Replacement Components for Older Class B Camper Vans

[Brewbren]

I have a general question regarding how easy it is to find replacement components for class B campers (refrigerator, generator, cabin AC, water/cabin heaters, fresh/gray water tanks, etc). I see a lot of common names (e.g., Dometic, Cool Cat, GenSet, etc.) in campers converted by Roadtrek, Pleasure Way, Winnebago and others and had assumed that this indicated that most class B camper vans were built by the different converters using these third-party components. If that is the case, should I be able to get replacement components that may fail, even if the van converter is no longer in business and these components are possibly non-proprietary?

 

[TX-Trek]

In the case of our 2010 Roadtrek 210P, I went to more creative and affordable options for replacement stuff. I have no interest in buying a newer RV when ours essentially works fine.

When the Dometic AC failed, I installed a readily available 12K BTU window style AC that has been great for years now. There are replacement fridge options such as Nova Kool for example. If/when the Onan genset gives out, I'll replace it with a more modern style.

Tanks are custom molded to the van, so they may require repair, not replacement. Other things like water pump, water heater, switches, etc aren't really a problem.

IMO It all depends on one's abilities, tools, etc as to what appetite for replacement there is. Fortunately, lots of info is available on the interwebs.

 

[booster]

Like TX-Trek said you really are on your own for the most part once the vans get older as parts to not available pretty quickly.

Biggest issues are the model specific proprietary ones like the fiberglass outdoor ground affects, storage boxes and doors, bumper covers. Tanks are another common one but as mentioned most can be repaired.

 

[Brewbren]

In the case of our 2010 Roadtrek 210P, I went to more creative and affordable options for replacement stuff. I have no interest in buying a newer RV when ours essentially works fine.

When the Dometic AC failed, I installed a readily available 12K BTU window style AC that has been great for years now. There are replacement fridge options such as Nova Kool for example. If/when the Onan genset gives out, I'll replace it with a more modern style.

Tanks are custom molded to the van, so they may require repair, not replacement. Other things like water pump, water heater, switches, etc aren't really a problem.

IMO It all depends on one's abilities, tools, etc as to what appetite for replacement there is. Fortunately, lots of info is available on the interwebs.

Thanks TX Trek. I've been looking for a few months for some post-2010 class B camper vans and most have been made by those Big Three cited above, but price points have been higher than I had planned for. When I found this one out of state (2013 Majestic Leisure Craft Tourer 2 on a 2012 Ford E250 Econoline chassis) at a really great price, low mileage, and impeccably clean as seen in 30 pics provided, I thought I'd head out of state to take a chance.

My concern with this one is that there apparently have not been any replacements or major repairs to those major, expensive devices. So, I anticipated having to put some extra $$ into it soon to deal with that but then thought I should check with this community of practice on how problematic that would be for any proprietary appliances or components. Now I'm hearing that this company has been out of business for at least 10 years and little to no info on the internet. That's what made me inquire here into this potential quagmire. If folks with Pleasure Way and Roadtrek campers are also facing this issue, maybe I'll be in good company if things do go bad on this camper!

 

[Brewbren]

Like TX-Trek said you really are on your own for the most part once the vans get older as parts to not available pretty quickly.

Biggest issues are the model specific proprietary ones like the fiberglass outdoor ground affects, storage boxes and doors, bumper covers. Tanks are another common one but as mentioned most can be repaired.

Thanks booster. Yeah, as I said in my response to TX Trek, I'm getting to understand that it will be a gamble for any of the camper vans of vintage years. I'll check back in after heading out this week to see this particular camper and share what I learn about it.

 

[TX-Trek]

In our case, I'm fairly familiar with the GM LS engines and 6 speed transmissions, so it was just our preference. Plus parts are generally available. Average mpg is 16, so that also factored into our decision.

With that said, a few trips back, the 6L90E failed while on a trip, but we were lucky that it happened in town. A few days later and a lighter wallet we were on our way. Things happen.

As far as cabin components, I've had to fix things along the way, but still worth it to me vs buying questionable newer vans.

 

[Brewbren]

 

[engnrsrule]

I bought a 2006 Road Trek in 2018. It does take some skill and imagination to deal with a component that is a tight fit. Also changing one thing can require changing other related components.

I went to a compressor fridge. Refrigerators are tricky I just replaced one where height and depth were ok but the width was maybe 1/16" larger. Initially I was prepared to plane or route out the interior dimension, but it turned out a bit of Dawn soap on the fridge and side walls allowed it to fit.

Other items:

The ASME propane tank. Original was 12 gal. Replacement that had fittings in the right places which could fit in same space was 8 gal. Not a big deal as propane was not a limiting parameter, less so since changing to a compressor fridge.

The 110v control and element for the Suburban water heater, which is well supported.

The inverter (12vdc to 110vac). Original 750w Tripplite was a modified sine wave AC, was combined with the battery charger, and only served a few outlets. Ok in 2006, but modern electronics need pure sine wave. I changed to a 1500/3000w peak pure sine inverter, and also had to add a separate battery charger.The electrical equipment space (under the bed/couch) is very limited. I had to add a second automatic transfer switch as that changeover was integral to the Tripplite. I also had the inverter power the entire 110v panel, and stripped high consuming loads (like air conditioning or microwave) when on inverter.

Upgraded to a smart TV to stream TV. (See added wifi below).

Increased from 90ah lead acid coach batteries to 300ah lithium, which was largest that could fit the existing integrated battery box. No room to add a larger box. Battery cabling and fuse had to be upgraded throughout. Added Victron Battery monitor.

Added 290w of solar on the roof.

Changed the Dometic roof AC to a much better Coleman-Mach. Added a wifi enabled thermostat so I can monitor temps and turn it on before we return.

Added internet - Wifi hotspot that works stationary or rolling, router,

Replaced water pump.

Sometimes a relatively minor feature just cannot be found in aftermarket products. I had 2 overhead counter 12v lights with a 2 way switch that lit either 2 fluorescent bulbs or one dim night light bulb. Could not find anything like that. Took them down and removed the fluorescent guts and replaced with LED, and retained the dim nightlight function.

The 10 gal black tank is the most critical parameter on my rig. I built a composting toilet and replaced the thetford. Set up new one to run #1 to the black tank, and compost #2. Not worth the hassle. After one trip I went back to the thetford.

 

[RT-NY]

So far (almost ten years) I have had a lot of success getting parts for my 1999 Roadtrek 170, including fiberglass (I replaced the driver's side step and storage cover), etc.. And parts for the Dodge Ram itself are not usually a problem. It isn't always easy to get good information, and it isn't always cheap, and, because I often have to do all the work myself, it can feel like a full time job sometimes. But I am surprised how many of the components that Roadtrek used are still available, though, as Booster said, black/grey/water tanks and fiberglass ground effects are the biggest problem. Roadtrek did some really strange things with those tank shapes to maximize capacity, and the molds for the fiberglass parts seem to have gotten lost somehow when the company was sold.