Posts Tagged ‘1973 24′ Champion Motorhome’

Well, I was doing research on my 1973 24′ Champion Motorhome and was not having great luck. I needed to do this because the thing came with absolutely no manuals what so ever.

Lo and behold I find ChampionFleetOwners.com while googling.

Not only is their site free, but they have manuals and such for more than just the champion line of motorhomes.

Through them and Dave, the webmaster, I have found out the following information about my 1973 24′ Champion motorhome:

It is a dodge chassis, model # RM350

Quote from Dave: The rm350 had a 318-3 standard and was offered with the new 440-3 as a option. The chassis had a max gross weight of 12,000 lbs had a wheelbase of 137, or 159 in. 8 stud wheels, disk brakes, had 17.5 X 5.25 in rims all around with 8-17.5 D rated tires on the front and 8-17.5 C rated tires on the rear.

Also, the body style is: Forward Control & Motor Home Chassis Meaning a Class A.

Mine definitely has the 440-3 cid engine….cool.

And the chassis was manufactured at the warren truck #1 plant.

So, what this means is now I have a good place to start for figuring out everything needed for this to make it mechanically sound.

I know the front disc brakes looked good at a distance, but it has been raining cats and dogs….no, not like Florida where I got to see frogs raining from the sky….not a few, but literally thousands of them. I simply mean that it is simply too wet to crawl underneath right this moment.

When I do, I will take my dvc with me and do some amateur photography to show you what all I find under there…..I am sure it will be scary. I know when I was running this after first buying it, I could tell that both exhaust systems are bad, so those need to be replaced. Not sure if the backfire was because of that or if the distributor is in the wrong position, but that will have to wait until a new exhaust is fitted.

I would like to get all stainless steel exhaust for this since the plan is to eventually run it on hydrogen.

If you have at least glanced over my previous posts, you will find that I have been struggling financially and I need assistance in getting this ready and road worthy for the fall. Any amount donated would be greatly appreciated and your website(s)/name will be published on the motorhome, if you so desire.

Written by Earthquakie - Earthquakie Website

Well, if you saw my previous post, you will see I sold my mini van for this 1973 24′ Champion Motorhome rv:

and I am short on money, but trying to earn through a commission job which is really going to pay less than minimum wage. I need to get this road worthy and get insurance, etc before fall.

This is what it should look like when done:

I would never ask for help if there was another way, but I would really like to get this running and looking proper. Then I want to make it a ZEV [Zero Emissions Vehicle] by running it on hydrogen, including the conversion of all gas appliances to hydrogen.

Please help me make this possible. I will post the progress as things go forward and I will name each donor and one or more of your websites depending on how much you are able to donate.

Thank You for your assistance!

Written by Earthquakie - Earthquakie Website

I just sold my mini van and bought this 1973 24′ Champion Motorhome a couple weeks ago to restore and live in. Tell me what ya think?

Written by Earthquakie - Earthquakie Website