Who am I?
For those of you who are new to my blogs, I have been an avid Vintage and Retro RVer for the majority of my life. I enjoy practally every aspect of a Vintage or Retro RV, specifically motorhomes and as such, like to share my experiences with my different coaches with others who may have the same interest or even perhaps the same coach.
Two of my previous coaches descriptions
http://travcomotorhome1971.blogspot.com/ - 1971 270 Travo Motorhome - Dodge 413
http://foretravelmotorhome78.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2008-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&updated-max=2008-02-01T00:00:00-08:00&max-results=8 - 1978 Foretravel Motorhome 33ft - Dodge 440
How did I get started with my love for vintage and classic motorhomes?
My love of the RV lifestyle started way back when I was just a little boy. My grandfather had purchased brand new off the showroom floor a 1970 Islander Motorhome. I was just one year old at the time, but by four I remember tinkering around with my grandfather while he prepped the coach for trips. I loved hanging out with my grandmother and my mother every spring when they would make it a huge family deal cleaning, polishing and getting the motorhome ready for summer. When the day of the cleaning arrived, Grandfather would begin early in the morning prepping her for her first start. Checking fluids, tire pressure and all, then when it was time, he'd back it down their long driveway half way closer to the house and within eye range of all the neighbors and the "waking up the motorhome" process would officially begin. Neighbors would set out their lawn chairs up and down the street and watch.
Keep in mind this is the very early 1970s and motorhomes were EVERYWHERE and the love of the RV lifestyle was shared by alot of people even silently in lieu of the gas crisis.
Then after everything had been done (followed by a brief prayer blessing over the coach for the season) Granddad would then back it all the way down the driveway with the assistance of just about every neighbor in a five mile radius and then drive it around the block (he said to make sure the fluids were evenly dispersed) but now as a grown man, I know why. Pride!
Even at that young age, I knew that owning a brand new motorhome was a big deal for most people, but for a black family in the early 70s it was far far more than that.
My grandparents had raised my mom and her five siblings in almost near poverty with both my grandfather and my grandmother working, even back then, living in a one room shack on the outskirts of Dayton, Ohio. Then, after my grandfather worked many long hard years as a preacher and working for Wright Patterson Air force Base he and grandmother had finally reached a place where they could acquire such a luxury as a brand new motorhome and a much larger house in Lima, Ohio (the city where the Superior Motorhome was built).
The Islander was 25ft of 70s luxury. It was a great coach with a great floor plan. Kitchen behind the drivers seat with the frig behind that then twin beds and rear bath. Behind the double passenger seat ( a seat that flipped to face the other direction) was the dinette, the entry door, closet then the other twin bed rear of the coach a really nice large rear bath. To me, a kid, it was like the most amazing thing I'd ever seen. A house that you can drive. A little home you can take wherever you please.
At the tender age of 5 years old, I began reading. Not see dog run, but Motorhome and Trailer Life. My mom and my grandmother both taught me how to read by Motorhome and Trailer Life. It wasn't just the glossy pictures I liked, but the stories too. I was hooked.
I didn't get my first RV until I was about 19. It was a 12ft Truck camper with a side entrance and built in the early 70s. So, it was insanely huge! I loved it and drove it everywhere and then soon afterwards got an early 70s enormous Coachmen Truck Camper. Then as time progressed I moved into my first coach. A 1976 24ft Globestar Class C followed by a 1970 Winnebago Brave 26ft then followed by a 1978 27ft Cruise Air, 1985 28ft Holiday Rambler Presidential, 1986 Winnebago/Itasca 32ft, 1987 34ft Double Door Bounder, 1980 37ft Triple Door Allegro, 1982 33ft Triple Door Allegro, 1971 Dodge Travco, 1978 33ft Foretravel, 1976 24ft Winnebago Chieftain, and now my 1978 26ft Georgie Boy Cruise Air, just to name a few.
Why so many? Well, there are just so many 70s coaches that I love! It's hard to just settle with just one when there are so many left to fix up, own and pass on. I found myself quickly getting into the 80s with my coaches and began to get bored. The 80s coaches weren't bad, but the character was beginning to fade in those coaches and I loved the character of the 70s units. So, back to the retro coaches I went. Although, driving a 37ft Class A coach through Denver was a treat. Difficult, but fun none the less. I find that I can drive a 37ft coach far easier than I can a car. As a matter of fact, for many years, well even now, I have a motorhome and not a car. My family and friends tell me that's not practical, but they don't have the "bug" of owning and caring for such a marvelous feat of engineering as that of a little house that goes where you go, anytime, anywhere and anyhow. Go figure.
My grandfather passed away after a long battle with Alzheimer's 18yrs ago and my grandmother still talks about the motorhome and all the memories that had in that coach and all the plans my grandfather had made with travels and living the RV lifestyle. However, when his disease set in back in the early 80s, the coach was sold. Since then, my Uncle, one of granddads sons, who lives here in Denver also, became a coach fanatic as well. He had been on his second coach, a 1996 Fleetwood Southwind 35ft. He and his wife were avid RVers. You never knew where they are going to be from one weekend to the next. Even fulltimed at one point in Arizona to see if living together fulltime in a motorhome would work for them. It didn't, at least not now.
I have worked for Northwoods RV in Mt. Morris, Michigan as a warranty and service writer. Nolans RV in Denver, Colorado as a sales person and Windish RV Center in Lakewood, Colorado as a warranty writer and B&B RV as a rental agent.
Sometimes I Really wonder how these new coaches will hold up to the test of time. What will they look like, how well will they hold up 37yrs from now? It's really hard to say.
Keep in mind this is the very early 1970s and motorhomes were EVERYWHERE and the love of the RV lifestyle was shared by alot of people even silently in lieu of the gas crisis.
Then after everything had been done (followed by a brief prayer blessing over the coach for the season) Granddad would then back it all the way down the driveway with the assistance of just about every neighbor in a five mile radius and then drive it around the block (he said to make sure the fluids were evenly dispersed) but now as a grown man, I know why. Pride!
Even at that young age, I knew that owning a brand new motorhome was a big deal for most people, but for a black family in the early 70s it was far far more than that.
My grandparents had raised my mom and her five siblings in almost near poverty with both my grandfather and my grandmother working, even back then, living in a one room shack on the outskirts of Dayton, Ohio. Then, after my grandfather worked many long hard years as a preacher and working for Wright Patterson Air force Base he and grandmother had finally reached a place where they could acquire such a luxury as a brand new motorhome and a much larger house in Lima, Ohio (the city where the Superior Motorhome was built).
The Islander was 25ft of 70s luxury. It was a great coach with a great floor plan. Kitchen behind the drivers seat with the frig behind that then twin beds and rear bath. Behind the double passenger seat ( a seat that flipped to face the other direction) was the dinette, the entry door, closet then the other twin bed rear of the coach a really nice large rear bath. To me, a kid, it was like the most amazing thing I'd ever seen. A house that you can drive. A little home you can take wherever you please.
At the tender age of 5 years old, I began reading. Not see dog run, but Motorhome and Trailer Life. My mom and my grandmother both taught me how to read by Motorhome and Trailer Life. It wasn't just the glossy pictures I liked, but the stories too. I was hooked.
