Chinook RV

Scott wrote:
To me, the schematics in the owner's manual are vague reference material at best. It seems like there's tremendous variation among these rigs, and if you mix in a few poorly executed modifications from previous owners, you get to do a fair amount of problem solving.

Thank goodness for this forum!

I had never looked at the Chinook manual from the early 90's before "kyidletime" first posted with questions about his electrical system. I was a bit surprised at the "brevity" of the manual, and especially the systems diagrams. Reason is, that the manuals I was familiar with (1998, 1999, 2000 and up) are really quite good as compared to what I have seen with any other RV. Not perfect, but pretty sweet, showing the plumbing, propane, electrical, etc. (granted with the electrical the actual wire runs are not as detailed as the plumbing and propane; but they are more detailed than the early 90's ones).

But as you say just as good (or even better!) is the information I've been able to glean from the forum. Photos of "the guts," advice on how to remove pillars and etc, photos of remodel jobs that fuel my plans (and my lists ) -- super useful!

PS: Scott, figuring you wouldn't mind, I added a copy of the 1994 manual you posted to the documents reference sub-forum.

Blue~Go wrote:PS: Scott, figuring you wouldn't mind, I added a copy of the 1994 manual you posted to the documents reference sub-forum.

Nope, don't mind at all! Hope it's a helpful resource...

Scott wrote: Nope, don't mind at all! Hope it's a helpful resource...

I'm sure it will be. I hadn't seen an early 90's manual until you and kyidletime showed up.

BTW, it may not be 100% helpful since some systems are different; but, you might find some useful info in the 1998 manual (which I also posted in the reference section). It is *much* more thorough than the 94/95 ones in showing layout of plumbing, propane piping, electrical, etc. Even though some details changed as time went on, to me it seems like they kept the same basic ideas going, but just documented them better. The mid-90's manual is a bit, shall we say.... brief.

Scott wrote:

kdarling wrote:Does your Premier have a separate converter, or is yours combined with the fuse box like later Chinooks?

Combined with the fuse box under the sink

Interesting. Apparently Trail Wagons at times changed the wiring in the middle of a model year.

Scott wrote:To me, the schematics in the owner's manual are vague reference material at best. It seems like there's tremendous variation among these rigs, and if you mix in a few poorly executed modifications from previous owners, you get to do a fair amount of problem solving.

Heh, yeah. I'm pretty certain that my 94 has had the house Battery switch solenoid changed so that instead of controlling its connection to the converter-charger as officially diagrammed, it leaves the charger connected and instead controls the connection to the house wiring.

If so, I like the mod, because it means I can easily disconnect the house battery from any power consumer wiring for storage by simply turning the Battery switch to Off. Yet now the battery stays connected to both the 110V converter-charger and the solar panel I installed... meaning it can stay topped off.

Blue~Go wrote:Fair enough. I see what you mean. And since there were not huge Ford changes (that I know of) from 1992 to 1994, it's not like an "ancient" chassis. That sort of thing would be a harder sell between say, 1996 and 1997 when the engines, dashboard, etc. all changed. Or 1991 and 1992 with a major body style change.

Good point about the body styles being more important. For example, I have yet to see a photo of a 1992-96 Chinook with anything but a 92-96 Ford chassis. Likewise for 1997-onward, with their cockpit change.

On that topic: for fun, I've been compiling an 18-Plus/Concourse yearly-change guide... starting from 1971... which I will soon upload to the Reference forum section.

What's weird is that I have not yet found any photos of Chinook Concourses from 1980-86. It's as if they stopped making the Concourse and concentrated on smaller Chinook vans instead. Do you or anyone here have any early 80s photos? Thanks!

Thanks for that. New member here. Have this rig. Hoping you will share your knowledge since you own same. There's a lot to learn and seems like something always needs fixing . ha ha ha. Are you still active on the board? Do you still own a 1994 Premier?