I went and did it:

[Evans, Marv]

Denis. That looks like a keeper for cruising around the country in. What good luck you found it. I'm jealous.

[speeder]

Had a very productive day on the rig today. Finished the airbag job, including replacing one of the lines going from the central valve to the new bag and did a bunch of other projects on the list.

Got the hydraulic jacks working, (it has its own lifts that will lift it right off the ground, two front/two rear), also got the power step working. I have a couple more undercarriage jobs to do, so the lifts will be awesome. I will also use the jackstands on the frame if I remove wheels for redundant safety, (if I’m working underneath).

I tell you, even if there was a hoist big enough to put this thing up in the air, I would not feel comfortable underneath it. It’s just too large and heavy. It’s more like working on a railroad car than working on a car. My final undercar jobs are changing the differential oil and the rear brake hoses. I’ve already changed the front ones. Then I think I’ll be in good shape to drive it to the west coast. Once I get there, I’m going to do valve stem seals and remove the injectors to have them cleaned/checked on a hand pump tester. It runs pretty well now but smokes a little, especially on start-up. It’s a huge straight six, so easy to work on.

I’m getting stoked about this thing. Nearly everything that did not work when I bought it is working now.

[speeder]

One of the main things I’m doing is general cleaning and attacking any surface rust on the steel parts with my angle grinder and other wire brushes, then painting said parts w Rustoleum. This RV spent about its first 30 years in WA. and CA. but was sitting in a damp dirt driveway in Stillwater, MN. in recent years. Stillwater sits on the bank of the St. Croix river, (which is huge at that location), and the seller’s driveway is 50’ away from a lake. It also rains and snows there. A lot.

When I bought it, it was covered in moss and it took some serious power washing to get it clean and dry. The interior is thankfully not damp or moldy, it’s very nice w the exception of the curtains, which need replacing.

The front road wheels were looking dowdy w dirt and rust, so even though they are covered by some cool aluminum covers, I went at them. Before:


I cleaned them with harsh detergent and then ground off all the rust w the spinning wire wheel. My routine is to spray w red oxide primer and then final coat w Rustoleum.
I’ve done the same w the trunk compartments and tomorrow the battery compartment will get the treatment.

[javadog]

The wheel looks pretty good. How old are the tires?

[tevake]

Yes sir nice job on the wheels!

The awnining does look good, the awnings rafters should go out to the pivot point on the main post. If you look closely at the main beam that the awning wraps up on. Right on the end of the post you will see the correct point for the rafters try into.

The other place that could really improve the apprence of the coach is the trim line, it could use some new wood trim or some other sort of trim in that spot. Peter H. Has done that trim before.

Other wise it is looking so much better than at first look. Coming along nicely!

Cheers Richard

[speeder]

Originally Posted by javadog

The wheel looks pretty good. How old are the tires?

I’ll have to look again but I think they are about 6-7 years old. There are receipts in the records. The rig has been sitting in a humid place that is only hot a few days a year, so they look excellent. Not dried out at all.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by tevake

Yes sir nice job on the wheels!

The awnining does look good, the awnings rafters should go out to the pivot point on the main post. If you look closely at the main beam that the awning wraps up on. Right on the end of the post you will see the correct point for the rafters try into.

The other place that could really improve the apprence of the coach is the trim line, it could use some new wood trim or some other sort of trim in that spot. Peter H. Has done that trim before.

Other wise it is looking so much better than at first look. Coming along nicely!

Cheers Richard

I read on the other forum that the wood appliqué adhesive stuff is unobtainable but I’m going to search for it somewhere and replace it. That is down the line, though. Everything is prioritized.

[ckelly78z]

Originally Posted by speeder

I’ll have to look again but I think they are about 6-7 years old. There are receipts in the records. The rig has been sitting in a humid place that is only hot a few days a year, so they look excellent. Not dried out at all.

Those tires will probably last you for a long time on short, local trips as long as you don't get them hot. A longer (200 mile+) trip might find you having tire trouble. Most tire manufacturers, and RV manufacturers recommend replacing every 7 years.

We ran the original tires on my camper for 20 years, never going more than 100 miles, but the year we wanted to see all of the lighthouses in Michigan in July, I replaced all 5, and had no trouble.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by ckelly78z

Those tires will probably last you for a long time on short, local trips as long as you don't get them hot. A longer (200 mile+) trip might find you having tire trouble. Most tire manufacturers, and RV manufacturers recommend replacing every 7 years.

We ran the original tires on my camper for 20 years, never going more than 100 miles, but the year we wanted to see all of the lighthouses in Michigan in July, I replaced all 5, and had no trouble.

I've thought a lot about the tires and I am generally one for replacing tires based on age on vehicles. On this rig, however, I'm struggling with how the tires could deteriorate standing still w no intense, drying sun? Other than flat spots and they were parked on soft ground, so no issues there. They are incredibly strong tires, almost like what you would see on a Class 8 semi and the the top speed of the RV is around 65 mph.

My cross country trip will be in the fall and temps will range from cold to warm but no extreme heat. I'm feeling pretty confident about the tires. Once I get it to CA., it will only be making relatively short trips. Just to be clear, if they looked even remotely dried out, I'd replace them. I have a good spare and tire changing tools plus AAA w RV coverage.

[javadog]

I have seen brand new, never used, 0 mile tires destroyed by a tire mounting machine. They looked flawless on the outside, and I do mean flawless, and had never seen the sun or any kind of weather whatsoever.

If I were going to roll the dice, I’d probably at least change the front tires for new ones.

[RWebb]

Thx for this interesting thread on a cool RV.

You’ve been working away on the RV in Wisc. at your cabin? Did you push a tool rollaway onto it before leaving home? or how did you decide what tools to take with you?

