Photo of old motorhome for sale for $1,500

[Chuck]

In issue 382 of the RVtravel.com newsletter, I published a photo of an old Winnebago motorhome that I spotted along the road for sale for $1,500. For some reason that I still don't understand, I felt compelled to snap the photo and then share it with RVtravel.com readers. Does the sight of this old motorhome for sale for a mere $1,500 bring to mind any memories or stories -- or do you have any sort of reaction to seeing it and/or reading my comments? If so, please leave a comment.

The issue of the newsletter is here:
http://rvtravel.com/publish/newsletter/issue382.shtml
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Chuck Woodbury is the editor of RVtravel.com

[strawbarry]

It challenges me to fix it up and go on adventures which may or may not be pleasant, but they will become cherished memories as time passes. You touched on the idea when you stated, "In the end it took me to great places and I loved it." Traveling is the way we go out on the edge and risk our stability. Adventures both good and bad are what memories are made of. Looking back on those memories allows us to value our lives. Some of the best campfire stories are the trips gone bad, and remembering how you surivied the trip gives you a sense of accomplishment.


May you have many more adventures.

Barry

[Bluebird Bob]

When I see old (really old) RVs out there either for sale or left abandoned, I think of when the rig was new and loved for the adventure it could bring.
I feel kinda sad to see these rigs falling apart.
We are such a disposable society these days.
We have to always have something newer (not necessarily better).
We have a 25 year-old Bluebird and we wouldn't trade it in for something newer. We just keep fixing it with newer parts and it takes us around the country.
I hope someone buys it who can afford to fix it up. It deserves that.

[PapPappy]

I guess we all have that hidden child in us....that "wanna be" Handyman who looks at a photo like that and thinks of the possibilities. I'm sure many of you have read the thread on RV.net about the rebuild of the MH with "water damage"......it's ongoing and we all read with interest. I think this photo brings that to mind.

You are absolutely right: that $1500 would really be wasted if the person who buys it plans to tour the country, but it would probably be OK to bring up to some property and use as a hunting cabin, or even, as mentioned, temp housing for someone building a new home.

Having no idea if anything works in it, it might still be worth living in and a few hundred in repairs, though the "motor" aspect of motorhome might be the most expensive part of getting the old girl right.

As with all things in the universe, this will have a place. Hopefully, it won't be in a junkyard, but will find its new home with someone with some vision (outside the box) and a use for it.
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Bill & Claudia Archer
DD: Jenn DS: Chris
The Paps: Sophie, Abby, Brandy, Khalie, & Annie

2000 Winnebago 31C

[bwana]

The year is 1976 and I am a new arrival to this vast and wonderful land called Canada. Initially, it is the vast open spaces and unspoiled natural beauty that attracts me to this country, and I can think of nothing but visit every nook and cranny whenever I could.

And so it is on one of these trips to the Gaspe region that I find myself parked at a campsite with my French Peugeot car, whose seats would fold to make a 6-foot bed to sleep in, and for cooking, etc., the gear would be put away under the car and in the trunk.

Parked next to me is a WINNEBAGO BRAVE and I am dreaming of a day when I could have such a rig.

Then one day, it starts raining and a storm that would scare the daylights out of you. The Peugeot's windows are fogged up, and it is hot and muggy. Can't keep the windows open because the rain gushes in.

Guess what comes next. The folks in the Winnebago are watching our predicament from up above their lofty height and take pity on us. A knock on the car window and they invite us into that magnificent Winnebago Brave. And what a treat to be sitting down at a table and having hot coffee when the elements outside are scaring the daylights out of you.

Never forgotten that. And when I see the picture of that 1500-dollar rig, I am reminded of that Brave...looked exactly like that and man, was it comfortable.

It is good to pay respect to old things and old people. They are a living history of our past, and our joys and experiences. The same feelings I get when I see an old abandoned farmhouse withering away and I ask myself the questions: wonder how many babies were made in that house? Where would they all be spread out? Was their life one of joy and good memories or pioneering sweat and toil?

