New Guy with an 32' 86' Sunline Sierra

[Drake]

Hello out there! Boy am I glad to find this wonderful website ! I am new to RV ing and need all the help I can get. I do have a good deal of literature on the trailer (stove, water heater, furnace, etc. etc.) that I can share with other members. The thing I am lacking is anything other than a brochure on the trailer itself. In other words, I have plenty of info on the various components ( except the fridge, which is a goner) installed in the trailer...I just don't have a manual on the trailer itself...which would be really handy to know where things are located on the trailer, and various other important info. I am figuring it out slowly, but a manual would sure be nice.

? what's the best way to work on the AC top unit. I need to replace the shroud and having been up there once, it's pretty scary in terms of the lack of firm footing...I feel like I may go through at any moment or break something structural. Any ideas? Maybe put a piece of plywood down to distribute my "considerable" weight?

? I am thinking of replacing the fridge with an all electric one that will fit the opening with one from Costco, or somewhere. This old trailer is permanently
located and plugged in so, no worries about camping out where electricity is a luxury. Is this advisable or am I wrong in this going with a $200 as opposed to a $900 option here. I plan on making any extra space around a new electric fridge as pretty as this journeyman carpenter can cobble, if that is the option I choose.

[luvrque]

Originally Posted by Drake

Hello out there! Boy am I glad to find this wonderful website ! I am new to RV ing and need all the help I can get. I do have a good deal of literature on the trailer (stove, water heater, furnace, etc. etc.) that I can share with other members. The thing I am lacking is anything other than a brochure on the trailer itself. In other words, I have plenty of info on the various components ( except the fridge, which is a goner) installed in the trailer...I just don't have a manual on the trailer itself...which would be really handy to know where things are located on the trailer, and various other important info. I am figuring it out slowly, but a manual would sure be nice.

? what's the best way to work on the AC top unit. I need to replace the shroud and having been up there once, it's pretty scary in terms of the lack of firm footing...I feel like I may go through at any moment or break something structural. Any ideas? Maybe put a piece of plywood down to distribute my "considerable" weight?

? I am thinking of replacing the fridge with an all electric one that will fit the opening with one from Costco, or somewhere. This old trailer is permanently
located and plugged in so, no worries about camping out where electricity is a luxury. Is this advisable or am I wrong in this going with a $200 as opposed to a $900 option here. I plan on making any extra space around a new electric fridge as pretty as this journeyman carpenter can cobble, if that is the option I choose.

Hi and welcome to the club.

Yes pcs. of plywood with cardboard or an old rug under the plywood will do the job..

If you don't travel with it, the all elect.120 volt would be great.
If you ever have to replace the A/C you can also get a $200. 120Volt one as long the TT stays in one place like you said.

[Drake]

Thanks for your reply luvrque! I'll take your advice on both counts! Stay tuned...more questions are on the way.

[kanyonkitty]

Hi Drake,

Welcome to the group. There is a real wealth of info among our group, so feel free to ask any questions you may have.

I do have a question, you said your rig is a 32' Sunline "Sierra", OK, the Sierra name does not sound right, is your rig maybe a "Seville" ?

As for brochures for how things operate on your rig, well the appliances have their own manuals, and the rest is pretty basic learn as you go. So, your best bet is to post "specific" questions that you might have about something.

Being on the roof, yes LuvRQue gave you the best advise for that. The dead fridge, if your on a permanent site the 110 unit is the way to go.

OH yeah, we like to see pictures, we love to see other Sunlines, so if you can post some pics of your rig we'd love to see it.

Kitty

[Drake]

S0rry folks! It's a seville....not a sierra!!!!

[Drake]

Thanks Kitty,
It IS a Sevillle...not a Sierra....I don't know what I was drinki....er....uh...thinking! Went up and worked on the trailer today....to tired to post anything else right now... will post tomorrow with specific questions and photos. Thanks again for your reply and warm welcome.
Drake

[Drake]

Luvrque
That $200 A/C.... are you talking about modifying a window in the camper and buying a window unit from K-Mart, or an all electric A/C to physically replace the one that is on the trailer now. If you mean replacing with a roof top...tell me where to find same, please. The A/C that is on there is an old R-12 unit, working fine right now, but when it goes...it's probably not worth the conversion/repair bill.

[luvrque]

Originally Posted by Drake

Luvrque
That $200 A/C.... are you talking about modifying a window in the camper and buying a window unit from K-Mart, or an all electric A/C to physically replace the one that is on the trailer now. If you mean replacing with a roof top...tell me where to find same, please. The A/C that is on there is an old R-12 unit, working fine right now, but when it goes...it's probably not worth the conversion/repair bill.

Drake,

I am talking about a: in the wall unit, comes with a sleeve to install in the TT wall ....OR you could buy a $100.-$150. window unit and cut a hole in the TT to install it....You could also modify a window like you said to hold a small $100. window unit.

Back in 1981 I bought a 1980 21' TT without an A/C, because the price was very low.......
I cut a hole the TT and installed a small 120volt window A/C and I DID travel with it and it did the job very well....
That is something I would NOT do today, BUT you don't travel with your TT so that should work fine & save you app.$800......

[JohnB]

Hi Drake and Welcome to Sunline Owners Club!!

Manuals. Since you have the appliance manuals that is good. For a generic Sunline manuals see here Sunline Coach Owner's Club - Sunline Owner's Files - Sunline Owners Manuals The ones we have up so for are for newer Sunlines but the info is still valid for yours.

As far as a manual to tell you what light switch turns on what fixture....well the manuals where not that detailed. They where not mass produced in large enough qtys and the models changed so much getting to that detail is hard to come by in any RV manufacture.

The roof, heads up as you have found out. Unless you have an optional walk on roof with full plywood under the roof material, then you roof is "not" a walk on roof and you can go right thru it. To deal with this need 1/2", 5/8 or 3/4 small pieces of plywood to span the 16 inch center rafters. And need like Joe stated a piece of protective material between the roof and the plywood to protect from abrasion. I use a canvas tarp and then put pieces of 24" x 48" plywood sheets up there.

A replacement AC roof unit. They do sell them, here is one place. Shop around for price and shipping. RV Air Conditioners and Parts

The upper unit, the part that is on the roof, there is also a lower unit inside the camper, is on sale right now for $610 for a 15K btu one Duo Therm Air Conditioning Units on Sale

As you can see, if you are planted in one spot the home AC unit may be a cheaper option. For a 32 foot unit, you do not want any thing smaller then 15,000 btu. My 32 footer is 15K btu and with all the windows I have I can tell I would not want anything smaller on a hot sunny day.

Good luck with our new camper and many fun times ahead.

John

[Drake]

JohnB,
Thanks for your sage roof advice!!! I will follow it to the letter! Also regarding the manual...thanks for saving me the "wild goose chase" after something that doesn't exist!
Thanks also for the great A/C links and advice as well. But most of all, thank you for your good wishes!