Does anyone know anything about these small van-based motorhomes? I just saw one from the 70's posted on Craigslist and was curious. Doesn't seem like too bad of a way to start van-camping. You could get your foot in the door and see if you liked it before spending really big bucks on a RoadTrek or something.
If it looks like this, I think it's technically a Class C (built on a cutaway), not a B.
But if you're a tinkerer / DIY type and can find one without too much wrong with it, and no serious structural problems, yes, it'd be a good way to get your feet wet. If you have to pay someone to fix everything, stay away from old RV's unless you've got truly deep pockets. Read & heed all of the advise on buying used in the FAQ's here. One warning... some of the old Dodges use the hard-to-find 16.5" tires, and RV tires should be replaced every 5-7 years, regardless of remaining tread.
There's a Yahoo group called 'Classic B Vans' (strictly speaking, a misnomer) that has some Transvan and similar unit owners. Just having access to the pic files is worth the 'price' of admission.
Jim, "Gimme coffee!"
'06 Tiger CX 'C Minus' on a Silverado 2500HD 4x4, 8.1 & Allison ('Loafer's Glory'); '07 Forester 2.5 ( the 'HANDBSKT'); '95 Toyota SR5 V-6 4x4 pickup, ARB locker, Bilsteins, Warn hubs & M8000, etc;
'94 968, M030 swaybars ('DOPPLER')
I've always been a fan of these- 1/2 custom street van, 1/2 camper. I've never actually been inside of one, but I've heard that they don't quite have stand-up head room in them. Otherwise, they are like any older Dodge RV, THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lots of info on the Transvans here and about older Dodge-based rigs here. Transvans were made by Champion and there are still a lot of them around.
Oh, and 16.5s aren't that hard to find; 8.75x16.5 radials are available at Pep Boys, among other places.
Most of these older Dodge-based RVs came with 8.00x16.5, but the 8.75x16.5 not only fits without rubbing on the duals, it gives you better stability and a better ride.
'73 Concord 20' Class A w/Dodge 440 - see profile for photo
79powerwagon wrote: I've never actually been inside of one, but I've heard that they don't quite have stand-up head room in them.
No, the Transvans have headroom; it's the Transtars that do not (they just look like an older Dodge Maxivan - you'd have to be under 5' to stand in one of those).
One of the couples in our camping club got an old Transvan when the Mr. had a stroke and the Mrs. didn't want to pull the 5er. They love it, she is comfortable to drive it and after 30 years it still doesn't leak, and all the stuff in the house still works.
Mostly it is used for sleeping, not much room for entertaining; in our club, most of those activities are outside, or in the campground clubhouse.
I looked at one a few years back. The seller, who was about 5'6", couldn't understand why I decided not to buy it. I'm only 5'10" and there wasn't anywhere in the RV that I could stand up, even in bare feet.
1976 Dodge Sportsman/Travel Mate (16 Ft.)
Purchased 9/11/2008 for $1800
Came with an external Champion 3500 Generator
* See picture of this SHORTY in my profile
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