First Road Trip checklist ...

[mbulriss]

Hello -

The early and mid-80 models usually have the hot water heater built in under the
rear shirt closet on the driver's side. An access hatch in the front facia of
the inner closet usually allows you to see the heater and reach a drain valve.
To work on it usually requires dismantling the inner closet. NOT a good thing.

I am not sure what you are calling "the air chambers at the four corners". If
you are talking about air brake chambers, no, do not mess with those air
chambers. If you are talking about draining the main air reservoir tanks, there
are usually two at about mid-ship under the chassis, high up over the bays, and
one up front around the front axle. They are a good arm stretch to reach from
below but they have 1/4 turn drain valves on their bottoms like the fuel tank
does. Frankly, I have never gotten much of anything out of mine on my 83 PT40
or my 91 WB40. PLEASE make darn sure you have the chassis securely blocked up
before crawling around under your Bird, especially if playing with the air
system. We dislike having to place "In Memoriam" front pages on the forum web
site!

Other good checks, other than all fluids, belts and tires, include battery water
levels, cable ends and charging system. Gen set ready to go? Battery chargers
working? You'll need those both for dry camping and getting home when the
alternators quit.


FYI, General protocol on this forum is to sign posts with a name, location and
year/model (which you had in your question).

Welcome to the forum and be sure to send in travel pictures for Bird of the
Week!

Mike Bulriss
1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
San Antonio, TX - home again at last

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "zboy59" wrote:
>
> Okay.
> I'm preparing for my first road trip in an '86 PT40.
> We've fixed every little nuance from lights to water filters in the "house",
and the overall engine fluids stuff has been checked.
> There are a couple things I need to know how to do:
> * I have some crud in my hot water heater which shows up after draining and
refills. I'm still not exactly sure where the water heater IS, let alone where a
drain valve for it is.
> * I know that I should bleed my fuel filter of sediment/water and the air
chambers at the four corners ... how and when should I do the latter ?
> * What else should be "DOH" checks that I do other than tire pressure before I
roll out ?
> I know that the thing that always gets you is the one thing you didn't check.
What short list would those things be ?
>