bobblefrog Posted October 5, 2016 Share Posted October 5, 2016 Twice the last year you all have steered me clear of Toyotas I was looking at. Very happy; got very good advice. So, I wanted to pop in and say we've pulled the trigger on our motorhome - but, alas, not a Toyota. Found a 20 ft 1984 Mallard on a Dodge Ram truck chassis. It was too good a deal to pass up. With all the research (much of it on this site translates) we knew "structurally and mechanically" sound when we saw it. It's a compromise - giving up the gas mileage, but it tows and and has the nice spacious over cab that drew me to the Toys in the first place. Not as much room - there's just about enough room to change my mind and not much else :-) But it has everything and is well-built. Solid. Anyway, just wanted to give you all the "end of the story". Thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted October 5, 2016 Share Posted October 5, 2016 What? Only 1 picture? I feel cheated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted October 5, 2016 Share Posted October 5, 2016 That is so cute. I don't think I've ever seen one of those before. Neat little RV Linda S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted October 5, 2016 Share Posted October 5, 2016 I saw something similar (built on a full-size pickup) last week not too far from me. I didn't have time to stop but as I zipped past I couldn't spot any name on the coach, I'll try to stop and snap some pictures next time I drive by (perhaps Sunday). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zero Posted October 5, 2016 Share Posted October 5, 2016 Nice looking rig. I had a friend who had one like that with a 318 V8. In Florida, on flat highways - it got 12 MPG @ 70 MPH, 13 MPG @ 60 MPH, and 16 MPG @ 50 MPH according to his reports. Not sure I believe them but if true, not much different then many Toyotas. I would love to build one like your's but based on a 1st gen 5.9 Cummins diesel with a 5 speed manual trans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobblefrog Posted October 5, 2016 Author Share Posted October 5, 2016 (edited) Well, if you are interested...more pictures!!! You know how exciting it is to have a new rig and the urge to share. That ripple on the side isn't delamination. It's a dent and looks worse in the pic than it actually is. Almost didn't think about going to look at this because it didn't have pictures of the ceiling. Turns out there is a microwave up there and ceiling was in great shape. Roof is aluminum. This one is a 5.9 V8 360. Thanks for those comments, JD. I did find a forum post where someone put a diesel in one of these (no pics, just a random thread I managed to run across). Had to move the radiator forward, but otherwise was fairly straightforward. Right now though the engine doesn't throw up any warning flags to the mechanic and it has 64,000 on it. Going to work with it :-) Now it's not all roses - may have to replace a fridge and the cab a/c doesn't blow cold, but even if I have to do have to put in a new fridge and replace compressor into the truck, I will still have plenty left in the allocated funds. Has four brand new tires from this summer, which offsets a little of the cost - almost every other rig I've looked at I would have changed those out first. Oh, and you know what else I was tickled at? The bathroom has a stainless sink. The screen door still exists. There's a 40 gallon fresh water tank (completely unexpected). The oven vent actually vents to the outside. It has a locking cargo box. The curtain above the cab still on its rails, and the awning arms still work. Silly little things like that! Well, okay, not silly. After looking at a bunch of old campers now, it's the small things that seem to add a sense to whether the camper was built well to start with, and then maintained. Again, thanks :-) Great group you all have here. I'm sure I'll still lurk around. Great treasure trove of advice. I expect if I hid in a herd of Toys I might not stand out too much...? Oh, and if you see any concerns in the picture I missed...best not to tell me. We'll find them soon enough. It's all part of the restoration. Just going to relax and go with the flow now that I've pulled the trigger. Edited October 5, 2016 by bobblefrog Added piece of information, corrected a typo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted October 5, 2016 Share Posted October 5, 2016 Looks like the front seats are newer. Very comfy looking. Linda S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted October 5, 2016 Share Posted October 5, 2016 I'm sure we'd be more than happy to answer any questions about the coach portion. Same as we do for Nissan owners. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WME Posted October 5, 2016 Share Posted October 5, 2016 We will assume some what of reduced MPG compared to one of the toys. But equally importance is range. How bigs the fuel tank?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
86rader Posted October 5, 2016 Share Posted October 5, 2016 I had that same truck with the slant six and auto. One of the best vehicles I ever owned. Unfortunately, it got to where it wouldn't pass emissions and I didn't want to sink money into it, so I sold it. Someone mentioned a cummins powered one. A long while back I found a website where someone bought an older dodge pickup based chinook and did the cummins/5 speed repower. It was awesome. The owner said it got 17 mpg and would pull anything you hooked to it. It was a really nice looking rig. I often wonder why there arent more pickup based C classes out there. Way easier to service and better cab room. Also, a little more sheet metal in front of you if you fall asleep and drive it into an oak tree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markwilliam1 Posted October 5, 2016 Share Posted October 5, 2016 Wow nice! How many gallon fresh water tank...I'm so jealous!! Think mine is only 12....have ro refill it after using the BR a few times lol! And your cab looks huge compared to my little 85. I'm 6'5" and have No leg room! Good Luck Man! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bicoastal eric Posted October 5, 2016 Share Posted October 5, 2016 Looks great! 40 gallon fresh water?!? Looks like a good coach layout. I can't believe they fit a separate shower in there (not wet bath) CUMMINS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobblefrog Posted October 6, 2016 Author Share Posted October 6, 2016 Good question WME - 35 gal markwilliam1 - okay, I may not be 6 foot - but I did find that some of the Toys were way too short in the leg room department for me. Odyssey and Sunland seemed to be okay, but the Dolphin, for example, I just couldn't push the seat far enough back to get the steering wheel out of my stomach! So, I feel your pain. I would have thought all the cabs were the same, but it sure seemed like some builds left more room to back up the seats. This is one of the bonuses of the Dodge that thrilled me. 86rader - don't jinx me or oak trees :-) According to the carfax report it failed emissions once in 2005 and was passed the next week. Now it's too old to require emissions (passed last two years ago) and here in NC will only need safety inspections for another three. I will say, though, I do like that I've found the bigger engine. Here in the mountains I'd just like a little more opportunity to stay clear of the semis. LInda - thanks for the positive comments. I know from reading some of your past posts that you appreciate a well put-together rig. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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