How many of us are there? Owners of Dodge based RV's?

[whiteknight001]

I'm new here, and curious.

How many of us in Class C own Dodge B300 incomplete
cab/chassis based RV's? I know two others- Steve aka
Ripsaw, with a 1977 Brougham, and Leroy aka 1978_Dodge
_Delta who owns a 440V8 powered sharp looking 1978
Delta RV. I would like to ask, and offer, help, idea
swapping and comparing notes on our particular RV's
which are based on the Dodge B300 van chassis.

Yeah, I know. These are low tech, podgy old RV's that
would be considered "entry level" for folks like me,
but I have a deep and abiding respect for the quality
of these old "monsters of the open road". And anyone
wanting to pick brains, joke about, share notes or just
brag about our old A- Dodge-io's are certainly welcome
to PM or email me. Between all of us we can form a real
good support group, and help each other with problems
we know we'll encounter with an older vehicle.

Sure. I'd love a new RV. But I'd rather have an older
one already paid for, and a lotta great memories. Call
me frugal, an old hippie, or whatever you will. I'm proud
of my old land yacht.

Mopar Madness Manifest in the flesh,

Mark aka White Knight

P.S. Mine's a '72. Is there an older one out there someone's
motorvating in? Maybe even a Travco? W/K

[75Americanclipp]

I don't have my vin on me, sorry, but it a dodge Rv American Clipper, built in Gilroy, CA, they use the dodge frame to make these, back in the 70's

[Kendas]

Okay. No Such thing as a D300 in 1975 according to information I have available. Since you 'Apparently' don't want to enter your VIN we'll do it the hard way...

Below is a VIN definition from MyTravco.com for 1975 dodge chassis:

Sorry about the first 2 digits... The reply editor does not allow correct formatting without quite a bit of work.


1974-1977

Example: A11AA0J000001
A1 1 A A 0 J 000001
Model Code Body Style Gross Vehicle Wt Engine Code Model Year Assembly Plant Sequence Number



First and Second Digits: Model Code
Code Model


Code Model Code Model Code Model Code Model
AA PW100 Plymouth Trail Duster B2 B200 E1 AD100 Dodge Ramcharger L9 LS1000 R8 CNT800
A1 AW100 Dodge Ramcharger B3 B300 F3 MB300 M3 M300 (1975-6-7) R9 CNT900
BA PB100 Plymouth Voyager D6 D600 F4 MB400 P3 P300 S3 S300
BB PB200 Plymouth Voyager D7 D700 H9 DN1000 (CN950) R3 R300 (RM300) 1974 S6 S600
BC PB200 Plymouth Voyager D8 D800 J9 DNT1000 (CNT950) R4 R350 (RM300) 1974 S7 S700
B1 B100 EA PD100 Plymouth Trail Duster K8 DT800 R5 R400 (RM400) 1974 T8Third Digit: Body Style
Code Description
0 Motor home chassis
1 Compact Van(Tradesman);Conv.Cab;LCF Cab;Std.H.D Tilt Cab;Long Conv.Cab.
2 Compact Low-Line Wagon(Sportsman);Crew Cab;Long Sleeper H.D Tilt Cab
3 Compact Mid-Line Wagon(Custom Sportsman);Conv.Cab w/Utiline
4 Conventional Cab with Sweptline box; Compact Hi Line Wagon(Royal Sportsman),MB3 High-Line
5 Crew Cab with Utiline box; Comapct Extended Maxivan(Tradesman)
6 Compact Low-Line Extended body Maxiwagon(Sportsman);Crew Cab with Sweptline box
7 Compact Mid-Line Extended Body Maxiwagon(Royal Sportsman,Flat Face Cowl, Club Cab & Sweptline
8 Compact Hi-Line Extended Body Maxiwagon(Royal Sportsman,Windshield Cowl
9 Forward Control&Motor Home Chassis, Incomplete chassis, CB300 Kary Van, Sport Utility
Fourth Digit: Gross Vehicle Weight
Code Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
A 6,000 lbs or less
B 6,001 lbs to 10,000 lbs
C 10,001 lbs to 14,000 lbs
D 14,001 lbs to 16,000 lbs
E 16,001 lbs to 19,000 lbs
F 19,001 lbs to 26,000 lbs
G 26,001 lbs to 33,000 lbs
H 33,001 lbs and up
X Non-certified Export
Fifth Digit: Engine Code
Code Engine


