I am in the Denver, CO area and I am looking for an older class c. I am planning on using it primarily for winter camping and pulling my snowmobiles. I am not looking at anything fancy or new, the 1978-1982 model years seem to be fitting in my price range.
Question? Will a 1978 Dodge 22' with a 360 be enough power to pull two snowmobiles and trailer? The sleds and trailer would weigh about 2500 lbs.
What are the major things that I need to be aware of when winter RVing?
Your limiting factor will probably be the insulation in the rig, since just about anything on the road with a V8 can handle a loaded snowmobile trailer in terms of pulling power.
You will have the check the GCVW to know if the brakes can do the job.
Many units of that era used fiberglass insulation, which becomes useless once wet. You will have to look for leaks like a hawk. If there are any bulges at all on the outer walls, especially on the driver's side, walk away. PERIOD.
Also, does all of the plumbing run INSIDE the vehicle the way it does in Canadian rigs? Pipes running outside will be a source of constant bursting and aggravation.
You should check the output of the furnace as well. If it can't make your rig reach 110 or 120 degrees now, it won't do the job heating you from freezing in winter. Better also check with a CO and porpane detector to make sure that 30-40 years of neglect won't consign you to an early coffin for the sake of saving a few bucks.
Sorry to rain on your parade, but we'd like you to be a happy camper a few years down the road telling me I was a pain, but you check it all out OK.
'99 Glendale Royal Expedition 24' Class C
2003 Subaru WRX wagon as toad.
With all RV's the walls are so thin they cant get much insulation in them, plus most now days have aluminum framing so there's not really any insulation at these places. And an other problem location will be the windows and there aluminum frames, you might be able to put storm film over the inside, and find that may help.
But consider a secondary source of heat, like a Big Buddy heater, but read all about them before you buy one, they are rated for inside, and I have one, others may not recomend them.
2001 27' Four Winds Class-C E-450 V-10.
Buick Park Ave Ultra, Ford Ranger PU, JD 500 backhoe.
1941 Farm All "A"
I am a fellow snowmobiler and we use our motorhome a lot more in the winter than in summer.
As for the power plant, the 360 would be good enough for what you stated. But if you upgrade later to a enclosed trailer, etc. then you may want power.
Now if you can afford it definately try and get a basement model motorhome. Why? so you don't have to mess around with tank antifreeze, etc. and have to ability to use your RV as intended. Like being able to take normal showers, and use the toilet normally.
We have a Itasca Sundancer which is a basement model, which means the tanks are in the basement fully enclosed, including the dump valves. The basement is heated with a duct from the house furnace. We have stayed in minus 7F temps and the basement stayed in the 39-40F range while the house was a nice comfortable 70F. You will have to run the generator quite a few hours during the day to keep the batteries charged up as the furnace will use a lot of battery power overnight. Also make sure you have at least two house batteries, one will not be enough to last overnight at cold temps. The propane tank and fuel tank will last about 5-6 days at very cold temps. But we usually will go and refuel them and dump the tanks every 3-4 days, as we usually will be out a week or two. And we like to take a shower everyday and want be prepared just in case we are snowed in as there have been times it has snowed over 2 feet overnight. And also top up your propane and fuel tank close to your destination. This way you will know you have enough to get you through being snowed in extra days or a emergency, etc.
Thanks for the input!! My wife and I just started snowmobiling last year and we love it!! We often saw people camped out in the parking lots and thought that was a very good idea. I have a F150 and my wife has a Tahoe, so I am not planning on going to the fully enclosed snowmobile trailer any time soon. kgmz- It looks like you have a perfect setup with the trailer and Class C. I am not able to afford that yet, I want to get into something cheap and simple to see if we like it before we go any further. Other than emergencies, we will not be staying more than 2 nights at a time. We went snowmobiling about every weekend last year, and this year, we would like to go up on Friday night and possibly stay on Saturday night.
It sounds like the 360 engine would be decent for pulling the sleds on an open trailer. I also plan on getting a set of chains for really bad weather. I am quite sure that the plumbing on the older models is not enclosed. Can I get some sort of heat tape to wrap the pipes in?
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