Coast Resorts Open Roads Forum: How many of us are there? Owners of Dodge based RV's?

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Topic: How many of us are there? Owners of Dodge based RV's?

Posted By: Odd_Couple on 01/03/05 11:51am

Hello everyone. I stubbed my toe on Google and stumbed into this forum. We have a 1972 Class C, "Melmar" 19 feet on a Dodge B300. We bought it about 10 years ago from a family that had used it for family camping. The interior was in great need of refurbishing. We reupholstered all the cushions and changed to carpet from the '70's colors and fabrics. We have since painted the dark cabinets and changed the handles, replaced carpet with linoleum squares, replaced the stove and refrigerator and converted the over the cab bed to a great storage area since we're too old to climb up there to sleep. We recently registered the RV in Mississippi and the clerk suggested "Antique" plates. Now we all match...Richard and I and our RV. We just need to add an S to that plate!

Richard and Sandra

Posted By: Odd_Couple on 01/03/05 12:08pm

It seems I should have responded directly to you whiteknight001. My Spam Can is a 1972 "Melmar" class C on a Dodge B300. Have put way too much money and elbow grease in it but have gotten more out of it. Now that it's an "antique" it will get more respect from now on. Our major problems right now are a gas leak and a fuel gauge that doesn't work. We were told that the gas tank sending unit was no longer available. Any ideas? If anyone knows how to get more than 7-8 miles per gallon out of this engine I would love to know it too. With gas prices as they are, we aren't going very far.

Posted By: munkalido on 01/03/05 05:03pm

Hello Odd_Couple. My 1976 C-class 23' Beaver also had a partially inoperable gas gauge when I purchased it. It read full to half then dropped to empty... not too comforting when getting, as you said, 7-8 mph!

I usually do most of the work my self but this job I gave to the mechanic (didn't have the guts to drop the tank with all the gas in it). He said the sending unit is a wire wrapped rod with a float. The wire had broke half way and for this my gauge only worked full to half. I'm sure yours can be repaired. If you have a generator, make sure they run the three lines coming off the tank properly (1 to the engine, 1 to the gen. 1 as breather) as they ran the breather to my generator (thus no fule to gen.) causing me another trip to the mechanic!!

Kind regards,
Mukalido

* This post was edited 01/03/05 05:20pm by munkalido *

Posted By: RoadRanger_Al on 01/04/05 03:44pm

Hello to Whiteknight and gang!
This is a great forum!
We love our 22' Class C 1978 RoadRanger mfg. by Kit, would much rather have this compared to a new one. It's on a Dodge MB400 chassis, 440 motor and has purred on our two trips to Yosemite/Death Valley and Yellowstone. I keep it in Utah at my brothers place. Have done quite a bit work to make sure all is well... helps that he is an auto mechanic!
Does anyone know of a source for heavy duty radiators? I've searched online and with a parts store with no luck. Radiator differs from a standard Dodge van, both hoses attach on the passengers side. Original (2-row light duty) part number is 4039 032. Motorhome has aftermarket dashboard air conditioning and needs a 4 row core. No luck finding a proper upper hose either.

Thanks,

Alex

Posted By: WannaWinnie on 01/05/05 12:45am

Hi to all of you. I own a 1972 Winnebago Brave on a Dodge M-300 Chassis. I also belong to the Classic Winnebago Motorhome forum (do a google search or I will post a link if needed, believe its www.classicwinnebagomotorhomes.com). The first generation Winnebago's largely used Dodge M-300, 375 and 400 series chassis, so we all have the same mechanical issues etc. The folks on the Winnebgo site have posted a number of topics under the Message Board link which you might find useful.

Note I've considered purchasing a vintage Dodge Champion or Concord rig..but didn't think there was any support out there. [emoticon]

Fuel gage sending unit: I think JC Whitney sells a universal unit for $13....a couple of people have used them with success on the Winnie applications.