[RWebb]

BTW, tires will deteriorate standing still in a nitrogen atmosphere in darkness

there are sulfide crosslinks in the rubber and they are 'active' - O2 & UV will attack the surface too - but the whole shebang is only good for about 6 years

[tevake]

I'd look at two new tires on the fronts first, then the two inners, next year, then the two outer rears the next year after.

They do add up to a lot to do in one year. A specially while doing other stuff at the same time.

Cheers Richard

[speeder]

Originally Posted by javadog

I have seen brand new, never used, 0 mile tires destroyed by a tire mounting machine. They looked flawless on the outside, and I do mean flawless, and had never seen the sun or any kind of weather whatsoever.

If I were going to roll the dice, I’d probably at least change the front tires for new ones.

How were they destroyed and how did you know that they were destroyed if they looked flawless? Just curious.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by RWebb

BTW, tires will deteriorate standing still in a nitrogen atmosphere in darkness

there are sulfide crosslinks in the rubber and they are 'active' - O2 & UV will attack the surface too - but the whole shebang is only good for about 6 years

I’d love to know the science behind this. I usually only wind up changing motorcycle tires due to age, everything else gets worn out before they time out. I replace MC tires due to age but also because I can feel the change w my hands, the rubber isn’t soft anymore.

I have an antique motorcycle that I bought recently, it has ~20 year old tires on it that look and feel new, (Dunlops). I’m going to get new tires but I’d bet that I could take it out on a highway and ride it 100 mph for 100 hours in 100 deg. heat and nothing would happen.

[speeder]

I spent this afternoon working on dropping the radiator to take it in to the shop, not a small job. It involved getting the front end of the RV as high off the ground as I could get it, (hopefully high enough), and carefully disconnecting all of the mounting points for the radiator "carrier", (the metal frame that goes around it). It's like a radiator support that you would normally see on the top but goes all the way around. The radiator is huge, about 36" tall and 20-something across. Of course I've seen a lot larger but they were for semis or earth moving equipment.

It's a really well made, all metal radiator that is 38 years old and almost certainly never been out before. It has some stains showing slight leakage from seams and needs to be checked over and rebuilt before hitting the open road. Radiators scare me a lot more than tires and I would not consider taking the road trip home without getting it done. Needing to deal with it on the road would be a nightmare and very expensive, not to mention the overheating that could occur.

As much of a bear of a job removing it is, it's a no-brainer because I can put it in the back of my PU truck and bring it to what is hands down the greatest radiator shop I've ever seen in Minneapolis. Very old school place filled w seriously HUGE radiators, I swear that some of them must be for locomotives. They are about a week behind right now so I need to get it to them. Probably run me $220 unless it needs something unexpected like a tank replaced, which I doubt. Compared to thousands in labor and a long motel stay out on the road, with little choice of who works on my rig.

My shop will remove the top tank, clean out the passages and then solder it back together and test it. They will re-solder the bottom tank as well, make it really tight. Should be good for another decade or two.

I'll try to get some more pics tomorrow.

[tevake]

Good job on doing the radiator right at the front of hitting the coach. Most of us did the radiator after doing the fan blade and the other cooling system parts first. Then come around to the radiator after doing all the other cooling parts first.

There is often slag encrusting the bottom of the radiator fins.

I'm trying to think of the other parts on the front of the engine is so available.
Water pump, thermostat , belts, what ever else you find in there.

Mayby you could check with Mayco and others to see what they recomend while in there.

Cheers Richard

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by speeder

I’d love to know the science behind this. I usually only wind up changing motorcycle tires due to age, everything else gets worn out before they time out. I replace MC tires due to age but also because I can feel the change w my hands, the rubber isn’t soft anymore.

I have an antique motorcycle that I bought recently, it has ~20 year old tires on it that look and feel new, (Dunlops). I’m going to get new tires but I’d bet that I could take it out on a highway and ride it 100 mph for 100 hours in 100 deg. heat and nothing would happen.

essentially, rubber continues to 'cure' or vulcanize at a much slower rate, and just gets harder and harder (kinda like long bones in your body...)

I don't have a cite for it but I'd bet you find the info in the pdf "The Pneumatic Tire" which IIRC is publ. by NHTSA

ok, this is related:

https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/catalyst-breaks-sulfur-sulfur-bonds-to-give-new-life-to-tired-tyres/4010940.article

[Tim Hancock]

I will be buying 6 new tires for my coach project this spring. My coach weighs about 30,000 pounds. The front axle can weigh up to 13,000 pounds. My 275/70-22.5 front tires each could be subjected to 6,500 pounds (which is max load rating at 120 psi). No way will I risk a front blowout and the damage it will/could do. Many coaches have been wrecked after a front blowout. Rear blowouts can do severe body damage. Some of the tires on my coach are as old as 2007. Even though I am a cheap bastard and an anti safety cop kind of guy, I will be spending the 3-4k on new tires once I get this thing trip ready.

No other vehicles I have ever owned have I worried about tire age or blowouts.... I am not taking any chances with this big pig though.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by speeder

How were they destroyed and how did you know that they were destroyed if they looked flawless? Just curious.

Simple. The tires in question were tires that were put on cars undergoing restoration. They were never used, except to store the cars in my warehouse while work was being done and allow them to roll around occasionally. When the each of the projects were nearing completion, I put another set of new tires on the car. I watched in amazement when the old tires were put on the tire machine and the machine attempted to break the beads by pushing on the sidewalls. The sidewalls failed before the beads broke. The machine literally pushed the tool through the sidewall of the tire.

This wasn't a one-off. I had more than one car that went through this. I used to run tires until they wore out the tread. No more. After 5 years, they are on borrowed time with me.

No way I'd run across the country on tires as old as yours.