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Hemi_RT's avatar
Hemi_RT
Explorer
May 15, 2015

MH length

We just purchased a 1980 Delta motorhome on a 1979 Dodge 440 chassis. The serial number of the camper part of the motorhome is DEL-M-3982-72706, can anyone tell me the length of this motorhome?

Thanks in advance
Jim

9 Replies

  • An easy way to measure the true length of a MH is go to the front bumpber and drop a coin or little rock from the forward edge and mark the spot, then go to the rear bumper and do the same thing. Then drive the MH away and measure the distance between the marks; probably best done in a unused portion of a paved parking lot, but any flat surface will do. Saves having someone getting underneath or stretching a tape and lying on the ground.
  • Thank you for the help. Just found some old insurance cards inside stating it's a 24 foot.
  • Get a tape measure. Most model names use the inside length as a number. My 20BH is maybe 20' inside; never measured. But it's 24' outside and fits just right in my 25' driveway.
  • I have a 2001 Coachmen Catalina Sport, 22RK (rear kitchen) when I measured it with a tape it is 24 feet 1/4 inch long, it was sold as a 22 foot, the original units were 22 feet in the cabin, over the years they added a couple of feet to the main cabin from the original model that we saw to the model that we purchased, ours is the last year of this model produced.

    I added a carrying pod to the roof so mine is now 13 feet 3/4 inches tall and 7 feet wide with the mirrors closed and close to 9 feet with the mirrors out.

    navegator
  • Our old '79 Higgins-Delta was a 23 footer. Had a large rear bathroom, couch with two removable tables (?)that converted into a bed on drivers side and overhead bed. Had two chairs and fold out table on passenger side. Had a bizarre ceiling lighting system and Keebler cottage cabinetry. Orange shag carpet. Chevy 440 engine with carburetor lost power in mountains, engine cooling system was marginal, engine overheated pulling grades. After sinking a lot of money into repairs and upgrades we got quite a lot of use from it. Make sure tires are no more than six years old for your safety. Have brake fluid flushed and entire brake system serviced as needed including replacement of front brake flex hoses if not changed recently. Have engine cooling system serviced including water pump, hoses, belts. You have a new hobby!!
  • While you have your tape measure and friend handy, it would not hurt to measure the width (both with mirrors folded and unfurled, if you have folding mirrors) and the height to the tippy top of the air conditioner or whatever sticks up the most. For the height, a framer's level would be handy. (It's probably best to measure the height on both sides in case the ground isn't quite level and flat.)

    My '98 motorhome on a Ford chassis is 32' long from front bumper to the back of the ladder, if that helps you any. :W :B
  • Get a friend, get a tape measure long enough to go under the vehicle, extend the tape under the vehicle, have your friend stop the tape or hold it at the rear bumper, you stand in front of the bumper and read the numbers on the tape, that is the actual length of the unit, subtract the bumpers and the length from the hood to the cab over and you will have the approximate number that the manufacturer sold it under.

    navegator
  • As K Charles said, use a tape measure. According to NADA Guides, the class Cs were between 21 and 24 feet.
  • Model numbers and serial numbers don't have much to do with length. Could you use a tape measure?