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

[TreeSeeker]

Oldtrucker,

I think what rehoppe was saying, is that the combustion chamber has a fan that sucks the air out thus pulling air in from the outside inlet. This is a failsafe design since if there is a leak in the combustion chamber air will also be sucked in through the leak thus preventing any carbon monoxide (CO)from escaping through the leak.

Imagine if the fan was blowing air into the chamber instead. There would be a positive pressure in the chamber so any leaks would allow CO to escape through the leak into the living quarters.

Battery boxes that are in living quarters are designed similarly--the fan pulls the air out of the box rather than pushing it in.

Still is a very good idea to have a CO monitor.

[oldtrucker63]

Same with mine, It is a sealed box and if it cracks the gas will come into the RV, I checked it real good I hope it will hold up.

[rehoppe]

eyeteeth wrote:
Good to hear from ya again Trish. Sorry you're still hobbling. But you're pretty resilient. 🙂

I had a rather crazy, long, refreshing week. After about two years and 50 weeks... I finally spent a week at a new job. It's gonna be tough for the next month or so... but thins will ease out a bit after that. (hoooray!)

On a continueing note. I think I finally got the furnace figured out. For those that remember waaaaay back, I had a problem where on cold nights, the furnance wouldn't light, I'd have to go out side and 'choke' the intake. Well, after cleaning the burner, I was having a hard time getting it to light at all without choking it, and it was a cold weekend.

Long story short. Turns out the blower doesn't really blow air through the burn chamber... but instead... suck it out. AND... if you don't have a good seal around the door for the burn chamber, it will suck air in through there as well. That is the same door the ignitor is in. So if it is pulling air from behind the ignitor, it means the gas never GETS to the ignitor. I spent about 20 minutes this afternoon straightening the metal around the opening, and straightening the door best i could, then tightening it as far as I could. Testing the furnace afterwords, and it would ignight the burner almost as soon as it started sparking.

I may have just solved BOTH problems, and thought I would share my newfound tidbit of knowledge with the best camper buddies I've never meet.

We need a virtual campfire.

Sounds like your furnace 'Sucks', in more ways than one. Sounds like you need to make sure your Carbon monoxide detector it working good at all times. If I'm reading correctly, your firebox is under vacuum unless it's completely sealed? I con't care much for that piece of design work. That was supposedly why they quit using the old convection furnace that had NO Fan. It was supposedly dangerous, if the firebox cracked.

[rehoppe]

Ray
What is the roof Material?

If the frig is set up on an enclosure. Bolt thru the top of the enclosure, thru the frig frame, a bit of soft set locktite, Good to go.

Counter space, you want counter space? You surely are expecting a Lot from a C. Try to merge your eating table with the cooking area, so that it becomes counterspace. Possibly of the 'fold down' variety?

Maybe a shelf unit to put that dang tin box on (read toaster oven). They are a pain even if they are handy. Maybe the oven can be removed, leaving a space for the toaster , or microwave? IF it's not a 'stove' unit, all in one box. Heck if it is, change it out or take the door off?

[Papa_Ray]

Good afternoon folks.

Just got back from a funeral, another old friend went on to greener pastures. At this rate all my old friends will be gone, this was the third funeral I have attended this year. That is the main problem when you live a long life, seeing your friends gone before you. So far none of my immediate family have went to their Maker and I hope that I go way before any of them. I had a long talk with the son of my buddy today. He was crushed by the death of his Dad. I don't know if I helped him or not but at least... he knows that he can call me for anything or for no reason at all. I have known him since he was just a toddler.

I didn't get much done today on my old girl. But she looks a lot prettier now that I have cleaned her up and out. My son hasn't done anything yet as he had a long day yesterday and is still at it now. I went by his location where he is working and he had about half of the tile down on the rear patio he was working on. His knees were killing him even with knee protectors. He ruined them years ago roofing.

Thanks Oldtrucker for the tip on the roof protector. I see that product comes in different formulas, I read the reviews and still have not made up my mind.

Trish, thanks for the reminder on the search button. I have used it before as that is how I found this thread. I will do so again.

Well, got to wash clothes and take some film to China West (Walmart) to get developed. The pictures are of my two sweet beautiful Grand Daughters - the last visit I had with them. My two Princesses are the main reason I am still living. I have to stay here as long as I can to help and encourage them. Hannah just turned 4 and Sarah is 10 and one half, going on thirteen.

If I missed anyone, my apologies, at my age I can't hardly remember what I did yesterday.

Take care and take care of those you love.

Papa Ray

[Trish_Davis]

Good on ya, eyeteeth.
We are a virtual campfire.

I really cannot begin to understand what idiotic ideas take hold of POs and their dumba$$ ideas.
But it's a prettier master cylinder than mine.

Papa Ray-
At the top of the page is the Search button. Search for whatever you need to know (fridge & microwave've been by, I believe, LeeAnn) within this thread first, then oldtrucker's thread.
If the answer's not in either thread, probably there isn't one.

