Breaking-in the new 77FC on Thanksgiving

[Brent Swartzentruber]

Gardner,
The temperatures are supposed to drop to the low 60's later this
week, so yes I need that engine heater to work.
Seriously though, we camp in the snow so heat is a good thing. The
furnace heaters work well enough.

I do plan on buying tires, though these don't show signs of
cracking. Do they fail from the inside?

As for maintenance, I bought a maintenance-free Wanderlodge, so that
shouldn't be a problem.

Brent
Ventura,CA
77FC31


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Gardner Yeaw"
wrote:
>
> So why are you worried about an engine heater in California?
> Definitely get rid of those old tires, or up your life insurance!
> Check the age and condition on all of the batteries and replace as
> needed. Maintenance is a fact of life, you didn't buy new so face
> the music and buy, buy, buy what ever the Bird needs. It's not an
> investment, it's a money pit that returns great pleasure to your
> life.
>
> Gardner
> 78FC33 (spending like a drunken sailor)
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "davidkerryedwards"
> wrote:
> >
> > Congratulations on your purchase. It looks nice. Sounds like
> your generator battery may
> > be bad. Do you have a switch tht connects the generator and
> engine batteries to crank the
> > thing over when one set is weak? Did you try it when starting
the
> generator?
> >
> > Kerry82 Fc 35
> > Denver
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Brent Swartzentruber"
> > <swartzentruber1@> wrote:
> > >
> > > We are really excited about our new Wanderlodge. I got our
new
> 1977
> > > FC31 home last Saturday from Eugene, OR. The 900 mile drive
> home
> > > was mostly a pleasure, though my ears where ringing after 12.5
> > > hours. I averaged 10 mpg - mostly 60-63 mph. (I think I can
do
> > > better with practice).
> > >
> > > here are some pictures of the new rig, my wife Hillary, and
her
> > > sister at the beach near Ventura, CA where we spent
Thanksgiving
> > > (bbq'd the turkey)
> > > http://www.pbase.com/bajaroad/wanderlodge
> > >
> > > I must admit the purchase was a stressful process. The
> generator
> > > wasn't as new as suggested, the engine heaters don't work, the
> > > instrument panel lights are mostly out, the tach doesn't work,
> the
> > > speedo is off by about 5%, the front tires are about 8yrs old,
> the
> > > storage compartment pans are rusting badly, and the previous
> owner
> > > didn't know the ins & outs of the rig's systems.
> > > The interior, the body & paint, brakes, engine, and trans all
> seem
> > > in good shape and well maintained.
> > >
> > > The generator worked fine after I got home. In fact I used it
> to
> > > power my saw to trim a low hanging tree. But later in the
week
> it
> > > wasn't cranking over. I could here the starter clicking when
I
> > > toggled the switch, but no crank. I removed the starter this
> > > morning and it is definitely shot. One of the permanent
magnets
> is
> > > broken, but I'm not sure if I did that while initially
> persuading
> > > the starter to work with a few light taps with a wrench. So I
> will
> > > replace the starter and see if that was the problem.
> > > ? Anyone have experience with an Onan non-OEM replacement
> starter.
> > >
> > > The issue I am most determined to remedy, but fear could get
> > > expensive, is the generator slide-mount. Whoever installed
the
> Onan
> > > did a hack job and didn't maintain the same level of
mechanical
> > > structure. I had to use a come-along to pull it out. The
Onan
> > > doesn't require as much overhead clearance, so I would like to
> raise
> > > the whole system while I'm at it.
> > > ? Has anyone had experience with these slide supports
> > >
> > > Brent
> > > 77FC31
> > > Ventura, CA
> > >
> >
>