Greetings from Seattle, WA

[The_Ancient_Mariner]

Hello RV people!  I'm a 33 year old male from Seattle, WA. 

I lived in a 1972 Volkswagen Bus for a few years in my 20's.  It was a camper conversion from a company called Safare, out of California.  Over the years I owned the vehicle I modified/changed/replaced/upgraded/added all of the necessary systems to make the camper a backcountry-gravel-road ready cozy home.  I'll post some photos of the old rig before too long.

I sold the VW this spring, and this fall I upgraded to a more modern Class B motorhome.  My new rig is a 1989 Ford Econoline 250 5.8L V8 Falcon 190 conversion- and it has 58,000 original miles and no rust!  Here's the text and the photos from the craigslist ad:

1989 Ford Falcon
VIN: given at request
condition: excellent
drive: rwd
fuel: gas
odometer: 58161
paint color: white
size / dimensions: white
title status: clean
transmission: automatic
Engine is 351, 5.8L V8 and has new engine battery.  Had $5,000 valve job and new engine
AC installed (have all receipts and records).  It has a tow package, two gas tanks, power locks and windows, cruise control, two holding tanks (black water and gray water), awning, furnace and hot water heater.  It has the RARE DINETTE, 2 burner stove, microwave, refrigerator, new house battery, rear bathroom with door (includes shower, mini-bath and toilet), can sleep 4
(two on the fold-down dinette and two on the upper bunk, large closet and lots of storage.  It is VERY CLEAN!  We have had it for 15 years and enjoyed many wonderful trips, but we need something a little bigger.

Well, I took a look at the camper and drove the van around the block and gave them their asking price with a smile on my face.  There's no rust ANYWHERE on this rig!

I haven't ever owned a 'real' RV before, so some of the stuff is new to me.  For example, my VW didn't have any holding tanks other than fresh water. 

I'll be posting information on a build thread, as I am intent on restoring this beautiful machine to 100% functionality.  See ya'll on the forum!

 

[RedandSilver]

Welcome to the forum.

Congrats on the new to you RV.

 

[Roy M]

Welcome to the forum. After driving the VW you want to be careful with all that power. ;D Seriously, I hope you enjoy your 'new' rig.

 

[Memtb]

    Welcome to the forum! Real nice looking rig....I hope you get many happy miles and years out of it.

 

[The_Ancient_Mariner]

Heya, thanks for the welcome. I'm working my way through the full 60,000 mile maintenance schedule for the rig.  Its in such good shape, I want to keep it in that shape for as long as i can!

Roy M-
The Volkswagen had a Type IV 2.0L in it, producing 70 horsepower... this thing has 210!  I absolutely love it.  The van will really get up and move if I need it to.  I'd like to tow with the van as well, so the extra power will come in handy.  I couldn't believe the tire pressure on the rear wheels was 80 PSI.  I guess the wheels have to be stiff in order to transfer all of that torque into forward momentum?  I picked up a set of chains for the winter's driving as well; I'd like to keep the wheels from spinning out in the snow with all of that torque behind them.

I've attached a few photos of my old camper, Babe the Blue Ox.  The camper was well suited to the style of camping I built her for; permanent boondocking.

 

[TigerLilly]

In the process of purchasing a 1986 Falcon this weekend. I have NO experience with something like this, but my Mom's health dictates that we need to do some travelling. Any hints, tips or tricks you want to pass along now that you've had yours for a little while?