good deal of damage, not to mention if the whole hub and tire come off and roll into another car while I'm doing 65mph. That's a safety hazard IMO
The HW tank I suspected was not going to seal where the rod is installed, but that guy told me, "we stand behind our word, if that tank leaks, we'll figure something out". I'll bet they're going to tell me to shove it
Don't buy from this dealer
So we went to __________ in Longmont, CO (I'll fill in the name after I hear what they have to say today) and bought our '94 Skyline Nomad 2425LTD for about $4600. Paid all their fees, and the camper was supposed to be checked out from top to bottom (from the salesmans mouth, Jacob). So I'm thinking that I really don't have to do anything but fill it with water and get in the hills.
Anyway, I do what I think is right and check the trailer out thoroughly at my home last night. ALL 4 wheel bearings are loose as a goose, the black water tank is almost full (according the the gauge, and we can hear water in it), the grey water tank has stuff in it, the water heater leaks water from where the anode rod is inserted due to the threads being rotted out and full of rust. I had to buy a battery because the one that came with it started dying after just an hour with one of the lights on inside while we packed it with our things.
I do have a few questions for you guys though. When I turned the water pump on (with the switch), it seemed to just keep running even without a faucet open. I also heard a loud buzzing noise from the water lines near the water heater, but after I routed the water around the heater, the noise went away. What made that noise?
I had low water pressure when the water heater was connected, in both H and C side of the faucets, but when I pulled the anode rod out to drain the HW tank, it had probably 50psi inside the tank. What was that about?
Are bearing buddies really worth it, or am I just better off packing the bearings every other year or so?
Sorry for the novel and the rant, but I'm kind of angry at this point
RE: Replacement battery suggestions?
I ended up getting a 12v deep cycle battery from Costco ($89). I need it for this weekend, and figure that if it does fail early, I'll find a source for affordable 6v batteries. I wanted to do it right, but I don't have a ton of $$$ to spend on batteries, and time is short
RE: Replacement battery suggestions?
Weird. Every Costco I've seen here in AZ, has a 6v Interstate 215 a/h "golf cart" battery. Price is usually right at $80 each. I haven't seen a "Costco brand".
Lyle
Yeah, I was bummed out by that. Maybe I will just make a trip over there anyway. You never know what kind of idiot you have on the phone. I'm sure CO has as many or more golf courses, LOL
My truck batteries came from Costo, and they're Kirkland brand, supposedly made by Johnson Controls
RE: Replacement battery suggestions?
Apparently they don't sell them at the Costco's in CO. Bill, I wish I had the funds to spend on the interstates, but I don't
I'd hate to have to settle for a single 12v, but I might have to :S
RE: Replacement battery suggestions?
I just talked to a guy at Costco, and he told me they don't sell golf cart batteries :S
Do you guys have the P/N for you Costco batteries?
RE: What would you pay?
Thanks Richard, and my family appreciates your service!
I think that I'm getting a GREAT deal here, especially after seeing the POS units being sold for the same price at another dealer. I'll get a couple pics after we pick it up on Thursday :B
RE: What would you pay?
I also found out that they have the model number wrong. I knew something was up when Google didn't find anything. It's a 2425LTD, and according to this I will be an easy pull :B
RE: What would you pay?
Now that I'm buying it, what do I NEED to have in it?
I like this. I should proably replace the fire extinguisher too. What other things are must haves for 5th wheels.
BTW, it already has the sping over done, but I had no measurements to cross check at the dealer. The kingpin is sitting in it's lowest spot, so I think I'll be ok
RE: What would you pay?
The camper is in great shape considering its age! Needs a water heater (the PO had routed the plumbing around it) but I think the dealer is going to replace before delivery. The door skin is already getting replaced. It has/had a window leak, and some damage on the sill inside. I think they'll fix it, but if not, I'll do it. The PO blew out a tire, ripped skirt off. Other than that, I'm quite happy. Pending the wifes approval, but I'm almost positive we're getting this thing!
After we got done inspecting that unit, we drove to another dealer up the road to check out their selection. MUCH larger, but they were asking way too much for their trash. One camper in particular was a 1989 22' Prowler. Broken steps, stunk like something was dead inside, water damage like crazy, broken AC shell, broken access panel to something. Just a ratted out trailer. They were asking $4600 for it! :S
I feel confident we're paying a good price for ours :B
RE: What would you pay?
Well, I'm going to look it over this afternoon, with my neighbor. Four eyes are always better than two :B. I'll let you guys know what I find. My wife likes it from the pics, but she won't see it in person until thursday. I have a bright flashlight :B
RE: '71 Starcraft Wanderstar- "The Hilton"
Looks great! I was going to tackle a project similar to yours, with my Mitchell, but I don't have the room for such a thing. Here comes the 5th wheel!
You have done and aweseom job though :)
RE: What would you pay?
I know any salesman is going to say whatever he/she can to get a consumer into the product they're selling, it's up to the consumer to use his/her brain and do some research :B
An axle flip isn't bad, we did that on my brothers FJ40, and did a solid axle swap on my 4Runner.
RE: What would you pay?
I can't find ANYTHING about that model! It's irritating me a little too. The only 255RK that is being sold, or that pulls up with a googlesearch is the one I'm looking at. I called the salesman today to have him verufy the model, on the trailer data tag. He said it's a 255RK???
You're right about the upgrade from a 72 to a 94, LOL. I would look at one with a slide, but in my low price range, the slide really isn't something I can get in to at this point. After my truck is paid for, we may look at something a bit newer with a slide or two. Not for 3 more years or so though :S
I did ask him if it would work with my F350, and he assured me that it would