Code Engine Code Engine Code Engine Code Engine
A 440-3 H Cummins N-927 (1972) M 361-4 W Cummins
NTC 290 5 Cummins PT 270 (1975)
B 225-1 H Cummins
Super 250
(1973) P 413-2 X Special
6 Cyl Gas 6 Detroit 8V-71N
C 225-2 I Cummins
V8-555 Q Detroit 6-71N Z Special Diesel 7 Detroit 8V-71NT
D 440-1 J 400-1 R 413-3 2 Catapillar
175 (1975) 8 Cummins NH230
E LA 318-1 K 360-3 2 Bbl S Cummins
NTC 350 2 Cummins
NHC 250 (1974) 9 Perkins 6.354
F 360-2 Bbl L 361-3 T 360-4 2 Bbl 4 Cummins NTC 335
G LA 318-3 L Cummins
SHC 270 V Special
8 Cyl Gas 5 Cummins NTC 270 (1974)

Sixth Digit: Model Year
Code Model Year & Series
4 1974
5 1975
6 1976
7 1977

Seventh Digit: Assembly Plant
Code Assembly Plant
J Tecumseh Road Truck
K Pillette Road Truck
N Burt Road (Detroit) KDX
S Warren Truck #1
T Warren Truck #2
V Warren Truck Compact
X Missouri Truck
Eighth through Thirteenth Digits: Sequence Number
Sequence Year Assembly Location
000001 1974 Sequential number by plant
000001 1975 Sequential number by plant
000001 1976 Sequential by production year
000001 1977 Sequential by production year

[75Americanclipp]

I think it is a D300

[Kendas]

75Americanclipper wrote:
anything for an 1975 Dodge American Clipper with a 440 rear kitchen


what are they called, like D100, D200 or D300, which one is ours
JC from Ceres, CA
1975 Dodge RV American Clipper
440
rear kirchen
68K miles

Now that I know how the VIN works on 70s Dodges... Post the first 7 digits of the VIN and I think I can help (The one listed on the title please).

Ken

[clockwork_oranj]

75Americanclipper wrote:
anything for an 1975 Dodge American Clipper with a 440 rear kitchen


what are they called, like D100, D200 or D300, which one is ours
JC from Ceres, CA
1975 Dodge RV American Clipper
440
rear kirchen
68K miles


I belive they call it the F30 body
also- found a site that had a scaned copy of a '73 B300 owner's manual that can be helpful.

http://www.nothingtodo.org/rv/rvfun.htm

[Kendas]

Using information on the VINs from the last couple of posts you should be able to decipher your VIN.

Ken

[75Americanclipp]

anything for an 1975 Dodge American Clipper with a 440 rear kitchen


what are they called, like D100, D200 or D300, which one is ours
JC from Ceres, CA
1975 Dodge RV American Clipper
440
rear kirchen
68K miles

Kendas wrote:
unionguy1019 and RobinHoodRV:

Thanks for your answers!

Of the two RobinhoodRVs is the closer...

VIN: F44CD8V704063

Using RobinHoodRV's info I come up with:

F4 MB400 (Chassis)
4 MB4 Hi Line
C >10,000 lbs
D 440-1 (Engine)
8 Year 1978
V Warren MI assembly plant
704063 Sequence number

Bumper to bumper it's 20ft 5in so knowing how advertisers work... We'll call it a 21ft RV.

Now to update the tagline. 😛

So either one of you want to add anything?

Like I said... "I have most of the original books. I really need to scan them to the computer since after 25+ years they're a little fragile. This would also allow me to have them available to send to people who need copies.

[Kendas]

unionguy1019 and RobinHoodRV:

Thanks for your answers!

Of the two RobinhoodRVs is the closer...

