!983 class C camper on 720 dually rears

[kidsandliz]

I am considering buying a 1983 class C camper (I *think* it is about 17 or 18', know for sure not 20-22') built on the nissan 720 with dually rear tires. It has about 100,000 miles on it. Has mostly sat for the last 2 years. Antique car plates which cracked me up. Last passed inspection in 2010. They pulled an aluminum flat bottom fishing boat on a trailer with it and am wondering if that was too much stress for the engine on top of the class C camper weight. I'd be the 4th or 5th owner (need to run the vin - just got that). Some rust where the passenger side mirror attaches, a ding in the driver side wheel well area but the body otherwise looks OK. Appears to have a number of new parts. Looks like the springs clear the ground by about 5 inches or so which concerns me. Manual transmission. Has been parked in the open, not under cover.

Any advice and anyone near Meridian, MS (or Jackson, MS or anywhere nearby) that I could pay to look it over for me?

They want $3500 which strikes me as high, but then the toyotas done the same way would probably get $2000-4000 except in CA (If smogged), OR, and WA where they would get more.

Thanks,
Liz

[fastboatman29212]

Seems WAY too high. The camper part might be worth something. The truck by itself, I assume it sat for 2 years because it's not running, would be worth $1000 maybe $1200 if it's in good shape. If it runs fine and drives decent then maybe closer to $1500 for just the truck.

Photos would help us give you a better idea.

Those are my thoughts, maybe others think it's worth more?

[AZhitman]

I'd agree. RV's are the worst vehicles in the world for retaining value.

I'd offer $1000 and tell the owner, "take it or leave it".

Not worth $3500. At ALL.

[kidsandliz]

It runs - exhaust looks new, tires have tread (but couldn't see the code to see how old), spark plug wires look new (with 8 of those suckers I am glad LOL), apparently it has been maintained or so I am told as it was used on a regular basis to drive around 4 hours on weekends to a fishing hole and I would presume they wouldn't want to break down.

I need to download photos I took. How do I upload them here? I don't see anything that allows me to attach anything. It has an almost counter top height 2 way fridge (electricity - shore power, not 12V and propane), 3 burner propane stove and oven, they cut a hole in the back for a window AC, small toilet/shower unit. 45" or so wide bed over the cab and the dinette turns into another bed about 43" wide. My guess is the beds are barely over 6' long - seems shorter than a twin bed. Camper deep cycle battery is 10 years old so it would need replaced, truck engine battery is 2 or so years old.

How common was it to create a class c RV using these trucks?

Liz

[fastboatman29212]

OK, I gotta see this thing. I can't imagine anything 14 feet long sitting on top of a 720. Is it a pull behind camper? Is it a camper on top of the truck bed? Is it a 5th wheel style? I just can't picture it.

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[kidsandliz]

OK - will do that after work.

What they do is take the cab, no truck bed, build it on that. Here is a link to a toyota one except this is about 5 feet longer than the one I am looking at, the windows are a bit different - but it at least gives you the idea of what I am talking about. A ton of companies did this in the 70's and 80's and very early 90's - mostly, but not exclusively, on Toyotas. Some done on Nissan/Datsun's a few Fords and Dodges...

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/rvs/2545254231.html

[AZhitman]

They're very common. I've seen them on 521, 620 and 720 chassis.

I'd love to restore a 620 camper someday - all "period correct", with a beefed-up L20b so as not to be a rolling roadblock.

[fastboatman29212]

I looked at the link. Wow! It just looks huge and bulky like it's overloaded. But I guess with the dually it'd be ok. I don't wanna rain on your parade, but if you think it's been well cared for with the truck AND camper in good shape, then go for it. Maybe something closer to $2500 IMHO.

[kidsandliz]

Well the 21 foot sunrader toyota ones weigh about 4500 pounds and this nissan one is 17-18' so should weigh a bit less. It does have the 6 lug axles which is a big deal with the toyotas since they were recalled in the 80's when the 5 lug ones were breaking. My guess is truck lane going up steep hills.

[kidsandliz]

I'd love to restore a 620 camper someday - all "period correct", with a beefed-up L20b so as not to be a rolling roadblock.

Well if I don't buy this one I can put you in contact with the owner... it is in Meridian, MS (near the AL border)

[synack7350]

bah I looked into modern campers and I don't know what weight that addition was but anything even half way decent and still small grossly exceeds the towing capacity of this truck. I'm not saying the weight is too much for the motor, but trailer to tow victor weight distribution is in excess. As strong as my little motor is I wouldn't try pulling anything up a hill that exceeds a ton.

[kidsandliz]

OK So I didn't buy the 1983 one - it is still for sale by the way in Meridian, MS. Just found a 1996 Sunrader on a Nisasn 720 that someone is looking at for me today (it is about 8 hours from me). That one is a 21' that has mostly been redone inside the camper. He wants $2000 and needs wheel bearings and he thinks maybe $1200 worth of work (most of which is the camper not the engine). He has put new: fuel line, spark plugs, air filter, battery and master cylinder on there. Anything else I should be thinking about? No idea what the mileage is.

So what are the common issues these motors have over time? How easy/hard is it to get parts?

Liz

[AZhitman]

The motor will be the least of your concerns. If it's a 720 chassis, it could have a couple different engines (depends on the year). Regardless, they're bulletproof.

I'd be more concerned with rust, the condition of the trans, and the condition of the camper itself.

[kidsandliz]

Thanks. I got unlucky. It sold 45 min before the person scheduled to look at it for me was supposed to be there. Sigh.

[Amphiman1]

Kidsandliz, I have a 1984 720 motor home for sale,, Diesel too .... steve

[kidsandliz]

Unfortunately I got laid off Dec 20 so can't buy anything at the moment. You post it on the yahoo group mimicampers (well on the nisan rv one too)? There is someone there looking for a diesel if I recall correctly.

THanks though
Liz