First Time Owners Retired

[Alf33]

Hello, my name is Ed my wife is Lu..we are both 65 Retired and live in Mo have Valley Az 2 blocks from the Colorado river. We have been looking for 5 years unable to find the RV we wanted or could afford.We knew we wanted a Montana ,a friend had one but we never could find one that we could afford
1 year ago we took a big risk and spent all our savings on a 2008 Chevy 2500 tow rig.It has sat in the driveway collecting dust for 1 year. We were beginning to lose hope.Finally on a site we had been monitoring a 2004 Montana 3295RK came available.Just the unit we wanted and were able to get it.We are so happy.cant wait to head on down the highway.As I said we are new and No nothing.there are some repairs needed roof window and a few minor things,heck I don't even know where the Slide out control is lol.Found this forum by accident,sure am glad.I have no idea about anything but I will need to do any repairs by myself I look forward to any help and direction anyone can give me..To some this may just be an old Montana rv, but to Us It is an opportunity to fullfill a 20 year dream..Thank you
Ed

[Lenny K]

Welcome Ed and Lu to the Montana family. Looks like it is in real nice shape.

[waynemoore]

Good for you. Welcome and take your time learning about your new rig. FIRST thing is have a good tire shop like (Discount Tire) check out the tires.

[Mudchief]

Welcome and enjoy the forum.

[BuilderBob]

Welcome to the MOC family Ed & Lu! from Washington ST this is a great place to learn all about your new 5er and ask questions about it we are here to help in any way we can so start asking.

Bob & Carol
Washington St
2017 HC HM352RL 2008 Dodge 3500 DRW CC LB 4x4

Happy Trails

[Alf33]

Originally Posted by Lenny K

Welcome Ed and Lu to the Montana family. Looks like it is in real nice shape.

Thank you Lenny..We are very happy.But it does need some work and we will have to do it ourselves..Do any of you know where all the controls are? some have a control panel, but it looks like there are a bunch of switches below the thermostat, on the wall below the entrance to the bedroom.Is there one switch for all three silde outs
or are there 3 individual switches located near each slide? anyone know or know ehere I can learn about it? lol As I said we are new.
Also I need a left side rear window the bottom glass is broken out not sure if I can get it replaced or I would need a whole new window
any ideas?
Thank you
ED

[jeffba]

LOL welcome and someone needs to work on their signature

[Lenny K]

Not sure about your model but mine has only one switch that controls all the slideouts in the location you are talking about.
You should have lock outs for individual slides located outside in the location that houses the switches for your landing gear and stabilizers. But I don't where that would be on your model. Someone who has had or have that year should be on shortly to advise the exact location.
Check some of the glass places for a replacement glass but it is more likely that you will have to replace the whole window.

[jcurtis934]

Welcome. When I needed some new windows, I used la mesa in albuquerque, but you should be able to source one via their location in az. My rear window was $191, BUT the rear drivers side looks more like my dining room window, which was $206. Good luck with your rehab. It will be a very fun project. Ask away, anytime, any question.

[PNW Fireguy]

Welcome to the Montana family from Washington state and congratulations on your new rig. Hope you enjoy.

[Carl n Susan]

First of all, welcome to the MOC! There are a number of members here who have, or have had, your vintage Montana and likely will be able to help. I do suggest you ask any future questions in a separate thread as they tend to get buried (or ignored) in one of these "announcement" postings. But since you asked, here is a start:

Originally Posted by Alf33

.Do any of you know where all the controls are? some have a control panel, but it looks like there are a bunch of switches below the thermostat, on the wall below the entrance to the bedroom.Is there one switch for all three silde outs
or are there 3 individual switches located near each slide? anyone know or know ehere I can learn about it? lol As I said we are new.

Your three slides are all on a common hydraulic system and move in or out as a unit. Note they appear to move independently as the system hydraulic pressure moves the smaller slides (less pressure) first. There is one switch on the wall that controls the slides.

Some of the older units have a hydraulic manifold in front storage compartment. There are knurled knobs, one for each slide, which can "lock out" the slides from the hydraulic system. That way you can push or pull one slide independently of the others.

Also I need a left side rear window the bottom glass is broken out not sure if I can get it replaced or I would need a whole new window
any ideas?

