Picked up new to me Chinook

[68camaro]

Can't help with the snoring, but we too have a Club Lounge model. I'm 6-2, 250# and my wife is 5-10. We tried sleeping side by side on the jack-knife sofa and found it was not enough room. Then, we slide/locked the club chairs to the passenger side wall and we sleep with our heads on the drivers side with our feet into the buckets of the chairs. Plenty of room and we don't both each other (unless we want to... )

Where these's a will there's a way.......

[Blue~Go]

Sounds like you are making great progress.

On the water heater: If you don't have a Chinook manual, look in the "Reference" sub-forum here, and you'll find the various manuals. If there is not a 2001 (I can't remember), check out the 2000 one.

There is a sort of "jungle gym" of plumbing on the water heater. The reason for this is that it has a built in "bypass" that you use when you are winterizing the system. You don't want to put anti-freeze in the water heater (expensive and hard to clean out), so you use a specific combination of opening/closing valves in that jungle gym, and that closes off the water heater (or bypasses it, as it's commonly described) and you can winterize the rest of the system separately (for the water heater, you pull out the big nut at the bottom that's accessible from the outside panel; that will drain the water heater and you can check the anode rod that is attached to it (should be like 1" in diameter - if it's all skinny and wasted get a new one as that is what keeps the water from eating away at the water heater). The water heater will then be so empty you don't have to put anything in it to winterize it.

The two valves by the couch are the low point drains. The single valve by the water pump is the tank drain. Note that these drain VERY slowly unless you use the water pump (then listen for it to run dry and shut it off).

Some people make notes on the jungle gym valves so they can see how to orient them. One combination is "water heater included in system," one combination is "water heater excluded," and I guess there would be one non-combination. I'll see if I can come back and paste in the graphic, but it is in the manual.

****
I slept on the floor of my club lounge while I was re-doing the sofa. In my case right in the aisle between the sofa and the club chairs. A 25" Thermarest type pad fit perfectly. It was actually kind of cozy with the "sides" so no way to fall out

[68camaro]

Sounds like you are making great progress.

Slowly but surely, most issues fairly small so far. Still learning how to use everything.

On the water heater: If you don't have a Chinook manual, look in the "Reference" sub-forum here, and you'll find the various manuals. If there is not a 2001 (I can't remember), check out the 2000 one.

Some people make notes on the jungle gym valves so they can see how to orient them. One combination is "water heater included in system," one combination is "water heater excluded," and I guess there would be one non-combination. I'll see if I can come back and paste in the graphic, but it is in the manual.

Have manual so no need to post pic but thanks for offer. You are right, plumbing is a bit of "jungle gym" but manual schematics are very helpful. Now replacement wand on Moen faucet leaks, will get gasket, but may just put new faucet in, tight under there but should be easy.

[Blue~Go]

Funny thing is I did post two illustrations from the manual.... but now I don't see them. Oh well, sounds like you have them anyway. It's satisfying to ship-shapify, isn't it?

[68camaro]

It's satisfying to ship-shapify, isn't it?

It is, empty black/gray tank today, but facility has had no water so right now put chemicals in, filled black tank drove around to mix. Will let it sit for couple days before emptying again to get real clean and sensors cleared.

Also, refreshing fresh water tank to get spiffy, owners had not used fresh water in years. It's really shaping up nicely and the more I learn about it, the cooler it is.

[Blue~Go]

They really are nice. Among other things, I so appreciate the manuals with all of their systems diagrams. A friend with an "other brand" RV drools over them because the only way he could get information was to basically tear into the walls (or try to use borescopes, etc.)

[68camaro]

A quick update, It's been almost two months since picking up my Concourse. Since purchasing I only used for one overnight trip due to just plain being too busy and it in shop for three weeks for brakes/MorRyde System. Since purchasing the following boxes have been checked:

- Got all water systems working, nothing was wrong just had to close valves;
- Learned how to use gray/water black water flushes;
- Freshened fresh water tank and did good cleaning of black and grey;
- Cleaned hot water tank (checked with borescope)flushed and working properly;
- Finally opened awning and all works as it should;
- City water check valve replaced;
- Sent shade out for restringing, cost $40.00 plus shipping each way;
- Bought RV cover, really like it.
- Got wireless rerfig & feezer monitor
- Installed Scan Guage II
- Roof in really good shape;
- Hidden safe picked and new lock installed;
- Purchased new black water hose tube, to be installed;
- replaced all cabinet struts, small but nice improvement;
- Kitchen faucet not original, but through graciousness of another Chinook owner they sent me faucet wand they no longer use with filter, Moen had all other parts, will install shortly;
- Had Power Stop Extreme brakes installed, $529 plus labor;
- New front calipers;
- New MorRyde Shears are now installed, see pic below for height;
- Bought new motor and fan blade for bath; went to install and freakin' lost both...unbelievable....haha;
- Antenna crank bought, need to install.

When I bought rig I was taking a risk because owners only used sink and toilet by carrying gallon jugs of water, they knew little to nothing about most everything else. Luckily no major repairs to system, only small items except for brakes which were shot.

On to-do list:

- decide on lift/locker or 4x4 conversion; both with new Fox shocks/steering stabilizer
- New tires
- Upgrade to Vantage Optics headlights to E-series, stock headlights stink
- Straighten back step braces so they close properly
- EasyStart Soft Starter install
- Upgrade Inverter
- Backup camera
- Get TV working w/ Antenna - possibly new TV

Down the road;

- New Stereo for front or back, haven't decided
- Aluminess Front bumper upgrade with winch
- Rear bumper upgrade

Here is pic of rig I never posted here, plus rear wheel clearance with new MorRyde Shear Springs,

[68camaro]

Also, to compare here is pic of rear wheel before replacing MorRyde shear springs, I did not measure but change is very noticeable:

[Blue~Go]

Gee, the broken Mor-Ryde really turned it into a low rider (in the back). Glad the new ones brought it back up.

- Finally opened awning and all works as it should

Just a note: When I talked to the very helpful and knowledgeable folks at Fiamma (who were all tragically killed last year) about getting a couple of new (minor) parts, they had me send them photos of my awning and serial number. So we also talked about various other awning things relating to our model. One thing they mentioned was that although lots of parts are available, the "Flamingo legs" are no longer made, so .... take care of them. They specifically recommended to lubricate the "knees," which I did (along with a number of other joints and slidy bits).

I think about the wealth of knowledge --- and just plain good-people helpfulness --- they had at Fiamma in Florida whenever my awning glides out.

BG

PS: A buddy of mine put the Vantage Optics headlights on his E-series RV, and he was very happy with them. I could certainly tell it was him when he was following me if we were caravanning - very distinctive look.

[68camaro]

After going back and forth repeatedly on whether to do 4x4 conversion or lift I ultimately decided on just the lift and today ordered the Action Van 4 1/2" Performance lift minus the rear block package, once I get front on I'll have leaf springs made to raise rear and all research indicates I can keep MorRyde as long as I don't change leaf spring length.

Along with the lift I got Fox shocks valved for van, Fox steering stabilizer and 2008 style radius arms. Since I will be traveling tame roads I didn't upgrade to custom radius arms. I'll be running Goodyear Duratrac 235/85/16.

I need rig ready in 30 days, hold up will be leaf springs so hopefully we can get in time to get installed and troubleshoot. Also dropped bent rear steps to machine shop for straightening....slowly all coming together.

Before and after pics will be provided.