OK, I'm starting work on my '78 Mesa and I need a little hellp.

[SWells]

and I can't get over the room I have and storage.  Fired up the converter and the furnace for the first time and they worked great.  However, the last owner put a new thermistat (sp) on the wall and it doesn't have an "On/Off" switch on the bottom am I going to need that?  Window are really cloudy so I'm going to have to either clean them or repalce them.
Oh yeah the plug in the roof is broken, I want to pull in out and change it out but I don't know how much slack in up in the roof to pull out, any suggestions?
Next, I'm goiing to need to put in a new water tank, took one our an old Ramada that was being parted out down in Colorado but it leaks so I need a new one.  That being said we just about had to cut the metal side walls to get it out, any suggestions on putting in a new one?
Finally, I pulled the Gear boxes and cleaned and re-greased them with Lithium Grease but it was in a spray can and just didn't seem thick enough to me, is there another kind?
Thanks in advance.  I got my '68 in 2000 and everyone on the "Old Site" was a big help so I know I'm in the right place!!!

[kanega]

For the cloudy window, try spending 6 bucks at Pep Boys and get some cleaner for headlights.  I just use some on my wifes pt cruiser and the flog disappeared.  Its also for plexiglass.

The power plug for the roof to side wall should be a quick disconnect.  I have pulled my plug out several times when closing.

Now for a quick water tank, buy a water container at Kmart or Walmart and adapt it.  Why not add a electric pump too.  You should be able to access the water tank by opening up the benches.

[79Ramada]

and I can't get over the room I have and storage.  Fired up the converter and the furnace for the first time and they worked great.  However, the last owner put a new thermistat (sp) on the wall and it doesn't have an "On/Off" switch on the bottom am I going to need that?  

Depends on how the furnace is hooked up. My furnace is always powered from either house battery or converter, so I would want some on/off switch and would not want the furnace to come on during travel or storage. If the furnace power has its own breaker on the breaker panel, then you could keep the breaker shut off when you don't need the furnace. But that is still not as convenient as just having an on/off switch. You can always put a toggle switch inline with one of the thermostat wires, which is essentially what the original thermostat switch is anyway. You can pick a switch at any autoparts store, Walmart, Kmart, Radio Shack, etc..

[FitzFolly]

Next, I'm goiing to need to put in a new water tank, took one our an old Ramada that was being parted out down in Colorado but it leaks so I need a new one.  That being said we just about had to cut the metal side walls to get it out, any suggestions on putting in a new one?

If your 78 Mesa's galley is setup like my 78 Ramada then the water tank is in the lower galley and behind the converter. It was easiest for me to remove the hard board cover over the lower galley and access the water tank from the top.
Good luck,
Mike

[kanega]

I just want to may sure we don't have an idiots towing propane bombs.  It is illegal in most states to move a trailer while the propane is on.  In fact, after turning off my propane, I light one of the stove burners and depressurize the propane lines before towing.  Now if someone hits me and damages the propane system, I should not have a fire bomb.  This is why 3 way fridges have 120 vac for city power, propane for no city power, and 12 vdc for towing (which will kill a battery in less than 2 hours if not running the engine).  The 12 vdc is for towing or running off the converter on city power.  Yes, I have both a RV battery and 12 vdc connected to the car for towing.  Its easy to hook up, but must be properly wire sized and fused.  I normally turn the power converter off for towing and use the 12 vdc RV battery and the car battery.  The battery also backs up the car for the breakaway switch some states require including California.

Now in California, you must mark your propane tank and any access door to the tank "Propane" or "LPG".  The reason for this is to warn police and fire of possible danger in case your rig is involved in an accident.  I know this sounds dumb, the the reason is sound.

My furnance as a switch for the 12 vdc motor at the bottom of the furnace.  I do have to remove the cover.  I have the Hydroflame HF12 heater.

[SWells]

Thanks to all!  I'm going to go down to the Local RV dealer tomorrow and see if they have a Thermostat that will work.  They are also looking into a new water tank for me, one that will fit where the old one was.