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: Rhonda K. on 05/31/06 12:09pm

Hello Everyone,

Just wondering if anyone else has dealt with this.....Thursday we were ready to go camping, my husband started up the Tioga, (it's a 1978 440). It was fine, then backfired, and got loud. We cut it off, looked underneath, and the muffle was blown. Here's the problem: the Tioga has always been in the South, except for 2 years in Indiana, where it stayed outside during the winter. Not a drop of rust on it, until the year before we got it(we got it last year). We need to stop the rust.

Has anyone else dealt with rust? Our mechanic recommended another mechanic to replace the exhaust system. (we aren't doing that). I wasn't sure if we could fix the rust problem ourselves. We are pretty handy, and have my parents as references.....

I would really hate to retire the Tioga, it's paid for, and the interior is like new. We've replaced the tires, belts, water pump, installed smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and some general upkeep. Eventually we will get something newer, but we love not owning any money on it!

Any suggestions are appreciated,

Thanks,
Rhonda K.

Also, the engine and transmission are in very good shape. The current engine has around 33,000 miles on it, no leaks. The tranmission also was replaced.

* This post was edited 05/31/06 12:19pm by Rhonda K. *

Rhonda & Scott
Tasia & her Barbie fishing pool
1978 Tioga 24'
2005 Stingray 185

Posted By: Bordercollie on 05/31/06 05:41pm

Your post is not clear about what has been damaged by rust. If the muffler was original equipment, or old, they do rust out and need replacement eventually. If there is other rust damage in process, you could have the underside cleaned and treated with Naval Jelly rust remover, etc., and then undercoated. Our '04 Tioga was undercoated by the factory, don't know how well though.

Posted By: fourthclassC on 05/31/06 06:46pm

Some exhaust maifolds on Dodge engines, have a plug in the rear of the manifold that rusts out and blows suddenly. I had this happen. I got a 3/4" pipe tap. (I think that was the size) tapped the hole and installed a steel pipe plug. No more leak. Check out that location on both sides.

Posted By: HiTech on 05/31/06 07:54pm

Why not just replace the muffler and spray off the under side? There are lots of products that will stop rust, but if you remove any residual road salt I don't see why it would rust more unless you are driving it to the ocean or something similar.

Posted By: Rhonda K. on 06/01/06 07:00am

The exhaust system has been replaced before, but it's been at least 8 years ago, if not more.

I haven't dealt with rust before-not a problem in the South. I guess my concern was once it started rusting, it wouldn't stop.

Thanks,
Rhonda K.

Posted By: regal5575 on 06/05/06 01:50pm

Rhonda K. wrote:

The exhaust system has been replaced before, but it's been at least 8 years ago, if not more. . .

Thanks,
Rhonda K.

Rhonda,
If the Motorhome was started and not driven long enough to really heat things up, condensation (water) will form in the muffler. That water after a period of time will cause the muffler to rust from the inside out. Eventually it will rust a complete hole through the muffler or just weaken it enough so when you start the engine it will blow a hole through the weak spot. No salt is needed, just the condensation and time.
Jerry

Jerry & Diane

Posted By: jojoe on 06/05/06 10:00pm

count me in 1978 dodge tradesman ralley jamboree 20 footer, 360 cid 2 bbl, 70 k miles.

life is GOOD !

1978 Dodge Tradesman Jamboree Rallye class C M300 360 2 bbl. 727 TorqueFlite trans. 20 FT.

Posted By: ssvette on 06/07/06 07:58pm

I found a new product that many of us with older RV's may be interested in. I have an issue with my refrigerator not getting cold on really hot days this man has developed a new product for this issue, it is affordable and a great idea. I will update the forum with my results and here is a link to check it out.

http://www.snydersrvrefrigeration.com/index.html

ssvette
http://community.webshots.com/user/ssvette

Posted By: new v'er on 06/08/06 03:07pm

jojoe wrote:

count me in 1978 dodge tradesman ralley jamboree 20 footer, 360 cid 2 bbl, 70 k miles.

life is GOOD !

Hey Jojoe,

Welcome aboard. This thread has been going for a while now. The folks here know their Dodges well.

Life IS good [emoticon]

Regarding your LOT in Life: Build something on it ... or park your Dodge on it.">
Bill & Laurie
1976 Dodge Sportsman Midas Mini 226

Posted By: QualitySnowman on 06/08/06 05:06pm

Just wanted to throw this out there...

I just got back from my grandmother's property where the barn is that holds my 79 Lindy. I am soooo pleased at how well this thing runs. I gave it an entire overhaul last year primarily to rid it of the dreaded exhaust manifold leak inherent to the 360's (my friends knew it as "The Rackel-Kackel" or "Flame Thrower"). Anywho, it did not need the work for drivability puroposes. It's been a strong runner since my parents bought it back in 85 and now I'm lucky enough to own a great Dodge powered RV myself.

Tomorrow the carpet goes in. $275 to do all but the cab and bathroom didn't seem bad. I'll take it either way. For some reason, around here, no one want's to do carpet/tile work to them. So, I'll take what I can get.

See you all on the road in NE Ohio...

~82 Brian "QualitySnowman" Snowden ">

~06 Ram 2500HD Quad 4x4 Laramie 8' Cummins 5.9 - 5" w/o Muff or Cat, Prog, 35's, Intake.
~13 Streamlite 27RKS 32' Champagne Ed.
~07 Honda Rancher 420 EFI 4x4 - 2" Lift, ITP 212 Alloys & 26" MudLite XTR, 2.5k Winch, Camo

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