I’ve been asked what things a new owner should look at and anticipate doing if they purchase an older motor-home that’s built on a F53 chassis, i.e. 1999 – 2005.
Obviously, the coach needs to be inspected, but I want to address the chassis portion. I want a good reliable vehicle that’s not going to leave me stranded. The best way to get piece of mind is to know exactly where the vehicle is in regards to maintenance.
Often, a motor-home of this age has passed through the hands of a couple owners, and there may not be any maintenance history available. For my piece of mind, and because of the age of the chassis, I consider doing most of what I call “Mid Life” major maintenance items. Here’s a list that I would look at:
Maintenance items – your approaching life limits on some items:
- Serpentine belt – replace – inspect accessory’s and pulleys when the belt is off.
- Water pump – Consider replacing.
- Brake hoses, brake pads? replace hoses and pads, flush and re-bleed brakes.
- Front end – grease and inspect.
- Front wheel bearings – repack – inspect king pins.
- Inspect U joints, grease if they have fittings.
- Verify /replace fluid level in rear differential.
- Transmission – Flush, change filter if it has one.
- Fuel and air filters – replace.
- Oil change – install Fumoto valve if your changing the oil.
- Spark plugs – if they have never been changed, leave them along. If not sure, or have been changed – change them again – This is the important part – replace with OEM plugs only and verify the plugs are torqued to 160 inch – pounds.
- Tires – Check manufacture date for 6-8 years old – consider replacing.
- Perform CHF, inspect suspension links and torsion rod bushing inserts.
- Clean Radiator, particularly oil spills plugging radiator. Pressure wash.
If all this stuff looks good, you should now be ready for another 70k miles of trouble free driving. 