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: HiTech on 08/03/05 07:30am

The inverter, batteries and alternator to do this might cost more than a genset.

Posted By: Sportsman76 on 08/03/05 07:32pm

Thanks for the info. When you said this is going to cost more than a gen set did you mean more then approximately 1500 dollars as they are quoting me a price for 3500 Gen at 299 and approximately 12 to 1300 dollars to install it?

Can you also elaborate on the set up that will accomplish this ie inverter, batteries and the alternator?
Thanks

Posted By: xchawk on 08/04/05 06:22am

Hey great thread, we have a 1978 Dodge class C that's in good shape with a new fridge, and everything working. It's our second Motorhome and since we can't drive two we are thinking of selling this one. It has about 56,000 miles, a 400 engine and a newly rebuilt transmission. Does anyone have a idea on what it might be worth?

Thanks,
Keith

Posted By: markit63 on 08/04/05 08:20pm

FrizzleFried wrote:

Welp....went camping this last weekend....at Vale Lake in the Temecula Valley, California. Hot was the order of the day, and, unfortunately, my A/C decided to stop working after about 2 hours. I do believe it ran out of freon, though I am not 100% sure. It is the original unit and is 27 years old, so I guess I can't complain all too much.

I am going to have the freon checked...depending on the results of the "once over" I will decide whether to have this old unit worked on or just purchase a new unit. I can get a new Carrier 13.5K BTU unit for about $500 shipped via ebay. My current unit is a 11K BTU model so I am sure a 27 year newer larger model will cool my 22' rig quite handily. I am a LITTLE concerned that the portible PowerWise 3500 generator I just purchased WOULDN'T fire up a 13.5K unit...though I am pretty confident it will considering that it fired up that 11K OLD ass unit without issue and I would imagine that power consumption has dropped in these units over the last 27 years?!?

We shall see. Bottom line is that $500 is $500 and considering that I need to drop some new meat on the rig ASAP, things could start to get expensive ...especially for a $3,900 dinosaur desert rig.

So, of course, I am hoping it is just the freon...

Did you check the filter? If you do end up getting a new unit try to get the one without the rotery compressor, luckly mine came with the
reciprecating type compressor (mmmmmmmmmuch longer life) I would have to look at it to see what make and modle it is though. i know its not a carrier and as a A/C contractor I dont hold that co in high reguard as far as quality.lol

Posted By: sandman41 on 08/04/05 09:50pm

Am I like some of the others here? I have a 1975 Dodge Travel Queen that every things works. I have spent a lot of time just making it (for lack of a better word "to my liking"). I think it will be hard to sell it and go to something newer. In my opinion the newer rigs aren't built like the older ones. Maybe I am wrong. Just seems that way to me. Any body else out there that are attached to the older rigs like I am.

Just asking

Never say never, Just say, that will take a little longer.
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Posted By: HiTech on 08/05/05 12:00pm

A 30 amp inverter with a high peak start can run >$2000. You'd need something like 300 amps at 12 volts to run it. I don't think you can get an alternator that big so you'd need the biggest one you can get, and many many batteries so the AC did not cook them with the high draw - maybe 10 or more? Even then you could not run all day. Plus that's a lot of weight, space and maintenance. So say maybe $1000 in batteries plus $1000 to get them mounted and all wired in? Plus some kind of charge distribution system. Plus the price for a heavy duty alternator installed.

You might do better to get a non RV genset, and plug into it with your shore cord. Some people have done this successfully driving down the road. 3000 watts will run most RV AC's. 2000 will run some. I do not know all the pros and cons of this approach, only that it has been used by some.

Posted By: regal5575 on 08/05/05 12:07pm

Hi, Jerry & Diane checking in as "Dodge Based RV owners". We have a 1970 Dodge Travco that we inherited from my Parents. It has been a pretty good Motorhome, the parents bought it new and were only going to keep it for a few years. Well they fell in love with the lifestyle and sold their summer cottege instead of the motorhome. It travels from Mi to Fla and various side trips. It is 27 foot long Class A, with a 318-3 engine and about 140,000 miles.

* This post was edited 08/05/05 08:44pm by regal5575 *

Jerry & Diane

Posted By: HiTech on 08/05/05 12:48pm

Nice to get a one owner home that was wonderfully maintained!

Posted By: Sportsman76 on 08/05/05 11:18pm

Thanks for the reply. By your estimates it would be unwise to try the non Generator approach. I think I will stick with the non RV generator

Posted By: Noodleman on 08/08/05 11:59am

I JUST bought a Dodge Delta RV. The data plate on the door jam says it's based on a 1979 Dodge F 40. The previous owner didn't know engine size or much anything else about the rig. We liked the way the inside was layed out and took it. I've just about got the multiple switches figured out but I'm having a hard time with the fridge and a mystery switch on the wall between the kitchen and dining areas.
Question, how level is level? I've parked it in my driveway while a rip out the SHAG carpeting and it's ppinted downhill. I plugged it in, but the fridge isn't getting cold.

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