RV Question

Friend mentioned to me that she's selling her 1989 Dodge Roadtrek RV for $1,500. I mentioned it to the wife, and to my astonishment, she thought I should check it out.

I know nothing about Dodges of that era, and know nothing of the Roadtrek RV. Googling either reveals very little information.

Anyone here have some input on this? Be it Dodge input, Roadtrek input, old RV input? Friend did mention she's sunk a bunch of money into it recently fixing things, and that the transmission still acts funny after being rebuilt.

Glorified conversion van. Can't speak to that specific brand, but I spent a week at "RV training" for my estimating job and got to look at a lot of RVs. In a way, these make the most sense to me because they overall structure is still van. Where RV's fail is in their stick construction and all the seams. Generally shouldn't have that problem with the van body mostly being retained.

That said, expect near zero product availability for anything in the conversion. These manufacturers don't have the same view of parts supply as vehicle mfr's. Plumbing and electrical systems, when they fail, will probably require a retrofit to something newer. Component quality is usually on a 10 year lifespan, at best.

Dodge sold a crapload of vans back then, mostly because they were the cheapest of the Big 2.5. Can't speak to their quality.

Last night I saw a commercial for a new show called "Rock My RV". Bret Micheals from Poison hosts and it appears to be ripoff of Pimp My Ride. I reccomened getting on that show if you buy it.

Roadtrek are still around (http://www.roadtrek.com/), although they mention only since 1990, so it sounds like this Dodge may be one of their first.

As RV's go, Class B's seem to hold their value well, so I'd say it's worth looking at. New ones are incredibly expensive on a $/size consideration, so even if you have to replace some of the components, you may be ahead vs. buying a newer one. If it looks like too much work (any roof leaks would probably be a death sentence) and some of of the RV components are still good, you could probably part it out for a profit.

Nothing to add but Mopars get suckier gas mileage than comparable Fords & Chevies.

Hit some of the RV Forums.

http://www.roadtrek.com/_images/brochures/Roadtrek_Brochure-1989-1990_chassis_model_years.pdf

Big block? I ask because if so the motor is worth more than half of the asking price

Doubt it's a big block, suspect it's going to be a 318 or 360 (wikipedia research on the B250). She didn't know.

Won't see it until next week. Says it all works. The A/C, fresh grey and black water, refrigerator, etc. Dang. Includes a generator which won't start, and an awning. All the hoses, manuals, parking thingies, etc.

Tranny issue as she described it is that it just doesn't like to downshift sometimes. Which sounds like a kickdown adjustment or vacuum module problem to me.

Selling it because she likes staying in B&Bs better, and they need to fix their boat.

Sigh, I need a replacement truck more than I need an RV, but an RV sure could be a lot of fun, if we actually use it. I guess I could get my money back out of it readily enough.

Digging around what little I could about Dodge vans of that era, the reviews of them by people are downright glowing. Nothing jumps out as inherently problematic.

most american fullsize vans of that era regardless of manufacturer were pretty bulletproof mechanically.

i would rather have something like this than a full blown RV.

Hmmmm..... Hook the sailplane to the back and visit the southwest for the winter?

Mongo has been fantastic for me. I have done 4 x 2000 mile trips in him and have been comfortable well fed Clean and warm. He also becomes the gathering point at every event.

Yours would be more nimble... lol

My old neighbor in Clermont had a Roadtrek RV. Roadtrek is a good solid brand and considering how many RV companies have gone out of business I would feel better knowing that they are still around.

Class B's are great if you travel light and accept them for what they are. The upside is that you can boondock lots of places that don't technically don't allow RV's since it mostly just looks like a high-top van. This also helps if your neighborhood has an issue with RV's.

The downside is that it is a lot smaller than a Class A or C RV. For instance, my nieghbor showed me that the "shower" was just a curtain you put up and a drain in the floor. He said he would use the showers at the campground if they had them.

For $1500 I don't see how you could lose. Even if you have to pay to fix the transmission and the generator it is still a good deal. With any luck you can fix those things yourself.

Being an '89 it will be either the LA 318 or 360. Should be a TBI motor unless somebody has messed with it.

If the transmission is a 3-speed auto it's a 727 Torqueflite. If it has overdrive it should be the 518. They use a throttle position/kick-down linkage setup, not a vacuum modulator. I can't remember if the '89 will have a cable or rod linkage for the kick-down. The rule of thumb for the linkage is the lever on the transmission should be bottomed out when at full throttle.

Someone in an earlier post mentioned Rock My RV. Travel Channel is having an RV giveaway:

http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/05/20/travel-channel-announces-rock-my-rv-with-bret-michaels-epic-rv-giveaway-contest/183242/

Pretty cool show. Anyone else watching it?

I have a fifth wheel and I know it needs work. My uncle knows a lot about the best RVs and such.