I purchased a new (to me) motorhome 1987 Cozy Traveler Ford E350

[mr_elijah_gardner]

I purchased this RV about a month ago. I was looking to buy one later this year but came across this one and pulled the trigger. It did not run when I bought it. The seller said it sat for about 3 years but was regularly used beforehand. He was the 2nd owner after his mother in law. It was barn kept when not in use.

He said new tires and brakes 5 years ago. The date codes and condition make that believable. The tires do have some cracks in the treads but not on the sides. I will still replace them soon. The brakes look and function fine and I don't believe they have much use on them.

The inside was a little dusty. Everything except the hot water heater has a leak. The roof top AC has some damage to the plastic housing but still works.

It did not run. The seller thought it might be bad fuel He said he filled it up before parking. My solution was to try to run off an external tank. I figured out the carburetor was pretty much toast. I ended up installing a brand new Holley 650cfm carb on the 460 engine. It also turned it the gas tank was completely empty. So at least I didn't have to discard 30 gallons of bad gas. I think maybe someone syphyoned while sitting or he just remembered wrong. I got it fired up and made the 100 mile drive home fine. Other than running an improperly tuned carb on a 460 from a gas can is a horrible idea. I only got 3 or 4 mpg on the way home causing me to run out of gas in BFE.

Now I've got it running like a top getting around 14-15mpg on the original fuel system.

Now that I've told my little story I do have a couple of questions.
Would this be considered a Class C or a Class B. I cant really find any documentation that says it seems to me it could go either way or am I just wrong. I'd guess its about 22 feet long.

Also I considered having it towed home only to change my mind when I got towing quotes. I am thinking about Good Sam Towing insurance but it dose not really specify distance they will tow? Does anyone have and tips or advice on towing insurance.

 

[bullfrog]

Class C with a bed over the cab and it looks longer than 22’ to me in the photo, have you measured it?

 

[highdesertranger]

First off, Congrats. yes it's a Class C. looks good. Highdesertranger

 

[bullfrog]

Good Sam’s usually only want to tow to the nearest facility of their choosing if you are lucky you can talk their contracted tow company into towing it farther for a fee. Also they seem to fail to recognize that there aren’t always roads “as the crow flies.”

 

[mr_elijah_gardner]

I figured the good sams would be like that from what I was reading on their website. I would gladly pay what they are asking if it was like AAA

So I guess I'm a little in the dark about the differences between  B and C. Could someone post a link I could read more. I found quite a bit of conflicting information.

Does the bed over the cab make it a C? I always thought my old one was a B I seem to remember it saying something on the Certification tag. It left to go a new home a couple weeks ago so I cant go check.

 

[bullfrog]

If you google search your question you will get the references but basically the Class C is built on a heavier truck and cab chassis where a Class B is built on a standard van chassis. It has gotten even more confusing the last few years as manufacturers are calling some of their products B+ motor homes.

 

[txmnjim]

looks sweet! heck, with that kind of mpg i may reconsider a class c...as i always
heard you were lucky to get 10? enjoy!
jim

 

[rvwandering]

Congratulations! It looks great!

It's a class C. Class Bs are van based RVs with minimal changes to the van body. When manufacturers started making the van bodies a little wider they named them B+s.  This isn't tried and true so you may get different answers from manufacturers. 

We've had Foremost insurance for years and are very satisfied. Towing is part of the package and hardly adds anything to the cost. We've used it several times and I believe we got to towed about 50 miles to the shop that we specified.  https://www.foremost.com/

 

[user 37446]

Yes as many have said it's a C. I had a 1984 GMC 22', but only a 350. Slow pig. The 460 will often crack exhaust manifolds or break manifold bolts. Leaks on a C are a part of ownership, especially the cab over part. That's where mine had rotted out. I was able to save it but it took time and a few tools.

Do replace the tires unless you only go shorter distances. They aren't shot yet (dry rotted) it sounds like but don't trust your front steers going 65 on a highway. Replacing any rubber brake lines would be good as well as ALL fluids, to include the rear diff fluid.

RV towing insurance varies, go onto the rv websites (IRV2 and RV.net) and you'll find many a story of their experiences. Me, I had AAA Plus RV and only needed it once when the alternator quit and the battery went flat. The tow was about 50 miles and it was all paid for by them.

Have the propane system checked by an rv tech. Tanks need to be recertified and the lines may leak. Since that can go BOOM it's a good thing to check for safety.

You got way better mpg's than I ever saw, mine was 8-10 tops.

Enjoy it, you now have a part-time job that doesn't pay.