Well here goes! Tomorrow I plan on buying a 1995, 38 foot, Kountry Aire Motorhome. It has been sitting for 6 years outside. Fuel pump and tank is full of varnish and pump in tank need to be replaced. Roof leaks behind drivers seat, center. Carpet and floor needs replacing. Has 47,000 miles on it and very little hours recorded. I figuring $5,000 should get it back in shape. Engine and transmission is said to be in excellent condition. (I have inside info) This is a project and I can tackle most of it. Please send your comments PS I won't know till tomorrow but I should be able to get it for pretty much for drive (tow) it away. What you think?
1995 Kountry Aire
- Thread starter ARFFMAN
- Start date
C Nash
Senior Member
Kountry Aire is a good MH IMO but none are any better than the care they have been given and sounds like this one has been neglected. 5K seems to be a low estimate on repairing. Roof leak would really concern me. Can't beat the price if you can get it for just taking it away. You can make money by parting it out. I know the tires will have to be replaced along with all batteries. Welcome to the forum and keep us posted
At minimum, Tires(they are too old even if they look good), 3 batteries(1 start 2 house), new air and fuel filters, oil change with filter, trans oil with filter, most likely new brake pads and slave cylinders and turn drums and rotors, maybe new universals(drive line), radiator fluid flush and if it has a gen fluids, plugs, motor wires and plugs. SCARE YOU YET!!! Now lets get to the leaks, take what you think for damage area water goes everywhere and make it times 5, same for cost of repair even with your own labor. Now if you are in a freezing area has it been winterized, if not water line leaks and possible tank damage, all three.
Good luck
LEN
Good luck
LEN
If you got the MH for a good price then you will be OK. When we decided to "move up" to a MH 12 years back, we bought a well used up 1992 28' Winnebago. It turned out to be an excellent purchase. New tires were a must along with general maintenance, oil filter, lube, etc. I replaced the fan belts and all the hoses. Inside, my wife replaced the drapes, and cleaned the upholstery/carpet. There had been signs of a water leak around the AC--pulled it and replaced the donut gasket. A well needed polish job on the outside really got it to looking good. Lots of work but most was done ourselves. Kept the rig for 2 years and during that time made a list of what we wanted in the next one. Even made a few bucks off it when we sold.
I have been tinkering with the MH while I wait for DMV to get things straight. Rebuilt Carb and did a replaced all filters plugs etc on Onan 6.5 KW. has 30 hours on it. Ford 460 has 41,000 on it and doing a complete tune up, belts, fluids, batteries (3) Transmission is a 6 speed automatic w/ overdrive. Found the leak(s) in roof. Vent top was gone and rubber roof seams were cracked, Replaced vent and used Externabond tape ( Awsome stuff)on seams. New tires soon, michelin Rib LT215/85R. Any suggestions? Need to pull gas tank and replaced fuel pump. Thanks for all your comments
1995 Kountry Aire
Well the new title is being sent to the Owner I purchased it from, then he will title it over to me. The guy I'm getting title from bought it in 2004 with 42,000 miles on MH. He parked it outside in his lot and never moved it since ( 200 miles on his ownership) This is what I'm dealing with. The MH has only 42,200 miles on it but has sat unmoved for 7 years. The tires have only 1500 miles on them, but due to age I have to change them out. (What an injustice) Any sugestions on things to look for. Pre 42,000 it was pampered then it was neglected. Just want to breath a little life back into it. Drive train is my main concern axle components, tires, ford 460 ci motor, and transmission 6 speed auto.
C Nash;76369 said:
Well the new title is being sent to the Owner I purchased it from, then he will title it over to me. The guy I'm getting title from bought it in 2004 with 42,000 miles on MH. He parked it outside in his lot and never moved it since ( 200 miles on his ownership) This is what I'm dealing with. The MH has only 42,200 miles on it but has sat unmoved for 7 years. The tires have only 1500 miles on them, but due to age I have to change them out. (What an injustice) Any sugestions on things to look for. Pre 42,000 it was pampered then it was neglected. Just want to breath a little life back into it. Drive train is my main concern axle components, tires, ford 460 ci motor, and transmission 6 speed auto.
I just found a place to store it and I can work on it there too. ($50.00 mth) 
Once I get it towed, I'll start the repair work and engine work. Roof 1st then drive train. Do the axles have lube our grease? I need to find a good resourse site for working on class A MH. Any suggestions? Thanks!
Once I get it towed, I'll start the repair work and engine work. Roof 1st then drive train. Do the axles have lube our grease? I need to find a good resourse site for working on class A MH. Any suggestions? Thanks!ARFFMAN;76364 said:
Before you get new tires please double check I was reading your post when my wife was ordering tires and ours currently on our Kountry Aire is LT235/85/R16.
This is slightly larger than the ones you posted, do you have a sticker on your coach with the sizes?
