Picked up the EBay190 and drove it back home. Stopped in Santa Maria and dropped seven Franklins on tires. Plenty of tread left but too much "experience" in those sidewall cracks.
I flew into San Fran and then waited 7 hours for the seller's flight to get in. He was flying back from San Diego and we drove up to Ukiah together. Got to his place after midnight and was on the road a little after one.
Luckily, I had my Iphone handy to illuminate the speedo, tried to keep it at 55-60. The play in the steering helped to keep me awake but the stress of keeping her in my lane tightened up my neck and shoulders. Drove till 5 and then climbed into the surprising comfortable top bunk and slept for 45 minutes.
Guess I didn't sleep long enough because I got back on the 101 freeway and headed north. Luckily, I stopped 15 minutes later for some much needed Pu'er Tea and realized that the on-ramp said 101 North and I wanted to be headed south.
Real sense of promnesia the next 15 miles. Deja Views. Pulled into Santa Maria, found a do it yourself car wash and gave "Osmonds" a bath and a vacuum. She was a little too country and not enough rock and roll. The pressure washer took a lot of grime off the fiberglass. It came off in visible layers. The inside of the coach looks pretty good. About what I expected from the pic's. The carpet has been replaced with some "CheapAssBlue" (pics to follow later) and the Fantastic Fan replaced with a square of paneling. The couch and woodwork are in good condition. Lots of little things need to be done. New faucet, curtains cleaned, actually everything needs a really good cleaning. More from abandonment than abuse or over-use.
Looks like it had a generator at one point. Although there is no control panel inside, there is an active gas line (it was leaking), wiring, tied and taped, and a hole cut in the generator box (I guess to facilitate oil changes). Haven't tried the propane systems but fridge, microwave and air conditioner work when connected to 110.
Brakes are good, rear replaced very recently and Santa Maria tire confirmed the front. Engine power seems puny for a big V8 going up the hills. The overdrive switch sticks on the dash but eventually works. Cab AC is 86. So a trip to the mechanic gets put on the list. The southwest in August without air conditioning would make a very sweaty beginning to our trip.
My plan is to check out the propane system before trying to fire it up. The tank is half full but I am pretty sure the system hasn't been used for at least two years. I'll open the valve and then soap the connections looking for leaks, unless anyone has a better idea.
Not sure about the shocks but will definitely look into the steering play. Steering is much improved with the new rubber but still a little too "Stevie Wonder's head" for comfort.
Batteries are a year old but I might replace the WalMart's with something more expensive, because I always feel better after I replace something that is working with something shiny that costs twice as much.
I stopped to wash/vacuum for two reasons. My ego tells me I stopped because I am an athlete and needed to move my body, get some exercise and do something productive. The little voice in my head tells me I stopped because I didn't want my girlfriend to be disappointed at the condition of the van and think I was a loser for buying a van, sight unseen, from a guy in the largest pot growing area in the country.
Either way, it worked. I felt better, she was very pleasantly surprised by the condition of the van, my ego is intact and I burned 130 calories while stretching my quadratus lumborum.
I'll get some photos today and post them later.....