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

[toedtoes]

Check the converter.

[Tmmltn]

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?

[Phantom59]

Not sure what year & model dodge you have but I purchased mine from the local dealer a couple years ago. Didn't have very good luck with the ones I got from AutoZone they wouldn't stay locked in.

[Jer_Ger]

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

[Phantom59]

I have a set of Hedman hedders with 2 1/2 inch pipe running through a pair of 40 series Flowmaster mufflers. Also been on the MH 10 years with absolutely no regrets.

[Griff_in_Fairba]

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.

[new_v_er]

Phantom59 wrote:
Upgrade to a 4 barrel for the best of both worlds economy & performance. I have been very happy with the Edelbrock I installed 10 years ago. Runs great and haven't touched it since bolting it on. They are a copy of the old Carter that came on my 59 caddy.

Sounds worth checking out. Thanks

[Ballenxj]

whiteknight001 wrote:

There are a number of things I could think to tell you, and there's
plenty of good folk on here to help as well. I'll toss out a few things that come to mind for me:

Hi Mark, thanks for taking the time to give ideas about what to look for. I sure hope I don't run into that mother of all wasp nests. :E

[whiteknight001]

Leeann wrote:
Mark, that truly is funny. My hubby's is also red...and we bought it in June for $1300. He'd had a 1982 KZ550 D (the LTD is a C-3), black, that died right before I met him and he'd been missing a motorcycle ever since - been riding since he was 12. I found this one on Craigslist about 45 mins away and he drove it home. It was a slightly late wedding present to him 🙂

Back to the gasahol issue. He bored out the accelerator needles a little to make the RV behave a little better on ethanol since we can't get real gas in our Nazi state.

Leeann,

That is really wild... I can relate about being 12 and riding. Had a bike then, and went everywhere, including a buncha places I shouldn't have, but never got caught! If it ever gets in your system it's there for good, at "submolecular level" lol...

Good thing he can use those files and drill jets. That's a lost art these days. The gas problem ain't going away anytime soon. It'll only get worse.

best regards to y'all!

Mark/whiteknight001 "Old Fat Guy on an Old Kaw"

[whiteknight001]

Ballenxj wrote:
This looks like a god place to ask. I am currently looking at an older 23 ft class C Dodge to possibly buy. Anything I should watch out for?

Hello Ballenxj

There are a number of things I could think to tell you, and there's
plenty of good folk on here to help as well. I'll toss out a few things that come to mind for me:

If you have a friend or family member that's a good reputable mechanic, ask him or her to go with you. It's a little harder for a seller to B.S. two people or more. Ask plenty of questions. The first one should be- "How long has it been sitting? And why?"

Make sure to start it up and drive it. Check the fluids before cranking it up, and note the condition- is the oil/trans fluid black? Is the coolant level low, or just water in the radiator? Check the brake fluid, and how the brakes work. Don't forget the park brake. Check the tires- are they aired up? What shape are they in? Let it warm up where it's parked, and look for leaks before you drive off. Check your lights, turn signals, flashers, low/high beams, markers and brake/back up lights. Notice smells and sounds inside and outside the vehicle, and any smoke or burning odors. If you have a mechanic with you, let him or her ask questions too, and check things. Two heads are better than one. Look where the RV is parked, and make sure no limbs have fallen on the roof. Also look inside the RV for signs of leakage and rot, insects or critters. There's nothing more disenheartening than to warm up the engine and discover the mother of all wasp nests in the doghouse, and all of its occupants buzzing all around you in the cab while you're driving...! Pack a can or two of hornet spray- the kind that lets you blast 'em from 15-20 feet away.
If you're allergic to stings, best let someone else do this, and keep your epi pen handy!

Don't expect folks to tell you things. Ask specifically what maintenance has been done while they have owned the RV, and what issues they have had. This is an investment, and it's only right that you are well-informed of all the risks that go with it. Go with your gut feeling about things. If something doesn't seem right, keep asking more questions. If there are things that will need repaired, and the price asked doesn't seem to take that into account, bring it up. Haggle. If they're really motivated to sell, they will.

