I am here in Houston. I am very tired and I am staying with my sil's folks. I am using his mom's computer (which she seldom uses and keeps turned off) so I am only going to dash off a short note.
I went out to PPL's today and my in-person experience was wonderful! Everyone was friendly, courteous and patient.
One of their folks did my pre-delivery demonstration. The generator does not work. They are reporting that the troubleshooting they did earlier in the year showed it to be a problem with the carburetor. The only other things they found wrong was a valve with a slight leak on the gray water tank and one exterior light that did not work. The large front awning has quite a bit of mildew but is intact. The rust was minor compared to what it looked like in the photos.
I was satified with the physical condition of this vehicle so now tomorrow, we will be considering the mechanical condition.
The warranty on the new transmission is 3 years/100,000 miles.
CarFax shows an axle replaced in 2006. She had a blow out and the left rear tire was replaced. She (current owner) says she does not remember the axle being replaced but did ask if it was in California. Seems funny to not "remember" an axle being replaced.
I do know from reading that some of the Dodges back then had handling problems related to axles. Since this unit was driven a lot, I would suspect it did not have this problem. However, if it did not have the problem before, is it possible it does have it now with the replacement axle?
I have stated I must be able to test drive it on the highway with big truck traffic.
They are telling me that their insurance does not allow for me to take it to the Dodge Dealership for a pre-purchase mechanical inspection but they do have mobile mechanics in Houston that offer that service and bring their testing equipment right to the vehicle. I had made arrangements with the Dodge dealership for one of their mechanics to do the test drive with me -- and drive the vehicle on the highway -- but I would have to go pick him up at the dealership and the salesperson today said I would not be able to do that but that the mechanic who comes to check the vehicle would be able to test-drive it at that time.
I have also been told that it is a thirty minute test drive on a designated route.
These things bother me. I don't like being told where I can drive it and I don't like not being able to take it to the garage of my choice and have it checked out.
I have said this often enough that I think they might be tired of hearing it.
What happens tomorrow will make my decision for me. If I believe this vehicle to be mechanically sound, I will purchase it. If I do not believe it to be mechanically sound, I will not.
For those of you who are praying folks, you can pray for me to make a wise decision about this.
Also, if anyone can answer my axle question or has any suggestions about what I need to watch for that have not already been mentioned, please let me know!
BTW -- I really sounded like I knew what I was talking about today because of all the information I have gotten from this forum (and one other that I frequent). One woman at PPL told me about some of her early RV experience and how kind and helpful other RV folks were -- already, I can see what she is talking about!
One of their folks did my pre-delivery demonstration. The generator does not work. They are reporting that the troubleshooting they did earlier in the year showed it to be a problem with the carburetor. The only other things they found wrong was a valve with a slight leak on the gray water tank and one exterior light that did not work. The large front awning has quite a bit of mildew but is intact. The rust was minor compared to what it looked like in the photos.
You can insist the generator be in working condition as a condition of sale. The seller will have to pay for fixing it. The same goes for any leaks and lights that don't work. Rust you may want to accept if it is minor and fix it yourself since it is not a costly thing to fix.
According to when I bought from and sold via PPL, their inspections are to evaluate all the systems and inform you. If you choose to make the fixing of their results as a condition to buy or your buyers, that is your decision and no one elses. I could have said no to fixing the problems found with the RV I was selling but the buyer would have just backed out, so I had them all fixed. Cost me some dollars but I got the unit sold and out of my hair.
Jim
RV:2012 Montana 3625RE Quad Slide SKP#108921 TV:2004.5 Dodge Dually 3500 HD Favorite Quote:''Life's tough, pilgrim, and it's even tougher if you're stupid.''-- John Wayne
Gene's list above is very informative. I had no real familiarity with American Cruiser until I started reading ruwth's thread. These are really slick units.
I continue to be amazed at how many sellers brag about incredibly low hours on a generator! Amazingly, it seems many owners don't know that "use it or destroy it" is the rule and that low hourage is indicative of an expensive potential problem.
........
Also, if anyone can answer my axle question or has any suggestions about what I need to watch for that have not already been mentioned, please let me know!......
--------- ruwth
'Axle' probably refers one of three things. A half-shaft, which is an internal part of the total rear axle; the total rear axle from wheel to wheel (gears, both half shafts, bearings, housing, & seals, maybe rear brakes); or a front stub axle (aka 'spindle'). Or it _might_ be a mistaken term for the differential, the center part of the rear axle (gears & bearings).
It's fairly unlikely that any of the above would change the handling. If it did it should show up in the test drive. Depending on when it was done, your mechanical inspection guy might be able to see enough tool marks on nuts & bolts underneath to tell which of the above it was.
Jim, "Mo' coffee!"
'06 Tiger CX 'C Minus' on a Silverado 2500HD 4x4, 8.1 & Allison (aka 'Loafer's Glory') www.tigervehicles.com
ruwth wrote: This is just a test to see if my new signature works.
Well, I can see my new signature displayed on some of my older posts . . . but I am not seeing it on this one.
?????
The sig only shows on your first post on each page. Saves them a bit of server storage, I suspect. It will pop up again on your first post on the next page.
I really do not wish to sound like Cap't Obvious but when you find a great 12 year old $110,000. American Cruiser and you can buy this fabulous Class B design for $19,000. isn't it possible that you may have to address a few repairs and expect some maintenance? We had the courage to buy our American Cruiser, did a few repairs, upped the maintenance and now have the best coach we have ever experienced.
"we are not stopping 'til they come to take us away!"
all 4 kids grown, healthy and ...gone
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