I didn't get my first RV until I was about 19. It was a 12ft Truck camper with a side entrance and built in the early 70s. So, it was insanely huge! I loved it and drove it everywhere and then soon afterwards got an early 70s enormous Coachmen Truck Camper. Then as time progressed I moved into my first coach. A 1976 24ft Globestar Class C followed by a 1970 Winnebago Brave 26ft then followed by a 1978 27ft Cruise Air, 1985 28ft Holiday Rambler Presidential, 1986 Winnebago/Itasca 32ft, 1987 34ft Double Door Bounder, 1980 37ft Triple Door Allegro, 1982 33ft Triple Door Allegro, 1971 Dodge Travco, 1978 33ft Foretravel, 1976 24ft Winnebago Chieftain, and now my 1978 26ft Georgie Boy Cruise Air, just to name a few.
Why so many? Well, there are just so many 70s coaches that I love! It's hard to just settle with just one when there are so many left to fix up, own and pass on. I found myself quickly getting into the 80s with my coaches and began to get bored. The 80s coaches weren't bad, but the character was beginning to fade in those coaches and I loved the character of the 70s units. So, back to the retro coaches I went. Although, driving a 37ft Class A coach through Denver was a treat. Difficult, but fun none the less. I find that I can drive a 37ft coach far easier than I can a car. As a matter of fact, for many years, well even now, I have a motorhome and not a car. My family and friends tell me that's not practical, but they don't have the "bug" of owning and caring for such a marvelous feat of engineering as that of a little house that goes where you go, anytime, anywhere and anyhow. Go figure.
My grandfather passed away after a long battle with Alzheimer's 18yrs ago and my grandmother still talks about the motorhome and all the memories that had in that coach and all the plans my grandfather had made with travels and living the RV lifestyle. However, when his disease set in back in the early 80s, the coach was sold. Since then, my Uncle, one of granddads sons, who lives here in Denver also, became a coach fanatic as well. He had been on his second coach, a 1996 Fleetwood Southwind 35ft. He and his wife were avid RVers. You never knew where they are going to be from one weekend to the next. Even fulltimed at one point in Arizona to see if living together fulltime in a motorhome would work for them. It didn't, at least not now.
I have worked for Northwoods RV in Mt. Morris, Michigan as a warranty and service writer. Nolans RV in Denver, Colorado as a sales person and Windish RV Center in Lakewood, Colorado as a warranty writer and B&B RV as a rental agent.
Sometimes I Really wonder how these new coaches will hold up to the test of time. What will they look like, how well will they hold up 37yrs from now? It's really hard to say.
What is this Blogs intention?
As I ponder over the Internet looking for any and all information on whatever Vintage or Retro coach I may own at any one particular time, it's not surprising that alot of the time I can't find anything on said coach. That was pretty much the same with this current one. I found maybe one or two people selling a similar make and model (even one with the name removed because they felt it offensive to them - 'Swinger' - get mind out of the gutter people - REALLY?) but that was about it. Nothing about how the unit functions or works, how well it works in any given situation and so forth. I like to provide that information just in case someone else needs it or is interested. My approach is sort of like a product review or RV review from yesteryear.
I also like to purchase the Motorhome Life or Trailer Life magazine from whatever year of coach I may own at that time to see if the coach was featured in either of the magazines, unfortunately, not every coach I've had has been mentioned in any of the magazines of the time. Georgie Boy Manufacturing was mentioned quite often as they also made the Cruise Aire line amongst others that were all very popular during that time.
Their Swinger Line is one that I've been researching or learning more about. I do have the brochure for this coach and it has been very helpful. You can sometimes find vintage RV Brochures on eBay. If your vintage coach didn't come with it's owners manual or brochure, I'd try eBay to look. I was blessed to have had a completely in tact all owners manuals book which included a mint brochure on this coach and all paperwork.
The Swinger Line was more along the lines of their step above the basic entry level coaches, like their Cruise Air Line for example. The Swinger Line was their top of the line for a while, and it showed as was the case with many of the vintage RV builders of the time. There was a difference both visually, in construction, accessories and overall appeal between their luxury units and their mid to lower prices units.
The Swinger Line was an attractive coach for it's day, basic, simple featuring many of the same features found on other name brands of the time in and out of the luxury class. Their exterior lines were what one would expect from that era of fierce competition in the RV manufacturing world and especially with two Oil Crisis looming overhead. While not the most attractive coach in the world, esthetically, it certainly served it's purpose quite well and very comfortably for a few dollars less than their competition at the time.
The overall Product
What I am in now and what I'll be discussing is a 1978 Georgie Boy Swinger Executive Lounge 26ft on a Dodge M400 Chassis. I will post the stats on this coach here;
Body Length ......26 feet
Manufacturer......Swinger by Georgie Boy (1978) Model - "Executive Lounge"
Chassis................Dodge M400 (1977)
Wheelbase..........159 inches
Maximum Gross Vehicle Weight....12,190 pounds (Front 4910#, Rear 7280#)
Engine Size........440 cu.in. V-8 (gasoline)
Transmission.....3 speed automatic (with cruise control)
Brakes.................Hydraulic Front Disc, Rear Drum-Self-Adjusting
Tires.............new front tires 8.00 x 17.5D, dual rear tires (all load range D at 60 psi)
Fuel..............Regular (unleaded with additive)
Fuel Capacity......Main 36 gal, Aux 35 gal.
Fresh water capacity.......Tank 40 gal (plus 6 gal Water Heater tank)
L.P. Gas Capacity.............80 lbs.
Holding Tank Capacity...Septic (black) 35 gal. - Waste (gray) 35 gal.
Accessories
Roof Air Conditioner...12,000 BTU
Onan 4000 watt 120 volt built-in generator (used only 280 hours total)
Awning (16 foot)
Roof Storage Unit and Rails
I have almost always had a larger coach than 26ft. Matter of fact, most of my coaches have ranged in between 35 and 31 feet. Having a coach this small or short, has been a learning experience for me and a challenge, at least in the beginning. Now, I've become quite accustomed to this very convenient luxury. Upgrading back up to a larger and longer coach used to be an obsession, seriously. Now, I'm not so sure about that anymore. I fear I may have become what happens to alot of people that downsize considerably. Happy.
I have almost always had a larger coach than 26ft. Matter of fact, most of my coaches have ranged in between 35 and 31 feet. Having a coach this small or short, has been a learning experience for me and a challenge, at least in the beginning. Now, I've become quite accustomed to this very convenient luxury. Upgrading back up to a larger and longer coach used to be an obsession, seriously. Now, I'm not so sure about that anymore. I fear I may have become what happens to alot of people that downsize considerably. Happy.
Lets take a look on the inside
Within it's 26ft is a living room consisting of a couch/bed, two swivel or barrel chairs across from the couch, a pull up table in between the two swivel or barrel chairs and an additional two pedestal table with drop leaf can be put in front of the couch via two floor holes. There is a full 3 piece bath, brand new frig, new water heater, 'L' shaped galley, large light up pantry, and rear dining/lounge/bed along with a pull down bed above the drivers area.
Within it's 26ft is a living room consisting of a couch/bed, two swivel or barrel chairs across from the couch, a pull up table in between the two swivel or barrel chairs and an additional two pedestal table with drop leaf can be put in front of the couch via two floor holes. There is a full 3 piece bath, brand new frig, new water heater, 'L' shaped galley, large light up pantry, and rear dining/lounge/bed along with a pull down bed above the drivers area.
