1973 Winnebago Brave Project

[ashpd_136]

New to the forum thing so bear with me please ! I just bought a 73 Winnebago Brave, my first RV ever, and I find myself just walking around sitting in it looking around at everything. I believe my wife thinks I've got issues ! Needless to say I'm clueless about just about everything to do with RV'ing. I'm blessed with a little bit of mechanical so hopefully all will turn out well.
Our RV is the 22' variety on the the RM300 chassis with the Dodge 440. It has 30,000 miles on the chassis and the interior is all original, it's like stepping into a time capsule. LOL So far I've found the brakes are the victim of sitting, rusted and pitted rotors etc. The engine runs descent but seems as thought its in need of a good tune-up and possibly a carb rebuild or replacement. The plug wires feel like they'd snap in half if bent too far. The interior is in really good shape, original carpet and curtains and all of the wood work is nice.
The first problem I want to tackle is a leak in a water line that was likely the victim of improper winterization. It seems that the leak is coming from under the shower stall floor. Any words of advice before I start on my quest to find the origin of this leak?

Thanks

[TXiceman]

Just go slow and plan to take twice as long and twice as much money as you planned. You can find some of the old RV items at Vintage Trailer Supply,
.

Lo e to see some photos.

Welcome to iRV2.

Ken

[73Indian]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashpd_136 New to the forum thing so bear with me please ! I just bought a 73 Winnebago Brave, my first RV ever, and I find myself just walking around sitting in it looking around at everything. I believe my wife thinks I've got issues ! Needless to say I'm clueless about just about everything to do with RV'ing. I'm blessed with a little bit of mechanical so hopefully all will turn out well. Thanks

Hey 136,
Are you still the proud owner of this '73 Brave? I have this thing for these older rigs. Anything I can help with? Les

[Seon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 73Indian Hey 136, Are you still the proud owner of this '73 Brave? I have this thing for these older rigs. Anything I can help with? Les

Being that he's only posted once...do you think he "high tailed" and ran?

Often times there's a lot of good intentions but once the "onion" is peeled, it's discovered that more work and $$'s are involved. As most know it requires the "labor of love" to work on these classics

[TheDubs]

It is a labor of love. I have enjoyed every min of remodeling mine. And am glad to see people as passionate about it as I am.

[73Indian]

Sometimes we get an idea that "I can fix that" and then reality sets in or things change. If 136 is still out there and wants any help I hope they just ask. The amount of fun I have had in my rig is way more than I ever thought it would be and great pay back for the work put into it. Les

[RedneckExpress]

Hush, I just broke my city water line today while trying to man handle PVC mesh reinforced vinyl tubing into place to replace a section of leaking Polyethylene Pipe that originally made up my water tank fill tube. In the process of trying to squeeze the very uncooperative vinyl tubing up through the opening where the old pipe went I managed to snap the pvc pipe in two separate places, so I'll be getting new pipe fittings as well as a heat gun or a flaring tool to wrangle the other end of the vinyl tubing into place.

My elbows still ache somewhat from trying the standard grease and muscle method of fitting tubing onto a barb....

[TheDubs]

Well Red wish I could be there to lend a hand.

Justin

[73Indian]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedneckExpress Hush, I just broke my city water line today while trying to man handle PVC mesh reinforced vinyl tubing into place to replace a section of leaking Polyethylene Pipe that originally made up my water tank fill tube. In the process of trying to squeeze the very uncooperative vinyl tubing up through the opening where the old pipe went I managed to snap the pvc pipe in two separate places, so I'll be getting new pipe fittings as well as a heat gun or a flaring tool to wrangle the other end of the vinyl tubing into place. My elbows still ache somewhat from trying the standard grease and muscle method of fitting tubing onto a barb....

Hey if you need any help just give me a call. I have a heat gun and know how to break things too,lol Les

[RedneckExpress]

Got er fixed, though I hurt in places I didn't know you could. Heat gun and an exhaust flairing tool allowed me to stretch the hose just enough to make it slide on with a little muscle.

Fixing the leaking water line took more time, but the tank step is back together and now I can proceed with the insulation, framing, paneling project for the rest of the tub sides tomorrow, provided I can kneel down anymore, I discovered that it is indeed possible to remove the skin from your knee with your jeans by spending alot of time on them.

With the hose done, going to take the flaring tool and heat gun back to harbor freight, as much as I'd like to hang onto them, I need the money for other things, like bills....