Lt215/85r16/10
Just checked the tire size is: LT215/85R16/10 I found Michilins that are the Rib for 278.00 ea. I'll be getting 8 tires. Maybe I can work a deal with a tire shop and get them mounted free. Got all the roof sealed with 4" Externabond ( Great product) Roof leaked like a sive and now I'm dry. Re-did all the battery cables and connection studs and put in battery to test all equip in RV and believe it are not, all systems, including the slide room, lights, pumps, refrigerator, etc work fine (not bad for sitting for 6 years with out any physical contact) Finaly got all the wood rot removed and will be drying it out with a fan 24/7. (New floor from kitchen forward to pass. seat) Next phase will be to need check hydralic levelers, converters, inverters and pumbing.
Just checked the tire size is: LT215/85R16/10 I found Michilins that are the Rib for 278.00 ea. I'll be getting 8 tires. Maybe I can work a deal with a tire shop and get them mounted free. Got all the roof sealed with 4" Externabond ( Great product) Roof leaked like a sive and now I'm dry. Re-did all the battery cables and connection studs and put in battery to test all equip in RV and believe it are not, all systems, including the slide room, lights, pumps, refrigerator, etc work fine (not bad for sitting for 6 years with out any physical contact) Finaly got all the wood rot removed and will be drying it out with a fan 24/7. (New floor from kitchen forward to pass. seat) Next phase will be to need check hydralic levelers, converters, inverters and pumbing.
Well, it's been 1 month now that I have been working on the MH and thing are starting to look up, Got all the roof sealed with 4" Externabond ( Great product) Roof leaked like a sive and now I'm dry. I had approx a 4x8 section of floof rotted out, not to mention under the entire kitchen cabinet. Re-did all the battery cables and connection studs and put in battery to test all equip. in MH and believe it are not, all systems, including the slide room, lights, pumps, refrigerator, etc work fine (not bad for sitting for 6 years with out any human contact) Finaly got all the wood rot removed and will be drying it out with a fan 24/7. (New floor from kitchen forward to pass. seat) Next phase will be to check hydralic levelers, elect.converters, inverters, power supplies and plumbing. The exact miles on MH is 41,178
Had a huge Thunder/Lighting storm roll in Friday. Figured this was a great time to inspect interior of MH. Eternabond your AMAZING! All leaks have vanished Total cost of repairs to roof was $150.00. after cleaning, prep work and applying Eternabond tape over all seams and roof penetrations. Before and after photos
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Slide battery question? 1995 Kountry Aire
Solved all leaks and found and removed all water damaged areas. New sub floor. Starting to address the house and chassis areas. I need some advice and comments from all.
I have installed a new battery that will be used for starter/chassis. While testing all 12 volt components in MH I temporary hook up starter battery (not deep cell) to house battery cables. Is not having deep cells and not having more then one the battery on the house battery bank causing my problem of not being able to fully retracting the room slide? It will only retract 6 inches before stopping. It will always fully extend. All carpet has been removed so no resistants. Battery is fully charged with full voltage (12.7) I have read that there is an adjustment to give slide motor more power, but I can't seem to find it. My futher plan is to install a bank of four- 6 volt batteries for house. Also can anyone recommend what type of lube I need to repack axle bearings and Tag axle (Dexler) THANKS, All your help and comments are keeping this projects moving forward.
Solved all leaks and found and removed all water damaged areas. New sub floor. Starting to address the house and chassis areas. I need some advice and comments from all.
I have installed a new battery that will be used for starter/chassis. While testing all 12 volt components in MH I temporary hook up starter battery (not deep cell) to house battery cables. Is not having deep cells and not having more then one the battery on the house battery bank causing my problem of not being able to fully retracting the room slide? It will only retract 6 inches before stopping. It will always fully extend. All carpet has been removed so no resistants. Battery is fully charged with full voltage (12.7) I have read that there is an adjustment to give slide motor more power, but I can't seem to find it. My futher plan is to install a bank of four- 6 volt batteries for house. Also can anyone recommend what type of lube I need to repack axle bearings and Tag axle (Dexler) THANKS, All your help and comments are keeping this projects moving forward.
Is the slide motor shutting off after retracting 6 inches or staying on? If your slide retracts 6 inches and then shuts off, it is likely a proximity switch problem and the switch is telling the motor to shut off because it thinks your slide is fully closed. If the slide motor keeps running but not retracting then it is likely a motorgear problem. Good luck. Fortunately, there are people on this forum with a lot more knowledge on this subject than I.
YEA!!! SC finally got it titled and registered in my name. I'll be towing it to it's new home (storage area) it will be parked on concrete and now that all leaks and floor repairs are complete. I'll be tackling the drive train and changing all fluid, belts, hoses and ignition misc; hopefully there will be no hidden surprises. Thanks for all your support and advice.