Happy Friday, Autopians! I hope you all had a better week than I did. Let’s just say I’m glad to see the this week disappearing in the mirror. It’s a summertime three-day weekend, so what better time to look at RVs? But before we get to them, let’s check in on our hard-working little trucks from yesterday:
As I suspected, a Toyota truck is hard to beat for that price. I still like the idea of that D50 for a small-town handyman or mobile mechanic or something. That Toyota is still up for sale as of this writing, so whoever wants it, get on up to Washington and get it.
We here at the Autopian seem to be a fairly pro-RV bunch. Mercedes has her little U-Haul camper, and a couple attempted bus conversions before that, I’m pretty sure Torch still has a broken-down motorhome [Editor’s Note: Yes, I do. It even has all-new plumbing, so you can shit in it, you just can’t really go anywhere in it physically. But you can take your bowels for a spin! – JT] , and I am willing to bet that David has slept in a Jeep or five over the years. My wife and I looked at several motorhomes that wouldn’t pass smog before settling on our little vintage Aristocrat trailer.
It’s not a bad way to travel, as long as you’re not trying to pilot one of those massive land behemoths with a Suzuki Vitara in tow. Keep it down to a manageable size, and RVing, whether self-powered or towed, can be a lot of fun.
I’ve thought about featuring RVs a couple of times during the regular daily Showdowns, but let’s face it: Nobody wants a sub-$2500 RV. Most of them don’t even bear thinking about. But I was curious: what would twice that get you these days? And lo and behold, I found two more-or-less viable candidates practically in my own back yard, both drivable, and both just a little under $5,000. Let’s check them out.
1980 Dodge Beaver 24-footer – $4,900
Engine/drivetrain: Doesn’t say, but probably a 360 cubic inch V8, 3 speed automatic, RWD
Location: Portland, OR
Odometer reading: 58,000 miles
Runs/drives? “Excellent,” the seller says
The Dodge B-series vans were incredibly popular for the basis for RV conversions. Pop-top campers, high-ceiling fiberglass top campers (perfect for Tupperware demonstrations!), and larger Class C motorhomes like this one frequently had Dodge origins. This one is a slightly later model, with the refreshed front sheetmetal, and it’s too new for the celebrated 440 cubic inch engine by a couple years. I would imagine this one has a 360 under its doghouse.
The seller says it runs and drives well, and is mechanically ready to roll. But that’s not the tough part when it comes to RVs. Since they’re basically half-van, half-tiny house, and the tiny house part has to be light enough to sit on the van part, RVs aren’t made of the sturdiest stuff. Older ones like this are usually a wood frame with an aluminum skin, and leaks can and do form at the seams where panels meet. The seller says this one is watertight, but take it from me, it has leaked at some point in the past.
It’s nicely equipped, with a rooftop air conditioner and a retractable awning. The interior looks dated, to put it mildly, but in decent shape. Outside it’s a little banged up, and the overzealous application of RTV sealant on the windows isn’t the prettiest, but if it keeps the water out, then it’s doing its job.
Overall, it’s kind of a cool retro rig, and cheap enough that you could spend some money making it a little more presentable, and roll up to the campgrounds in style.
1983 Ford Tioga 26-footer – $4,500
Engine/drivetrain: doesn’t say but probably a 460 cubic inch V8, 3 speed automatic, RWD
Location: Eagle Creek, OR
Odometer reading: 99,000 miles
Runs/drives? Yep, but that’s all the ad says
Two feet longer, three years newer, and available for $400 less is this Ford Econoline-based Tioga. This rig is just a tiny bit more modern in design, ever so slightly more aerodynamic, but also a little scruffier. The window seals need replacing; at least the seller is up front about it. The question, of course, is how long have they been leaking?
Inside, this one is also stuck firmly in the early Reagan years, but those captain’s chairs do look inviting. And to some extent, a kitschy out-of-style interior is part of the charm of these old motorhomes, as it is for really good diners. (If a diner has been remodeled since The Rockford Files went off the air, their patty melt just isn’t as good. I don’t know why that is true, but it is.)
There is a little evidence of water staining here and there, so it would be worth poking around to make sure it’s just stains and not actual damage. It’s not the end of the world, as long as it’s not too bad, but it is one more thing to fix. And with an old RV, the list of things to fix never gets any shorter; you’re just trying to keep it from getting longer.
The seller has precious little to say about its mechanical condition besides “runs and drives,” so you’re left on your own to investigate that further. I think most Econoline-based RVs this size had a 460 in them, maybe a 351, but I doubt it. Either way, it should be plenty stout, as long as it starts out in decent shape.
Old RVs like this aren’t for everyone; if you aren’t handy with a wide variety of tools and willing to do the work yourself, best keep walking, and just reserve a cabin at a KOA for your nature getaways. But if you like to tinker and improve, it can be a rewarding project. Which one is the better starting point? I leave that up to you.
Leave it to the Beaver
Great for living down by the river.
If your a motivational speaker.
Either/or. There is not enough difference between them to choose.
Kids today like to think they invented everything with their trendy tiny houses when you can get either one of these for a fraction of the cost and you’re good to go 🙂
I purchased a slide-in camper a few years ago that needed work. Investigating materials for window sealing revealed that some sources recommend replacing windw sealing yearly! Thus windows needing to be resealed on a used camper purchase should be factored in regardless of the condition of the seals.
