Handbasket
Asheville, NC
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Joined: 01/17/2003
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As I was replying to the "88 Falcon" thread, I got to thinking...
What kind of engine and transmission life are people getting in their B's? What other chassis problem are cropping up, either due to miles or age?
I'll start out... My first B was a used '99 Dodge 3500 with a 318 3 spd + OD automatic, '00 RT 190 Versatile conversion. The transmission was gone when I bought it at ~50,000 miles, and I paid accordingy. I suspect that the PO either towed a boat or didn't switch off the OD in town and mountains, or both. I had it reoplaced with a Jasper remanufactured unit that was troublefree for the next ~6,000 miles, until I traded it. Also had to replace the radiator because the tranny cooler was plugged with debris.
It required a power steering pump, maybe because of the addition of a Safe-T-Plus steering stabilizer.
No other serious problems; engine was fine. I chased the "wandering steering" problem the whole time I owned it, and never totally cured it.
My present '01 3500 Chevy, '02 RT 190 Popular conversion, has ~22,000 miles with no mechanical problems, other than a minor drip from the front main seal, which should be fixed under warranty (good 'til May, '05). It's probably on a 'fast aging' program, since I do a lot of short trips in the mountains, in 3rd & 2nd gears a lot of the time, with more brake use than usual.
So what's your van, past or present, what do you know about it's history, and what chassis failures have you seen?
Please, no brand-bashing.
Jim, "Why do they lock gas station restrooms? Are they afraid that someone will sneak in and clean them?"
'06 Tiger CX 'C Minus' on a Silverado 2500HD 4x4, 8.1 & Allison (aka 'Loafer's Glory') www.tigermotorhomes.com
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radio man 7.262
terre haute in u.s.a.
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Joined: 09/14/2003
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Handbasket, Your question is a good one. Myself, i have a 1997 dodge pw 3500--360 v8 - that i purchased in june of 2004 with 31,000 miles on the clock and i recieved all the maintance records on it from the time it was new until the time that i purchased it. The pw was serviced on schedule and everything is original.-- --. i now have 36,000 miles on it and it is in excellent condition and i service it myself and take the best care of it possible and plan on keeping it for a few hundred years (if i live that long). As expensive as these units are, i have no plans to replace my unit since i see no great improvements in the new units, and with reasonable care, i believe 75,000 miles to 90,000 miles should be trouble free of major repairs. As far as i am concerned, the main thing to do is keep the fluids and filters changed and the chassis lubed and don't dog it to death. (if you lube the chassis yourself the front wheels must be off of the ground in order to drive out the old grease out and the new grease will have a place to go into the ball joints) in good condition because an engine replacement is very expensive and anything else can be replaced. I hope others will keep this alive as this is very informative. I will keep everyone informed if i have any problems in the future with my pw. Bob & Jane.
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Bob and Jane
2006 Gulf Stream Vista Cruiser Sprinter
(name of sprinter "OMEGA", means the last one )
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J.Wook
Front Royal, VA, USA
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Jim,
I bought my '89 Falcon Ford in 2002 with 78K miles. At first the 351/5.8 l. engine seemed OK but soon began to overheat. The solution called for new radiator, transmission cooler, pipes, hoses, water pump and everything else having to do with the cooling system...they were filled with rusted crud and all metal parts were rusted through. I replaced both fuel tanks as well as their internal fuel pumps for the same reasons. Although I have not been able to completely trace the ownership trail of the vehicle, I believe it spent a great deal of time in Florida as well as an equal amount of time "up North." It may well have been owned by snowbirds who used it for travel between north and south because it also shows signs of having been allowed to sit, neglected and not exercised for longer periods of time. The seats show use by a very heavy person in the passenger seat. The chassis shows signs of minimal maintenance. Surface rust on the frame also holds up the Florida theory.
