I'm new to the RV world, but have been a fan for a long time. I have posted in other threads and have asked questions, but have gotten PM's asking for pictures & whatnot, so i figured i'd just make a thread.
I had some criteria when i was searching. I initially wanted an old Winnie brave or something along those lines, but the beds in those are just too small for my size (i'm 6'2"). Anyway the key issues were condition & floorplan. Finally we found a floorplan we absolutely fell in love with. To date, this is my absolute favorite floorplan i've ever seen in an RV (for my needs & desires, anyway). a popout would make this better, but hey, it's the 70's!
found this one locally on craigslist... got lucky with the condition. It is a 1977 Commander - very very low miles, was used as a guest bedroom most of its life. was almost always occupied, so everything was maintained well and everything works. roof was recently rubberized after a thorough overhaul, was always covered & stored properly. meticulous books & records, all previous owners kept & logged EVERYTHING. odometer reads 6900 miles, and the records confirm that (although i can't be 100% sure). Interior is in phenomenal condition. All plumbing was recently re-done by the previous owner, including newer commode, all new lines, new tanks for water, etc, etc.... has inverter with dual batteries, roof-mount A/C (no generator onboard though).
pictures:
marble countertop!
dinette: (actually can accomodate my height, if i wanted...)
rear "master": (this thing folds down in california-king equivalent bed, also can seat 10+ people as is....)
original advertisement:
part of old brochure that shows floorplan (top one)
so there you have it. i am enamored with the fact that no one knows what the hell this thing is... of course that makes part-sourcing a nightmare. thankfully i DO have the book with all the part #'s for this thing. it's on the Dodge chassis, running a 440. Our plans are to refresh everything while maintaining the 70's theme. We will re-do all the cushions in suede, but maintain the orange & brown 70's theme.
the ultimate goal is to make this appear completely 70's inside and out, but have all modern creature comforts. yes, it even has dash air. this will be used only for weekend jaunts just to enjoy it. if i feel adventurous i might make a week-long trip of the PNW region, but chances are i won't venture very far.
So there you have it. just for fun, it's different, and when i drive this thing, it turns heads. that's good enough for me.
* This post was
edited 07/30/09 03:48pm by pendulum *
I remember the Commanders from my younger days. Mom & dad had a Beach craft for their first M.H.
THe wife and I saw a 39' Royals International for sale last week and it too was in great condition for it's age. Price was a little high for an '83, but I'll talk to the seller before turning away from it.
You need to join the Tin Can Tourists. It's a revival of the very first RV club back in the 2'0s.
There is a chapter in the NW and they have rallys. Quite a hoot to see all the vintage RVs at the rallys.
I'm a charter member of the new club and still go to the national rally in Michigan each spring even though I graduated from my 1968 Ultra Van MH to a '96 DP.
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