I think what I love about this coach and why I still have it, why I haven't moved into a larger coach again, why I'm completely satisfied, at least at this time is because this coach can transform into whatever motorhome you want really. The living room, for example, can transform into a bedroom, dining room for four very comfortably, dining for two, hang out spot for up to 7 people [still in just the living room alone], or a very relaxing living room atmosphere for a couple or an office. You can have one or two tables up at the same time, you can drop the leaf on the bigger table for just a cocktail table. In this living room space also exists a pull down bed, for yet another sleeping option. This space here sleeps up to 3 full grown adults.
Then there is the rear of the coach that can transform from a bedroom [sleeping space for two], to a wrap around seating lounge space for up to four comfortably with panoramic windows all the way around, or game playing table with the pedestal table that can go here in this space [which is used as the base for the bed - and can double as massive counter space/food prep when necessary] or a very private and relaxing spot to read a book, surrounded by either daylight or plenty of reading lights abound here too. Also, to note, there are leg supports for these tables that can be purchased from any camping store or Camping World store so that you could use this table outside.
Picture taken without the table in place.
Picture taken with the table in place. Stored in closet to the left in this picture.
So, in case you hadn't been counting, that's a total of up to roughly 12 seating positions within this little ol' 26ft Class A motorhome making it ideal for a family outing for the day, or taking friends out for a night on the town or out to the beach or lake for the day, and excellent for tailgating. This is truly a motorhome for all occasions.
Now, lets walk through the coach in a bit more detail
Picture taken with living room table in place. Note lift up leaf to the table which increases it's size substantially making it perfect for a large meal for four outside of the kitchen area. Also, in this picture, note the curtain hanging to the left of this shot. There would have been two more additional of these curtains hung to separate the spaces within this coach installed at the factory in 1978. The other two have been removed and I left this one in place to give the living room area even more separation from the rear of the coach even if just a visual aide. This curtain has been used on occasion when heating either just the front or just the rear of the coach at a time or when this space is being occupied by a guest while we are in the rear sleeping quarters.
Let's start in the living room of this coach . We'll start with the couch and it's amazing amenity, an in perfect condition huge two leg pedestal table with attached drop down leaf. This two pedestal leg table is absolutely fantastic. First of all, I was stunned that it was even still there. Most of the time, if not a vast majority of the time with vintage coaches, you almost never get everything that came with the coach from the factory. I mean it's been 3 or sometimes 4 decades since the coach was new and alot of those 'toys' have been destroyed, lost, stolen or inoperable. Most older RVs have had many owners sometimes, and the accessories like tables, table legs, window treatments, sink covers, stove covers, valances, owners manuals etc have long since been removed, damaged or lost. In the case of this coach, everything was still in it, and not just in it, but not used or damaged.
Picture of the couch without the table in it's position. The table in this picture is located under the couch which is all storage in this coach.
This is a picture of the living room looking forward. Note table in position. Note laptop across used for TV or movies instead of installing a permanent TV in a motorhome used solely camping purposes or day trip outings. Where the laptop is sitting is also a table that can be lifted out for a lunch for two or a perfect laptop table. Also, note in this picture my Mr. Buddy Heater which I feel is a must for any RVer regardless of age of coach. Why run a full fledged furnace to remove some chill in the air. This does it with ease, no house battery consumption, or on board propane consumption. This is a totally self contained heater. It's perfect and heats up the entire coach within 15 mins on high. Wouldn't be able to say that in a larger or longer coach.
While I do very much enjoy the tables that came with this coach and will continue to use them and keep them in their like new condition, and promise to keep them with the coach at all times, I do understand why manufactures no longer do this sort of thing, at least not to this degree. These tables are very, very heavy. They came that way from the factory. This is back in the day when although weight was an issue with manufactures, it wasn't the issue that it is now. Those tables would never be accepted now a days. The largest table, the one for the living room weighs in at least at 35lbs. At least. The stove cover in the kitchen, original also, weighs at least 20lbs. I can't hold it with one hand for any length of time straight out, and no, I'm not a wimp. lol. Same weight applies to the rear lounge table. None of the tables are damaged.
When the table on the pedestals is put in place in front of the couch via the in floor table leg supports (hidden from view in the floor when not in use), it can work as a second (or even third) eating area in this coach. Even when not using the table as a dinner table, it makes an excellent cocktail table with the attached leaf down and of course back lit. Then, when not using the table at all or don't want it up taking up precious floor space, then it can be stored under the couch, which is all storage which is a huge plus.
The two swivel or barrel chairs aren't fastened to the floor of the coach (which is why there are stickers there from the factory that say those seats aren't to occupied while the coach is in motion) but because they aren't fastened to the floor of the coach, you can move them up to the table at the couch to enjoy a meal for 4, very easily especially with the table leaf extended also. This makes an enormous table space for 4. Quite nice. There is another table space for four also in the back end of this coach, but we'll get there in a bit. The previous owners mentioned that they removed these two swivel chairs when they traveled and yes, it does indeed open up that floor space quite a bit when you do that, but I have to have the coach as original as humanly possible whenever I'm in it or using it. Regardless of limitations to original interior spaces.
The two swivel or barrel chairs aren't fastened to the floor of the coach (which is why there are stickers there from the factory that say those seats aren't to occupied while the coach is in motion) but because they aren't fastened to the floor of the coach, you can move them up to the table at the couch to enjoy a meal for 4, very easily especially with the table leaf extended also. This makes an enormous table space for 4. Quite nice. There is another table space for four also in the back end of this coach, but we'll get there in a bit. The previous owners mentioned that they removed these two swivel chairs when they traveled and yes, it does indeed open up that floor space quite a bit when you do that, but I have to have the coach as original as humanly possible whenever I'm in it or using it. Regardless of limitations to original interior spaces.
Within this living room space are nice sized sliding windows. Actually there are sliding windows with sliding screens throughout the coach. All of them, perfect. One above the couch and one above at the swivel or barrel chair area and wrap around windows in the rear lounge area and a even a sliding window, with sliding screen, albeit little, but in the kitchen as well. These windows include sliding screens to allow for easy exit in case of an emergency but can also be slid open to hand things in and out of the coach to someone without having to go physically in and out of the coach.
Almost always, coaches of this vintage have a lot of debris down in the track of the windows from years of sitting out in the elements and weather and so forth. It was very obvious that this coach never sat outside when not in use. In addition to the still very shiny exterior [once waxed it will look brand new], the window tracks in this entire coach were extremely clean. The only other way window tracks look that clean is if they are brand new, which they weren't. At least, that's what I was told.
Cockpit or drivers area of the coach
Moving forward of the living room is the cock pit or driving area of this coach. The very first thing you notice when standing there at the cock pit are the enormous wrap around windows. They are huge! Period! They take RV picture window to a whole new degree. Then when you sit in the drivers or passenger seat, you are fully aware that the whole world can see you, or at least that's how it feels at first. You are encased in glass. Fabulous. From this seating position, you can see all the way around you without the need for a back up camera. Again, here is where 26ft comes in handy. You can drive this vehicle as if your driving your family van. Seriously.