I eventually replaced the engine with a Jasper motor when the cracked manifolds needed replacing because the crank was discovered to be soft and worn at the bearing surfaces...it was cheaper to install a reconditioned motor than to install a used motor or to rebuild the existing one. The 351 engine with electronic fuel injection has a good track record in Ford trucks but requires regular preventive mainenance. I think the first engine would still be alive if the earlier owners had performed regular maintenance.
I haven't entirely solved the waddle or the wandering steering problems but they are getting better. Of course, the Falcons are no longer being manufactured but many of them, and their close cousins, are still around; I think they are worth considering...with a whole bunch of caveats.
John
John & Waltraud
1989 Class B InterVec Falcon 190 SLF (Ford E-250, 351 cid) "Wagon Lit"
backup is '81 Jeep Scrambler
starting point: Northern Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
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omjones
Stoney Point, Ontario, Canada
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Joined: 06/19/2004
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My first B was a '78 Funcraft, on a Ford E150. No tub or shower, just a portapotti tucked in a closet. CGs a must. 120000 mi. when I bought it in spring of '95. Put 3000 mi 0n it in the next 9 months, and had no major work done. Then bought a 1982 Glendale 21' C with 32000 KM original, in fall of '95. I used that until '00 and put tires, brakes and rad work into it in that time. It has been retired since '00 and now has 60000 KM on it. It is now a 'project vehicle' since I also recently retired. (1000KM = 620MI )
Fall of '99 I bought the current rig, a 1990 Coachmen B on a Ford E250 with 4 OD and 36000 MI, originally from Fla. Before I used it I heard a slight grinding in the rear end, and replaced the pinion bearing, probably from some zealous towing by a PO. Did a rad flush, Trans flush and tires. No probs since. Now have 92000 MI. on it, and generally quite happy with it. One of the things I really like is that the fridge is raised up to eye level and I don't have to get on my knees to see what's in it. Also it easily sleeps 4 if necessary and the upper bunk makes a huge storage area if not needed for sleeping. I plan on keeping it for a looonnng time. However, "the best laid plans of mice and men ... etc." I think 150000 is doable and reasonable. At my current rate that's about 10 years and the actuaries tell me I won't need it after that....={
So that's my story... and Thththat's all folks.
john
See you all in PA in MAY
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WAGM
Oklahoma City, Ok.
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Joined: 08/19/2003
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Hey Jim, We still have our "first", it has over 330,000 miles on it and half of them was pulling a 26' airstream and then a 32' square TT. This is a 79 Chevy C20 5.7ltr 373 and 235/75/15 tires came with a sink,fridge,2burnercooktop, 5gal fresh water, drain hose out the bottom porta pottie, full bed 2 chairs and table w/ 3 places to put the table pole in the floor (front, back and middle) it is called a scorpion. It has had three radiators, four alternators, lost track of how many sets of tires, three exhausts (finally took a tire iron to the cat converter and cleaned it out) the only thing on the engine that turns that is still orig is the air conditioner compressor, oh yeah lots of u-joints. That thing took us all over the country and a lot of it was around the gulf, now it looks like the bottom third is going to rot clear off, and the kids asked us what we were keeping it for. I told them that we were going to be buried in it.
The transmission was rebuilt at 100,000 miles and the engine has never been opened. GOOD OLE 350S.
See yall in the funnies, Warren
Warren and Gwen SKP 1605
1985 Transtar THE CHUCK WAGON
on Chev G30 van, 350 w/4.10 drw 23 feet long
IF YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT, THEN I AM FAST, CHEAP, AND EASY.
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Pilgrims2
El Paso, TX
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Joined: 08/28/2003
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Jim, good question, developes interesting responses. In the past, I was reading one R/T owner's travelog. He had a mid- 90s Dodge, with over 173,000 on it. He traveled back and forth across the country, plus two trips to Alaska in it. I have talked with Ray Dwyer at Van City RV about the high mileage of some of his trade ins. He responded that he had taken a couple of Dodge "B" vans in that had over 225,000 miles on them. The highest mileage tradein was over 425,000 miles. So, I would guess the moral of the story is that if one does proper maintainence on these machines, one can enjoy many miles of wandering the country in them.
