'84 310 ltd. - What should I lookout for?

[RichLittlejo]

Hello All,

I'm going to be taking a look at an '84 310 this weekend. I've owned an airstream trailer before, but never the motorhome.

Are there any 'problem' areas in these that I should know about?

Anything in particular to look for when checking it out?

thank you all very much in advance for any advice you can give me!

[guy99]

under the driverside bed (I'm assuming it has twins). The water tank and plumbing are there. On my 84 310 Limited the water tank had a leak and there was serious floor damage. Also under the couch and sink. There is an auxillary heater which carries engine coolant (also flows through heat exchanger in the water heater) I had floor damage from leaking coolant.

Check the generator well - I assume you don't have one on your trailer. You may also want to check the dash air and cruise control (if these are important to you). The motorhomes can experience a big heat gain from all the front glass so I find the dash air to be important.

You will want to check the drive train and chassis as you would for a 20 year old truck.

[ALANSD]

do a search, as there is a great list of items to check on the motorhomes before purchase. It was posted a while ago.

[RichLittlejo]

Thanks, all for the responses.

I'll do a search for that list!

Good info on the read beds, I'll be sure to check that out.

On this same topic- it does have the rear twins. But I've seen models with a kingsize. Does anybody here know if I would be able to convert it from twin to king fairly easily?

[guy99]

of having that conversion done now. If you are willing to merely remove the console between the two beds and build a platform across the two beds and put a mattress on the platform, it should be easy. We didn't want to have to crawl into bed from one spot so we are doing a more extensive remodel which changes the orientation of the bed to east-west (across the motorhome). This requires relocating the water tank and plumbing. But, it means that we will be able to walk around the end of the bed and squeeze down the side wall to get to the other side of the bed. Our bed will be 72" by 76" (as wide as a california king, but not as long).

We are also removing the driver side closet and enlarging the bathroom.

[bigshinything]

Try to ascertain the age of the tires by checking their date codes. If old, dry rotted or cracking plan on spending at least $100 per. Run every system, hooked up, then self contained. When checking the A/C also check the heat strips, if equipped. Make sure all the airbags are functioning. If the driver and passenger window channels are rusted they leak, so the subsequent floor will be damaged. Good leak advice posted above. These are the issues I encountered recently on an 85 345.

[RichLittlejo]

Thanks! I'll check on all of these as well!


Just found out that the passenger window is broken. Is it just a standard sized window? Or might it be difficult to find a replacement?

[Orland Dewey]

Hello,

Pull out the battery try (Holder) and see how much rust is there, CHeck
the pullouts next to the battery slide also.

Check Dash Air. Check to be sure all appliances work! Check the large
side window drapes or covers to be sure they go up and down properly

Test drive for engine and tranny and drive train check out under a good
hard test drive. Check windshield wipers. Look at all the gauges on t he
dash and be sure they all work. Check the CB and Radio system to see if
it works check {all} the windows to be sure they will open and close with outbracing your foot against a brace of some sort! Particularly the drivers and co-drivers windows.

Pull the dipstick on the engine oil, tranny fluid, Power steering fluid. Presure
test the water system buy hooking up to city water side of system. check
and test the self watering pump and sytem buy putting a few gallons of
water in the main water storage tank.

Look around the windows on the inside to see if there are any water leaks.
Turn on all lights inside and outside to see if they all work. Blinker lights
right and left and upper flasher signal lights front and rear. Check the
muffler and exhaust to see what condition its in. Check all the tires too
see tread and wear spots (front) and pay close attention to the fine
hair line cracks in the side walls nearest the rim. Tires may be old! If the
date codes have 4 numbers they are in the 2000 Year range if they have
only 3 digits they are 1980s or 1990 tires so be sure to check this out close
and understand the date code system.

CHeck out the onboard generator to be sure it operates properly and starts
when needed. Check the oil level and how the oil looks.

There are many more things to check for. I hope you like to work on things
such as this MH as there will be a lot of DIY work. Its way to costly to
hire it done. You need tools and a place to work Flat,etc . You cannot
be afraid to tackle anything that comes up or seems to be broken.

Check to see if it also has and Electric Fuel pump besides the pump on the
side of the engine. Don't believe the owners manual on this!

Signed ODD (Mixednuts)

[MaryContrary]

thoroughly read the whole classic moho forum..cause your gonna have to replace/fix/update almost everything mentioned in each thread. But darn, i love my 84 310!...me wonders if i was the one who ended up with this one...

[Mike Leary]

With these old dears, there is going to be some money spent upgrading. We spent thousands to get her to where she is now. Most of those coaches had no upgrades, so you start over; hoses, belts, tires and on and on until everything is fresh. You can then pull out of the driveway without that 'sinking' feeling.
It's just a cool body on a bread-truck frame after all.

[ScrapIrony-2]

The love of aluminum...
Most of our consistent problems have come with the brakes...when you ask a shop to check them, emphasize that they need to REMOVE THE TIRES for a thorough check...twice, now, we have had shops say the brakes were good, only to have the GOOD shop remove the tires and hand me scored, scorched shoes with resultant drum damage...the usual defense of the failed-the-test shops is..."oh, you live in the mountains...you probably should use your gears more than the brakes..."...I've driven mountains longer than most of these lazy folks have been breathing, but it still gets me somewhat worked up...in any event, you have to INSIST on performance, or you'll pay more for less.
mike

[klattu]

Wonder if he ever picked it up?
Was just a few years ago...2005

I'd test drive it...most important is the P-30 chassis...everything else can be fixed as you go.