I don't recall if the glass can be replaced easily or not. But since you are going to have to remove the entire assembly any way, take it to a glass shop and see what they have to say. Removal consists of removing the multitude of screws holding the frame together. There are two pieces which sandwich the wall. A new window can be ordered or perhaps found at a RV salvage yard.

[Alf33]

Thank you yes I will be heading for discount tire

[Alf33]

Yes it is the rear drivers side thanks I will check them out

[Alf33]

Thanks yes I have the hydraulic manifold in the front cargo system and I found one switch on the wall for the slides.thank you.and yes I will post in the individual forums about the repairs.you are all sure some friendly people.my wife and I are getting more excited to do this each moment

[DQDick]

Welcome to the forum! May your new rig bring you many years of wonderful memories. They tended to make the older ones more solid than the newer models.

[AZ Traveler]

Ed and Lu,

Welcome to the forum! Enjoy your new rig and don't be bashful about asking lots of questions as we all learn from them.

[h2ojocky]

Ed and Lu welcome to the forum. You will learn lots here. I also have an older unit, 2005 and love it.

[The Bone]

Welcome to the site. I have a 03 3280 RL
We just love it. I have owned it for 2 years and so far have towed it about 26,000 miles. So far my rig has been trouble free except for a controller for the pilot light on the fridge. it was a simple fix. I also got rid of the sewer hose on the front of my rig and installed a bigger one to fit the larger Rhino hose setup. You will need that hose system for the sewer draining. I also have one of those step down hose supports. Here are some links to things you will need.



https://www.walmart.com/ip/Andersen-...ling/191135730


I got one like this not this particular one but the one under there won't fit the newer hose. Had to improvise my install. I drilled into the bottom wall that hangs down and used some long bolts and covered them with some 1/4 inch copper tube to dress it up. The frame under the rig hangs down from the walls a couple inches. So when you put the tube under there you will have to make up the difference . You will see what i am talking about when you get your setup.

https://www.thefitrv.com/rv-tips/bes...he-super-tube/


Here is the newer hose I have 2 hoses total length 20 ' I have used both at the same time.

https://www.ebay.com/bhp/rv-sewer-hose-rhinoflex






You also need a serge protector. I got this one. Not cheap but it will protect your RV

https://www.amazon.com/Progressive-I.../dp/B002UC2UB8


I also use a pocket hose for my water believe it or not. Some folks may not recommend it but i have only experienced one leak so far and it was minor. They dont take up much space and are easy to handle. If you are going to park it and live in it than I would get the white hose otherwise the pocket hose is the best. I like the 25' ones but cant seem to find them as cheap as they were. Maybe able to order then from the TV. But you can find 50' ones everywhere.


Dont forget the filter for the water hose. I woudn't hook up without one. You can get them at any RV store or order them online from Camping World.



There are many more things to get for your rig including replacing the TV that came with your 5er. LOL



GALLEY TANK DRAIN. Handle is between the rear tires on frame rails Hard to see but it's there. Be careful as last guy may have never drained it like the people that owned mine LOL . I have figured out many things since i have owned my rig.



Remember you have 2 power supplies inside the rv. One is 12 volt and some 110.
A 30 amp service will be fine for your electrical hookup. I only have one A/C unit and 30 amp spaces are cheaper than 50 amp

Have fun RVing.

[masterdrago]

Welcome to the forum, Ed & Lu. We got our Montana last October after searching 10 months. I knew zero. This forum has been so incredibly helpful that my wife Joy says that it has created an internet Monster! You can learn a ton just using it as a library. May your Montana carry you far. Enjoy.

[SallyLeeBell]

Welcome to the forum. We are new owners too. Taking our 2008 3455SA Hickory Series out on our maiden voyage tomorrow for 3 days! Woot. So exciting. Our rig was in excellent shape, but we've done a ton of custom upgrades. It's really been fun. Even though we have the polar package, we still wrapped all water pipes, etc. with foam. Filled all holes (I don't know why they drill such huge holes for 2 wires!) with steel wool and foam, etc. Even did some wallpapering in the master. We're ready to go! Want to be on the road full time just as soon as we sell our house, but might go south this winter even if it hasn't sold.



Have fun!
Danny and Sally
from Montana in our Montana