How to get a 73 brave 17ft shipped ?

[jeff parkes]

I am thinking of buying a 1973 Winnebago Brave ,Can somebody tell me what Class Rv this is and has anyone ever had 1 shipped and if so please tell me where and how?

Thank you  

[Russell E Johnson]

Well your first question is easy, you have a Class A. As for shipping, I have no clue, sorry.  I do know that when RVs are moved from the manufacturer to a dealer they are driven or pulled.

[jeff parkes]

thank you Russ

[Lakota Wolf]

Most class RV's,, are driven to destinations, especially a winnibago brave because of height. A brokerage transportation company have low boy trailers to haul them. Its NOT cheap,, But they are bonded for insurance causes.

[jeff parkes]

Hi Lakota the RV has a 318 2 barrel good tires supposedly runs good the owner says he has taken it 200 miles but I live 1100 miles would you drive one that far ? I am new to  this

[Russell E Johnson]

I drive about 3500 miles when it goes out, but I know what kind of shape it is in.  If I were to drive a newly purchased one, I would have coachnet road side assistance and a wallet full of money just in case of breakdowns.  And also a chase vehicle, I would drive out and have someone in the chase vehicle following for small repairs and for getting about when parked. Herding a 30 foot motorhome around for groceries, eating out, etc. takes planning and a certain amount of driving to know what it is like to handle such a rig in tight places.  But yes, I personally would check it out very well before leaving and drive it that far. But then I am a risk taker, not much flummoxes me anymore.

[Lakota Wolf]

Like Russ mentioned,,, Have a chase vehicle, (someone to follow behind you). I would drive it a couple  miles and pull off and double check everything,, tires etc,,, making sure your not overheating or leaking/burning oil,, leaking trans fluid etc. On Dual rear tires check to make sure THEY ARE NOT TOUCHING each other,, thats a sure fire way to blow side walls out. Then drive a few more miles,, 50 to 100 miles if everything seems to be working smoothly.. Just remember,, when driving an older rig that you are not familiar with,, drive easy and pay attention to noise,rattles etc, along with all the guages,fluids, braking system. Its like buying a used car,,, You dont know how the previous owner maintained it and what it needs. I would baby it, being extra cautious.And if you have never driven something as big a vehicle as the winnie,, its best to familiar yourself on its size and turning radius, because a  bigger vehicle needs wider turns and more stopping distance then a car or pick up truck.

Try taking it to a big parking lot to get used to the size and handling before heading out onto a highway.

With the width, its not going to be easy staying in your lane untill you know exactly where the sides are tracking between the lines, and its not going to stop on a dime like a car,,, Your toting a few extra TONS of weight and it will take a little more distance to come to a stop. I would recommend having a mechanic look it over and give you a thumbs up before takling the roadway with it. Better to be safe then sorry.

Now if you feel comfortable to drive it, and you get a thumbs up from a mechanic letting you know its safe to drive,,, I would defenitly get roadside assistance insurance. Tow fees for a rig that size is NOT CHEAP. (ole billy bob is not the guy ya want comming to tow ya with his half ton chevy with a piece of pipe and a hand winch).    Now me,,, I would check how it runs,, staying cool, and not burning/leaking oil etc and makeing sure the brakes work 100% and the tires look roadworthy, and spend a day in a big parking lot, getting the feel of its size and braking abilities etc before I even thought of hitting a highway.

And, making sure the lights,turn signals and brake lights work. 

I hate to sound like a buzz kill, But Im a stickler for being safe,,, not just for myself, but other drivers around me, With a large rig,,, when something goes wrong,, its not a little boo boo, but a HUGE boo boo.

And I only wish the best for all my RV friends, and only hope for safe travels.

[Jimco_W001]

Hi Jeff, I won a Winnebago on ebay and had it shipped home from Iowa to Ohio.Found the driveaway service on Yesterdays Tractors web site.Thought it was the best way to go because the Winnebago motor home had been sitting in a warehouse for almost 35 years.

[Jimco_W001]

Hi Pat, it cost $645 to haul my 1966 Winnebago motor home from Iowa to Ohio.But that was 10 years ago.

[T.J.]

Well not knowing the rig. LJ and I drove to Sublet Kansas from Ontario Canada some 1,100 miles after buying a 1975 21 footer and drove it home. We expected a few problems but she ran like a dream. Do you know anything about this rig. Are you in a position to go and pick it up yourself? Does it run,does it have good tires?

[T.J.]

Have you got any pictures of this old girl?

[Frank Niprikas]

Back about 83 or so I was contracted to repo a 72 Brave that was in Far northern Arizona in the middle of literally no-where.  I had a person with me to help and wound up having to tow that thing over a mountain (Sunset Crater) down into Flagstaff with a 1980 Crown Vic.  It had no brakes so it was touch and go coasting down a four mile hill.  Fortunately we made in ok, got a battery and brake fluid and I forget what all and got it going and I drove it down to Tucson.  THEN, the bank in Albuquerque wanted it delivered back to them, which I did.   This thing had been sitting in the open for years, but it too was a 318/Auto and it cruised right down the road and made it to each destination.   Keep in mind more than any other thing, those old straight axle dodges, along with that high center of gravity are a white knuckle, E-ticket ride if you get into grooved roads and or high winds and getting passed by a semi.   Not unsafe, just a whole other animal to hang on to.     I wouldn't really worry about it making the trip.  The NICE thing is those old motor homes are simple, no electric fuel pumps, etc etc.  If it runs good and serviced and the tires aren't rags, go for it.

[T.J.]

Ok! I will plead guilty. I am an eternal optimist. Every now and then I will trust what someone say's and take them at their word. That's were you are.You've bought this rig now what to do. He say's the old girl runs fine. Well you really don't have any reason not to believe him. Sooooo Let the adventure begin. Talk to the wife tell her you to are about to embark on a great adventure. See if you can get a few days of vacation, hope in the car and head out to pick up your new prize. Understand right off the top the Winnebago is mechanical. There for it could break. What we don't know is when or what. So when you get there do a few checks. Make sure the battery,batteries are in decent shape. Check the break fluid,water,oil,trans fluid, power steering fluid and windshield washer fluid. First thing change the oil and filter. Check the tires for wear and cracks and check the spare. Check the head lights and break lights wipers to make sure they all work. Check the propane tanks to see if there is any. If you've all ready bought her and some of the interior stuff doesn't work well you own her and you'll just have to fix it down the road. Take her for a run around the block to see how she handles. If she handle good your about as ready to go as you'll ever be. Your out of Dodge. Now your running a 318 so your not going to set the world on fire. 318 is one of the best engine you'll ever buy. It's dependable and bullet proof, you can get parts at any auto parts store. NAPA is your friend. If you have trouble in route and you can make it to a NAPA store I've got nothing but good things to say about NAPA. They will bend over backwards to help you out or that's always been my experience on the road. Take your time and watch the gauges. Stop every 60 miles or so and do a walk around to be sure everything is secure and nothings leaking. Once you do this a few times you'll get a little more comfortable and start going fuel stop to fuel stop. Oh! and your going to get 5 to 10 miles to the gallon,probably more around 8 so don't be shocked. I've missed some stuff. Take a tool kit with you. If you get a chance pick up a spare ballast restore.Well that's about all I can thing of. I'm sure a few of the other folks will jump in here to help out. Hey don't for get to check in each night and let us know how your making out. Good luck, be safe and let the adventure begin.