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

[Trish_Davis]

whiteknight001 wrote:

Trish Davis wrote:

Leaks first, nerfherder. Leaks are the first and always fixes on a rig.

This is the succinct witty goodness I've missed.

Still too fat to tap dance...

Mark "whiteknight001"

Indeed, it is, my dear Mark.

Oh.
I thought that read "too fat to lap dance."

Silly me.

[rehoppe]

76 Sunshine wrote:
We don't have an awning...guess the wind already got to it...:)

Sorry,,,, was looking at the wrong pic.

Better get one! They're pretty nice to hang out under, when you're doing 16oz curls.

[76_Sunshine]

We don't have an awning...guess the wind already got to it...:)

[rehoppe]

Sunshine
Its a good idea to clamp the awning legs so that the bumps and wind don''t/can't try to unfurl your awning as you go down the road. I use a large wire tie on each leg at about 7' from the ground. So I waste 2 ties each time I roll out the awning. Wasteful but a no brainer.

Here in Co. it's a good idea. Not that the wind blows here, or anything.

[rehoppe]

Yea! and Congrats.

[76_Sunshine]

It was the interior cab light on the drivers side. We went through wire by wire, cleaning and re-connecting, along with replacing the fuse box and the fuses and our Sunshine is up and running again! Yeah!!!

[TreeSeeker]

76 Sunshine,

Which cab lights are you referring to--interior lights, running lights, clearance lights, headlights?

You need to test both sides of each fuse to ground. Both should read about 12v (assuming any switches are after the fuses).

If they are both good, then test across both terminals of each light socket with the bulb out. You should see a voltage reading around 12v.

Its a good idea to wear safety glasses and rubber gloves when testing.

These may also be of help:

Articles about RV electrical systems:

BATTERIES--AND OTHER ELECTRIC STUFF

The 12v Side of Life

Intro to Dry Camping

[76_Sunshine]

Oh, And I found an accurate wiring diagram on a mopar van forum for the 76/77 Sportsman

[76_Sunshine]

We just checked out the Chilton's Truck and Van Repair Manual (1971-1978) From the library. It doesn't have the wiring diagram that we need, but it does have the vacuum hose diagram.

We couldn't justfy buying a manual, since some things are covered and some things are not, but your library might be a better resource (we are in a very small town and I was impressed that they had this manual)--btw...the Dodge dealer recommended the library for the manual...who would have thought....

So far we are replacing piece by piece trying to even get the cab lights on...We thought we had it figured out, but still nothing....So, the next step we ran the tester from the batteries to the wires going to the fuse box....the fuses are good, but the ingoing side has power, the outgoing side does not....do the fuse boxes themselves go bad?

[Leeann]

Life is good 😉

I have the Bendix medium and heavy duty catalogs, which don't mention the RM300, and the light duty catalog, which doesn't mention the boosters. Duh.

[Griff_in_Fairba]

Leeann wrote:
My turn...dang brake booster took a dump. Can't go out this weekend. No brakes and it makes the engine stumble when you touch the pedal.

bf thought there were no brakes because it was idling poorly. Until I replaced the spark plugs and made it idle smoothly. Then he touched the pedal and made the engine stumble - you could hear the internal leak in the booster.

Arggghhh.

Bendix Master-Vac, single booster system for front disc/rear drum.

I just happened to bring home the CarQuest Power Brake Booster catalog from work this evening.

[rehoppe]

nerfherder81 wrote:


Here is my first motor home it is a '79 23' Robinhood. Originally had a 440 but the owner before last swap in a "built" 318 with headers and dual exhaust.
It's got bunks in the back.
We have taken it out once since we got it back in May. It went ok, we've got work to do.

Fuel gauge doesn't work.
Keeps throwing power steering belt/power brakes.
House heater doesn't work.
It has leaks.
and almost every fastener on the out side is rusted.
And I can take naps going up the pass. I am thinking of a re-power, possibly a diesel swap.

But... We still like it.

Check your pulleys for alignment or damage.

Call Mr BANKS for a possible turbo kit. Some less money 'probably',,, and a lot less work. It'll run like a scalded dog up the hills.

[Leeann]

My turn...dang brake booster took a dump. Can't go out this weekend. No brakes and it makes the engine stumble when you touch the pedal.

bf thought there were no brakes because it was idling poorly. Until I replaced the spark plugs and made it idle smoothly. Then he touched the pedal and made the engine stumble - you could hear the internal leak in the booster.

Arggghhh.

Bendix Master-Vac, single booster system for front disc/rear drum.

[Jer_Ger]

Welcome back Trish, hope your doing well!

[OneDeadChicken]

I'm getting a manual for a sportsman van. I think I may have installed the spark plugs incorrectly, the only way I can see to actually tighten them is to jack up the vehicle and take off the wheels. The fuel pump is pumping fuel ok, I just have to get the spark plugs in right before I try to crank her up again. I took the battery out to charge it in my explorer, I ran it dry, and jumping is only doing so much. I ran it dry by stupidly getting angry at the thing and walking away, leaving the key in the 'on' position for a full on 24 hours. From the research I have done, it seems the sportsman van and the motorhome are identical in terms of the mechanics. The few things that are different are pretty minor (inverter, electrical, control panel). I heard about some trick using bearing grease on the rod to keep it inside the cam shaft while I installed the pump. The guy who replaced it last FORCED the bolts in place, and ruined the threading. 10 miles into town for two bolts. Looking forward to this weekend. Cross your fingers it will start.

Sorry for the multi post, I'm terrible with computers. For someone my age, that's downright embarassing.