Most generally you got a nicely sized front windshield in your coach back then, nothing out of control like alot of today's ginormous one piece windshields, but in this coach, your passenger side and drivers side windows were the exact same height as the front windshield and then they were also long so you really and truly have a panoramic view through these windows. That being said, they do let in alot of cold in the winter and alot of heat in the summer. So, because I enjoy lots of window space in an RV I don't complain. I'd much rather have these enormous windows than not. Their overall appeal outweighs any negatives, at least for me.
The dash is your regular vintage Dodge coach dash. All of your regular gages are there in addition to a few features that are nice to have at the touch of a button. Your system monitor is here on the dash with the ability to check water levels, propane levels, battery power etc. There is also here the Generator on and off switch. This coach also features a few isle lights to assist with moving around the interior of the coach at night and the on and off switch is also located on the dash.
The dash of this coach is padded vinyl. I miss this believe it or not in new coaches. New coach dashes are so generic. Yes, they're nice looking but somethings missing. Character or that human touch which you find in vintage coaches everywhere. I like the vinyl. It gives the dash a homey, comfortable looking feel as apposed to a manufactured from a mold feel. The vinyl after all of these years is spotless. No ding, rips or tears on any of the vinyl. Due to the massive size of the windshield, here too is where you will find alot of vents for heating and cooling in addition to defrosting these huge windows in the winter months. Works as designed, flawlessly.
On a brief side note, while the carpeting throughout the entire coach had been replaced shortly before I purchased it, what one would expect to find in a coach of this age is worn upholstery especially since the upholstery was made from that woven camper material of the 1970s which in most cases didn't last very long at all especially in the summer months with the heat. In this coach, even with it's age and mileage at 67,000 miles, the upholstery is flawless in all areas of the coach. There was not one snag, or tear or rip on any of the upholstery. It was all as if brand new. This type of thing tells me that while the coach was used and didn't just sit most of it's life, it was cared for and certainly kept stored inside of a building most of it's life. Otherwise the upholstery won't look nearly as good as it does (nor would the ceiling/roof/vents/seals). This includes the drivers seat which I fully expected to find wear on, again, at 67,000 miles, it doesn't look as if anyone has even sat in this chair. Obviously they had.
Directly above the driving area or cock pit is a pull down bed, in this Class A. This reminds of me of the now very popular and rightfully so much more inexpensive brand new Class A line that has hit the market fairy recently. This new coach line features a Class A with Class C features. Touted to be a new craze, it in fact is just about as old as motorhomes themselves.
Class As from yesteryear often times featured a pull down bed above the drivers area. You could even find this neat feature on luxury motorhomes of the time. My 33ft Foretravel from 1978 featuring a host of mod cons (modern conveniences) in pure 70s luxury also included a pull down bed above the drivers area. Now, that being said, this pull down bed in almost all applications wasn't for large amounts of weight though. Mostly geared toward the younger weight limits. I know for fact it can hold a full grown man at least no more than 150lbs while the new coaches with this feature allow a weight capacity far above the 'old school' version plus it's not manual, but operated by a switch and features a blow up mattress in most cases also.
This additional sleeping capacity brings the Georgie Boy Swinger Executive Lounge sleeping arrangements to roughly five people. Full grown people. We'll go over sleeping arrangements a bit later.
One sometimes popular usage of these pull down beds when the coach was being used by an adult couple, which this coach is perfect for, is to use it as a linen 'closet' so to speak. More like a linen trunk if you will, on a gigantic scale. If one were to remove the mattress in this pull down bed, it creates a very nice and convenient place to store folded blankets, sheets, bedding and other necessary linens or even nicely folded clothes. Then once the bed is lifted back into place in travel or stow mode, the linens are completely out of site. The pull down bed in it's stowed position goes almost un-noticeable. Most people don't even realize it's even there.
The captains chair along with the passenger chair also rotate around to face the rest of the coach. These seats also recline and move forward and backward. There is a tremendous amount of floor space in front of the passenger seat making this space excellent for long trips for the passenger instead of being crammed into an already small space.
One of the nice things about this coach in the winter months is the dash heater. I have had a very varied amount of different coaches from this time period and I can't remember better heating in the dash area than this coach. Even with the large expanse of glass in this area, the heater works like none other. It will fry you right out of there, truly. There have been times when I've used just the dash heater while driving and not the on board coach furnace and upon reaching my destination the entire coach was warmed right up. I have to keep reminding myself, that's yet another perk to owning a simple 26ft coach instead of a land barge like I normally have where heating the coach up from the dash heat wasn't even possible even if you tried. The dash AC in this coach, like many vintage coaches, has been disconnected.
Personally, I never use motorhome dash AC as it draws an incredible amount of power. I'd much rather use the roof ac with the Generator on if I feel I really need AC while underway, which is generally not the case since I don't drive any motorhome, new or old in the heat of the day.
Personally, I never use motorhome dash AC as it draws an incredible amount of power. I'd much rather use the roof ac with the Generator on if I feel I really need AC while underway, which is generally not the case since I don't drive any motorhome, new or old in the heat of the day.
On Board Bath
Now, moving from the front half of the coach toward the back and just past the living room would be the bath. The bath is on the drivers side mid coach and it is a 3 piece bath which is what I prefer. Nothing against a wet bath at all. I actually have had two wet baths one of which was in my 1978 Georgie Boy Cruise Air 27ft. It served it's purpose well, however, I prefer a 3 piece bath meaning that the tub/shower, toilet and vanity are all separate pieces within the bathroom itself which in this case was all in one room, meaning it isn't a split mid bath.
I love this bathroom. Albeit very small and tight, but I like it just the same. There is room to do that which you need to do in this small space. The tub/shower combo, normal for this time period. It's not large by any means, but big enough to get clean or cleaner than you would without one. Then the vanity is fantastic, again, for the size of the coach, the age and the space available.
The vanity gives you plenty of counter space for your needs and there is alot of storage in this small bathroom. Honestly speaking, without so much as an exaggeration, I have as much storage space in this bath as I had in my 33ft 1978 Foretravel Luxury coach bath. The medicine cabinet above the sink has mirrored sliding glass, plenty of storage within and above. Then next to that is a very unique storage cabinet that goes from the vanity counter top to the ceiling with enough space to store whatever bath items one would need for a year long trip, then, beneath the vanity counter is even more storage by way of under sink storage that consists of the entire under counter area, with two very deep shelves there.
On the bathroom door is a large mirror in which to capture what you look like before you walk out of the bathroom. Now, this space is small. Its not large. However, I've learned that the alternative would be to use the facilities at whatever park or campground you may be in. I much prefer to use my own facilities. After all, that's part of the reason I have my own, right?
Looking from the entry door toward the back. Bathroom door on the right of this picture.
Coach designers back then didn't spend so much time on the size of the least used room in the coach. Most people do indeed use the park facilities (trust me, I sit and watch people get out of motorhomes in excess of $200,000.00 and up go up to the shower house or bathroom facilities to shower all the time. Most often than not actually), which baffles the mind. Their bathrooms in those coaches, some even have two bathrooms, are bigger than what we have in our home. Why on earth would you use the campground bathroom?
My bathroom in my coach, albeit small, is designed for you to go in, do what you need and leave the space. Good enough for me. If the excuse is to not have to clean out the holding tanks, then why do you have an RV? I mean, seriously. They still have nice hotels around the country. There you won't have to worry about waste tanks. Holding tanks are just a minute fraction of the RV owning experience, and to learn all you can about your coach, you have to use all of it...and often.
