Might Buy and Old R.V.

[30-30]

I'm going to look at an old 1982 R.V. this weekend that a friend is willing to sell to me for a steal. It would give us some extra sleeping room out at the ranch. The problem is though, it hasn't been started in about 8 years. It's parked in a barn, the interior is clean, and it only has 37,000 miles on it. That's about all I know.

Any tips on getting her to start? Any red flags that would suggest it's a bad deal? It would need to make the 90 mile trip to the ranch.

Thanks.

[hellbndr23]

For a 90 mile trip there are SOOOOO many things u need to check.

Oil first. Make sure there's some in it. You will have to crank on the motor so much before it starts it will most likely have time to circulate around a bit. IF for some miraculous reason it fires right off IMMEDIATELY kill it. Pull the coil wire off and crank it some more. This will get oil into all the needed places.

Then most likely the gas tank is rusted. You need at a minimum a new inline filter so u can see what going on. After draining all the gas and replacing with new. Then hope that the fuel pump diaphragm hasn't dry rotted (good chance it has).

If it can be started you can do it on brake parts cleaner. Spray it right in the carb. Don't hose it down or it will flood.

Possible the most important part for a 90 mile trip is the brakes. Check the fluid, probably isn't any. Then you need to see if the wheel cylinders are dry rotted. If there is no fluid there is most likely rust in the lines that will give u even more trouble.

Sorry its so long but there a TON of stuff that needs to be checked before a trip like that.

[30-30]

For a 90 mile trip there are SOOOOO many things u need to check.

Oil first. Make sure there's some in it. You will have to crank on the motor so much before it starts it will most likely have time to circulate around a bit. IF for some miraculous reason it fires right off IMMEDIATELY kill it. Pull the coil wire off and crank it some more. This will get oil into all the needed places.

Then most likely the gas tank is rusted. You need at a minimum a new inline filter so u can see what going on. After draining all the gas and replacing with new. Then hope that the fuel pump diaphragm hasn't dry rotted (good chance it has).

If it can be started you can do it on brake parts cleaner. Spray it right in the carb. Don't hose it down or it will flood.

Possible the most important part for a 90 mile trip is the brakes. Check the fluid, probably isn't any. Then you need to see if the wheel cylinders are dry rotted. If there is no fluid there is most likely rust in the lines that will give u even more trouble.

Sorry its so long but there a TON of stuff that needs to be checked before a trip like that.

Thanks, will keep this in mind.

Anyone else?

[Reaper]

I have no idea how big it is, but it might be cheaper to haul it, if you're not planning on driving it again once its at the ranch.

[BrianL]

Check tires for dry rot.
Carry extra fuel line and circle clamps as it will likely spring a leak somewhere.
Check power steering fluid
make sure water thermostat is opening before heading out
Make sure spare has air in it
Carry a jack that will lift a MH in case of flat
Check fan belts and make they are not too cracked and tight.

We did the same thing with ours after setting 7 years at the ranch. Only problem we really had was fuel line cracked, and tank switch wouldn't swich from one tank to the other.

[BrianL]

check for rats nest in motor area BEFORE trying to crank!

[Philip-TX]

New battery
look for signs of rats/mice/birds and other critters then
check wiring and insulation, (lights work?)
check fuel (? water/smell?) pump out add fresh and/or bring additive)
Change oil, turn over a few times, to get oil moving.
Check coolant, and other fluids.
check belts, hoses, tires, (anything rubber) including wiper blades.
remove air cleaner, and replace or clean. (critter nests?)
tires, as stated (dry-rot) and spare.

Then you'll have a whole list for the RV parts, when you get it where you want it I suppose.