We got her home in one piece. (Kinda)

[JBK]

We finally picked up my in law's 86' 345 today. I have been in love with this unit since my in laws bought it in 88. They can't use it any more due to poor health and were good enough to sell it to us. I have had two SOB's in the mean time, but they were nothing like this one.
I made it 180 miles of a 185 mile trip home when the high pressure hose to the brakes and steering blew. Limped it home and now I guess I have my day tomorrow pegged out for me. Clean and wrench. It hasn't been driven more than 200 miles a year in the past 5 years, so I'm sure there will be things to attend to.
Can't wait. Really.
Trying to come up with a name. How about "Chrome Dome"? Been used?

JB

[JBK]

Another view with the leak evidence on the driveway.

JB

[Boondocker]

Congratulations, it looks like a fine coach. If you get a chance, how about posting some pics of the inside? Im currious about that.

[juel]

Beautiful, classic MH. Needs a much better name than that. Use it a while and I bet a name will come from the adventures you have in "him" or "her". Looks like a "him" to me. Very sleep and masculine looking.

[ScottW]

JB;
She's a beaut! Presuming a family discount, the little maintenance you'll have to do to make up for lack of use will certainly be worth it. Interior pics would really make me envious.
Thanks for sharing with us.
Scott.

[JBK]

Thanks guys. It is really in pretty good shape for a 20 year old girl. Just some cosmetics and such. A couple of the bottom outside storage drawers have rusted, so that will be a project. I am thinking of putting Pergo on the floor. I did my house, so I know how it's done. The wife thinks it might be too cold on the feet. We will have to think that one over. There is also a pretty good dent in the curb side rear quarter that I will try to remove but it is creased so I think it will need to be replaced to make it right. I don't really know if I am that particular. Time will tell.
You are right. Chrome Dome sucks for a name. I'll come up with something better.
Once I get the interior cleared out I will post some pix. They pretty much left everything in it, so I spent the morning boxing their stuff up and this week will start the scrubbing. Not that it really needs it on the inside, but you know how nice it is to know that everything is cleaned without the "Stuff" of everyday use in the way.
Winterizing went pretty well, nothing broken.
The outside is caked with dirt, so if it ever quits raining and or gets into the 50's around here, I'll power wash her let her shine again.
Can you tell I'm pumped?
Oh yeah, the genset runs only if primed and then stops. How much fuel needs to be in the tank? Is it half or quarter tank? If it's a quarter, I may need a fuel pump.

JB

[john hd]

I'll power wash her let her shine again.

you might want to skip that step! power washing may remove some of the decals! (don't ask me how i know!)

a nice soft bristle brush on a handle and lots of suds might be safer!

[bobchevy89]

power washing will get you in trouble every time. Glad you got home safe.I'd change all the belts ,hoses ,antifreeze , thermostat. flush the brake lines.before going out with it.check the gen fuel pump.. have fun and post pictures.. Bob

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by JBK

Trying to come up with a name. How about "Chrome Dome"? Been used?

JB

How about "Chrominum"?

[sd90mac]

Very nice coach. Do not power wash, like it was said, use gentle brush and soap and water. I hope you have a ball with your coach, and best wishes.

Marie

[swebster]

Nice coach! Welcome to the club! The genny needs at least 1/4 tank to run. You may find that carb cleaner is your friend in this area. Pergo on the floor is great, looks good, easy to keep clean and it's not bad on the feet in the morning. We installed ours in a weekend. One of the fun projects when restoring a 20+ year old coach.

[JBK]

O-K. No power wash. I hate to think of scrubbing three years of grub off of her, but you are right. She needs a gentle touch. (Man, am I sick or what? It's a damned machine! ) Oh well, I'll get it cleaned up and post some pix in the next week weather permitting.
The wife is already talking about a porch setup for the awning!
Oh, where is the button for the air horn?

JB

[Fyrzowt]

We have laminate flooring in our trailer, we had carpet in our last one. I much prefer the laminate. We find that it's easier to clean - just sweep whether you have 110 power or not. With the carpet, it seemed like the forest always migrated into the trailer and stuck to the floor.
The laminate floors can be cool/cold but we use throw rugs which help greatly, and can be taken outside and shaken.
Dave

[Streamer1]

I agree with all the others, very nice coach indeed. At the risk of beating a dead horse, when you get a chance lets see the inside! She/he looks like a long MH - maybe about 35'?

[swebster]

The horn button on the wheel should power the horns. They are actually electric and liekly clogged if they no longer work. Sometimes they can be cleaned, I ended up replacing mine with electric/air horns from Camping World.

[JBK]

Streamer:
She is a 345 which in Airstream talk is 34.5'. She IS pretty to me, but nothing special as far as AS are concerned. It's a 20 year old rig with 116 klicks on the meter. I have to say that I am totally impressed with the construction of this MH. Like I said before, I had two SOB's and there is no comparison. I did have a 24' International trailer for about a year, but is was beaten by a HUGE oak tree last year thanks to a neighbor's logger. I will post some pix later this week of the interior.

JB

[JBK]

I have read the posts about walking on the roof of AS trailers and Andy's comments that it is done every day in his and every other shop. Does the same hold true to the motor homes? I would assume so, but thought I should ask before hauling my big butt up there only to find that I should have taken some special precaution.

Thanks.

JB

I'm getting anxious to use her. I may end up taking her hunting this fall. Can't wait til spring I guess...

[swebster]

I've not done it myself but a 345 is essentially a 34' trailer turned around with a motorhome nose bolted on top of a truck chassis (P30). So yes you can. Stay on the ribs.

Any particular reason you want to go up there?

[JBK]

Steve:
Just to clean up the air units. Sitting this long they have crud on them and I have been told not to use a pressure washer.
I did take her to town on Sunday and gave her a bit of a bath at the car wash. A light soaping with the wand and some scrubbing with the foam brush. She looks better, but CLEAN will have to wait until spring. It doesn't look like we are going to get an Indian Summer this year. I did the bath thing in 30 degrees with a pretty stiff wind. The bay was about 24 feet long so her butt stuck out a bit into the breeze. Burrr.... Me, not her.

I do have some questions about the aluminum pitting and corroding through around rivets on the sides, but I will hold off until I take some pix to show.

JB

[noiva]

JBK,

If I were going to be on the roof for more than a short walk ONLY on the ribs, I'd put a piece of carpet and then a 1/4 sheet of plywood up there. I put some very minor, but still there, dings in my roof while sealing the spotlight. You really can't just walk around up there. Better safe than dinged.

Congratulations on the 345. Keep us posted - especially with pictures.

Best,