Rear of the coach and Galley or Kitchen
My bathroom in my coach, albeit small, is designed for you to go in, do what you need and leave the space. Good enough for me. If the excuse is to not have to clean out the holding tanks, then why do you have an RV? I mean, seriously. They still have nice hotels around the country. There you won't have to worry about waste tanks. Holding tanks are just a minute fraction of the RV owning experience, and to learn all you can about your coach, you have to use all of it...and often.
Directly across from the bathroom would be the frig. Right next to the frig, just left of the frig is the entry door to the coach. To the right of the frig is the huge pantry. The entry door is your basic door with screen both in excellent condition. The bargeman lock is still in great shape, doesn't work, but it's there just the same; there is however a deadbolt. The frig in this coach is a 7cubic inch frig, brand spanking new 2 door Dometic. Works like a charm and is large enough for a coach of this size. The original frig was an 8 cubic and it would have had padded vinyl as well. The new frig, albeit brand new and working like a charm, still has no character like the old frig would have had. It's all 100% plastic, which is fine considering the weight of the original frig which would have been made out of all metal materials, including just about everything inside the frig as well. Those old fridges lasted a nice long time too. That being said, the new one is much more convenient, safe, efficient and controls itself basically. Once you turn it on, it will on it's own determine which source of power is best for it's operation depending on power sources available to it at the time. Fabulous.
Brand new frig (2010) and pantry in this picture.
Frig, pantry and closet in this picture. Note how shiny the wood work is in this coach. It gets polished once a week, period. All cabinet doors are solid wood.
Now, next to the bathroom, on the drivers side of the coach is the kitchen, or galley and directly across from that an enormous pantry, considering the age and size of this coach. The kitchen is nicely equipped for a coach this age and size. There is a double stainless steel sink, four burner stove and oven and microwave hidden in an overhead cabinet. [Microwave hidden because I didn't want to build it in since it didn't come with one and I hate to ruin the overall 1978 period look with a 2010 microwave!] There is also in this space an abundance of overhead cabinets {which are all very deep and tall}, as they are throughout the coach made with solid wood cabinet doors and drawers. I have four dedicated to the kitchen alone, yes, in addition to the huge pantry with movable and slide able shelves and back lit so that when you open the door to the pantry it lights up automatically. I've had alot of motorhomes, but I've never had a pantry. I'd expect to find something like this in a larger coach. It can swallow up a very large amount of groceries rather easily and quickly with room to spare. The shelves in the pantry do slide in and out also.
For food prep space in this galley, an all too precious commodity in motorhomes of all ages and makes, one doesn't have to look too far. This galley has a flip up counter extension which adds much needed workspace when making a larger meal or needing more prep space.
Then too, since now we're in the back end of the coach where the second seating area is or the rear lounge which also comes with a removable pedestal table, this table can easily act as another prep space as well making the total amount of available food prep space in this 35yr old 26ft motorhome kitchen insane! This additional table [which I keep stored in the clothes closet directly across from this area] when in it's place is right next to the galley, literally [see pictures] makes the galley into sort of a 'C' shaped galley space.
The word 'creativity' often comes to mind when I think of an RV, vintage or otherwise. Creating what you need when you need it conveniently, easily, quickly and without alot of hassle and best of all, little or no money is of great value. Such is the case with my wrap around kitchen, including table. We have made huge meals in here, including the 'prep-table', and it has been perfect!
Generally in times of massive dinner preparations, your guests are outside anyways (it's summer) so there is no one coming and going in and out of the space while the cook is preparing the meal inside because of the kitchen location. No traffic interrupting. They can't, there is no room for multiple peoples in this space especially when food prep is taking place. It's all for the cook!
Pantry door open to show interior space within. It's very deep and tall and all of the shelves slide in and out. Also, the pantry lights up when the door opens.
Then too, since now we're in the back end of the coach where the second seating area is or the rear lounge which also comes with a removable pedestal table, this table can easily act as another prep space as well making the total amount of available food prep space in this 35yr old 26ft motorhome kitchen insane! This additional table [which I keep stored in the clothes closet directly across from this area] when in it's place is right next to the galley, literally [see pictures] makes the galley into sort of a 'C' shaped galley space.
The word 'creativity' often comes to mind when I think of an RV, vintage or otherwise. Creating what you need when you need it conveniently, easily, quickly and without alot of hassle and best of all, little or no money is of great value. Such is the case with my wrap around kitchen, including table. We have made huge meals in here, including the 'prep-table', and it has been perfect!
Generally in times of massive dinner preparations, your guests are outside anyways (it's summer) so there is no one coming and going in and out of the space while the cook is preparing the meal inside because of the kitchen location. No traffic interrupting. They can't, there is no room for multiple peoples in this space especially when food prep is taking place. It's all for the cook!
I absolutely love this kitchen. Plenty of work space. Note morning sun coming in through the abundance of windows.
I feel sometimes when in a motorhome, two stainless steel sinks just aren't that much of a necessity while food prepping, so I'll typically cover one of the sinks up [with the sink covers that came with the coach when new - still here] which adds to the counter space too. So, food prep is not an issue in this coach what so ever. At all. Period. Especially if you have an imagination, which again, was sometimes a necessity when camping in a vintage coach. To me, that has always been part of the fun. Finding creative ways to do things that are now presented to you on a silver platter in new rigs.
In this space, on the counter in clear view built in is something I can honestly say I hadn't seen since my 1971 Dodge Travco 270. A propane gas pressure monitor. What? Yep. Nice! This lets me know whether or not the pressure in the propane lines is sufficiently adequate or not. If' it's not in the green then you have an issue. Also helps to keep tabs on the amount of propane you have too without even having to lift a finger.
Isn't this the cutest little travel galley kitchen ever? The walls of the kitchen done in the 70s fake brick, original and not going anywhere! Again, this kitchen looks small to regular non RV folk, but to the experienced RV cook, it's quite workable. We have discussed replacing the kitchen faucet with a new one that is taller so that pots and pans would fit better.
Isn't this the cutest little travel galley kitchen ever? The walls of the kitchen done in the 70s fake brick, original and not going anywhere! Again, this kitchen looks small to regular non RV folk, but to the experienced RV cook, it's quite workable. We have discussed replacing the kitchen faucet with a new one that is taller so that pots and pans would fit better.
Note in this picture, the propane gage located, built in, directly on the counter top clearly within eye range. Also, note the impeccable condition of the kitchen.
The water heater, 6 gallons, is physically located under the kitchen galley making hot water instantaneous for both the bathroom and kitchen. The furnace in this coach is physically located under the stove compartment. Then, the water system for this coach is located under the rear drivers side corner - inside of course - under the rear lounge seating area. The on board portable water tank is located here as well. There is a nice sized storage compartment here as well, accessed from the inside, makes a great place for the storage of pots and pans, not to mention, actually getting in to mess with the water system couldn't be easier, Since it's all accessed from under the rear wrap around seating area, simply remove the cushions and the water lines, pump and other necessary areas are right in your face within easy reach for anyone.
The fuse panel for this coach is in this area as well. It is located directly center of the rear lounge seating space at floor level and accessed through a nicely disguised cabinet door. Meaning, it doesn't scream 'electrical' from across the room since you wouldn't even notice it. Nice touch.