R/John

Posted By: whiteknight001 on 01/05/05 06:27am

Hello Tocmom,Xcursion,Odd Couple,RoadRanger Al
and WannaWinnie!

Gee I hope I didn't miss anyone, been working a bunch
here lately. Thanks Munkalido for diving in to help!
I had to check a couple of salvage yards for my sender,
mine was the same as the B series vans, so it wasn't a
hard search. That 4 core might be a bit harder to locate
though. Especially a good used one. Any ideas guys?

I have a site in the forming stage. Email me for the
website address, it is exclusively "oldie". This thread
has been here since 08/15/2004, and has gone from my initial
"Hello, is anybody out there" to eleven pages and at last
count, 104 posts. My site is dedicated exclusively to serving the interests of those like us, no matter what our reasons. Whether
it's because we can say "it's paid for" or we are starting out
in RVing and considering something "entry level", we all have a common thread- our vehicles. And our experiences.

If we put our heads together this can be great- for everyone!

Hope to hear from you all soon,

Mark a.k.a. whiteknight001

1972 Mobile Traveler 20' Dodge B300 Class C
"The Kobayashi Maru" Trans- Prarie Land Craft
"Requiescat in pace et in amore..."

Posted By: Snakeman on 01/13/05 02:26pm

I just purchased a 1978 Robinhood 24' and it has the 440 Dodge engine.
We are still finding out what does not work like the funace. My wife (Tracy) and I have two teenage girls who love dirtbike riding that is why we got our rig. A friend of mine just got an Establishment 1980 I think, so we will be traveling together out in the desert. This weekend will be our maiden voyage.

John

1978 Robinhood 24' Class C with Dodge 440

Posted By: BT Call Home on 01/18/05 01:45am

This is FANTASTIC! I thought I was a nut case for being so proud of my vintique. 1979 Tioga I believe it's a Dodge. DH takes care of the engine (wish you guys had been here last summer to give him some advice) and all moving parts. I take care of every thing else. Just got this thing last May and I am like an addict. Can't wait for Spring. Don't think I'd up grade even if I could afford to. IF only I could get rid of the squeak in the over cab area I would be in heaven. Anyone got any ideas?
Thanks Sir Knight for starting a wonderful thread. Bernie

Posted By: tyndalelady on 01/19/05 11:52am

I am officially post #109. We just bought (yesterday) a 1973 Fireball on the dodge chassis. I dont know what size engine...lol....havent even raised the hood. One of the older couples here in the RV park were upgrading to a monster 5th wheel and we couldn't stand to see them trade this thing in.

We got it for a steal of $2000 and EVERYTHING works. We took it for a trip around the block last night and she purrs like a kitten.

We do need to eradicate the green shag carpet and work around the avacado appliances and paint the dark wood and get the cigarette smell out and recover the cushions......you get the idea.

This will be too much fun.

Missy

SKP# 83686
2001 Dodge Quadcab 8.0l V10 --- Miles
95 Royals International --- Betty
97 Lance Squirelite 195 --- Tex

Posted By: wooper on 01/19/05 01:59pm

hello there
I just bought a 1977 Dodge Cruise Air 21 footer I think .
dodge 360 motor with 76000k.
seems to be in not bad shape and I drove it home- OVER 900 MILES and no probs at all--even though the temp outside was around - 18 all the way.
Took a lil getting used to driving it---the crosswinds and all but WOW --it was fun..
but now---I need help-----I dont even know all the stuffit has----I keep opening doors and finding things.
here what I've found so far.
( Coleman powermate 8 HP 4000watt generator )
( big mag wheels all around )
( Hydro Flame #7220 heater )
( roof air )
Does anyone else have this heater unit or this generator and if so-a manual or--an explanation of how to start or test them ?
also anycounsel on this motor or things to look out for would all be appreciated.
Wayup in COLD COLD COLD CANADA

thx

Mike

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