I’ll take the Dajiban, please.
Considering I nearly bought something like this, in this very same part of the country, to live in since I couldn’t find a rental, I went with the one that was more complete.
Neither of these is for me, but I do like the wavy speed lines in the siding of the Ford. So sporty!
Well…
The Beaver has Bunk Beds which is a plus for night call without having to climb over your bed mate as you would in the Tioga.
The Beaver seller shows the roof which is sketchy but they all are on these unless they’ve had a full replacement which is highly unlikely in this price range. Having just done that on my Bounder I’d never do it again.
I have to say….neither. But if you want to spend some time on You Tube watching a couple buy a really nice Class C of this era and then find out what it’s really like..and proceed to totally rehab it – go to The Endless Adventure and start here https://youtu.be/DsWGuW2H4pA?t=166
Anyone who didn’t vote for the Beaver just for the name is too mature for this site.
[insert Cary Grant “get out” gif]
Run away from any $5000 RV being sold in Portland. That is so far under our current market that they are one step away from being abandoned by a homeless person.
The sticker on the back of the Ford is telling. Someone put one of those maps of the USA you color in for each state you have visited. Since that sticker was applied this RV has visited zero states.
No. And no.
Personally, I have zero interest in driving/owning/buying large quantities of fuel for a motorhome. And if I did, I sure as heck wouldn’t buy one as, well, used as either of these. You have no idea what previous owner(s) did in them. Or whether they cleaned up after.
I think we all know damn well what went on in both of these. If the campers a rockin’…
So Don’t vote and don’t post. This site is for more people than you.
“No. And no.”
That’s not allowed. You MUST choose… or go straight to HELL!!!!
Hot dam, the beaver wins for me.
See? You can make clean beaver jokes, you pervs.
I am sure the article had a leaky beaver reference.
We had Dodge Tradesman & Ford Econoline vans at the old cable tv place I worked at many years ago. The Fords were so much more comfortable to drive as the Dodge had you basically twisted at the hip to get your feet into the pedal box – the damn doghouse just takes up all the room unless you’re under 5 foot 6. Even though I can smell the Ford from here, just based on the pain in my hip it’s the one I’d choose.
I agree with you on the comfort thing. A few years back we were shopping for a conversion van and the Dodges all felt claustrophobic in the driver’s seat because of the engine cover. We ended up with a Chevy Express conversion but it had the same tail light issue that all of its siblings did. Luckily, it worked for us otherwise.
Condition is everything, and that is never more true than with campers and RVs. If the Ford looks a little scruffy in the pictures, it will be an utter disaster in person. The reason the ad doesn’t say shit about it, is because the seller knows if they say nothing bad, then they aren’t lying. They’re just hoping to find a buyer that’s too stupid to realize what a disaster that thing is.
The Dodge is the clear winner here, by a country mile. $400 well spent.
It’s a crap shoot. After looking into RVs for a bit, by the time you are done upgrading and fixing one of these you are in used prices for much better example.
If you can do all the work yourself, then maybe. Then you have to deal with the 10 year rule at some parks.
wait some parks have a 10 year rule? seems kind of arbitrary!
Yep. Though if the RV is in good shape and not leaking they will exception. More of a case by case basis.
Yes, specifically to keep rolling wrecks like these out. Nobody wants a broken down old RV in their park leaking sewage while the owner attempts to major repairs to get it going again.
Hey can’t we just slap a coat of that crap advertised on late night TV and seal both of them?
This was a real Sophie’s choice based on the lead images but once I saw the interior of the Ford it got so much easier. Dodge all the way.
This was a close one for me. Frankly, I think both are overpriced, but I’m not the target demographic. I’d probably take a far smaller rig if it was ever equipped with the Ford 300 I6 drivetrain, although I have no idea if that was ever an option.
The interior of the Ford looks nice, especially those captain’s chairs, but the Dodge is cheaper, and the 360 is just fine. To make a really informed decision, though, we’re missing the most important part: pictures of the toilet and shower. I’ll just assume they’re both equally marginal.
Gotta go for the Tioga. What’s the point of owning an RV if not captain’s chairs?
Plus it already has the fill-in-the-state decal on the back. Score.
(BTW, on the Rockford Files reference…just perfect. Now all I can think of is Jim sitting in one of these listening dubiously to yet another of Angel’s schemes)
Nice beaver!
No old leaking corregated beaver
In a nod to my Alma Mater: Go Beavers!
Besides that beaver door graphic and the lack of visible water damage is worth the extra $400.
The graphic really is fantastic.
The 14 year old in me would demand that we title it in my wife’s name to facilitate “My wife’s beaver” jokes.
It’s surprisingly roomy, you know.
Took me a second. Well punned my friend.
I’d love to head out to it in the driveway with a bunch of cleaning supplies.
“Where ya goin’ hon?”
“Just going to wax the beaver!”
I’d go with the Dodge and try to make my own RoadKill video
I’m a Ford man through and through, but the interior of that one scares me a bit. I can smell it through the screen.
A shitbox you can shit in…
Always go for the Beaver.
I see what you did there ))