Looking toward the rear of the coach from standing just beside the couch.
On this wall note the frig, pantry, then the closet. The room dividing curtain to the right in this picture. Note fire extinguisher that all RVs should have. I have two in this coach. One forward and one aft.
Note tremendous amount of overhead storage as well as this incredible multi-use ledge.
While we're here in this picture, note the ceiling in this coach. The whole thing is this perfect. In reference to this ledge, it also makes a perfect place to put a lap top to watch a movie or TV and can be seen from anywhere in the coach.
Throughout this space is wrap around overhead cabinetry as well. Tons of interior storage space in this coach if used well and thought out. The kitchen is on one end of the rear lounge seating, and at the other end is the closet which would then be right next to the pantry, thus taking us around the entire interior circumference of this coach. In addition, another thing that grabbed me when I first saw this coach was this shelf area in place of the more traditional floor to ceiling 'wall of storage' {is what I call the area in a coach that's windowless and full of cabinets, draws, closets etc}. Being where it is it can serve a variety of functions from extra space to put things while food prepping (still more food prepping), TV view space, nick-knacks or whatever. This space has come in handy more times than I could have ever imagined it would. That being said, I cannot stand it though when there is too much up there. Also, it opens up the space too by providing light and a more open and airy feeling. Think open concept.
This closet is one of the smallest I've had in a motorhome. I knew that when I originally was looking at this motorohome, and thought then as I think now, I'm not going to miss out on this coach because of a simple lack of closet space. Going back to what I said earlier about being creative and finding ways around that which I took for granted in previous coaches, an enormous closet space. Now instead of hanging everything, I fold more now like T-shirts and slacks which all used to hang in the motorhome and I don't need to carry 4 jackets or coats. One (ok maybe 2) should be sufficient all weather coats/jackets.
Here the closet isn't really all that bad considering. I'm just used to massive closets that in reality were usually full of clothes that either never got worn, or too full of clothes in the first place [weight], or was a complete waste of space because it wasn't full enough. To be honest, most of the massive closets I've ever had were at best half full. Had I been living in the coaches at the time, well, that'd be different, but I wasn't. So massive closets like that are not necessary. Again, we're going camping. Not fulltiming. Big difference. For this coach and what we use it for, the closet space is perfectly adequate. Even as I sit and type this, I know for a fact it's basically empty, even now. I did place a plastic drawer bin in there though on one end of the closet which consists of 3 nice sized drawers for socks, undies etc and whatever personal items one needs when camping can go there as well. Since he never unpacks his backpack of clothes and toiletries {he's an old school back packer, hiker, tenter - won't change}then that leave all those drawers for me. Perfect! All that being said, there is a hanging rod also in the shower that can either be used to hang more clothing or removed to shower.
Then for other clothes I've reserved an over head cabinet in this area as well for folded clothes such as sweaters, jeans, slacks etc. Then another overhead cabinet as a rear coach linen space [in addition to the front overhead pull down bed]. This particular overhead has split shelving in it making separating linens easy and convenient. Plus I also keep dish towels, rags etc here for the kitchen as well being as that the kitchen is also in this space.
Living on Board the Executive Lounge Motorhome
I have learned that living on board this coach is far easier than I once thought and just as comfortable as any other coach I've owned. What makes it so livable I think are the abundance of windows, abundance of roof vents allowing plenty of air flow [total of 4 roof vents - in addition to a roof AC], fully carpeted making it much warmer in the winter months [although replacement of the fairly new light blue wall to wall well padded sound insulating carpeting to match the minute light blue pin striping in the upholstery may soon be replaced by new hard wood flooring to match the surrounding other dark wood making it a sophisticated modern looking man cave may take place] , adding to the homey feel. Plus all of the interior storage makes it so that I don't have to leave anything behind, within reason.
Picture shot while camping for the first time in this coach July of 2011.
Looking down the 'hallway' toward the front of this coach.
Also, now having prepared quite a few meals in the either small galley kitchen or expanded galley kitchen, depending on how much usable counter space is required, I've learned that space is at a premium when necessary and the kitchen galley isn't as much of an issue as I may have once thought, makes it quite usable and user friendly.
The bathroom, with it's three separate pieces, make bathing and regular bathroom activities a breeze with an understanding of just how convenient having a fully operational on board bath can be, even in tight quarters.
Sleeping capacities in this coach range from five full grown adults to as many as 12 people occupying the interior seating spaces of this 26ft coach. Although, that many people in this coach would be just right outside of massive headache, but doable if necessary. Making it the perfect travel mobile for family day trips and activities of every sort.
Having the ability to entertain both in the front living room or the rear lounge area make it perfect for a couple and maybe another couple for an outing or night on the town. Also, while sitting in the living room, your galley kitchen area isn't right in your face, but back out of the way in it's own space; or while you are on board and maybe preparing a meal, your partner or other half may sit at the lounge space in the rear with you and assist if even while sitting at the rear lounge table, your secondary counter space when needed.
Another reason I enjoy this rig is the fact that driving it is akin to driving a family van.
In my previous coaches with lengths reaching as high as 37ft [1980 37ft Triple Door Allegro - awesome coach but huge] maneuvering through traffic, in and out of towns, campgrounds, wrong ways on a one way - not doing a U turn in that thing, backing up, parking spaces downtown or where ever, gas consumption, and a bunch of other reasons make a 26ft coach a pleasure to own. All of that 440 Dodge isn't wasted power on a massive heavier coach, but a smaller more maneuverable 26fter.
In my previous coaches with lengths reaching as high as 37ft [1980 37ft Triple Door Allegro - awesome coach but huge] maneuvering through traffic, in and out of towns, campgrounds, wrong ways on a one way - not doing a U turn in that thing, backing up, parking spaces downtown or where ever, gas consumption, and a bunch of other reasons make a 26ft coach a pleasure to own. All of that 440 Dodge isn't wasted power on a massive heavier coach, but a smaller more maneuverable 26fter.
Parked in front of the house just after purchase.
I have learned that even in such a small space such as this 26ft coach, I basically have everything I had always had in my previous coaches, just without dragging an 8 x 8 bedroom around. It has been a great joy to own such a convenient way to camp and RV.
One of the other aspects of this coach is the ridiculous amount of things you can 'transform' it to on the interior. Whatever space you are looking to create on your trip or outing, you can create it with the snap of a finger. Our friends and family have all agreed that this one we need to keep.
Driving a vintage 1978 Dodge 440 Georgie Boy Swinger Executive Lounge
Another one of the nice things about driving this coach is that there isn't any stress to it. In the past, when driving a very large and long coach, it's easy to stress over things like backing up, parallel parking, lane changing at 65mph, seeing what's behind you in real time, or seeing what's beside you (enormous windows), and one of the biggest of all, making right hand turns.
In this coach, none of the above exists. You feel completely connected to this coach when underway because of the closeness of everything. Your in a vastly smaller coach than a more modern 26ft motorhome. (Winnebago has introduced a 26ft Class A - yes, in 2012/13 - with a single slide and a 27fter with an astounding 3 slide outs - utterly fabulous - if you can afford that type of thing).