Forgive my going on and on. I had to tell someone one day and Woodbury got me going. Thanks.

[robbins1]

This motorhome reminds me of the one my father bought many years ago. We went to RV shows for years and my dad was dreaming of the day he could own one. A hard-working blue collar man with a wife and 5 children, it was many years before his dream came true. A Winnebago Brave.....all done up in avocado green. He loved it. His children were all grown by then but he was able to share it with grandchildren. I'd love to have this RV to restore. Wonder if it could possibly be his old dream wagon? Thanks for the photo!
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~~~ruth~~~

greatest words of tongue or pen: today we're on the road again

[kingair315]

Reminds us of our 1984 23-foot Allegro we have been full-timing in for 14 years.

Bought used for less than $7000 and the owner financed it. $200 down, $200 a month, so we also saved finance charges. Am sitting in it right now in Thousand Trails Cottonwood, AZ, watching orioles, red-winged blackbirds, indigo buntings, cardinals, flickers, gnat catchers, red and green garden finches, grackles and others at out bird feeders.

At almost 80 years, doubt we will ever need another.

Maintenance has cost us an average of less than $500 a year even though most is done by in-park repairmen, and we travel about 11000-12000 miles a year. Like we are having a new kitchen faucet installed in the campground next week. It only needs washers but due to corrosion, my DW wants a new one.

By buying used, it has been easy for us to full-time on a Social Security income of $1200 a month, as we paid cash to the owner and repairs are much less than payments on a new one. Had virtually no repairs the first two years as the former owner took really good care of it. He even had all his receipts for what he had done, including installing new carpet, etc.

Paint it myself year, cheaper for paint than the body metalwork, etc.

Have been able to get any parts we needed over the years from Tiffin.
Other repairs have been things like a new water pump, and a circuit board for the refer so it would run on electric as well as DC and propane. We put in a new converter one year, not because it went down but to replace a 30 amp with 45 amp: better for batteries and brighter 12 volt lights inside. We also replaced the plastic toilet with a china one. Replaced a smog pump. Did brake jobs when needed. Replaced a pinion gear in steering one year. A power steering unit that began leaking another...

All told, not bad for the costs in 14 years. Most of the mechanical work and tuneups were done at NAPA. We found lower prices for labor in many locations than at RV dealers. Even when they did not have bays big enough for the RV, they just did the work in parking lot.
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Keep Implementing Simple Solutions

[rving-sk@earthlink.net]

Yes, that Winnie brings back memories. While in Florida for the winter this year, there was a small Shasta travel trailer in our park for a short stay. Unfortunately, I didn't get to talk to the people, but very much wanted to as it reminded me of the 14' Shasta travel trailer my dad bought (new) in 1963. Our family (mom, dad, brother, sister and myself) traveled to Calif in it. We children were 18, 16 and 14, young adults. It was quite crowded traveling in a 1961 Chevy convertible, but it was a trip of a lifetime. I have never forgotten that wonderful trip and all the sights we got to see! My folks continued camping after that, graduating to a larger travel trailer, a Holiday Ramber (I forget the size), and then to a 27' 5th wheel in 1972. If I remember correctly, the 5th wheels had just come onto the market. They were in Florida for the winter when dad got sick and didn't make it back home! Now I feel like my husband and I are living their "dream" as we just made our 9th winter trip to Florida in our second motorhome which is a 2001 Winnebago Adventurer, and we love every minute of it! He would have loved our Winnebago!

