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

[Tmmltn]

In looking over the power converter, all wires and connections "look good", so clearly it is something slightly more difficult than wiring. Either way, this is my first time dealing with a power converter, so I need another (20) set of eyes here. These are all the pictures i took of it, what things do i need to look at? And just so i can start researching, if i need to replace it, what is a good system to upgrade to?

[Gene_in_NE]

whiteknight001 wrote:
Sounds pretty final. "Fine just where it is". And it has been ten years since this appeared, so most likely it's not going anywhere anytime soon. Sounds good.
<...words deleted...>
Putting it on a USB flash drive in .pdf format is a good call, though.
<...words deleted...>
This is my last post. Be well. And make memories.
Mark/whiteknight001

whiteknight001 - I am very sorry if my words made it sound pretty final. Those were just my first thoughts. Your last sentence concerns me. I wish to see many more of your posts; I just now realized that you started this topic. I did own a Dodge powered 1971 Champion mini-motor home. So..I occasionally read this topic as it brings back memories.

[whiteknight001]

Gene in NE wrote:
Not sure if it would be legal or fair to "pipe" this topic to another website for some unspecified user access. It is fine just where it is and "RV.NET" has provided server hosting space for many years. For that they deserve any "atta boys" they have earned. I might be tempted to print it out on paper for personal use. Or..... you could print to a "pdf" using a free "dopdf" program. I would imagine it would create a sizeable file and that could then be placed on a USB flash drive and kept in the glove box. The advantage of a PDF file is that it can be searched whereas a 3 ring binder with 600 pages require turning the pages. :B

Sounds pretty final. "Fine just where it is". And it has been ten years since this appeared, so most likely it's not going anywhere anytime soon. Sounds good.

I tend to get a bit "carried away", don't I? No way I'd print it all out. That would be a bit much.

Putting it on a USB flash drive in .pdf format is a good call, though.

OK, nothing further to say about this. Probably would cause some issues if this was migrated to somewhere else. Good point.

This is my last post. Be well. And make memories.

Mark/whiteknight001

[Gene_in_NE]

whiteknight001 wrote:

Gene in NE wrote:
There is a little known trick in being able to search this entire forum topic. You convert the web address to a printable file. You can then use the pull down "edit" in Internet Explorer or Firefox and select "find on this page" or the quick key Ctrl F. You can then add this URL to your "favorites" or "bookmark" this web address. http://forums.woodalls.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/14219250/print/true.cfm
It will take some time to load all 600 pages into one printable file. I am still a fan of Windows XP. :B

Way to go Gene!!

I did just that- it's soooo cool- all 600+ pages of this thread now searchable, and printable. This is one of the things that I hoped could be done with this thread- the next would be to "migrate" it to a web site, and find a way to keep it updated with current responses. Kinda like it being in two places at once, here on the forum, and there on the web site. I'd really like your thoughts on that. In the meantime, I'm sorely tempted to take this whole thread to FedEx Kinko Office or whatever its name is now, get it loaded on a nice duplex printer and produce the "Book of A-Dodge-io" lol...

This thread really deserves a web site of its own...

Give it some thought, Gene, and all of you folks here. And many thanks for being some of the greatest folks in the world I could
have ever hoped to associate with, on anything, but especially old
Dodge RV's!

Mark/whiteknight001

Not sure if it would be legal or fair to "pipe" this topic to another website for some unspecified user access. It is fine just where it is and "RV.NET" has provided server hosting space for many years. For that they deserve any "atta boys" they have earned. I might be tempted to print it out on paper for personal use. Or..... you could print to a "pdf" using a free "dopdf" program. I would imagine it would create a sizeable file and that could then be placed on a USB flash drive and kept in the glove box. The advantage of a PDF file is that it can be searched whereas a 3 ring binder with 600 pages require turning the pages. :B

[TreeSeeker]

How about just printing the whole thing to a PDF and then you can search that. You could even put a copy on your smart phone so you would have it even when travelling and when there is no Internet connection. Of course, you could go blind trying to read it much of it on a smart phone...

Maybe it would be better on a tablet.

[whiteknight001]

Gene in NE wrote:

Jer&Ger wrote:

Tmmltn wrote:
Any guess on a page number? I am somewhere in early 500s, going backwards, if i find it i will quote it/bump the info for you.

No, I'm afraid I don't have a clue. But maybe you might come across it.. I'll keep looking. According to what I've been told, this is for a MB400 chassis. It was either Trish, LeeAnn, or Griff that posted the numbers if I remember right. Thanks again, Jerry

There is a little known trick in being able to search this entire forum topic. You convert the web address to a printable file. You can then use the pull down "edit" in Internet Explorer or Firefox and select "find on this page" or the quick key Ctrl F. You can then add this URL to your "favorites" or "bookmark" this web address. http://forums.woodalls.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/14219250/print/true.cfm
It will take some time to load all 600 pages into one printable file. I am still a fan of Windows XP. :B

Way to go Gene!!

I did just that- it's soooo cool- all 600+ pages of this thread now searchable, and printable. This is one of the things that I hoped could be done with this thread- the next would be to "migrate" it to a web site, and find a way to keep it updated with current responses. Kinda like it being in two places at once, here on the forum, and there on the web site. I'd really like your thoughts on that. In the meantime, I'm sorely tempted to take this whole thread to FedEx Kinko Office or whatever its name is now, get it loaded on a nice duplex printer and produce the "Book of A-Dodge-io" lol...

This thread really deserves a web site of its own...

Give it some thought, Gene, and all of you folks here. And many thanks for being some of the greatest folks in the world I could
have ever hoped to associate with, on anything, but especially old
Dodge RV's!