Starting a vintage Dodge is or can be a process, especially in the winter months of cold. You can't be 'afraid' of the vehicle. I've always babied my motorhomes, not just because they are generally as old as I am but because for them to last and last well, babying ones RV is not necessarily a bad thing. There are alot of complex components on any RV, especially new ones, but they all require a delicate touch at times. That being said, when it comes to starting up your resting coach in the middle of winter (I start the coach to let it run even if in the driveway once a month without fail) and if that resting coach is on a Dodge chassis, giving it plenty of gas in which to start properly is crucial and you can accomplish that by generally pressing down on the gas pedal as many as 7 times before attempting to start the coach.
These vintage coaches are carborated and as such, gas needs to reach into the engine before it can start, and that won't happen without giving the gas pedal a few hard presses quickly to get the gas up there. If you turn the key and it doesn't happen the first time, do it again. Be careful though as to not flood the engine. It'll start. It's a Dodge. Then, once it's started and running your good to go for the day. You will not have to pump the pedal before starts after that. Just turn the key and go.
Once underway you have plenty of power. Starting from a stop sign or whatever the power is there immediately. Climbing hills isn't anything either with this size of coach and engine power. You have plenty. Just don't feel that you need to rush to your destination. Your in a motorhome for goodness sakes. Take your time and enjoy the view.
What I like about this coach also is the steering and braking, both of which are on point. I can steer and turn this motorhome with one finger and it holds to the road nicely even under highway speeds. The other thing to note is how quiet the engine runs. The noise from the engine dog house isn't nearly as imposing as one would think. The brakes are new. I had those replaced last spring to a tune of $500.00. So, braking is no longer an issue or fear. Barely tap on the brakes and your going through the windshield, so again, this is where knowing your coach pays off. It's responsiveness isn't as lax as I once thought, comparing it to what I had had in the past. This one is on point.
The exterior lighting on this coach is also in good standing. I cannot stand exterior lights that aren't operating on vintage RVs. You usually see this in the running lights on older coaches. It's really an easy fix, or at least, generally. Replace the bulbs, clean out the light housing, replace the fixtures...it's all fixable. One tell tell sign of a misused or abused vintage or older coach are the exterior lights, in my opinion. These, like all of my previous vintage coaches, exterior lights all work as intended. All the way around. Even the automatic step (opens and closes when opening and closing the entrance door on it's own unless turned off), it's automatic light also still works.
As a side note
The very first time I went into this coach I was impressed. I was actually impressed from when we drove up to it. Even from the outside it exuded good if not great condition. One of the very first impressions was upon my first step into the coach. The immediate opening there was a bit more open that what I had been used to. When you step up into the coach, the very first thing in front of you is the bathroom (door closed of course) and the space there is actually quite large and open, considering.
As opening the door to the motorhome, this is what you see as you climb the steps while looking toward the rear. To the left would be the living room. Note bathroom door directly in center of this picture.
I have put in the space at the bathroom wall that is normally unoccupied except by a compartment door to allow access to behind the shower/tub enclosure, a imitation fireplace / heater. Not only does this provide a homey look upon climbing on board, but it also provides extra heat and ambiance to the space, making it feel even that much more like home. When it's removed, generally for the summer months, the space, after not having it available during the colder months, feels immediately huge. Also, on top of the fireplace (which doesn't get hot anywhere but the bottom where the heat comes out), I've put my portable stereo with extra speakers attached for better richer sound.
Now, the reason it's placed where it is is to allow the sound to travel outdoors also when the door is open and the screen door is in place. The other solution would be to have an outside stereo built in, but why do that when I can do this? Another reason is you can almost always use a portable stereo when camping, so there it is ready to go and easy to use plus in it's spot it not only provides sound for outside listening enjoyment, but for those who may still be in the RV while parked. Why don't I just use the chassis or motorhome stereo? Because, I can do this and it's not removable, and for me, this is just easier.
As you enter the coach looking toward the front, this is what you see as you enter. Note the rug on the floor in the living room. It's placed there mostly for the winter as it promotes additional protection from the cold (cold floor in older RVs is typical - this is decades before the 'basement' became the norm). This does also give the living room a very nice homey and comfortable feel especially since I don't allow shoes what-so-ever.
Various other pictures of my 1978 Georgie Boy Swinger Executive Lounge
This is the motorhome parked in front of the house just after purchase 2011. Generator, both gas tank fills, power step, awning, frig vent all located on this side of the coach.
Picture taken just after purchase of the motorhome in front of our house 2011. Note storage pod on roof, water heater, water fill, dump, propane fill, furnace vent located on this side.
Picture taken in front of the house just shortly after purchase in 2011.
This picture taken while camping July of 2011. Note original awning still usable and in fairly decent condition considering the age of the awning. The fact it's this usable still again shows signs of being stored indoors when not in use.
Note shine on coach and as of yet we have still not waxed it. Note rug outside of door. Shoes are never, ever permitted within the coach, or any of my coaches. I have a pair of 'driving shoes' which never leave the interior of the coach that I wear to drive. Just the same, my portable vacuum is kept on hand at all times. Mandatory!
Note the name plate on the side of the coach as installed from the factory. Also, note gen door, electrical outlets (made of solid steel), and frig vent along with lighted step handle, screen, auto step, mud flap, exhaust (dual), brand new tires and original awning (arm rear). Every thing in this picture is in perfect working order.
This picture was taken just before purchase. This was the very first time I ever saw this coach in real life. Here it sat just outside of the interior climate controlled storage area where it had been kept most of it's life when not in use. At this point I still had yet to step inside of this dream vehicle. When the seller finally arrived a few moments later, unlocked the door and I stepped just inside the door...I told him I'd take it before even hearing it run or even walking all the way in and the shades were all drawn. That's how new it looked even then.
This motorhome is 35 years old, and as such is not without it's issues
When it came time to hand the money over to the seller, I was then told that the motorhome has a salvage title and unfortunately this title would follow the motorhome from this point on. This was and is my first experience with this type of title. Alls I could think of was what in the world could be wrong with the coach and should this deter me from its purchase?
Well, because I had known people in the past who had dealt with a salvage titled vehicle (cars) and the results of their purchases had been very successful I thought hmm. Then, since the owners were very well kept, proper mannered, in a decent fairly new expensive SUV, and the motorhome was parked in front of their own indoor and climate controlled storage facility for the coach which was right next to the owner of the motorhomes own business and it was apparently very obvious that the motorhome had been well kept, and the owner trusted me enough to let me have the motorhome parked in my driveway at my house while I finished paying the remaining $500, they trusted me so I trusted them, the owner(s) he and his wife (the wife who the coach was titled to - her fathers coach originally for most of her life). So, from there I drove it home, and of course, paid it off within the week.
As it turned out finally, nothing was 'wrong' with this coach. The motorhome had been in a severe hail storm, according to the seller, and because it had been perfect on the exterior before that, and it was looked at as a family heirloom (as the father, the matriarch of the family, the original and long time owner, had since passed on leaving this to his daughter, the sellers father) sparing any expense in bringing the exterior back up to where it was before the hail storm wasn't to be. They, from the looks and explanations, spent all of the insurance check from the insurances totaling on the motorhome, back on the motorhome.
According to the seller (and I really have no reason to doubt them) stated that the motorhome had always had full coverage on it and when it was badly hailed on the insurance company wrote it off as totaled since the cost to repair would exceed the value of the coach. This is understandable and happens more than people realize. Most people just then sell the coach or get rid of it, in this case however, they didn't and instead repaired all that had went wrong during that particular hail storm and then some.
