Question New American Coach owner and new to this forum or any forum for that matter.

[Rich H.]

We have had a Winnebago Adventurer 35' and than a Winnebago Navion 24V. The first one was a long time ago and the second we just sold because it is too small. We are in the process of purchasing a 2004 American Coach Tradition 40W. While not being our first diesel it is our first diesel pusher. It has the Cummins 370HP ISL engine on the Freightliner chassis with Independent front suspension. It's a one owner coach with 18,000 miles on it. It has been kept indoors in a climate controlled building. Even though it is 16 years old it looks like it is brand new inside and out. The owner is in the automotive business and takes very good care of it. He has a small fleet of diesel trucks so diesel maintenance is right in his wheelhouse. The Michelin 295/80R22.5 tires look new but are original and have timed out. I am putting six Bridgestone R268 ECOPIA on it next week. Can anybody suggest some things that I should look for and check. What besides the tires would be affected by time and not being used enough. Our first trip will be a long one of about 2 months going south from the northeast than heading west to Texas. We're trying to avoid any major problems on our maiden voyage We are very excited about our new/older RV and so looking forward to meeting new people and making new friends. We've always thought people in the RV world were the friendliest and most helpful people around. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Welcome!

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

Welcome to RVF, @Rich H. and congratulations on the new coach. Glad to have you join is here.

Very good move to replace the tires. Batteries also age out and it might be a good time to replace both chassis and house batteries. That would pretty much get you up-to-date.

Merry Christmas.

TJ

 

["EZ"]

I'd flush out the water heater and replace the annode rod as well. If there has been water sitting in the tank it might be all white and flakey with calcium deposits. Enjoy your new coach!!

 

[Rich H.]

Welcome to RVF, @Rich H. and congratulations on the new coach. Glad to have you join is here.

Very good more to replace the tires. Batteries also age out and it might be a good time to replace both chassis and house batteries. That would pretty much get you up-to-date.

Merry Christmas.

TJ

Thanks I'm going to try and get the seller to do the batteries.

 

[Rich H.]

I'd flush out the water heater and replace the annode rod as well. If there has been water sitting in the tank it might be all white and flakey with calcium deposits. Enjoy your new coach!!

Thanks, that's a good idea and one that I would have never thought of.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

We have talked about the weak link in the system a lot here. I can not imagine rubber hoses being in much better shape than the tires. Seals may be a problem as well but a little oil/grease on the road is nothing compared to the cooling system failing.

 

[Jim]

Welcome to RV Forums @Rich H. I wasn't familiar with that model so I looked it up. Looks like I might have found the one you are buying? If so, that's a sweet looking coach, and indeed, it looks to have been well taken care of.

https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2004-American-Coach-AMERICAN-TRADITION-40W-5014589860

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

Ooooohhhh! If that's the one you are buying, @Rich H., it looks really good. Nice to see a coach that has been well cared for. You should have a lot of good travel times in it.

TJ

 

[Rich H.]

We have talked about the weak link in the system a lot here. I can not imagine rubber hoses being in much better shape than the tires. Seals may be a problem as well but a little oil/grease on the road is nothing compared to the cooling system failing.

Yes Kevin I will go over all the belts and hoses probably replacing them. I'll try to work that out with the seller. I'm paying for new tires and I think he should take care of the batteries, belts and hoses. It's worth a try.