New camper project

[mr_elijah_gardner]

I haven't posted for quite a while. I've been using my 96 Dodge van as a camper for quite a while now.

I picked up a new project last week. It's going to take akot of work but I have high hopes for it.

I picked up a 1973 Dodge Sportsman. The build is by Tioga. The RV runs and drives pretty good. The interior is mostly gutted but solid. I have all the appliances but have not tested them yet.

 

[highdesertranger]

cool. post up some more pictures. build thread? highdesertranger

 

[ckelly78z]

That looks like a cool retro project. Lots of work though...is that the 360 motor ?

 

[mr_elijah_gardner]

It is the 360.

I did have an interesting issue with the charging system. It wasn't charging the battery while running. The previous owner replaced the alternator and regulator with no luck. I traced it down to a bad isolator and now charges fine with my free to me new alternator and regulator.

The back tires are pretty new with a fairly aggressive tread. The front tires are pretty dry and of course it's got the Dodge 16.5 rims.

 

[ckelly78z]

The 16.5" tires have always been a weird one to me, although Firestone makes a good Transforce 16.5" tire, that will probably come in the load range E that you need....not overly expensive either.

 

[highdesertranger]

16.5's were very common in the 1970's across all vehicle lines not just Dodge. there were no 16's. then 16's took over and 16.5's faded. now 17's and 18's are trying to replace 16's. grr, they just need to pick one and stick to it. highdesertranger

 

[mr_elijah_gardner]

I was hoping to get some work done on the camper today. It was my first day off in weeks. It was pouring rain so I didn't get much done.

Right now I'm parking it in a storage lot close to my home. One wiper was missing and the other was rotted. There is an autoparts store next to the storage place so I decided to get new blades. Turns out the wipers don't work. I got it home with some rainx and stayed inside the rest of the day.

It did give me a good opportunity to check for leaks. You can tell it had leaked at one time but I was glad to see no visible leaks and the previous owners repairs seem to be holding.

Tommorow I'll be doing some practical stuff like fixing the wipers. Hopefully just a blown fuse. I'll also have to tighten the belt. With being a damp day the belt would squeal under any kind of load.

I did test the fridge and the stove. The stove and oven appear in good working condition. The fridge doesn't work on electric I saw no need to test it on gas.

I picked up a Brand New mini fridge at Lowe's for $79 that I will use to replace the fridge.

 

[mr_elijah_gardner]

Here are some pictures from when I brought it home.

 

[Cammalu]

Cool old camper! That old fridge might be worth keeping. It will sip propane.

 

[B and C]

Propane fridges do sip propane and I don't have to worry about my batteries getting too low because there is not enough sunshine to run a compressor fridge. I have thought about getting a small compressor freezer so I can stay out longer though. I would empty it first and then work on the propane fridge/freezer.

 

[highdesertranger]

I tried an old propane fridge, one without an electric control board. it didn't sip propane it guzzled it and barely kept food at a safe temp in 90°F temps. so just beware not everyone has this sipping propane experience. highdesertranger

 

[mr_elijah_gardner]

Do RV fridges not use a compressor? I plugged it in and didn't hear anything kick on so that's how I determined it was bad.

 

[B and C]

RV fridges are ammonia absorption cooled. Cooling happens when the ammonia solution is heated. Plugging into power is just one step. On the front panel (inside) are the controls. Mine is a three way and has a knob to select 12V (used while driving only), 120V (when connected to shore power) and gas. You won't hear anything as there is an electric heater rod (kinda like an electric water heater) that heats the solution. Depending on model, you may hear the spark striker trying to light the burner when turned to gas. These fridges take about 24 hours to get to temperature. You can get the model number off the fridge (usually on a label inside the fridge) and and get the manual off the internet to figure out how to work it. If you go to a RV park, most anyone there could help you.

HDR - That musta been a really old one. Mine is a 2000 Dometic (has a control board).

 

[highdesertranger]

most but not all RV's use a 3 way absorption refrigerator. there is no compressor or moving parts for that matter. they work as a heat exchanger and the most efficient way to use them is to run them off propane. they also run on 120v and on 12v. but they a very inefficient running off electricity and you should only run it off 12v when the engine is running or you're just stopping for gas. they also make 2 way fridges that run on 120v and propane no 12v.

another point about RV fridges I mentioned stopping for gas. it is illegal everywhere that I know of to have your propane tanks on and a flame burning whenever you are fueling. that means turn you tank off at the main supply line. it is also illegal to have your propane on in some tunnels. I am surprised that it's legal to drive down the road with it on.

one last little tidbit of info. some newer RV's do have compressor fridges.

highdesertranger

 

[mr_elijah_gardner]

That's good to know. I learned something new today. So I guess test it just by plugging it in and see if it gets cold after a few hours? I did check the knobs to make sure it was set for electric. I didn't have it plugged in more than 5 minutes because I was expecting to hear something. I'm going to have to test it again. It is a 2 way with only 120 or propane.

The camper will spend most it's time at my favorite campground by the lake where it will have power and water hookups. Even though it's capable of running propane I don't trust the almost half century old gas lines and hooks ups. I did replace the regulator and ran a new line to the stove area today.

 

[B and C]

Overnight is at a minimum to check for cold. This is not a compressor fridge that cools quickly. For full cold, 24 hours is the norm. Those 120V elements do burn out. If it is not cold after overnight, take the lower outside cover off and see if the "chimney" is hot.

Since you will be plugged into shore power all the time you could replace it with a dorm fridge if you like.

 

[mr_elijah_gardner]

I have already purchased a mini fridge that I'm pretty sure I'm going to use anyway. But I'm still going to test the fridge again. Ill find some kind of use for it or someone who needs it if it works and I don't end up using it in the camper.

 

[mr_elijah_gardner]

Today I started rebuilding the kitchen area. It doesn't look like much yet. I ran new gas lines and new power to the hood vent. I still need to cut and mount cabneit doors and mount the fridge. The sink is on the other side.

 

[highdesertranger]

nice. highdesertranger

 

[mr_elijah_gardner]

Today's progress