Mark/whiteknight001

[Griff_in_Fairba]

beniam wrote:
Good Morning, I was wondering if anyone has a source for holding tanks on these old dodges. I have a 1978 Minnie Winnie.24.5 feet..Thanks in advance..ben

Icon Technologies Limited (weblink) in Manitoba. That's where I bought mine ... was cheaper to have them send it to me in Alaska than buy one from any of the Lower 48 resellers. (Icon is a manufacturer and, from what I can tell, make many of the tanks used on RVs.)

[beniam]

Good Morning, I was wondering if anyone has a source for holding tanks on these old dodges. I have a 1978 Minnie Winnie.24.5 feet..Thanks in advance..ben

[Gene_in_NE]

Jer&Ger wrote:

Tmmltn wrote:
Any guess on a page number? I am somewhere in early 500s, going backwards, if i find it i will quote it/bump the info for you.

No, I'm afraid I don't have a clue. But maybe you might come across it.. I'll keep looking. According to what I've been told, this is for a MB400 chassis. It was either Trish, LeeAnn, or Griff that posted the numbers if I remember right. Thanks again, Jerry

There is a little known trick in being able to search this entire forum topic. You convert the web address to a printable file. You can then use the pull down "edit" in Internet Explorer or Firefox and select "find on this page" or the quick key Ctrl F. You can then add this URL to your "favorites" or "bookmark" this web address. http://forums.woodalls.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/14219250/print/true.cfm

It will take some time to load all 600 pages into one printable file. I am still a fan of Windows XP. :B

[Jer_Ger]

Tmmltn wrote:
Any guess on a page number? I am somewhere in early 500s, going backwards, if i find it i will quote it/bump the info for you.

No, I'm afraid I don't have a clue. But maybe you might come across it.. I'll keep looking. According to what I've been told, this is for a MB400 chassis. It was either Trish, LeeAnn, or Griff that posted the numbers if I remember right. Thanks again, Jerry

[Tmmltn]

Griff in Fairbanks wrote:

Tmmltn wrote:
Ok today's discovery, upon putting in a new deep cycle battery, it still does not power on its own. Shore, perfect - we had a regular fan and the fridge running today off our new cord. What should we investigate first?

I assume the engine starts. Do any of the 12v lights work when you're on shore power?

Look for circuit breakers, fuses, and switches hidden on compartments, under seats. Typically, the engine and coach batteries are somewhat separate circuits.

Yep it starts and runs, on shore everything except one light wiring worked when i tested them today. I was pretty impressed, actually. All fuses and breakers were checked or replaced prior to new battery, from what we can see everything is good.


The converter was "supposedly" replaced by P.O... so we will look into that one tomorrow.

Thankfully, when we got it, the ceiling was actually removed due to prior water damage. We replaced insulation and put new panels in. I visually inspected all of the wiring at that time and everything looked good (i even took some pictures on my phone for my own reference in tracing future issues, clearly this thread taught me well... document, document, document).

[Tmmltn]

Any guess on a page number? I am somewhere in early 500s, going backwards, if i find it i will quote it/bump the info for you.

Jer&Ger wrote:
Hi everyone & welcome to the newcomers. I know someone on here posted the part # for the windshield wiper bushings for the Dodge chassis at some point in the past. I even had it written down until I sold my old RV. Does anyone remember what it was. I did a search for it with no results & I need them. Thanks in advance for any help. Jerry

[Tmmltn]

Now we have a nice list of future upgrades to make on our girl. Sweet!

Griff in Fairbanks wrote:
For the small block owners (273, 318, 340, 360):

The combination of an Edelbrock 4-barrel intake and carburetor is just about ideal for motorhomes. If you stay out of the secondaries (!!!), you'll get slightly better gas mileage. The Carter/Edelbrock 4-barrel carburetors have smaller primaries than the old Carter BBD 2-barrel carburetors, In a nut shell, the BBD (and other brand) 2-barrel carburetors had/have to be sized for the maximum engine demand. The primaries on 4-barrel carburetors are sized for typical (cruising) demand and the secondaries kick in when the demand goes up (during acceleration and hill climbing).

Remember, you're driving a big truck, 1-ton or larger. If you want sports car performance, you're in the wrong vehicle. Also, steady, gradual acceleration -- like most sensible truckers use -- is much easier on the gas consumption.

Dual exhaust, especially sized correctly with an H- or X-crossover, will improve performance and fuel mileage. If you want to try headers, find a set of Tri-Y headers. Most of the ones on the market are designed for power at lower RPMs and better gas mileage, which is just what a motorhome needs. They're out there but kinda hard to find and usually have to be special ordered.

Do not, repeat DO NOT, use performance headers of any kind! The stock OEM exhaust manifolds are actually better for motorhome applications. (Almost all headers, except Tri-Y, are designed for high RPMs that you'll never reach.)

An air intake hose from the air cleaner to a source of cool air, like modern vehicles, will also help. (I'm getting older and forgot what they call them ... cold air induction?) If you have a fancy, aftermarket air cleaner, throw it away and get an OEM air cleaner or something similar.

Another trick is to use one or two boat bilge blowers to pump cool air into, or suck hot air out of, the dog house. The carburetor (and fuel) needs to be kept relatively cool for best operation and most doghouses don't provide enough air flow.

[Leeann]

The converter/charger and the wiring from the battery to it.

[Griff_in_Fairba]

Tmmltn wrote:
Ok today's discovery, upon putting in a new deep cycle battery, it still does not power on its own. Shore, perfect - we had a regular fan and the fridge running today off our new cord. What should we investigate first?

I assume the engine starts. Do any of the 12v lights work when you're on shore power?

Look for circuit breakers, fuses, and switches hidden on compartments, under seats. Typically, the engine and coach batteries are somewhat separate circuits.