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: mopar-vw-dieselman on 05/29/08 09:10pm

Leeann, thanks for the reply. I've done some thinking about the transmission. I'm checking into what Gear Vendors has to offer. Not cheap for sure, but something to look at.

Posted By: Goatmaiden on 06/01/08 09:37am

SADDNESS!

I think Bertha, our MH, just developed the "tick of death." I drove her to Camping World (about 15 miles) to pick up something, got back in after a few minutes and once I got her started, heard a "tick tick tick" sound at idle that got faster when I pressed the accelerator. I drove just down the road, concentrating on the sound. Then turned around to try to make it back to Camping World. She died in the middle of the road. Luckilly (hey, I'll take any luck I can get at this point) she died right in front of a Dodge dealership! So we got some guys to push her into the parking lot and they will look at her on Monday. GLUM. Anyone wanna take their guesses as to what it will be??? [emoticon]

***********
1978 23' C class KIT ROADRANGER
Dodge 440

Posted By: Leeann on 06/01/08 02:42pm

It might have spun a bearing... [emoticon]

'73 Concord 20' Class A w/Dodge 440 - see profile for photo

Posted By: Skyliner on 06/01/08 03:06pm

Hello Everyone...
I recently traded an old car for a 1975 Sportsman Brougham. It is a decent old rig with lots of little issues to keep me busy. I have read through the entire thread on the old Dodge based RV's, and have gleaned some great information in the course of the discussions.
I am sure I will be jumping in with questions from time to time, but overall just really enjoy reading about these great old rigs and the people who own them.
Personally, I think they have so much more character than the cookie cutter boxes you see out rolling around on the highway these days. Add to that the lack of a monthly payment, and any elbow grease or $$$ (within reason) makes them a real value.
In bringing this rig back to life, I am starting on the obvious stuff, belts, hoses, fluids and of course tires. I am comfortable with all of that and the house is in remarkably good shape overall. I found some old water damage in the cab over area, but have a friend who has repaired several in the past and will be helping me with that aspect. If all goes well, I should be taking her out on the maiden voyage in early July.
Looking forward to meeting everyone and discussing these great old rigs.
Patrick

Posted By: 79powerwagon on 06/01/08 05:07pm

Leeann wrote:

It might have spun a bearing... [emoticon]

Might just be low on oil or running too hot... I'm hoping it's not a spun bearing.

My fingers are crossed for you!

She ain't purdy, but at least she's slow!

Posted By: DeadeyeLefty on 06/01/08 07:35pm

I guess that's the biggest problem with these rigs: at every big $$ repair one must ask "should I put her down", "is she in pain", "sorry sweetheart, we just can't afford your operation..."

At least you would get to go shopping for a new puppy, err...I mean a new old rig.

Best of luck and hopefully you don't have to take it out back and shoot it !

Project Glacier trailer build.

Posted By: Goatmaiden on 06/01/08 10:03pm

79powerwagon wrote:

Leeann wrote:

It might have spun a bearing... [emoticon]

Might just be low on oil or running too hot... I'm hoping it's not a spun bearing.

My fingers are crossed for you!

Thank you! Oil was low, but still registered on the dip stick so I too am crossing my fingers.

Update: Just stopped by the Dodge dealership. The mechanic can't even figure out why power is not working (hooked it to jumper box and still not working) [emoticon]

Has anyone ever dropped a new engine into their old RV?

* This post was last edited 06/02/08 10:08am by Goatmaiden *

Posted By: hearseangel on 06/02/08 11:50am

This is quite a thread! Normally I'm a lurker, but this convinced me to join. Well, that and I have a few questions for the collective MoparMind. I'm going to be moving out of my 1976 B700 school bus conversion and into my newly acquired 1969 M300 as soon as we repair the water damage. I'm hoping you guys (and gals) can help me find some info on the camper end of things. First, apparently the model was 'President' but I'm not having any luck locating more information. I would like to know more about its history and what it originally looked like. It has had people full-time in it before, and has had some alterations. I have a shop manual for the chassis, and that work is progressing nicely. We got it started this weekend and it sounds just like every other '69 Dodge with a bad muffler - beautiful! As soon as we (my guy has been roped in to help) bleed the brakes and get the lenses operational I'll be driving it 90 miles or so to shakedown the mechanics and then start doing some interior demolition. The roof has sagged and the ceiling and upper cabinets are pretty much a write-off, but I've never cared much for particle board anyway. The floors and all but the back wall are solid though. The parts that have me befuddled are which tanks/wiring/plumbing is supposed to go where. Lots of wiring is hanging loose. Sounds crazy I know, but the general layout and look of the rv are perfect for me, and I have plenty of elbow grease.

This is the closest I've been able to find as a comparable rv, but it has no real info! Just a picture...
http://www.kwyjibo.com/rv/view.asp?i=amh1980presidente.jpg

And this is my new baby...
[image]

Any information or advice would be most welcome. And I am planning on a good cleaning before I start anything else (just realized how bad the barnacles look in that picture) [emoticon]

TIA,

Lara

Posted By: Leeann on 06/02/08 12:12pm

Lara, that looks awfully like something built by Champion Motor Homes, but I'm not familiar with the Presidente model (my Concord was made by Champion, see my profile pic).

Is there a tag somewhere near the driver's seat with typed info on it, in addition to the Dodge/Fargo VIN plate?

For more info on the Champion brands, go here: http://www.championfleetowners.com/

The admins are really knowledgeable on all the brands (and have sales literature that hasn't been uploaded yet, too).

Posted By: 79powerwagon on 06/02/08 12:24pm

Goatmaiden, don't jump to conclusions just yet.

First things first!

Can the (bone-headed) mechanic actually turn the engine with a wrench? (Bone headed because this should have been the second thing he tried after realizing that no power was getting to the starter)

We're all self-proclaimed Mopar gods-of-sorts, we'll be able to help you through this!

...I hope!

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