Tioga II Information Needed

[Tina Tran]

Greetings!

Does anyone know anything about Tioga II?  Are they mini versions of Tiogas or older generations?  I searched but cannot seem to find much information.  Current Tiogas on Fleetwood site but no Tioga II.

I saw an ad for a 1977 Tioga II Dodge 318 that was described to be 16 ft. long.  Did they make them that small?  I won't get a chance to see it until next week.  Hoping to do some research first. 

It has about 130K miles and has been used mainly as a cargo van the past 8 years, hauling things.  The coach components were in use (toilet, water, etc...) but no actual camping done.  Guess we'll have to check the electrical etc...

I am new to RVs and am just looking for a small unit for our back parking lot (business) as a hideout.  Eventually may go camping but not as important to me.  Just looking for a small getaway place for now.  Are there places other than an RV dealership who will inspect a used RV and let me know if things are in working order?  What do I ask for when I call up those places -- a pre-purchase inspection?  And how much should I expect to pay for that inspection?  I assume a regular mechanic would also need to check the vehicle, eh?

I am looking for a small RV (less than 18 ft); the new Class B models cost much more and have more fancy features than I need.  So this tiny Class C Tioga II would fit my purpose just fine.

Thanks for any info on the purchase process but, mainly any info on Tioga II would be great!

[Tina Tran]

Looks like the Tioga II is not that common / popular?  I saw it today and it's a fixer upper alright.  The motorhome / coach component has not been used nor maintained for the past 8 years.  It's just been used to haul cargo and then has been sitting in a lot the past 3 years.  The owner started the engine every month but that also needs work.  It wouldn't idle when I tried it today.  Would stall unless I kept the gas pedal down.  But then it was fine by the end of the "test drive"  -- as though it had to warm up?  Not sure if that's common for a '77 vehicle.  It has knobs on the dashboard that I only saw in the movies :)The owner has a PNO on it so I have to see if we can get a day permit to drive it to a mechanic and maybe an rv place to give me an estimate on how much to get some basic stuff in.  I can try to do some stuff myself but I figured the estimate would give me a place to negotiate on the price. 

Currently, there's no water, electricity or propane gas in the unit.  Even the connector to plug into at the campground is missing (just the wires).  And I don't even know if any of the holding tanks are good -- do they rust or go bad with age?  They have not been used for so long...

For now, I am not too worry about the living area aspect --- just wanted to have an idea on cost --- but I do want to make sure it runs and not stall on me so the mechanic will be our first stop.

In the toilet area, there is a white pipe in the corner that runs up to the roof and is opened.  There's actually another similar pipe on the other side and also goes up tot the roof.  Do not seem to connect to anything. Owner says it's ventilation?  Any ideas?

The outside:

I like it that it's small but the asking price ($2950) seems too much; he may go down to $2000 but even that seems a lot for a '77 vehicle with possible engine problems.

What are your guidelines when you are buying something to restore?  Do you figure out how much it may cost to bring it to how you want it to be and compare that cost to what you can get if you were to take that money and buy something?  For instance, do I estimate the repair costs, say $5000, and pass on this deal since I can get a decent used but in better condition rv for $7000 (likely newer than a '77 too).

Thanks for any input!

[Harry]

Here is one for sale

[url]http://bc.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-RVs-campers-trailers-RVs-motorh...[/url]

[Tina Tran]

That appears to be in better condition than what I was considering.  I like how it looks -- compact but with enough headroom.  I can't find any rv around 16-17ft --- Roadtrek 170 was close but over my budget.  I may have to pass on this though -- after reading this discussion on RVforum (hope it's ok that I link to another site but it has some info that I hadn't been able to find):

How old is too old?

I wouldn't mind investing in fixing it up over time (not in a rush) but if the engine is problematic and parts are hard to come by, may be an exercise in frustration.

[Lakota Wolf]

Mechanical on older 318 v-8 (Dodge), isnt really bad,, being asparated,(carburator), Chokes have a tendency to stick. Holding tanks do go bad if *stuff is left in them. Plastic fresh tanks dry rot and crack., and $2,000 plus for what you were looking at, is a little steep,, your looking at twice that to bring it up to operating usage.  Just my opinion. go with your GUT feeling,, and if your willing to apply some sweat and frustration along the way.  GOOD LUCK.

[Rich Thomas]

Hi Maarten, just want to comment on your Tioga II. It's a nice looking Motor Home. From the picture it looks like you have taken very good care of it, very nice. I wanted to reply because the original post is a couple years old and I want to encourage you to share some more pics in case the original poster didn't reply. again very nice Tioga.