[oldtrucker63]

Papa Ray wrote:
Good Mornnning Campers!

I was very pleased to see replies to some of my earlier questions. Thank you Trish for all of the links. I love links. My old, new rig measures 19 ft. not including cab, and yes some previous owner has already changed out the wheels to 16s. I have found one place that it has leaked but evidently was fixed because I can see where some repair work was done on the roof.
I am going to put a coat of something on the roof. I see there are many products including "rubber" for this. Anyone want to make recommendations and methods of application or warnings or such?

Leaanne I love your pictures. I hope others share also. I don't own a digital camera, never have felt the need, I take family pictures with an old cannon. I might spring for one sometime in the future.

Eyeteeth, I wish I had been a member back when your furnace problems started. I had the same problem with my daughter's furnace in her mobile home. It wouldn't light or if it did as soon as the blower kicked in, the pilot light would go out. Turned out that in the bottom of the combustion chamber (where the burners are located) rust had made a small hole and was letting wind and air in.

f course when the blower kicked in, it sucked air through the hole and blew out the pilot light. Or if the outside wind was blowing hard, even with the blower off, it would blow out the pilot. Took me all day to pull the funace and cut and weld a plate of steel in to block the hole.

I let my son put it back because after working on it all the previous day, by then I could hardly get up and down off the floor. I just sat back and supervised.

I have been making repairs to my rig a little each day, trying to work in the time to spend on her. She is now at my son's house where he is fixing the damage caused by the roof leak, which is why I asked for a recommendation for what to put on the roof after he fixes the damage.

He also is going to do a remodel for me. I don't need the huge eating table and I am not going to try and use an upper berth for a bed. At my age I have to get up too dang much during the night and I can see my self falling off the ladder and breaking something.

So he is going to take the table out of the back and cut/modify it to go up front. We are thinking about taking the passenger seat out of the front cab so as to have more room for the table. Remember this is the short version of this motorhome.

I also need more counter space for a small electric convection oven that I use more than the big oven on a regular stove. Works great and cuts cooking time down a bunch. After building the support box for a twin in the back it looks like he can add counter and shelving space on each side that will measure about 23 inches. The shelves will have lips so as stuff won't slide or bounce out.

Also discovered that the Frig and Microwave are not tied down. They both are brand new, bought by the guy I got her from. We will have to tie them down someway. Any ideas or recommendations on how to do that will be appriciated.

Also having to add grab bars so I can have something to grab half way up the steps. I don't do steps or stairs very good anymore.

We are just getting started so I'm sure we will need more advice and such.

Take care and take care of those you love.

Papa Ray

After you go looking for rubber for the roof also check this out, For the price I dont think it can be beat. Click here.

[Papa_Ray]

Good Mornnning Campers!

I was very pleased to see replies to some of my earlier questions. Thank you Trish for all of the links. I love links. My old, new rig measures 19 ft. not including cab, and yes some previous owner has already changed out the wheels to 16s. I have found one place that it has leaked but evidently was fixed because I can see where some repair work was done on the roof.
I am going to put a coat of something on the roof. I see there are many products including "rubber" for this. Anyone want to make recommendations and methods of application or warnings or such?

Leaanne I love your pictures. I hope others share also. I don't own a digital camera, never have felt the need, I take family pictures with an old cannon. I might spring for one sometime in the future.

Eyeteeth, I wish I had been a member back when your furnace problems started. I had the same problem with my daughter's furnace in her mobile home. It wouldn't light or if it did as soon as the blower kicked in, the pilot light would go out. Turned out that in the bottom of the combustion chamber (where the burners are located) rust had made a small hole and was letting wind and air in.

f course when the blower kicked in, it sucked air through the hole and blew out the pilot light. Or if the outside wind was blowing hard, even with the blower off, it would blow out the pilot. Took me all day to pull the funace and cut and weld a plate of steel in to block the hole.

I let my son put it back because after working on it all the previous day, by then I could hardly get up and down off the floor. I just sat back and supervised.

I have been making repairs to my rig a little each day, trying to work in the time to spend on her. She is now at my son's house where he is fixing the damage caused by the roof leak, which is why I asked for a recommendation for what to put on the roof after he fixes the damage.

He also is going to do a remodel for me. I don't need the huge eating table and I am not going to try and use an upper berth for a bed. At my age I have to get up too dang much during the night and I can see my self falling off the ladder and breaking something.

So he is going to take the table out of the back and cut/modify it to go up front. We are thinking about taking the passenger seat out of the front cab so as to have more room for the table. Remember this is the short version of this motorhome.

I also need more counter space for a small electric convection oven that I use more than the big oven on a regular stove. Works great and cuts cooking time down a bunch. After building the support box for a twin in the back it looks like he can add counter and shelving space on each side that will measure about 23 inches. The shelves will have lips so as stuff won't slide or bounce out.

