Looking for advice on an Amigo motorhome
i saw an old RV in someones backyard and i am curious what it could be worth: 1972 Amigo motorhome w/Dodge drivetrain
Forum Discussion
BMax,
As the owner of another antique motorhome, let me first post three warnings.
1 - If you can't find now out where to acquire all the expected maintenance parts and material, think about walking away.
2 - There will be issues with everything that is not metal and even some of the metal.
3 - Expect it to cost a serious chunk to get it roadworthy enough to go to the beach. It may be a very long time before you can take it anywhere of any distance.
I am a member of a community of old/classic/antique motorhomes, and we have a saying, a reliable and ready to travel coach will cost 30K, all at once or as a kit. That counts that some of these coaches have been restored to better than factory. You will be buying the kit.
Unless it is at the coast, corrosion won't be a bit deal, but still all the rubber will be aged out. That means all the hoses belts and seals. The coolant and brake lines are an immediate issue, but the corrosion inhibitors in the coolant are gone by now, so you might just as well dump the coolant while you put in those hoses. The fuel lines will have to be upgraded to alcohol resistant and that means those over the fuel tank too. The rubber brake lines should be replaced while you have the system empty to flush it as the fluid has absorbed water by now.
You will need all new tires. I don't know what size they are, but make sure they are still available. If they are not and you still want to go with this, then hope you can find new rims that will allow you to mount modern tires. The existing rims may not be capable of standing up to new radial tires, so that should be a consideration.
Look at the picture in the sigfile. That was taken a couple of years back in the middle of a 5Kmi excursion. The coach is a '73 with 160+k on it and we have had it for 12 seasons. It has been on a hook ONCE. We just returned from a 1100 mile that was our second of the year for a season total so far of 3.5K and we have more planned.
There is no reason that this coach can't be as reliable and enjoyable. It will take work and money to do. Just be ready.
If you persist in this effort, and I can offer advice I am here a lot and private messages are read and answered.
Matt
As the owner of another antique motorhome, let me first post three warnings.
1 - If you can't find now out where to acquire all the expected maintenance parts and material, think about walking away.
2 - There will be issues with everything that is not metal and even some of the metal.
3 - Expect it to cost a serious chunk to get it roadworthy enough to go to the beach. It may be a very long time before you can take it anywhere of any distance.
I am a member of a community of old/classic/antique motorhomes, and we have a saying, a reliable and ready to travel coach will cost 30K, all at once or as a kit. That counts that some of these coaches have been restored to better than factory. You will be buying the kit.
Unless it is at the coast, corrosion won't be a bit deal, but still all the rubber will be aged out. That means all the hoses belts and seals. The coolant and brake lines are an immediate issue, but the corrosion inhibitors in the coolant are gone by now, so you might just as well dump the coolant while you put in those hoses. The fuel lines will have to be upgraded to alcohol resistant and that means those over the fuel tank too. The rubber brake lines should be replaced while you have the system empty to flush it as the fluid has absorbed water by now.
You will need all new tires. I don't know what size they are, but make sure they are still available. If they are not and you still want to go with this, then hope you can find new rims that will allow you to mount modern tires. The existing rims may not be capable of standing up to new radial tires, so that should be a consideration.
Look at the picture in the sigfile. That was taken a couple of years back in the middle of a 5Kmi excursion. The coach is a '73 with 160+k on it and we have had it for 12 seasons. It has been on a hook ONCE. We just returned from a 1100 mile that was our second of the year for a season total so far of 3.5K and we have more planned.
There is no reason that this coach can't be as reliable and enjoyable. It will take work and money to do. Just be ready.
If you persist in this effort, and I can offer advice I am here a lot and private messages are read and answered.
Matt
