What to have pre-checked on a 2003 for long trip

[Kbwitt]

I have a 2003 Winnebago Journey 330 cat Freightliner 6speed Allison.
Bought a year ago only records were new tires, oil change motor, serviced Owen generator.
What should I have mechanics at the very reputial Freightline Service Center who also does complete over hauls on Cats do or have checked going on long trip starting in July.
Thanks to who ever offers up great sound advice.
Kenn

[imnprsd]

How many miles are on your rig?

Do you do your own work?

How many hours on your generator?

[Kbwitt]

Sorry I did not put mileage 99,700.

[imnprsd]

Here's some food for thought:

* Roof sealant... before your roof blows off!

* Engine Air Filter

* Transmission fluid & filter change

* Engine flush ASAP if you are NOT running OAT (pink or reddish) anti-freeze

* Differential fluid change

* Chassis Lube

* Engine belts

* New Tires if you are over 8-10 years (10 for Michelins)

* Basement AC capacitor check

* Carry a back up thermostat and ECO for your hot water heater for the day it goes out on the road

* Does your dash AC work well and by well do you get a -43 degree drop (or more) when it is 85+ degrees outside?

* Generator belt & temp sensor... fuel filter, air filter, oil change.

I hope you learn how to do some of these things yourself!

==> I see the OP lives in Arizona. This being the case, I highly recommend you spend 10 days at my favorite RV SPA located about south of the boarder. You can contact Oscar who can help you with all these things! ...And you can also get your RV body work done by Carlos' team of RV experts.

Then Kiko can wash and wax your RV. ...Avado can clean your carpets. ...And you can go get lunch at the restaurant or schedule a massage on the beach while they work on your RV... all in one place! This is why I a call it an "RV Day Spa!"

I'm talking about "The Reef RV Park" in Rocky Point, Puerto Penasco, MX. And get this... the Lukeville, AZ boarder crossing is NOT experiencing any of the boarder crossing kaos going on in TX, AZ and CA ports of entry.
Here's the link for more information:

https://www.winnieowners.com/forums/...ew-358003.html

Note: I'm going back in April/May. This is a perfect time to go, because the park is not full as everyone thinks the boarder is closed, but it's not! However, I would say that I would not go if the Lukeville crossing was packed! ...You can go on line and see the average wait to cross back into the USA is about 15 minutes. (Subject to change of course, but I would bet it the Lukeville boarder crossing is not busy now it will not be more busy anytime soon.) So I'm looking forward to camping on the beach and enjoying the Mexican culture. And I'll find something on my RV to overhaul this trip in Rocky Point... I'm already geared up to overhaul my ATS and do a complete basement AC service. (Bring parts to be sure you have everything you need in advance, but there is an AutoZone in town, and if you need house batteries, Sam's Clubs sells 6V-GC2-Golf Cart batteries for $70 ea. (Just be sure to bring the right battery cables if you are upgrading from 3-12V deep cycle batteries to 4-6V-GC2 type batteries.)

[DavidM]

Skimming through The Reef's gallery of pictures, I saw very, very few motorhomes. Lots of T/Ts and fifth wheels but virtually no MHs. Why is that?

David

[jerichorick]

Originally Posted by Kbwitt

I have a 2003 Winnebago Journey 330 cat Freightliner 6speed Allison.
Bought a year ago only records were new tires, oil change motor, serviced Owen generator.
What should I have mechanics at the very reputial Freightline Service Center who also does complete over hauls on Cats do or have checked going on long trip starting in July.
Thanks to who ever offers up great sound advice.
Kenn

When were the fuel filters last changed.
When were the transmission filters last changed?
When was the air pump canister last changed?
When was the air filter last changed?
Have the slack adjusters checked and the break shoes looked at.

Lube the chassis.
When was your radiator fluid last tested?


If you get to SC make an appointment to take the coach to the Freightliner factory service center in Gaffney. They have several great services available to insure your chassis and running gear is all up to factory spec. I'll be heading that way later this year.

[Kbwitt]

Thank you

[neub]

If you are going to change antifreeze change the radiator hoses unless you know they have been changed in the past. I made that mistake on our 2005 journey....changed the antifreeze (didnt see any changes from receipts when we purchased it in 2018) so had it changed. Year later while out of state blew a hose. Down for a week as the top radiator hose is normally not stocked for our Cat C7). Nothing else order spare hoses and belts to minimize down time when $#@^ happens

[doorguy]

A big DITTO on the asterisked tasks posted by IMNPRSD. With that amount of miles, those tasks are imperative and some long overdue, I would guess. Another item to add to the list is to clean the radiator and Charge Air Cooler (CAC). Myself and other members have cut an access hole in the top of the fan shroud which allows you to really get in there and clean the back side of the radiator fins and both sides of the CAC. Overheating issues on the CAT are usually caused by a dirty radiator/cac and a fan belt slippage. You can search the forum and find many posts on these subjects. If you are planning on a long trip in July, it is not too soon to begin these preparations.

Good luck and safe travels to you!

[Kbwitt]

Thank You do you have a picture of were and how big of hole you cut?

[imnprsd]

DavidM: When I visited The Reef at Rocky Point, Puerto Penasco twice last summer it was during Covid. I was spoiled to have the whole park to myself.

I just picked up my RV in Texas, now in NOLA, and I'm heading back to Rock Point... Maybe to install an HWH Slideout Kit (those plastic triangles) and I plan to work with an RV mechanic to replace some basement AC capacitors and maybe install an portable 8K-BTU Air Conditioner to supplement my basement AC or to just use the portable AC as my primary AC. This will run at only 8A and I when I need more AC on 105F days I will then turn on the basement AC. ...Oh, and I plan to overhaul my Paralax ATS-5070 too.

Note: I may stay in Playa Del Oro this time, but the folks who are available to work on RVs can travel to any RV park in Puerto Penasco, of which there are 5 I think, but The Reef and Playa Del Oro are the best run and have internet. And Playa Del Oro has a swimming pool.

Doorguy: I'm looking forward to seeing some pictures of that hole you cut too! And thanks for the creds!

[doorguy]

I am not savvy on how to post pics on the forums, but we can try this, if it doesn't work, PM me with an email address and I can get them to you that way.

[Kbwitt]

Thanks pm sent.

[imnprsd]

I am posting these pictures for Kbwitt.

Note: I found out this modification cuts a hole in the plastic fan shroud so you can access the fan clutch... but it's only applicable to RVs with the radiator in the rear and not on the side!!!