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

[usmcdad03]

Heya Robbins...
I love that casino near your town! Anyway.. In upgrading the plumbing on one of my rigs (89 Sprinter), I used sikaflex marine sealant on all tank-to-fittings. No leaks with three years use. Sikaflex is a flexible, urethane based (moisture kicks it)sealant that does not harden. The putty Billy Mays pitches is an inflexible epoxy with good adhesive capability but limited - due to its nature, as a sealant. Also, be aware that your tank(s) and fittings may be of differing types of "plastic." If both are ABS, then perhaps an ABS glue would be appropriate. In my case the tank was polyethylene and the fittings were ABS.

As for the low pressure issue, perhaps the drain valves are partially open. Those valves are likely to be of the "gate" variety and without physically checking them, you cannot determine whether they are fully closed or partially open. I switched to Ball type valves. I can ID their status by simply looking at the position of the handle. If you have an accumulator tank inline, you might want to check the air pressure. Also check the voltage at the pump vs voltage at the auxiliary (house) battery. Dirty or corroded terminals/wiring can cause excess resistance and a subsequent voltage drop, resulting in a weak stream.

[Leeann]

clockwork oranjaboom wrote:

Hi Leeann;
I have the same issue w/my '77 440:3 different regs and all charge @ 14.7-14.9 and appear to boil the battery. I haven't made an extended run for the 3 months since I've discovered this. Did your NC run boil the battery and do any damage? Checked and cleaned all connections, inspected wiring and everything looks fine. I never checked the charge voltage prior to the failure of the previous regulator so I can't say what it's output was, but I can't imagine it was that high w/o battery damage. If you find a remedy please post and I'll do the same.

No, fortunately it hasn't boiled the battery or damaged it. We haven't yet gotten to taking everything apart, replacing wire, etc. yet but will this weekend.

If we figure it out, I'll let you know.

[clockwork_oranj]

Leeann wrote:
Phew and phew. That's all good...especially considering the alternatives...


We took ours to NC for a race this weekend. Dang hot there, too. Our only problem is it's still charging the battery a bit high - right around 15 volts - regardless of what voltage regulator we put on there. I guess our next step is to put a brand new wire with a brand new end on it to the voltage regulator and see if that makes any difference...any other suggestions?

Hi Leeann;
I have the same issue w/my '77 440:3 different regs and all charge @ 14.7-14.9 and appear to boil the battery. I haven't made an extended run for the 3 months since I've discovered this. Did your NC run boil the battery and do any damage? Checked and cleaned all connections, inspected wiring and everything looks fine. I never checked the charge voltage prior to the failure of the previous regulator so I can't say what it's output was, but I can't imagine it was that high w/o battery damage. If you find a remedy please post and I'll do the same.

[goreds2]

Trish Davis wrote:
Hello, hello.
Where is everybody? 5 days with no Dodge chatter is uhm.. different.

I took mine out camping to a friends farm last Thursday to see fireworks etc. Everyone thought I got a good deal on it and liked the "old school" features. 🙂

[Trish_Davis]

Hello, hello.
Where is everybody? 5 days with no Dodge chatter is uhm.. different.

[robbins]

Hey guys, I have a couple of problems with my '77 Establishment. First the outlet on the black tank is broken. It has been patched with calking, but is now leaking. Not good. I am going to clean it up and make as perminate fix as possible. Any suggestions? I was thinking of the putty that Billy Maze was pitching.
Second, I have no water pressure in the shower only. I took the hose off the valves and gained a bit, but almost none. Thinking maybe something in valves. Taking this apart next. Any other things to check? You all know more about this thing than me.
Thanks in advance.

[TreeSeeker]

Leeann,

I'm no car electrical expert, but I don't think wiring has anything to do with it. Bad wiring can decrease voltage but not increase it. It sounds like the voltage regulator in the alternator is not working.

The Charging System

[Leeann]

Yeah, it's charging at 14.95 - 15.15 volts. We've even seen 16 volts. Not good.

I've ordered the wiring harness end. When it gets here, Sam will make up a new wire for it and we'll see if that helps at all.

[79powerwagon]

Car battery and charging systems actually are 13.7-14.7 volts, not the advertised 12v. Now, if you're charging above that, you have a problem... :B

[Leeann]

Phew and phew. That's all good...especially considering the alternatives...


We took ours to NC for a race this weekend. Dang hot there, too. Our only problem is it's still charging the battery a bit high - right around 15 volts - regardless of what voltage regulator we put on there. I guess our next step is to put a brand new wire with a brand new end on it to the voltage regulator and see if that makes any difference...any other suggestions?

[eyeteeth]

Trish Davis wrote:
Eyeteeth-- another one, close to you.

http://detroit.craigslist.org/rvs/1239443671.html

Thanks Trish.

We spent the weekend in the camper without a power problem. No sounds, no smells, no smoke... ran the air, TV etc. So, I'm not sure. It was really warm last week, and the camper was closed up, may have just gotten hot.

On the engine side, it looks like the oil pump may have gone south and resulted in several collapsed lifters. Shouldn't cost too much. (all things considered anyway)

[Leeann]

Hey, Eric!

Sorry - still can't stand the idea of red wheels on a green RV :E

Glad to hear that there is a least a prospect of you going right back to work....and that you might be able to drive your toy shortly 😉

[79powerwagon]

Ah Red, thanks. But I'm OK. For lack of a better description, we've been bought out, and the buyer is a group of people I've worked with and for before. I have full confidence that once the signage is changed on the building and trucks, I'll be right back in there.

But yes, I'm going to use the time to fix the old girl, maybe actually DRIVE it once! :B

[goreds2]

79powerwagon wrote:
Hey all. Kind of gloomy on here of late, eh?

So I'll cheer you all up-

I looked inside my Dodge last week-end and saw that some of the ceiling panels have fallen. I guess I either didn't seal the roof enough (which I doubt), or the prior damage finally gave way. Either way, another project!

But I do also have my new tires, so the red wheels go on in the next week, and I can finally install the new cam and timing chain kit, so this old pig will run correctly! Today is my last day at work, so I'll have PLENTY of time to do these things. Heck, I better get it all fixed, might be living in it soon! :B

Nah, just teasing.

Have a great week-end all!

Eric

Take care, maybe working on the Dodge will take your mind off things.

[79powerwagon]

Hey all. Kind of gloomy on here of late, eh?

So I'll cheer you all up-

I looked inside my Dodge last week-end and saw that some of the ceiling panels have fallen. I guess I either didn't seal the roof enough (which I doubt), or the prior damage finally gave way. Either way, another project!

But I do also have my new tires, so the red wheels go on in the next week, and I can finally install the new cam and timing chain kit, so this old pig will run correctly! Today is my last day at work, so I'll have PLENTY of time to do these things. Heck, I better get it all fixed, might be living in it soon! :B

Nah, just teasing.

Have a great week-end all!

Eric