[mike n teri]

The photo remided me of my Uncle Arthur, a divorced (single) man with no children who worked as an inspector for the Navy. He disliked flying from shipyard to shipyard. I thought he was in the secret-squirrel business. Anyway, in the early 1970s, I think 1971, the price of gas was real high. He purchased the Winnebago Brave while in California. He drove it around from job to job and later, after retirement, to the NARCAR races for many years
His health held him back. The Brave, or was it a Scout, deteriorated over time. He kept the Onan generator and Chrysler drive train in running shape. I would go by to visit and I believe he would have turned the rig and title over to me if I would promise to repair the interior.
He passed away one day and his sister had it towed away to the junk yard, the Onan concealed within.
That's what the photo reminded me of.
Mike
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Mike n Teri

[GeoLeo]

Reminds me of the tremendous improvements in some motorhomes in the past years. I bought a new 2005 Titanium 5th wheel, sold it after 3 years and bought a 1997 Monaco Dynasty. There is absolutely no comparison in workmanship with the Monaco being vastly superior. Newer is definitely not necessarily better. Also the 5th wheel had a slide and the motorhome doesn't and I prefer the latter.
George Loewen
Fulltimer and loving it!

[Richard L Distler]

Notice the orange stripes down the side. Looks a lot like my '82 Establishment. Yep, still going! Fortunately only about 67,xxx orignal miles on the old box.

Have not been able to take it out last year because of personal problems, but hope to get it out this year. It's slow on the hills pulling our toad, but it goes DOWNHILL really good.

Fuel mileage about the same as some of the new rigs, but with price of gas we get to where we want to go and stay awhile.
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Redeemed

[jagco]

I have a 1977 Class C that is still a wonderful motorhome for weekend camping. We've done some restoration, and have more work to do, but it still runs and drives great. It just recently turned over 24,000 miles. That motorhome in the pic could be a wonderful project for someone.
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Me '61
DW '59
5 DS's '80 - '90
1 DGS '02
1 Yorkiepoo

1977 Diamond Class C
(Ford E350, 460)

[Adrienne]

The reason you were compelled to snap a photo of the old RV and share it with your readers is simple: that RV is the grandparent to yours. A Tale of Two Winnebagos, as it were. The old RV has a lifetime of stories and although it is ancient by today's standards, it has sheltered and transported a family to many different places.

My first RV was a 1970 Winnebago. The first Wendy had no designation as it was built before the Brave, Indian and Chieftain. She was 22' long and belonged to Marvelous Marv, my mentor. He made a few improvements: pulled down the bed over the cab and anchored it in place, creating a queen-size sleep area. He beefed up the suspension and mounted a 100-gallon propane tank on the back. Then he configured the engine to run on gas or propane with the flip of a switch, giving her a 900-mile range. There was no furnace: the catalytic wall heater kicked out warmth when needed. The dorm-size fridge found in some models was replaced with a two-door refer/freezer. The couch in the rear living area was removed and a solid platform replaced it with a full-size mattress. The platform lifted hydraulically to reveal a huge storage area. The bathroom was untouched and the shower was the room.

Marv explained everything to me and showed me exactly how he did it. And yes, I sometimes wish she were still mine.
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Adrienne Kristine
Forum Administrator
http://www.RVTravel.com
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[encryptedzion]

I just recently purchased a '78 Coachmen for far less than what that Winnebago is selling for. She runs, drives, stops (very important!), and a great majority of items (bathroom, appliances, pumps, etc.) work rather well. Little work needs to be done to her to make it able to do some boondocking. In short, I've been very happy with her!
Often, I am curious of her history...where she's been...what good memories it brought to people...and I hope that she will do the same for my daughter and I when she takes us "out there."

Whatever your reason it was that compelled you to take a photo of that Winnebago, I am glad RVs of that age are still around! It has brought back fond memories to you and many others just on this site alone...
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-Brent
1978 Coachmen Industrues
Lepechaun, 25-ft
on Ford chassis

[TannerBee]

I hope you have many fine adventures in your Coachmen, Brent. Do yourself a favor if you haven't already done so, and check the mfg dates on the tires and have the brake lines flushed. Good luck!
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Floyd and Tanner
Coachmen Santara 35
Rock Hill SC

Time is either spent or invested.