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Thanks for the kind, thoughtful, prompt replies.
I'll address a couple of issues:
For a little history please reference my "Airstreams in Winter" post on 3/24/02.
We live in Anchorage and have for many years.
The prior owner did give me the owner's manual and the service manual; which I should have brought home with me. Darn.
Without sounding too naive or clueless let me say that I bought the motorhome at a better than fair price, and was told that everything worked except the ice maker. I trusted the seller was honest, I paid him, turned the key and headed to Seattle(I needed to get back to Anchorage ASAP).
I checked out the running gear (the 454, tranny, brakes, etc) and it was fine. No major problems, a few minor ones: dash air is weak, engine uses a little oil. But overall the engine runs cool, has great power, and with the Banks exhaust is rather economical (11-12 mpg).
Potential drive train problems don't bother me...it is waking up to the dead batteries in Sacramento (something leeches the batteries unless the terminal is removed), the "how do I" turn the hot water heater or furnace on without blowing up, what should the refer run on while driving down the road, are the air bags automatically inflated, etc. It is the unknown stuff that I really need to get familiar with and that is my goal while in Seattle preparing for the trip north.
I have decided, after months of debate, to get intimate with the M/H and thoroughly check out it's appliances, water, and electrical systems (who wouldn't). If they check out, I'll hit the road. Owning a 23 year old money pit wouldn't bother me too bad, but my wife's "should've kept it in Seattle" mantra will kill me!
Peter, thanks for the advice on the "stuff" and potential problems with putting a sofa curb side. I can probably modify the dinette to sleep two cofortably.
If I desire a second opinion of the coach and its many systems can I take it into a Camping World to have them check it out? I have never been to a Camping World , but know they have one in Tacoma.
Again, thanks to you all for your replies, and enduring this long-winded post. I'll try to post some pictures as well.
Curtis
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