Pilgrims2
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bobo35
Baton Rouge, La. USA
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Joined: 02/03/2001
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We still have our '94 coachman saratoga. It has been a great RV. It has hauled us all over the mountains of Colorado countless times on
vacations. About 108,000 miles on 'er now. Only major thing was replacing the transmission and that was our fault. Mest mpg was 16.48 coming south out of Colorado. Have gas for a new MB Cruiser but it will have to wait.
It's going to be allright...don't give up! Thank you Lord!
Steve and Liz Williams and Gumbeaux the SRD ( spoiled rotton dog )
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Frederick
Fleetwood, PA USA
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Joined: 04/18/2003
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I own a 1992 Ford E-250 w/ 351 with O/D. Built on this chassis is a Falcon 190SLF travel package. This unit had 42,000 miles when purchased 4 years ago. We have had excellent experiences and lots of fun in this van. We have gone to a number of RV shows and am always glad about our purchase and what we paid for it. You must have a good or even better maint. program for this kind of vehicle than the rest of your motorized equipment. The longest camping trip that Sandra and I have been on was at a Turkey Run Car Show & Swap Meet at Daytona Racetrack several years ago. We were parked on asphalt, near the garage area, for 5 nights. Had a great time. The only mech. problem that I had to correct was a blown exhaust manifold gasket in almost 40,000 miles. We only have to smile when we read about various problems and dealer solutions as to warrenties and Mfg. concerns about the new models and their prices. We just love the fact that we can pack the van and GO wherever and whenever we have a need to GOOOOOO somewhere.
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Boomerbaby
Willamette Valley Oregon, USA
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Joined: 03/06/2004
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This is a great post.
My wife and I pick up our (new to us) 98 RT 190 Popular Dodge w/ 36000 this morning. I have looked and looked and “feel” that this well be a good van.
So the postings have made me feel a bit better about buying a used RV. We have had a VW Westy for eight years but it has had a bunch of electrical problems plus not toilet, water heater or furnace. So I am ready, granted the RT won’t get 20 miles to the gallon but it should be much more usable as a camper than the VW.
I’d give the history of the VW but so few would give a rip, I feel that it would be a waste of time.
I know that in essence I am just renting our new Van with repairs and maintenance being the rent. So I’ll keep the rent payments paid up and on time. This will be our long trip vehicle and I want a reliable ride out there away from home.
Now ain’t it American to take a 14 mile per gallon Van on the long trips and leave the 25 plus gallon Subaru home??
Rich
If I'm going to work the rest of my life, I'd better start to retire on the weekends.
- '98 190 Roadtrek Popular -
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denisondc
Alexandria, VA USA
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Joined: 02/10/2004
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I have an 87 Chev G20 Conversion van, 350 engine, 222,000 miles, with peeling paint. The transmission was rebuilt long before I got it, engine is original. The 350 could use a new set of valve stem seals.
I like to replace things before they fail, so recently did the in-tank fuel pump and filter, had already done the radiator, water pump, hoses, and a few other minor parts. Repairs done at my leisure in the driveway are fun; especially compared with getting them done in mid vacation, while the family waits. Its last long trip was my daughter/son-in-law driving it to Mexico and back, 4000 miles with no issues. Worst problem recently was the electric windows slowing with age and cold weather -- like me! Fixed them myself.
Mine had vague/wandering steering when I first got it. I adjusted the toe-in, replaced the idler arm, and adjusted the preloading for the bearings in the steering box. It is now a joy to steer, crisp and linear. If it had the bell crank like I think the P30 chassis have, I would have replaced that too. I keep it well lubricated.
I like to think an automatic transmission on an RV could last 300k miles regardless of the years, but its seals and gaskets may go bad after 15-20 years, regardless of the miles. Its too bad there is no good way to know how many of the transmissions that are replaced on RVs had Ever had their fluid level checked, let along checked on a regular basis.
72 Winnebago D22T
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