Also discovered that the Frig and Microwave are not tied down. They both are brand new, bought by the guy I got her from. We will have to tie them down someway. Any ideas or recommendations on how to do that will be appriciated.

Also having to add grab bars so I can have something to grab half way up the steps. I don't do steps or stairs very good anymore.

We are just getting started so I'm sure we will need more advice and such.

Take care and take care of those you love.

Papa Ray

[Leeann]

Congrats, eyeteeth! That's awesome news :B

And getting the furnace fixed is no small feat, either 😉

[eyeteeth]

Good to hear from ya again Trish. Sorry you're still hobbling. But you're pretty resilient. 🙂

I had a rather crazy, long, refreshing week. After about two years and 50 weeks... I finally spent a week at a new job. It's gonna be tough for the next month or so... but thins will ease out a bit after that. (hoooray!)

On a continueing note. I think I finally got the furnace figured out. For those that remember waaaaay back, I had a problem where on cold nights, the furnance wouldn't light, I'd have to go out side and 'choke' the intake. Well, after cleaning the burner, I was having a hard time getting it to light at all without choking it, and it was a cold weekend.

Long story short. Turns out the blower doesn't really blow air through the burn chamber... but instead... suck it out. AND... if you don't have a good seal around the door for the burn chamber, it will suck air in through there as well. That is the same door the ignitor is in. So if it is pulling air from behind the ignitor, it means the gas never GETS to the ignitor. I spent about 20 minutes this afternoon straightening the metal around the opening, and straightening the door best i could, then tightening it as far as I could. Testing the furnace afterwords, and it would ignight the burner almost as soon as it started sparking.

I may have just solved BOTH problems, and thought I would share my newfound tidbit of knowledge with the best camper buddies I've never meet.

We need a virtual campfire.

[Leeann]

Got the new master cylinder and brake booster installed today, except for the pedal return spring and the vacuum line.





We couldn't get the pedal return spring installed because whomever had last taken the brakes apart lost the bracket it attaches to on the pedal arm. They'd actually attached the spring so it stayed in place, but wasn't doing anything. The red arrow points to the bracket that Sam's making now...

[Trish_Davis]

Papa Ray wrote:
OH...I have went to or called all the salvage yards in my area, no swivel or captain seats. Will just have to look elsewhere.

Papa Ray--

Here are a couple of great sites for those us with, uh, mature rigs.
And the parts to keep them right. Yeah, includes poop hoses.
www.http://arizonarvsalvage.com/
www.http://fletcherstrailersales.com/aboutus.htm

Fletch is great. Knowledgable AND honest: rare as hens' teeth.

How long is your Brougham? Longer rigs experience spring sag. Not unlike wrinkles, really.

Probably, you have 16.5 tires. Any truck tire shop can get them. 16.5's are spendy, so call your junkyards for Dodge 1-ton 16" wheels, you will find 16" tires much more affordable.

Any leaks? Marker lights and vents are favorite.
Probably, you have 14x14 vents. Used from eBay is my favorite.

Other sites of parts interest:
www.http://rv.jaxed.com/cgi-bin/mash.cgi
www.http://findanyrv.com/

Between this and oldtrucker's "Rebuild" thread here (http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/23470993.cfm), there's a wealth of useful information.

Good luck to you and your Brougham.
Trish

[goreds2]

oldtrucker63 wrote:
Take care Papa-Ray and keep in touch and let us know how everything is going with that Girl.

X 2

[oldtrucker63]

Take care Papa-Ray and keep in touch and let us know how everything is going with that Girl.

[Papa_Ray]

First off, thanks for all who replied, and an apology for my late reply, but I worked till after dark on the ol' gal and then had catch up on other stuff. Was gone this am trying to find attachments to clean out the holding tank. I also picked up some 12v bulbs and a piece of plastic to cut to fit in screen door where the original is gone (the one that slides). Or at least I think it did, but since it is gone I will make it work, just to keep the flies out.

AlnCory, yep, you confirmed my suspicion that someone removed the entire inside unit because there is no knob on the heater control.

rehoppe, I've exhausted all legal means, so I'm moving on and out. But thanks for the info.

LeeAnne, Thans of info on distributor, I will get around to that later, as the coach part has priority now. And yes, I know about tires and not to drive on old tires, but I did have to drive it for about 200 miles to get it here. Holding my breath all the way because I was not sure of the whole rig. But made it with no problems.

I think the ol' gal was doing her best not to have a problem because she was so glad to have a new owner. Or at least not to scare me.

Treeseeker and all thanks for the pics, I like pictures, because they usually tell us a lot and make it easier to visualize and understand.

Thanks again. OH...I have went to or called all the salvage yards in my area, no swivel or captain seats. Will just have to look elsewhere.

Take care and take care of those you love.

Papa Ray