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

[acchan]

thanks so much for everyone's kindness and support, this is a great little forum/ community!

i'm still plugging away at it though don't worry...

just having some trouble with the fridge now... i can get it lit, but how long should i wait til it gets cold?

and also, i've noticed some water damage in the ceiling... it rained the other night and didn't leak, but it feels really soggy in a spot... is this something i should be worried about? quick fix ideas?

[ALnCORY]

acchan,

I second eyeteeth's comment. There is a learning curve but its not that hard. Just hang in there, take it slow and ask all the questions on here you want. I had to along with alot of people on this site. If you can take some pics and post them folks here can help you diagnose most all of your problems.
good luck,
Al

[Leeann]

You don't need the RV cam. You put the RV cam into car or regular truck engines to make it more like the RV engine, which you already have.

Good about the tranny and the tuneup stuff.

[jayhedden]

thanxs leeann i have made alot of the typical tune up upgrades aslong as a pcv valve,im wondering if an rv cam will help.im pulling the trans out sometime this month to have it looked at,a good friend is a tranny man at a tranny shop so it will be gone thru and freshened up.

[eyeteeth]

Adam... can't give up so quickly. There can be a learning curve, but it's not hard, and oh so worth it once you can start making use of the old RV.

I have a hard time working on mine anymore because if it's even remotely warm, we're in it. Heck just last weekend, in the freezing cold and snow...

[Leeann]

Welcome!

I'd suggest doing (at the least) a flush on the rad. Next, I'd add an external tranny cooler inline with the rad tranny cooler - heat is the enemy and towing adds heat - as big as you can fit. We put a Transgo TF-2 shift kit into our 727 and the difference is amazing (following the instructions for RV trannies). Firmer shifts, less overlap - all good things to reduce slippage and heat and extend the life of the tranny - and it feels like more power is being transferred to the wheels.

I'd also suggest a battery switch to prevent parasitic drain, at least on the house battery. Harbor Freight, local boat places, they all have heavier-duty switches that will last...and keep your house battery from going dead while your rig sits.

Without a doubt, check your shocks. Questionable shocks on these rigs are bad enough when you're on the highway without a trailer, but add a trailer and it's miserable.

To the engine? First recommendation is oil/filters/plugs/wires/cap/rotor/coil/ballast resistor/ignition module/belts/hoses/timing adjustment - a complete tuneup. Rubber parts could look good but be past their usable age. Second, either go through the carb yourself with a rebuild kit (they come with really detailed directions) or have a place do it for you.

[TreeSeeker]

i found it behind the back left tyre, in it's own sunken housing unit, with random unconnected wires lying around it... it was also flat!!!

If the RV hasn't been used in awhile, most likely both batteries will need to be replaced. Many RVs have "parasitic" battery drains like radios, refrigerators (even when off), alarms, etc. that will drain the battery. That is probably why the house battery was disconnected--to prevent these types of drains. However, even a battery that has been disconnected will eventually loose all its charge and this damages the battery.

Most auto parts stores will test your batteries for you for free.

These articles will provide you with lots of info on RV electronics.

BATTERIES--AND OTHER ELECTRIC STUFF

The 12v Side of Life

[jayhedden]

hi everyone from bc canada,i bought a 1974 dodge sportsmen tioga this summer,havent had much time in it but it is very clean inside,it has the 360 2bbl and a 727 trans,i will be using it to pull a 16 foot trailer with my drag racing motorcycle and gear,can anybody make any recomendations on things to do to the engine and or rad for hauling a trailer? shes getting new tires this spring,its white and green and the door is aimed straight to the back not off the side...

[acchan]

i found it behind the back left tyre, in it's own sunken housing unit, with random unconnected wires lying around it... it was also flat!!!
so i have quite the headache.... anyone want to buy it?

[oldtrucker63]

acchan wrote:
i've never felt more stupid....
any pointers on where the house battery might be? or even what it looks like?
so far the only thing i've found looks like a fusebox. 😞

Have you looked under the Table/Seat that where it should be.

[whiteknight001]

Leeann wrote:
Since eyeteeth answered all your questions, I'll just say Welcome!

me too. Welcome Acchan!

Mark

[Leeann]

Totally depends on the rig - manufacturers put them all over the stinkin' place. Mine, for instance, is up front, right next to the engine battery.

[acchan]

i've never felt more stupid....
any pointers on where the house battery might be? or even what it looks like?
so far the only thing i've found looks like a fusebox. 😞

[acchan]

ahhh just read your new post, so disregard that last one from me and i'll try and locate this house battery.
thanks again!
and thanks for the welcomes guys!!!

[acchan]

thanks very much for the quick reply eyeteeth!

i found the fresh water inlet, but am having trouble with the pump...
i found the pump, and the switch seems to be inside on a panel with 4 different switches. one is labelled generator (start/ stop), one is labelled battery (aux/main), one is labelled 'water level', the last 'water pump'...
now i definitely don't have an external generator, so i'm hoping you can use the battery? i flick the switch between aux and main and nothing happens...
and so here i'm confused because the car is on and the battery works fine but there is no power to the back living area at all... do i need to hook it up to an external power socket? if so, can i buy a converter so i can just plug the RV in here at home??? or is there another battery for this back section?
sorry if i sound like a complete moron asking the most simplest of questions, but like i said this is my first RV and no owners manual makes it difficult!!! 🙂