The video below from the Ford Era YouTube channel gives us a unique opportunity to tour a rare vintage 1979 Ford L700 motorhome. They don’t make ‘em like this any more, folks. In fact, even back then they didn’t make very many like this one!
The Ford L700 was a MASSIVE truck. Therefore, this massive truck can haul a massive motorhome upon its chassis.
Under the hood, the truck has a 460 Big Block with a 5-speed and a 4-barrel carburetor.
Our host says the engine is good but not perfect. He did successfully drive it 1500 miles after he bought it. Then the fuel pump went out. He says that’s not a big deal because the great thing about these old trucks is that everything is easy to get to and repair.
Inside the cab is much like a big rig. Our host calls it “a party.” Probably because there is a table and seating for passengers in the cab before you get to the actual motorhome section of this RV.
Because this is such a big truck, it comes with big possum-belly storage underneath. You can easily haul a ton of gear in this thing, even though the large Onan generator practically takes up an entire bay on its own.
In the back is a stylish RV that looks relatively new. It was obviously built much later than the truck was. Its clean white style helps open the space. There’s a small kitchen, bunk beds, air conditioning, and a bathroom with a full-sized shower.
With its distinctive red and white deco-style paint job, this rig is sure to turn heads. What do you think? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
##RVDT2337
This was fun to watch. I admire these folks who buy something old, throw caution to the wind, and take off. No computers to go bad, just mechanical stuff that can be readily fixed – if you can find the parts. I had an 83 Ford F-250 pickup with a 460 and a four-speed. We towed a 1997 Nash 25S travel trailer. Here’s the thing, While towing we got about 5 mpg! When not towing we got (at best) 10 mpg. I can’t imagine what the fuel mileage on this unit is (not that fuel mileage is a big concern for me – currently).
Cheri, you have a real knack for finding the off-beat and unusual ‘RVs’.
What he didn’t mention, probably because he was unaware, that it has 2 speed rear axle. I noticed the switch on the shifter in the video. Also, the blue oval was put on later, the original would have been just letters spelling out F O R D above the grill.
Thank you, Cheri! Amazing truck and RV! Thank you for finding and sharing it! Safe travels! 🙂
Leave it as original as possible. Maybe upgrade some creature comforts. We had a 98 Bounder wit a 460 8 cylinder fuel injected and E40D trans and a Banks kit. How noisy is the engine out front. We upgraded to a 40′ DP because of engine noise and heat. Great Ride and what a conversation piece. Bet you can’t keep people from coming over to look.