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: Leeann on 10/08/08 10:15am

Also, the exhaust manifolds are known to warp a little and the gaskets do fail - check that, too.

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

Posted By: ALnCORY on 10/09/08 02:26pm

If the manifold is warped will a new gasket cure that or will I need a new manifold?

next question: my blinkers work fine unless the headlights are on then the blinkers don't work... brake lights do but not the blinks.... any ideas on where to start looking for that problem. I just discovered that one the other night.

I don't think anyones dying statement ever contained the words "I wish I had spent more time in the office", so lets go somewhere!

Posted By: 79powerwagon on 10/09/08 03:55pm

Al, first try a new set of gaskets, it's cheap insurance. If the manifold is warped, pop it off (no easy task) and have a local machine shop straighten it out. It won't be much money.

Your lights, I'd bet you a hunnert bux it's a ground issue. MAYBE the turnsignal switch, but most likely grounds.

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

Posted By: Leeann on 10/09/08 03:59pm

I'm with Eric on this one [emoticon]

Posted By: Jer&Ger on 10/09/08 09:01pm

Al, as you know. I have a 77 Brougham and I had a very similar problem this summer on mine. I started by traceing and checking all my wiring from the rear forward. I redid all the grounds I found. Then under the chassis, about halfway forward, I found where someone had spliced all the wires going to my rear brake, turn signal lights,etc., using butt connectors. I redid all of it with solder connections and all seems good to go now. I did have a small problem with connections under to dash, but I think most was under the chassis....Jerry

Jerry & Gerry, our pets (dogs), Byron, Coco
1976 Monaco, 440 ci. Dodge Sportsman chassis

Posted By: goreds2 on 10/12/08 07:22pm

Last night, I camped out in a farm pasture setting for a birthday party. It was very unlevel where I had to park. Does anyone have any leveling jack suggestions for these older motor homes? Can they be used on dirt/grass?

See Picture In My Profile
I have a 1989 Dodge XPLORER RV Class B - Purchased 10/15/10 IN CASH
Fiance' purchased a Class C 2002 Dynamax Carri-go on 5/1/15 IN CASH
We've got the best of both worlds

Posted By: Leeann on 10/12/08 07:52pm

The best/easiest option is leveling blocks, either purchased at Walmart or Camping World or made by you. We have both - the bf's mom gave us a set of the blocks and our RV came with a ton of boards with angled ends for driving on.

We don't use leveling jacks but we do use regular car jacks for stabilizing the RV once level.

Posted By: goreds2 on 10/13/08 12:17am

Thanks LeeAnn,

Also, I am still trying to figure out how to drain my water system completely on my 1976 motorhome after camping .

Do I drain the water heater first?

After that, do I just drain via the water pump turning on water faucets?

Thanks,

* This post was edited 10/13/08 12:54am by goreds2 *

Posted By: Leeann on 10/13/08 07:39am

We pull the drain on the water heater and open the drain on the tank. Then we'll open a line near the pump and blow some compressed air through. Finally, put a little hose through the water heater drain and get a siphon going to get the last little bit out of the heater.

That's worked for us. I'd be careful running your pump until everything's dry - I'm not sure if you can burn up the pump that way.

Posted By: goreds2 on 10/13/08 05:17pm

goreds2 wrote:

Last night, I camped out in a farm pasture setting for a birthday party. It was very unlevel where I had to park. Does anyone have any leveling jack suggestions for these older motor homes? Can they be used on dirt/grass?

Forgive me for adding to this but I have to mention that the next morning as expected, the pasture grass was dewey and somewhat slick. Suv's etc. were having some trouble turning around getting out of the very sloped unlevel acreage. I had a small audience waiting to see if I could get the motorhome out of there. I was somewhat nervious myself. I put it in first gear as I had to make a sharp turn around to the right going upward. I thought I was stuck for a moment but those rear duel wheels kicked in and I got out of there with no problem at all. I heard the campers cheering in the background as I honked the horn departing. [emoticon]

When I started looking for an older motorhome, I had my heart set on a Toyota chasis. I don't think a Toyota MH would have stood a chance getting out of there. I am very happy with this old Dodge as I know there may be issues in the future as with anything with age. The Dodge 360 motor rules! The campers could not believe I only paid $1800 for it.

Thanks for listening.

(Also, thanks LeeAnn for your previous response to my draining water question.)

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