That's the most I can think of for now. Keep us posted about what you find and how it goes. Good luck with it, and hope it all turns out very well!

Mark/whiteknight001

[Leeann]

Mark, that truly is funny. My hubby's is also red...and we bought it in June for $1300. He'd had a 1982 KZ550 D (the LTD is a C-3), black, that died right before I met him and he'd been missing a motorcycle ever since - been riding since he was 12. I found this one on Craigslist about 45 mins away and he drove it home. It was a slightly late wedding present to him 🙂

Back to the gasahol issue. He bored out the accelerator needles a little to make the RV behave a little better on ethanol since we can't get real gas in our Nazi state.

[Ballenxj]

This looks like a god place to ask. I am currently looking at an older 23 ft class C Dodge to possibly buy. Anything I should watch out for?

[Phantom59]

Upgrade to a 4 barrel for the best of both worlds economy & performance. I have been very happy with the Edelbrock I installed 10 years ago. Runs great and haven't touched it since bolting it on. They are a copy of the old Carter that came on my 59 caddy.

[whiteknight001]

Leeann wrote:
Now I just have to find those instructions or wait until he gets back from his motorcycle ride (in keeping with the spirit of the thread, it's an '82 Kawasaki KZ550 LTD, 4-stroke, 4-cyl).

OK Leeann, this is really wild...

A year ago, I went looking for a motorcycle to ride to work, so I could avoid putting more miles on our minivan, and for the simple fact that the fuel mileage for a bike is soooo much better than it. Since fall was coming on, the thought of "gasoline-assisted cryotherapy" (nice cool fall riding) being wonderful for my arthritis appealed to me strongly. I found what I was looking for about forty miles away, listed on Craigslist. A fully Vetterized 1983 Kawasaki KZ1100 A-3, in very good condition for being stored nearly ten years in a machine shop.

Aside from rebuilding the carbs and tuning it up, along with the other maintenance stuff needed by a thirty-plus year old machine, it's red, fast and comfortable. The P.O. still had all his documentation from the local dealer up until it was parked, and wanted it to go to someone who wanted to take care of it and ride it
regularly. That was me. After I paid him $1500, I rode away. Nothing like a Kaw inline four. "Voodoo Red" as I call her, will be cared for very well, and I"ll continue to ride, weather permitting.

Shortly after getting "Red" (and doing a load of the maintenance stuff...) my insurance agent told me that if I took the MSF Basic Rider Course my insurance on "Red" would be less, when I brought in proof that I passed. So I did. One Rider Coach watched me pull up on the day of the course, and was thoroughly looking "Red" over. I offered him to go for a spin, and he took me up on the offer. Turns out he owned an '82 like "Red" (full Vetter fairing, bags and all) at one time, and he said he never got over selling his. He remarked that if I ever wanted to sell, to call him, and handed me his card.

It's amazing what is valuable to most folks. Sure, I'd love to have something new, but I prefer the smooth power and handling of "Red" over a new V-Twin something or another any day. And she's a good-looking gal, a real one-off. As cliche' as it sounds, they really "don't build 'em like they used to."

Even more dangerous on two wheels!

Mark/whiteknight001

[Leeann]

We swapped LEDs into every 12v fixture we have. Really bright, very little draw on the battery. Soon, I'll buy replacement fixtures that come with LEDs (our current fixtures are showing their age).

For shore/generator power, we bought a set of under-cabinet fluorescent lights. Little things, but put out a ton of light. And we can have one by itself, or string all four together.


As for the fun of gasohol (NOT), we have the ThermoQuad. Hubby found online where people said to enlarge something - he has carb files - to make it happier on the crap. It has reduced the just off-idle stumble but has not eliminated it. Not the main jet; I remember that much. Now I just have to find those instructions or wait until he gets back from his motorcycle ride (in keeping with the spirit of the thread, it's an '82 Kawasaki KZ550 LTD, 4-stroke, 4-cyl).