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RV_Newbe's avatar
RV_Newbe
Explorer
Apr 17, 2022

1978 Dodge Champ20

Don’t know which model it is . I’ll soon purchase my 1st class A motor home (my son owns it) and need some help….don’t know what length it is…only saw it once from outside and find out it’s basically gutted so will be renovating it….love diy projects so I’m ready to start in May. Recently widowed so this will be a new start for me. Haven’t found much info on the internet so any info will be appreciated. I previously owned a 22 foot Dodge Shasta-don’t know what year it was but I was impressed with how easy it was to work on. Didn’t like it being top heavy so looking forward to driving this class A.
  • And if the engine is running well and you replace ALL the rubber fuel lines, you will get about 7-10 mph. If you get less than 7mph on a flat road, you have a fuel leak (which is very common as many have never had their fuel lines replaced).
  • Yes, there are Dodge class As out there from the 70s and earlier.

    Class C of that era will most likely be a 440 or a 360.

    If it's a class C, it will be on a B300 sportsman van chassis. If it's a class A it will be a MB300 chassis.

    For tires, the only 16.5 tire still being manufactured with the rating needed for a motorhome is the Firestone Transforce. Most likely you will need to order them online as most stick and brick tire shops don't have them in their ordering system.

    You may be able to find 17 wheels that will fit, but they are not made anymore so you have to check salvage yards, etc. And you have to make sure the bolt pattern is correct.

    It's a very long read, but you can find information on this thread
  • I would check for the wheels and tires first. Had a 75 and they had the 16.5 and could no long find tires. Nothing larger would fit the axles.

    Good luck.
  • Welcome! I’d start with maintenance on the outside…roof and sides…unless you have covered storage.
  • Dodge didn't make class A motorhomes. Could it be your talking about a Winnebago on a Dodge chassis? Back in that era the Dodge chassis had 413, 413P 440 & 440P engines. The P engines were truck engines with a high mount water pump. The standard B block water pump had a 4 bolt mount ver. a 5 bolt mount for the P engine. Some of those old beasts had od sized tiers that were hard to find. 16.5" I think.........
    Anticipate about 4 MPG..........

    Richard