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

[Jer_Ger]

Well all, I'm into another rebuild. I've found rot in the cabover bunk all over the front & sides, over the door, along the corner right behind the cab, & that's just on the passenger side. The roof framing is the worst I've ever seen (and rotted in spots) in an RV so I'll re-frame that too. I've taken pictures as I'm taking it apart & I'll keep taking them, then post them in a separate topic as I go. I haven't started the post yet, but will as soon as I have a little left over energy. I hope everyone is doing well and I hoping for good news about Trish as I haven't heard anything for some time. Take care and happy camping!

[gmlaca]

Griff in Fairbanks wrote:

I'm jealous ... I've been meaning to get the chassis service manual but some bill keeps getting in the way.

I assume you mean Kachemack Bay when you said "Bay Area" ... you're showing your location as AK ... which is Alaska.

MY BAD, I'm in Concord CA right now, but normally Eagle River, Knik Arm area. Down for summer break with kids. If you need any info from the chassis manual, let me know.

[Griff_in_Fairba]

gmlaca wrote:
THANKS! I actually have the chassis factory service manual! Came with it (if anyone else needs a copy of any certain pages, PM me), it's actually the tioga manual that I need more. I don't know which wires and switches and hoses go to what...

I'm jealous ... I've been meaning to get the chassis service manual but some bill keeps getting in the way.

I assume you mean Kachemack Bay when you said "Bay Area" ... you're showing your location as AK ... which is Alaska.

[gmlaca]

THANKS! I actually have the chassis factory service manual! Came with it (if anyone else needs a copy of any certain pages, PM me), it's actually the tioga manual that I need more. I don't know which wires and switches and hoses go to what...

Leeann wrote:
Welcome!

You can get a Dodge chassis manual on eBay, just look for Dodge Sportsman or Dodge Cutaway (hm, must refresh my memory). That'll be more important than a Tioga manual, which will just have info on the various systems. Most of which you can find online with some searching; I did for my Concord.

[Leeann]

Welcome!

You can get a Dodge chassis manual on eBay, just look for Dodge Sportsman or Dodge Cutaway (hm, must refresh my memory). That'll be more important than a Tioga manual, which will just have info on the various systems. Most of which you can find online with some searching; I did for my Concord.

[gmlaca]

Just picked up a 1978 TIOGA with a 440v8, 20'. Runs, has some dry rot in the sleepover area. Other than than, I know absolutely nothing about it. Anyone else in the Bay area that knows these old things and wants to share brain power?

Everything is there, but the second battery, no clue what type went.

The gentleman who gave to me, is 85, and his HOA told him he had a week to get off his driveway. It's been parked there since 1985, unmoved. I'm in $900 for tires and tuneup at this point.

[beniam]

Good Afternoon Everyone! Did I miss something, is there some news of Trish??I would appreciate any info about her.. Thanks ben

[DaCrema]

I saw a Washington DC area craigslist add for very clean 79 Lazy Daze on on a Dodge chassis with the 440 supplying the push. It looks clean enough to take to the local antique/classic car shows when you not camping.
I don't know if it is proper to post a link so I will not. It is not my add and I do not know the owner.
John

[Leeann]

Welcome to the insanity, Darcie!

Everyone here loves their rig...most of the time. But they have as many problems as those brand new ones, right off the lot, except our problems are generally MUCH cheaper.

[Darcie]

We're getting ready to bring home our first class c, a 77 Sportsman with a 360 after many travel trailers. We will be christening her "Carry" ~ glad to find out I'm not alone in that! lol I'm usually more of a forum lurker, but decided this was a group I wanted to get to know as I followed the thread, the relationships and started getting teary eyed over Trish! I'm looking forward to learning from you all! 😄

[ruthgold]

thanks leeann

[Leeann]

Welcome to both of you!

[ruthgold]

lucky owner of a 1973 Dodge Cayo Motovator...meticulously taken care of by the original owner for over 35 years...tons of paperwork records going back to day one...360 cubic inch, with edelbrock 4 barrel intake with a Holley on top,with Doug Thorley headers. He added a quad core radiator, firestone air ride suspension, steering stablizing linkage, along with too many ''others'' to list.Motor and tranny have been rebuilt during his stewardship. A 20 footer, which appears to be able to park anywhere..Sure does get the looks...an airstream with a Dodge front end...actually from the original Avion family...Hit Google images for a Cayo and this one will be the one with the front bra...Hope to take it to Alabama this summer...need to do a few things since it only had about 400 miles on it from '09 until '13 when I purchased it...Sure am looking forward to these forums....thanks

[Gargamel]

78 Dodge Jamboree Rallye with a 360 motor. Starts every time 🙂
Had a tire blow last year and caught a piece of the fender. It ripped out the wheel well and blew a big hole out the size of a basketball on the inside wood paneling by the stove. Got a new project on my hands!

[Griff_in_Fairba]

Chicknnhead wrote:
I already changed out the Voltage regulator. I think i'll get out the multi-meter next and see what the actual amperage is

was just curious what everyone else's amp gauge reads on the ol'dodges

Forget the ammeters, both in your dash and the setting on your multimeter. A voltmeter will provide more information on what's going on with your electrical system.

Look up how to "full-field" the alternator to find out what its output is in volts. That will tell you if the alternator is weak or bad. A functional alternator, when full-fielded, will kick out at least 14.5 volts and as much as 18 volts, depending on manufacturer and model. (Don't full-fielded it for longer than necessary to get a voltage reading ... full-fielding creates a temporary over-voltage condition in your electrical system and can stress some components if it lasts too long.)

An ammeter measures current draw, which depend on load. Headlights and heater motor are the biggest draw and turning both on best way to get the ammeter needle to move.

Also, the battery acts a buffer, further confusing ammeter indications.

In a nutshell, ammeters are outdated throwbacks to the days of generators and low-amperage alternators. Around the mid-60's they started becoming worthless as a useful indication of your electrical system operation.