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Possible new Country Coach Intrigue owner

Yahoo Message Number: 66461
Hello all,

We're getting ready to go full time and in doing so, are looking at a newer coach with slides. Currently, we have a '99 Foretravel U320 40' which we like alot. Trouble is, interior space is limited as it has no slides.
We've been looking at a '05 Intrigue, quad slide, 40' Napa Valley Limited Edition. Has low mileage (43K), beautiful interior/exterior and so far, appears to be in excellent condition - took it for a test drive and was really impressed with the handling.
Can anybody tell me something about this model and model year? What type engine (it's a 525HP) - I believe it's a cat but don't know the model # of that particular engine. I noticed that when we started it up and drove, it smoked for a while while driving off the lot. Are there issues with this particular engine that I should be aware of?
The rear view monitor wasn't working because, according to the salesman, the utility pole that it was hooked up to had problems and blew the fuse. He also said that the previous owner had installed a full coach surge protector which I would think, would of prevented the fuse from blowing... Is there a history of electrical problems with this model & year? The previous owner had also replaced the inverter which to me, could be a red flag on electrical.
Are there any specific issues particular to this model and year that I should be concerned with? Any ongoing electrical/mechanical problems? Slide issues? Appreciate any and all guidance y'all can offer! Thanks

Bill Jackson

'99 Foretravel U320
Austin, TX

Re: Possible new Country Coach Intrigue owner

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 66465
Hello Bill, welcome to the CC board.
I'm not familiar with that model, but check for engine overheating and check the radiator for leaks. There has been a rash of CC radiators that needed to be replaced on many models. Also, not nessessarily related, there has been many overheating stories on this board. These are good coaches and I hope it works out for you. Good luck.

Larry, 03 Allure, 30856

In Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com, "Bill" wrote:

Re: Possible new Country Coach Intrigue owner

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 66466
05 was the last of the Classic Intrigues. I have an 04.
You might want to check the seal on the one piece windshield. I know you need to replace the tires if they are original. Some of the units had over heating issues with the Cat C-13. This issue was caused by Cat up dating design and changing parameters to lower emissions. Look back at our files and you should see physical up grades and discussions concerning the radiator grill and an additional flap to increase air flow through the radiator. Some of us have had to replace our fuel lines to the Gen set and Hydro-hot, because of cracking and fuel leaks. Another issue is the PTO that powers the steering etc, that needs a wet kit for lubrication. Check the hose installation in the engine compartment, some have had to add protective shields to negate ware issues from abrasion. I know the Transmission has Transynd. But you may want to drain and replace it as you should with all the filters and charge filter for and the coolant. The slide rooms were updated in 05 to prevent delamination which was a big issue on 03 and 04 Intrigues, Magnas and Affinities, Thanks to Uncle Sam emission regs for adhesives. Some of us experience condensation dripping down on the inside of the front window due to insufficient insulation in the cool space above the ceiling. I can't answer to the electrical issues as I have had only a minor one with the step cover. I do know some of us had issues getting cool air to the inverter charger in scattered models and years. Some of us have had the rear circulation pump fail that sends coolant to the front dash heater, caused by its location in a very hot engine compartment. My coach was supplied with only a single strut to each basement bay door. If you have this issue plan on replacing the struts with two on each door at half the pressure. Eventually the adhesive will fail where the strut attaches to the filler causing separation from the exterior fiber glass just below the door hinge. Check all the windows for fogging, especially the window over the drivers position. Depending on how and where the coach was stored window seal creep can be an issue. Check all the interior pull drawer slide hardware, if the previous owner placed to much weight in a drawer the plastic spiders that lock the drawer in the travel position can fail, allowing the drawer to open while traveling. You can get free replacements from Davis cabinets and hopefully from CC when they reopen. As with Foretravel units we have had our share of bad radiators and charge air radiators.
You will want to join the Cat Club for great benefits. I'll leave it to the Cat owners to advise you on the smoking.
I know my list seems long, but considering the above issues in the scheme of things most are minor and once checked off or corrected the Intrigue should provide you you with many years of enjoyable travel..
TWI 2004 Intrigue 11731, Cummins ISL

Re: Possible new Country Coach Intrigue owner

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 66467
Bill, first off, in general this is a good model and year. I know many 05 Intrigue owners who are happy with their coaches. We have an 07 Intrigue which is similar in many ways. Many of the following are common CC issues not unique to that coach. Once you sort out or resolve these kind of matters, you'll be in good shape.
The engine is a C-13 CAT, which we also have, with 36,000 miles. It is common for that model to smoke a bit at start-up. The smoking should stop when the engine is up to temperature and you should not see any significant oil consumption. I've been assured of this by veteran CAT folks and my personal experience confirms it. We get MPG in the mid 7s.
A common issue with that year coach, and many other Country Coaches, is the PTO. That coach likely needs the wet kit. Make the dealer check to see if the wet kit has been installed. If not make um' do it as a condition of sale.
Also be sure they do the Norcold recall upgrade, everyone with Norcold has to deal with, which is a warranty, no cost fix.
Check the radiator to see if it was replaced. Many in that year came with aluminum radiators which are prone to failure . . . a $$$ repair.
The tires, if original, are now 5-6 years old and due for a change to new rubber.
The coolant, if original, is due for replacement. I recommend CAT ELC.
If there are electrical gremlins lurking, I suggest you take the coach to Eric Olstrom, a former CC Tech (Premier Motorcoach) in Tucson. He'll find the problem(s) for you and put them all right

--

Lee Zaborowski

07 Intrigue 12153, Cat C-13

Re: Possible new Country Coach Intrigue owner

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 66473
Great summary Tom. I have had the problem with the window seal creep myself. I have read that the seal for the single front window was a problem too. Even my two pane window seal leaks. I have a couple windows that are fogging.

