HELP! can't decide on this rv.

Keep us updated on the Revcon! What a great old ride!

Be prepared. It can be a blast to fix up an older motorhome and they are attention grabbers. I fixed up 2 in the past and there are continuous items to fix and such. The one I am currently working on is a 1975 model. When we got it I discovered split copper pipes throughout, leaking faucets, electrical system to be rebuilt, waste tanks that are leaking, inoperative lights, a bad fridge, old propane connectors, etc. Be prepared for spending $$. It is like buying any vintage mode of transport such as a car or boat.

Our 1975 REVCON album - work in progress

One issue with the 440s is finding exhaust manifolds. They were notorious for cracking. Back in the day, steel tube headers became the goto fix as the replacement cast iron supply dried up but finding a vendor still selling them for a motorhome chassis might be tough. I always though the old Travcos looked cool and if you like projects, that would certainly keep you out of the bars. More work and expense than I would want to expend, however.

If you are going to pay someone to do the massive amounts of work be prepared to spend at least $40,000. If you are handy then maybe $20,000. There are some nice ones for sale.

Moisheh

There are people that buy a motorhome to go, well, motorhoming. Then there are people that buy a project thinking it will save them a lot of money and be kind of 'neat' to show up in. Then there are people that simply like a project, they restore old cars, boats, motorhomes etc. when they are done, the get and other and do it again. If you want a project that will consume endless hours and countless dollars and potentially give you great enjoyment, go for it, If you want a project that will cause you to tear out your hair, rue the day you ever saw it, have your friends and relatives consider committing you, go for it. Just do it with your eyes open. Chances are you will spend a lot of time and money on it and eventually have it towed to a scrap yard.

If it were complete and original it would be a great one to fix up. They are a fantastic motorhome in many ways, and make for a great Cummins 5.9 conversion, but with stuff missing and such, its way more work than its worth.

Charles

When it comes to old motorhomes, I am in a special position to know about them. Yes, I had a Travco (1973), it had a 413. I now have a 1973 GMC. It is a job keeping up with just the routine maintenance.

If you are not very skilled in both woodwork and mechanical, this thing will eat you alive. It will not even spit your bones in an orderly pile.

We in the GMC "cult" have a saying: "A reliable and ready to travel coach will cost you at least 25K$. All at once or as a kit." It will cost you another 2~300$ to get it transported to where you can work on it and that does not count towards your investment.

The shell is two halves of fiberglass and they have zero salvage value.

Given that, unless you are very ready for a multi-year project that will cost at least 7K$ in materials alone (not including purchased tools and outside work), leave this to some kid with excess energy and money.

Matt

Waste of time and money everything is 40 years old safety would be my concern

There was a whole caravan of them that used to run to the local lakes around here and camp on the beach. They were painted fancy and made great beach houses that you could drive home. I think they had fun, all up to what you are into.

If you are trying to restore it to original, that is a tedious and sometimes unfulfilling task in the end, because you sometimes end up with something you wouldn't have bought in the first place.

I drug an old CJ home from my Mother-in-laws garage (with her smiling) with the intent to restore it and tow it. After pondering it for a while, I figured I had better things to do than put heart and soul into a toad with drum brakes, bad defrost, soft top and terrible cornering and that's after restoration. It takes a certain type of person :)

At 300 it may be "yard art" for a while. If you are handy you can fix most of the old stuff with some time and learning curve. if its aluminum and not wood framing, you can usually reseal the general leaks. mold may be a problem if is humid, or wet where it is stored. Ya wont make any money, but when you pull in to stop every one will come and talk to you.