OLD TM in paper

[wbkahuna]

I called about a 1987 TM and was told its a 2518S. He said it hadnt been used in years. The AC and frig. didnt work. He said they needed charging..?? He also said the wood trim inside could be replaced with a plastic kit from TM.The awning was useable but had a broken L braket..Besides that it was clean and useable.Asking price is $ 2200.What do I need to know or look at on these older models?Any and all advice appreciated.Supposed to go look at it today if not sold. Thanks in advance Bill

[BobRederick]

big kahuna
I understand that before about 95 the TMs used wood frames inside and around the edges of the shells. The shells sometimes collected water and rotted a lot of the wood out. You can do a search and find pictures of folks repairing these. Its quite a job.
Bob

[Larry_Loo]

Kahuna, another "Bill," aka "Happytrails," did extensive repairs on a TM of that vintage a few years ago. Happytrails documented his rebuilding work on his own web site, which may still exist out there on the ether waves. Do a search on this site for "Happytrails" and read over his earliest postings (perhaps around 4 years ago?).

[Bill]

If the A/C and refrig don't work, and need to be "recharged", that means they have lost their freon - the original charge of freon has leaked out. If a new charge of freon is all they need, then it is a little expensive, since they undoubtedly need the old freon (called R-12, I think). The old freon can be had, but it carries a hefty premium these days (I just recharged the A/C in a '93 Saab). The new freon (R-134a?) is not quite so expensive, but you can't just substitute the new stuff in a system that was built for the old.

Beyond that, the fact that the old freon has leaked out probably means that the refrigeration tubing has corroded and has one or more pinhole leaks. Although a good refrigeration guy can find and repair a leak, you can be sure that there are more pinholes waiting in the wings. As a practical matter, a relatively old A/C and refrig that have lost their freon probably have to be replaced. And they cost several hundred dollars each.

If you proceed with the purchase, be prepared to replace them and hope that you don't have to. If the present owner tells you that my diagnosis is full of farina, ask him to back up his statement with a one-year guarantee - you will pay for an initial recharge, but if either one loses its freon again within a year, he pays to replace the unit. If nothing else, it's a good sincerity test.

Bill

[RockyMtnRay]

If the A/C and refrig don't work, and need to be "recharged", that means they have lost their freon - the original charge of freon has leaked out. If a new charge of freon is all they need, then it is a little expensive, since they undoubtedly need the old freon (called R-12, I think). The old freon can be had, but it carries a hefty premium these days (I just recharged the A/C in a '93 Saab). The new freon (R-134a?) is not quite so expensive, but you can't just substitute the new stuff in a system that was built for the old.

Beyond that, the fact that the old freon has leaked out probably means that the refrigeration tubing has corroded and has one or more pinhole leaks. Although a good refrigeration guy can find and repair a leak, you can be sure that there are more pinholes waiting in the wings. As a practical matter, a relatively old A/C and refrig that have lost their freon probably have to be replaced. And they cost several hundred dollars each.

If you proceed with the purchase, be prepared to replace them and hope that you don't have to. If the present owner tells you that my diagnosis is full of farina, ask him to back up his statement with a one-year guarantee - you will pay for an initial recharge, but if either one loses its freon again within a year, he pays to replace the unit. If nothing else, it's a good sincerity test.

Bill
Concur on the AC...a Freon recharge after finding where the leak occurred is sufficient. Probably anywhere from $100 to $300 for labor and replacement Freon.

However, the 3 way "absorption" type refrigerators don't use Freon, but rather an exotic mix of Ammonia and Hydrogen. From everything I've read, once that coolant leaks out (usually due to deterioration of the tubing), it's nearly impossible to get it working correctly again...they apparently can't be "recharged" and the entire refrigerator has to be replaced. A replacement Dometic absorption refrigerator of the size used by TM runs around $700 to $800 (plus another couple of hundred for installation...they're not normally considered a user installable device.)

[Bill]

Good catch, Ray, thanks. I was aware of the special stuff in the absorption refrig, but I guess my mind was floating somewhere in space.

One other point. If the A/C lost its freon, and the system has sat empty for several years, it is quite likely that a small amount of water has found its way into the system. This may render the compressor inop and non-repairable.

Bottom line, I think it is reasonable for the OP to expect to replace both appliances, and build the cost into his thinking.

Bill

[wbkahuna]

Are all 3 way refrigs,absorption type or just the older models like 87? How can you tell?

[RockyMtnRay]

Are all 3 way refrigs,absorption type or just the older models like 87? How can you tell?
If the refrigerator uses a heat source (e.g.. a propane fueled gas flame or electrical heater) as the energy source for cooling, it is an absorption type refrigerator. As far as I know, all 2-way (propane or 120 AC) or 3 way (propane, 120 V AC, or 12 V DC) RV refrigerators are of the absorption type...and that includes both the older models (like your '87) as well as those sold today.

Non-absorption refrigerators, be they of the thermoelectric type or of the compressor type, must have a source of electrical power...they can not use propane gas as an energy source.

[wbkahuna]

you da man!!!! Your a walking book of information!! Thanks alot.Im learning. Bill