motorhome questions - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bad_turbo · 04-17-2007, 03:15 AM

been looking to buy a 67-72 motorhome for a while. Finally found one that looks like it will fit the bill. (thanks Paul) My question is, the owner has had it since new and has never had a generator in it. I asked him how the fridge and roof a/c worked and he said he thought they just ran off the auxillary battery. Now I've never had a motorhome before, but I always thought they had generators for that stuff. The motorhome is a 1969 Open Road. Some of its options are under dash a/c and cruise control.

**special-K** · 04-17-2007, 06:05 AM

Yeah,generators came later,for the most part.Many ran on the 12v with dual batteries and an isolator.But,many just used the battery for lights awhile,then off to bed early.They didn`t use them to sit in like they do these days.
I had one like that: one battery,hook-up for AC,hand-pump faucet,and an ice cooler for refrigerator.
There were dual systems that used 12v/propane.

dwaite72lnghrn · 04-17-2007, 06:16 AM

Most of the fridges ran on LP gas and 120v A/C and some times 12v. Lights were 12v with a few 120v lights. Look for an 120v connector on the outside to see if you have a hookup. Very few had generators as they were heavy and the motor homes on truck chassis were already pushing the GVW's of the chassis. Most had 2x3 frames plywood inside, aluminum outside, porcelin toilets, small heavy refridges, Thick mattresses. Today lightweight appliances, composite walls and floors, plastic toilets/sinks.

bad_turbo · 04-17-2007, 09:52 AM

this one has 2 propane tanks in the back that are rusty. Should I try and figure out how to install a generator. I might be living in this thing for a while, so I want to make sure I won't have any problems. The tells me everything should work( stove, shower, fridge, etc.). I'm paying him a little extra to make sure everything works.

Shyguy · 04-17-2007, 11:38 AM

The easiest and least expensive way to add a generator is to make or have a platform made on the rear bumper and then buy a portable generator and put on it. A removable platform would be best since it can be removed when not carrying the genertor.

The generator size will be determined by how many watts are required to run the A/C unit. My A/C is of the 13,500 btu variety and I think it requires a generator that puts out at least 20 amps.

Danny -SEMO

**special-K** · 04-17-2007, 12:10 PM

I`d stay with the gas.It`s quiet and you won`t need to fill as often.Are your appliances "dual",gas/electric?If they are gas,then you`d need to replace all that.

bad_turbo · 04-18-2007, 01:00 AM

I have to check on that Tim. Thanks

**special-K** · 04-18-2007, 10:39 AM

I`d like to have one of these campers,myself.I`d like to move to the west coast and live in one,too.
When I lived around Flagstaff I had a friend that lived in a travel trailer on BLM land.He had all propane and kept a tall tank outside.Every now and then he`d have to move and he`d just haul the tank along.You`d never know he was there until you came up on it.You can also take old 12v batteries that may not start cars anymore,but hold a charge,and use them for lights and daily uses.You just need a place to charge them,like work.I had another friend that lived on 12v for awhile before he got power out to his place.

04-17-2007, 03:15 AM	#1
bad_turbo turbo enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: carmichael, ca. Posts: 1,826	motorhome questions been looking to buy a 67-72 motorhome for a while. Finally found one that looks like it will fit the bill. (thanks Paul) My question is, the owner has had it since new and has never had a generator in it. I asked him how the fridge and roof a/c worked and he said he thought they just ran off the auxillary battery. Now I've never had a motorhome before, but I always thought they had generators for that stuff. The motorhome is a 1969 Open Road. Some of its options are under dash a/c and cruise control. __________________ "But daddy, I didn't hit them all with a stick"...what my 6 year old tells me when I pick him up from school early for fighting "

04-17-2007, 06:05 AM	#2
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: motorhome questions Yeah,generators came later,for the most part.Many ran on the 12v with dual batteries and an isolator.But,many just used the battery for lights awhile,then off to bed early.They didn`t use them to sit in like they do these days. I had one like that: one battery,hook-up for AC,hand-pump faucet,and an ice cooler for refrigerator. There were dual systems that used 12v/propane. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ Last edited by special-K; 04-17-2007 at 08:59 AM.

04-17-2007, 06:16 AM	#3
dwaite72lnghrn Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: central pa Posts: 1,525	Re: motorhome questions Most of the fridges ran on LP gas and 120v A/C and some times 12v. Lights were 12v with a few 120v lights. Look for an 120v connector on the outside to see if you have a hookup. Very few had generators as they were heavy and the motor homes on truck chassis were already pushing the GVW's of the chassis. Most had 2x3 frames plywood inside, aluminum outside, porcelin toilets, small heavy refridges, Thick mattresses. Today lightweight appliances, composite walls and floors, plastic toilets/sinks. __________________ 72 longhorn c30 502BB/th400/fact air/4.11rear/ custom camper 72 bug(the better half's) under reconstruction 2009 HHR aqua blue 71 GMC k20 350/sm465 2009 Chevy hd3500 6.6 Victory Red crew cab dually Dave & Jeanne

04-17-2007, 09:52 AM	#4
bad_turbo turbo enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: carmichael, ca. Posts: 1,826	Re: motorhome questions this one has 2 propane tanks in the back that are rusty. Should I try and figure out how to install a generator. I might be living in this thing for a while, so I want to make sure I won't have any problems. The tells me everything should work( stove, shower, fridge, etc.). I'm paying him a little extra to make sure everything works. __________________ "But daddy, I didn't hit them all with a stick"...what my 6 year old tells me when I pick him up from school early for fighting " Last edited by bad_turbo; 04-17-2007 at 10:09 AM.

04-17-2007, 11:38 AM	#5
Shyguy Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Southeast Missouri Posts: 2,436	Re: motorhome questions The easiest and least expensive way to add a generator is to make or have a platform made on the rear bumper and then buy a portable generator and put on it. A removable platform would be best since it can be removed when not carrying the genertor. The generator size will be determined by how many watts are required to run the A/C unit. My A/C is of the 13,500 btu variety and I think it requires a generator that puts out at least 20 amps. Danny -SEMO

04-17-2007, 12:10 PM	#6
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: motorhome questions I`d stay with the gas.It`s quiet and you won`t need to fill as often.Are your appliances "dual",gas/electric?If they are gas,then you`d need to replace all that. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

04-18-2007, 01:00 AM	#7
bad_turbo turbo enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: carmichael, ca. Posts: 1,826	Re: motorhome questions I have to check on that Tim. Thanks __________________ "But daddy, I didn't hit them all with a stick"...what my 6 year old tells me when I pick him up from school early for fighting "

04-18-2007, 10:39 AM	#8
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: motorhome questions I`d like to have one of these campers,myself.I`d like to move to the west coast and live in one,too. When I lived around Flagstaff I had a friend that lived in a travel trailer on BLM land.He had all propane and kept a tall tank outside.Every now and then he`d have to move and he`d just haul the tank along.You`d never know he was there until you came up on it.You can also take old 12v batteries that may not start cars anymore,but hold a charge,and use them for lights and daily uses.You just need a place to charge them,like work.I had another friend that lived on 12v for awhile before he got power out to his place. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~



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