VIN: F44CD8V704063

Using RobinHoodRV's info I come up with:

F4 MB400 (Chassis)
4 MB4 Hi Line
C >10,000 lbs
D 440-1 (Engine)
8 Year 1978
V Warren MI assembly plant
704063 Sequence number

Bumper to bumper it's 20ft 5in so knowing how advertisers work... We'll call it a 21ft RV.

Now to update the tagline. 😛

So either one of you want to add anything?

Like I said... "I have most of the original books. I really need to scan them to the computer since after 25+ years they're a little fragile. This would also allow me to have them available to send to people who need copies.

[RobinHoodRV]

Kendas wrote:
Based on the information above and the pictures below can any one tell me which chassis it's on and the length (The generic Tioga manual is vague)

Just looking at the picture it appears to be around 20 to 21 feet long. My 1977 Dodge class C is 23' long and has a larger bathroom. Use a measuring tape and that should give you the length.

Your VIN will give you information about the chassis.
As an example, here is my VIN and what it means:
F44CD7V063210
F4 Model number MB400
4 Body style MB4 Hi Line
C GVW > 10,000 lbs.
D Engine size 440-1
7 Year manufactured 1977
V Assembly plant Warren
063210 Sequence number starting with 000,001

[unionguy1019]

Hey Kendas hope this helps. Using the VIN look at the following.

1st and 2nd Digit Truck Model
M3=M300, M4=M375, R3=RM300, R4=RM350, R5=RM400

3rd Digit Body Type

4th Digit GVW Class

5th Digit Engine Displacement
A=440-3
G=318-3
N=413-1

6th Digit Model Year

7th Digit Assembly Plant
J=Windsor
S=Warren

Hope this helps. I recently purchased on ebay a complete factory issued dealer service manual for my 73. I believe I saw one covering your model at the time. Maybe try a search using "your year" dodge factory service manual.

[Kendas]

Hello all... "new" owner of a 1978 Dodge Tioga class C along with being new to the forum. Not too sure of the exact length (somewhere between 18 and 23 feet) or chassis but it's got a 440 with a ThermoQuad in it that runs well.

House is in pretty good shape inside... All appliances (4 burner Magic Chef stove/oven, Duo-Therm Heater, Trav'ler Refrigerator) working (appliances are original). Aftermarket Coleman roof A/C (I've added the optional 120vac heating element).

Working Generac TXP45 generator (runs well after some troubleshooting and part replacement you can still find most parts for it... Ask me how I know).

I have got most of the original books on it (except the genset which I have a reprint of the T/S & Repair manual).

Still getting things done:

Big stuff: All three liquid tanks have minor leaks.

Little stuff: Fixing the wiring on the dealer installed cruise control and charging the dealer installed chassis A/C

Based on the information above and the pictures below can any one tell me which chassis it's on and the length (The generic Tioga manual is vague)

Thanks for any responses

Ken

[sheetszone]

i was afraid it might not tow it... well I guess I can tow it only on flat land..I think I'll get the hitch and see how it goes..I mean if it's just slow, no biggie 🙂

[Leeann]

Have you checked that you're using the 12v lights, etc? You should have both 12v and 110 fixtures - only the 12v stuff will work on battery.

Also, have you checked the converter to see if the fuse (or breaker) is popped on the battery side?

With a 318 I'd be a little leery of towing anything, let alone a Wrangler. We had a '75 El Dorado with a 360 briefly and decided that it could hardly get out of its own way going up hills, forget towing our (very light) raceboat trailer. We now have a '73 Concord with a 440 - it can tow ANYTHING.

[sheetszone]

Brand new owner here of 1975 Dodge Tioga Sportsman 23' with a 318 engine. In very good shape for the most part. All original as much as I can tell 93K miles on it. Inside is nice, has the set up w/ the dinette in the back and windows all around. We were at the beach this weekend and it is a head turner 🙂

2 Ques:
New battery but doesn't work for power (lights, etc... on the inside) what might be the problem.

Wondering if it will tow a jeep wrangler?

[timmac]