Dallas 2004 intigue ovation C12 11688

Re: Possible new Country Coach Intrigue owner

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 66474
My C12 will load up if left to idle for a few hours hour or so even at higher idle. Once I get it out on the road it clears right up and you can stick your face in the exhaust and just smell hot air. I would assume that since it sat in a lot that it was left to idle quite a bit without driving it. I hardly ever let it idle for longer than 15 minutes before I go somewhere with it and it never smokes, but a week ago I did not have the charger through the inverter working (could not find the reset fuse) so I had to run the big engine to charge the house battery.
With regards to the camera, I fail to see the connection between the rear view monitor and a utility pole. Two different system and voltages involved. Salesman's full of it. I would suggest getting to the bottom of what is causing the rear view monitor not to work. I had same problem when I bought my 2004 intrigue (same as your coach basically) and it turned out to be the monitor/stereo reciever and the switch box located behind the dashboard. The monitor had been replaced with a updated pioneer monitor and the wiring was different so I had to bypass the old camera switch on the console and put a different switch that made it work again. Not saying this is same as your problem though.
If you go on google and google something like 'recalls 2005 country coach', you will find quite a few recalls on that year so check that they are all fixed before you buy. For some reason the 2005-2006 coaches and some later 2004's were more popular for recalls in the early years. As I recall one of them was for marker lights on the front (not serious) but there were others.

Dallas 2004 intigue ovation C12 11688

Re: Possible new Country Coach Intrigue owner

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 66475
Thank you all for your responses and advice - all very good! I was just emailed by the previous owner and we had a nice talk about the coach and things that they have replaced/repaired. Good to hear that they had the radiator replaced!
PTO wet kit, if we get the coach, will be one of the first things to deal with. Interesting about the windows fogging - there's been some discussion on the Foretravel forums regarding the same issue with their windows and repairs.
All appears managable and doable! Again, thanks a million for your advice.

Bill Jackson

Re: Possible new Country Coach Intrigue owner

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 66476
Great post Tom for this new owner and others who want info on the used coaches in that time period.
AL

00 Affinity

Re: Possible new Country Coach Intrigue owner

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 66483
There was a recall for marker lights. The 04's had to have the steering box braced, but I don't think this applies to 05. Some units the drain hoses and the collector pans for the roof airs either plug up or crack and cause dripping off the roof. The Star Trek antennae on the roof is a joke. You might want to check the water collection boxes and drain lines under the head of the bed under the Bedroom slide gaskets, they collected lint, etc when the coach was built and allowed water to leak onto the carpet. Check the water fill line for the Ice maker, it can have issues. I had a Concord automated antennae added which still works great today with the digital programming. I had to have the foam replaced in the cushions over the foldout bed with the air mattress. I also cut a piece of 3/8" inch ply to firm up the same cushion springs. Being 6' 2" and long waisted I found the drivers seat uncomfortable over long periods without lumbar support. So in Late 06 I ordered the new seats used in the 07 Magna with dual lumbar support etc etc. Solved that problem. We took out the Bose system and I installed a M&K 5.1 system with NAD electronics. Davis cabinets installed the same cabinets over the PS sofa as you have. We had him install pull out drawers under the Cook top. Davis doubled the size of the storage cabinet behind the drivers seat and added a dvd storage cabinet on the wall between the drivers seat and the slideout. We had the factory install adjustable shelves in the pantry location. Davis also installed full length drawers in the kitchen after taking out the subwoofer. We also moved the safe, centered the close hanging bar in the closet. We added shelves in the storage bays level with the drop down of the central I beams. I installed Slim-slider slide trays as they ride closer to the floor and can be measured to have a minimum clearance of 1/8" to maximize storage capability in the bays. I had my shocks set on firm after the first day and changed to Michelins after four years. I had enough of the Carefree awnings, and the A&E awnings. Not wanting to break the bank I had the topper awning under the main awning changed to a combo topper window awning as Foretravel and the combo awnings replaced on the DS with Zip Dees, Similar to what the 03 Intrigue had. This year after wrestling with Dometic and Fiama which supplied the door awning. I had the awning replaced with a Zip Dee and added a Zip Dee awning over the drivers window ala Foretravel. Now Carol is thinking about replacing the front carpet with Bamboo flooring. I'm looking forward to replacing all interior lighting with LED's, having a few nicks and scratches touched up, and heading back to the Northwest for a cool summer. TWI

Re: Possible new Country Coach Intrigue owner

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 66508
Bill, if you are interested, our 2001 Intrigue Suite of Dreams, one of the best Intrigues made, is for sale in Georgetown, TX...all set up for fulltiming. All upgraded throughout the years, etc.
Jan McNeill

2001 Intrigue 11320

janmcneill@...
 

Re: Possible new Country Coach Intrigue owner

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 66510
Thanks Thomas and Dallas - very good info! One of the things I love about coaches is the opportunity to