We are looking at a 2006 four winds Mandalay. 40', diesel pusher (400 hp Cummins) Anybody researched this model before? Any input would be helpful.
TRAILERKING said
12:31 PM Oct 15, 2014
Just this.....
2006-03-16
(Published by NHTSA on 2006-03-16)
Recall Summary:
ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON FREIGHTLINER CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH I-SHAFTS SUPPLIED BY ZF HEAVY DUTY STEERING, THE STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLIES WITH LOWER YOKES MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY MACHINED. THE STEERING SHAFT SPLINES COULD PUSH THROUGH THE LOWER YOKE, ALLOWING THE STEERING WHEEL TO TURN WITHOUT ANY RESPONSE.
Hazard:
IF THIS OCCURS ,THE VEHICLE COULD SUFFER LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy:
FREIGHTLINER IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. FREIGHTLINER WILL INSPECT AND ATTACH A TENSION COLLAR TO THE STEERING SHAFT TO SECURE THE CONNECTION TO THE YOKE FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712 OR FOUR WINDS AT .
Additional Info:
CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
However it's a great power-train. Just make sure any recalls were/are taken care of. Otherwise they are nice units.
Be sure to inspect everything with a "Fine-Tooth Comb".........No matter which unit you consider buying.
Alie and Jims Carrilite said
01:11 PM Oct 15, 2014
That recall is just a matter of sending/calling Freightliner with the VIN, and see if its been repaired or not. You can make the repair a condition of sale.
TRAILERKING said
01:14 PM Oct 15, 2014
Yes that's how it works.......You always check for recalls with the chassis builder and the coach builder separately.
kb0zke said
06:33 PM Oct 16, 2014
Of course, if the chassis builder IS the coach builder one phone call takes care of both parts. Know your coach.
bjoyce said
07:00 PM Oct 16, 2014
Check the windshield gasket. Some Mandalays had trouble keeping their windshields in and it was a design defect. I do not know the year or models, but know someone plagued by that problem.
The Junkman said
06:28 AM Oct 17, 2014
Is that a rear radiator? I don't know alot.. but pretty sure I was told to stay away from rear radiator pushers..To get the side mounted ones.. not sure why.
bjoyce said
07:02 AM Oct 17, 2014
A service person can get to the engine much, much easier with a side radiator since they can get to the engine from the rear and rarely have to come in via the inside access. A side radiator also cools better and gets less dirty than a rear radiator. But, you don't always get a choice. For example, Winnebago's top of the line Tour is a rear radiator model. We have a side radiator.
TRAILERKING said
09:01 AM Oct 17, 2014
bjoyce wrote:
A service person can get to the engine much, much easier with a side radiator since they can get to the engine from the rear and rarely have to come in via the inside access. A side radiator also cools better and gets less dirty than a rear radiator. But, you don't always get a choice. For example, Winnebago's top of the line Tour is a rear radiator model. We have a side radiator.
Yes with Bill. The rear rad will always "Gum Up" with dirt and cause cooling problems. Also the ease of service without the rear rad.
Terry and Jo said
10:20 PM Oct 17, 2014
As a follow-up to Bill and Bernie (Trailerking), we looked at Tiffin products in our research. The Phaetons were rear radiator and the Allegro Buses tended to be side radiator. As a former driver of 18-wheelers, I knew the value of being able to change fuel filters (for various reasons) and with a rear radiator, you either tried to come up from underneath or from inside the coach and down through its floor. With the Allegro Buses, one simply opened the rear compartment and there were the fuel filters.
Terry
beford said
10:32 AM Oct 20, 2014
Thanks to all who replied. This has been very helpful.
bjoyce said
07:38 PM Oct 20, 2014
I know we have strayed away from the Mandalay now. We just had an engine repair on our motorhome, replacing the gasket on the turbocharger. Because it had a side radiator, the tech could come in from the back and underneath and did the entire job in the afternoon in the parking lot. We were told if it was a rear radiator, he would have needed to bring it into a bay for access to some items, he would have had to come if from the bedroom above and from underneath and that all would have added 2 to 3 hours to the job.
We are looking at a 2006 four winds Mandalay. 40', diesel pusher (400 hp Cummins) Anybody researched this model before? Any input would be helpful.
Just this.....
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/recallresults.cfm?start=1&SearchType=QuickSearch&rcl_ID=06V076000
However it's a great power-train. Just make sure any recalls were/are taken care of. Otherwise they are nice units.
Be sure to inspect everything with a "Fine-Tooth Comb".........No matter which unit you consider buying.
Yes that's how it works.......You always check for recalls with the chassis builder and the coach builder separately.
Yes with Bill. The rear rad will always "Gum Up" with dirt and cause cooling problems. Also the ease of service without the rear rad.
As a follow-up to Bill and Bernie (Trailerking), we looked at Tiffin products in our research. The Phaetons were rear radiator and the Allegro Buses tended to be side radiator. As a former driver of 18-wheelers, I knew the value of being able to change fuel filters (for various reasons) and with a rear radiator, you either tried to come up from underneath or from inside the coach and down through its floor. With the Allegro Buses, one simply opened the rear compartment and there were the fuel filters.
Terry