Drive Train

HE DRIVE TRAIN is in very good shape - I've put a lot of effort into keeping it in very good running condition.

Not a lot of pictures, here - it's all underneath the coach.

Chassis

Bounders (this vintage, anyway) are built on the Chevy P10 truck chassis. This makes for extremely easy maintenance - any Chevy truck mechanic can work on them, and parts are available at reasonable cost.

Engine

Your standard 454 V8 workhorse. My understanding is that through the '87 models, there was a problem with the exhaust manifolds and a couple of cylinders ran hot. This was presumably corrected after '87.

At any rate, it runs great.

Gear-Vendor

This thing can really help your mileage, if you use it properly. It essentially puts an extra high gear in the drive train, useful on the level and downhill. You should disengage it for hills over a couple of percent grade though - you'll use more gas trying to power it in high gear. YMMV, and all that.

Transmission

Never had a problem with it.

Tires

Fronts were replaced about five years ago, outside rears were replaced about three years ago. Insides were good, then and it hasn't been run much. Tread is fine. They're 19.5" Bridgestone commercial truck tires, so they last longer than car or even E-rated light truck tires.

Suspension

Firestone Air bags all around.

Steering

I've put a lot into the front end - replaced bushings and tightened things up considerably. It still drives like a Chevy P10 truck, though. If I were going to keep it, I think I'd look into a steering stabilizer next.

Brakes

Brake job last fall and it hasn't been driven, since then, so they're essentially new.

Other

Cooling system has been flushed.

Mileage?

In this day of high gas prices, gas mileage is obviously beginning to draw a lot of attention. Class A motorhomes are gas guzzlers, no doubt about it. Things work better if you tow something smaller - get someplace, park it, and then use the toad.

Given that, Bounders are exceptionally light for their size, which gives you an edge up. In fact, if you've driven other P10/454-based motorhomes, you'll notice it takes right off when you hit the accelerator. If you keep the tankage low during transport and keep a light foot on the pedal, that can help your mileage figures.

The sloping front helps a bit, too, and don't forget you've got the the Gear-Vendor - that can really help, if you're not encountering a lot of hills.

Ultimately, it's still a Chevy P10 truck, and the gas mileage is going to be somewhat equivalent.

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