1975 Dodge Sportsman - here she is

[Corey Hale]

This is not my first older RV, but it's the first one I've had with so many things that need fixing. I'd love to exchange ideas for renovations and work-arounds before I drop too much money into her in the wrong direction.

Cosmetically, she's a cutie, clean, retro, mostly original. Got her dirt cheap, ran like a top, til I tried to drive her home and she died in the parking lot. Did some rewiring, replaced the power steering pump, changed the plugs, had alternator and battery tested. Put in a new carburetor. She runs now, but hesitates off the line. Pretty sure carb needs adjusting and maybe a new distributor cap.

Sadly, the "mostly original" goes for her water lines and facilities as well. I've already dropped out the rusted through propane tank that was mounted underneath, on the passenger side. What a fiasco, needle went haywire, propane spewing out of rotted seal...cute firefighters, but damn.

Then I tried to start the fridge on electric. Nothing. I've got a new propane tank set up but waiting til this weekend to connect it as the fire extinguisher was out of date and figured I'd just pick me up a new one before lighting any matches. We'll see if that makes a difference. I'm pretty sure it's the original Dometic, so it might just be a dead horse.

Figured water would be easier. LOL...at this point, why I'd think anything would be easy is beyond reasoning. Suffice it to say, every RV and parts store in town knows me by name now. Had to replace old, flared t's, and of course each opening was a different size, as were the lines they were attached to. I admit, I swore a few times.

Got it together, not a leak. Then. Down a few feet, leak. I'd broken more of those damn flared fittings. The question I'm asking myself now is, do I repair this, one line at a time, or do I rip out the already many-times repaired bathroom and replace it all with shiny new stuff?

Bottom line. I'm a woman who's always up for a challenge, and this mechanical and plumbing stuff are things I've never done, but the learning curve is mighty steep from where I'm standing.

I've attached some pics, comments, suggestions, guidance all welcome!

Corey

[Rick Haven]

Sorry I can't be of any help, but I do love that table.

[Corey Hale]

Thanks Rick! I love the table too. I'm trying to get creative about stabilizing it so the screws don't rip out. It's the typical table that is mounted on a pole, and no matter how many times I ask my son to not lift himself off the cushions by using the table, he forgets. I'm thinking maybe just a 4x4 block between the back lip and the seat for now. Any suggestions?

Corey

[Rick Haven]

My granddad had a table that was similar.  No map on it, though.  What he did was to make a large "X" bracket that went between the table and the pole.  That gave the table the support it needed when someone used it as a "lift" up.

[Corey Hale]

I'm trying to picture the x bracket. Did he attach it to the pole?

[Chuck]

ran into waterline problems in an old trailer i had years ago. good friend of mine says old copper lines actually expand causing problems and making new parts hard to fit. i eventually changed the water lines to a flex type. 

[Corey Hale]

Thanks Chuck! These are actually the old black lines, with flared fittings in 3/8 size. Except, sometimes one line off the "t" will be 1/4, another 3/8, and another 1/2. I've sorted this part out by buying ever Pex connector I could find at Home Depot. Every time I replace one line, another old connector snaps, but there are only so many lines, right?

[Tom Stover]

You probably know this but camper fridges don't work like a home one. When you plug them in you don't hear them start up and it may take several hours to cool down.

[Corey Hale]

Hi Tom! I finally sorted this out! For whatever reason, the fridge will only run if it's connected to the auxiliary battery. Doesn't matter if it's running on propane or 120, still has to have that aux hookup. So, fridge is running :-)

[Richard Chadwell]

 

Corey, My 1970 operroad was the same way it had a switch that controled eather 120 or propane, this switch is hooked to the 12volt system, if the switch does not get juice the fridge won't work no matter what you do. I had all the same problems with mine as you are but it will be nice when your done and out camping as was mine. Good luck with your project.

[Dale and Lynne Park]

Nice floorplan, I love the u-shaped booth.  We have a '77 Sportsman!

[Corey Hale]

That booth was a big plus for me as I work online and can just have a dedicated work area!

[Slum Jack]

Wow. That's a LOT of work, all told. I've got an '87 Sportsman "Establishment" with that "stumbling" problem, coming off the line. If you've replaced the carb, I'm guessing it's either an adjustment needed or a vacuum leak in some line involved. But a very basic, too oft overlooked thing is simply - the fuel filter.