20' Mallard Motorhome?

[Dawn Michelle]

Hi all!  

Anyone that has seen my posts knows I've been on the hunt for a Toyota Class C.  Well, quick segue...tomorrow my chap is going to look at an RV we stumbled across that has a similar appeal.  It's an 84 Mallard Class C - 20ft and on a dodge truck chassis  Googling didn't reap any results, just for the longer ones on the van chassis.

Never know til you go see, but I thought I'd ask to see if anyone had any knowledge of these?

[Lakota Wolf]

The Tioga and Sportsman are the same class rig. Powered by a 318 or 440 v8 with T727 and 747 hydromatic 3 speed trans with 4:10/4:11 rear ends.

[Dawn Michelle]

Hey Lakota, not being familiar with either engine - anything I should know or concerns with the tranny that would make us want to steer clear?  I'm making an assumption that mechanics and parts are still fairly easy to find?  If, after looking, we get serious I have a mechanic here I can talk to, but this is halfway across the country.  Kind of going in blind other than the experience we've had knocking on a lot of spongy-walled toyotas the last year :-)  

[Dawn Michelle]

Actually, reread specs and saw the engine is a 5.9 - 360, right?  Any thoughts on those?

[Lakota Wolf]

360 is a good engine also. I would ask previous owner how the rig has sat.Chrysler/Dodge transmission were known to have problems if sitting for long periods.without moving a little. The trans clutches would saturate and then slip.If its been moved every 4 to 6 months then would be OK. But I would take it down the road to make sure it shifts thru all the gears.

[Dawn Michelle]

Thanks Lakota, excellent advice.  Exactly what I was looking for, I'll add that to the checklist. 

[Lakota Wolf]

Have to add to this,,, With all older Dodges,, they have a porclean resistor up on the fire wall for electrical ignition,, (this has been an on going problem with chrysler sinse day one,, But they do work,, just make sure the connections on each side are cleaned and a dollop of grease to keep them from corroding,, This is usually a problem spot with a no start situation,,, other then that,, the 360 is a tough work horse,, being carburated,, make sure when you do your typical tune ups and such, ALWAYS replace the fuel filter and a little lithium grease around the choke plate to keep it moving freely. Remember,, the older Dodges are built like tanks,, can take a beating and keep on going.

An F.Y.I.   The Mallard was built on the Dodge, Chevy and Ford chassis,, and Dodge being the easiest to work on.

[Dawn Michelle]

Good things to know, and good reassurance on the engine.  One of the reasons I'm looking for this style is having an engine that can be worked on most anywhere by most mechanics.  And, actually kind of looking at doing some maintenance myself.  When this truck came out I was doing my own oil and filter changes and spark plugs, etc. But cars these days...I don't even recognize what's under the hood.  Heck, I'm pretty sure in my Prius the starter battery is hidden way in the back.  Felt a lot smarter back then, that's for sure.

[Russell E Johnson]

LOL, didn't we all Dawn. It is amazing how fast stuff out paces us anymore.

[Dawn Michelle]

Ah, well, at least it's the natural course of things :-)  Takes a little of the sting out!