Forum Discussion

adelii's avatar
adelii
Explorer
Jan 20, 2018

Was just gifted a RV. Excited but worried. 80 dodge jamboree

So I have been telling my wife that when I turn 40, I am going to buy an RV. I am currently 37. While having a family get together my wife started going on about how I was going to get one in 3 years, when her father told me he had one in his yard and he would give it to me.

Of course I accepted. Its a fixer upper for sure. A 1980 dodge sportsman Jamboree. It has a queen bed above the cab and a bathroom in the rear of the rv. I am super excited but just realized. I know nothing about RVing.

I got into this 3 years earlier then expected. So here I am. Trying to learn as much as possible. I am going to pick it tommorrow and get it to my house to start cleaning it and figuring everything out.

All I have so far is the vin and a few pictures. I hope I get all the help I need here. and where to start. The vin is not 17 characters

f44cd9v720442

Thanks
Class C

73 Replies

Show More
  • toedtoes's avatar
    toedtoes
    Explorer III
    Jan 20, 2018
    I have a 1975 Dodge American Clipper class C so I can offer some "been there done that" advice:

    1. Replace all the rubber. That means tires, belt, hoses, etc. Including fuel lines. Vehicles that old can have pinprick holes in the fuel line which not only drop your mpg, but can be very dangerous.

    2. Have the propane system checked out thoroughly. Again, a leak could be very dangerous.

    Now you get to the rest of the stuff:

    3. Reseal all the edges, windows, vents, etc. At this point, just seal so you don't get anymore damage than may already be there. Then you can do repair/reconstruction work on old leak damage. Remember to always check for leaks after a rain - it only takesone storm to do a whole lot of damage.

    According to vinwiz.com, your chassis is actually a 1979. This is common to have the chassis be a year prior to the house. It is also a 440 engine. The 440s commonly have overheating issues due to the confined space in the doghouse. So you may find you need to make some adjustments for best operation.

    Take it slow and easy and you may find you have a great RV. There are many on the road today.

    Please feel free to PM me if you'd like more resources, etc.
  • Son_of_Norway's avatar
    Son_of_Norway
    Explorer
    Jan 20, 2018
    Look at what I have, I wouldn't have any business raining on your parade. We started out with a 1972 Winnebago. Step 1: Make sure it will run. Step 2: Make sure it will stop. Then take it from there. Go on the forum to ask any specific questions. Welcome to the forum.
  • coolmom42's avatar
    coolmom42
    Explorer II
    Jan 20, 2018
    I don't want to rain on your parade.... but unless you are very mechanically skilled, you will be better off selling it for scrap. There is no gasket, caulk, or piece of rubber on that thing that is not completely dry rotted and cracked. It may also have a good bit of mouse damage.

    It may not be molded/rotted if it's spent most of its life in Arizona.

    Now if you have some remote place you could park it and use it for a cabin, it might function like a hard-sided tent. Get it there on a flat-bed tow truck. Put it up on blocks. You could replace all the soft furnishings---mattress, sofa, etc, and use it for a camping spot.

About Motorhome Group

38,763 PostsLatest Activity: Dec 13, 2025