According to the sellers, the repairs included all exterior lights (ah, so that's why they all still work), exterior compartment doors (all had to be created from scratch since they were no longer available), two roof vents (with the exception of the one above the pull down bed and the one in the kitchen as they weren't damaged and work just fine), new tires all the way around (I imagine this took a big chunk out of the insurance check), new total tune up, all new screw mouldings all the way around the entire exterior of the coach and I'm guessing it had been professionally detailed both inside and out because I just can't accept that the upholstery was in this condition without being professionally steamed cleaned. If it had been in this condition all this time, then wow!
Missing striping and decals from the exterior
There are a few items of interest though that the previous owners never went into detail about nor did I ask or inquire about. For one, if you look at the exterior pictures of this coach that I have on here, you'll notice there are alot of areas where the decals or striping on the coach is obviously missing. This would include both sides of the coach nearer to the top roof line, both front and rear caps missing decals striping as well. Especially the front 'hood' area of the coach. Nothing is on the access doors which there most certainly would have been (see pics of other Swinger Executive Lounges I've run across in my searches for history of this coach model - no copyright infringement intended - beneath this section). Not just missing though but professionally removed. I say professionally because these decals or striping would have been applied to this coach eons ago and over the years this tape striping adheres itself to the coach, never to be removed by hand ever again (such is not the case on newer RVs with stick on decals - first year and they're typically already pulling off and at anytime sometimes you can pull them right off by hand). In this case though, there is no sign of 'damage' to the decals, just that they were removed I'd assume with a heat gun of some sort. They will all be replaced spring/summer of 2013. I can't stand to look at the coach 'naked' anymore lol.
I saw this online for sale. Note decal placement, roof line and front cap. Apparently coach has been sold. Removed from CL.
Pic found online from coach for sale. Note decal striping on front cap and along sides of coach at roof line. Mine has none of these stripes which I insist it have, or be replaced.
This is the same coach from previous picture, note the decals on the rear of the coach. Again, mine doesn't have any of these stripes and decals and it feels sort of blank or like unfinished. These will be replaced 2013.
And yes, this is the coach whose name brand was removed as they felt it not appropriate for their family. Yes, the coach was sold according to the website this coach was on. It too was in astounding condition and sold, as a 1979 coach for around $9500!
The question however still remains as to why these decals were removed to begin with. The only thing I can think of is that they too were severely damaged in the hail storm. As old as the coach is and as old as the striping (which I'm assuming was tape striping from the factory which as it ages becomes very, very brittle) could have been destroyed with hail big enough to damage the rest of the coach in such a way as to be 'totaled'. This striping though will indeed be replaced. It's necessary I feel to give the coach a finished look.
Windows
Another thing I've noticed is, like I mentioned earlier, are the windows. They are absolutely perfect. Too perfect actually. When I got the coach home and began to inspect my purchase up close and personal, I noticed almost immediately that the window 'sills' or track were without a single item of dirt or debris in them. This may not be all that abnormal, but on a coach of this age that would be next to impossible. Keep in mind most if not all RV windows have weeping holes in them to allow the water from rain and so forth to run out of the window track and not seep into the 'house'. The screens on the windows, every one of them, are also perfect. The metal that the screens are made into is even perfect as if the screens never saw daylight or weather or anything actually which would just simply have to be impossible with the mileage of this coach.
This I did ask the previous owners about because it just was absurdly obvious that at some point these windows were replaced. If they weren't, then WOW. The dedication to keeping this coach in like new condition was taken very seriously and all the time, which would lead me to understanding why the upholstery was so perfect also. Not a single tear, rip, snag or even discoloration on the upholstery, ceiling, walls, vinyl or cabinet doors...anything!
The owners proudly answered a resounding no, the windows are all original to the motorhome. I must have looked dumbfounded because he smiled and said, "seriously, they are original". So, I have since left it at that, but every time I open or close a window in this coach, I check to make sure the tracks are still clean and if not, then I clean them. The windows themselves get a good cleaning at least once a month unless it's summer and it's being used constantly then weekly. Regardless of weather condition or climate or usage of the coach. In order for this coach to remain in this shape, constant maintenance has to be performed at some level all the time. You don't own a vintage coach unless you are committed to taking care of such a thing. Same as you would a vintage or classic Car, home or anything of value built decades ago.
Leveling Scissor Jacks
The previous owner or the original owner of this coach also installed crank jacks on all four corners of the motorhome. Sometimes they are called scissor jacks. They weren't used as leveling jacks although they can lift they coach (but I wouldn't recommend it) but as stabilizers. They are decently hidden for the most part. Actually you wouldn't even notice them unless you looked for them. The two upfront are more noticeable because of where they are installed, bolted onto the frame of the coach (as are the ones in the rear). They are handy and useful when necessary, within reason.
Roof Storage Pod
The roof storage pod on this coach was attached to the roof I'd assume many, many years ago and as such has held up quite nicely. This area also shows how this coach was stored indoors. The reason I mention it is because it was secured to the roof via four very large bolts at each corner, which, ironically go through the roof or ceiling. There hasn't been any damage to the roof from this at this point other than this past winter, the first winter the coach sat outside in...God only know how long, appeared to be a very small dripping of water from one of the bolts from the interior. We immediately sealed up this area and all has been well since.
Signs of Age
There are three areas in the coach that showed true signs of age. One is behind the couch closer to the most front end under the window. The paneling there is peeling or looks like it could or that the upper most surface of this paneling is or could peel away. Since the wall there isn't soft I didn't get over excited, however, I'm to assume the typical, water leakage from the window or perhaps frost or whatever got to this area. It has all since been completely sealed back up. Since I've owned the coach, no signs of leakage there.
Another spot is in almost an identical spot as the one behind the couch only this one is just right across from that area, behind one of the barrel chairs apparently from the same type of thing. Again, this area too has been sealed up. Same would apply to the one in the in the rear lounge area behind a cushion (none of them are visible unless you look for them). It too is under a window in about the same area as a weep hole. This would lead me to think that perhaps when the owners saw this, they then immediately acted in such a way as to prevent this type of thing from happening again so they kept the window tracks completely clean and free of debris. Since I've owned the coach, no leaks or water damage from any of these areas.
As for the ceiling of the motorhome, for a vintage coach such as this one, you'd just expect at least a little water damage or signs of leakage at some point especially around the roof vents. None. Any signs of roof leakage were apparently dealt with immediately upon their discovery by the previous owners. Which, again, shows nothing but signs of good maintenance and an owner who was proud of his motorhome.
The Furnace
One other item is the furnace. Having had as many motorhomes as I've had, I can do some maintenance on my own of course, but this furnace has me stumped, sort of. I mean, from the looks of this furnace, at least the parts I can access, it would appear as though it has never been used or even fired up except maybe perhaps decades ago. (The oven hadn't been used - again, not abnormal considering how hot is in in an RV when the oven is on, especially in the summer which is when, I feel, this coach was used most often).
This doesn't totally surprise me. When you think about it, it's a 'camper' (hate that word unless used to describe a pop-up or truck camper), it's an RV, a motorhome, something most people rarely use except to camp, fish or go the the park in for a family outing and almost always in the summer or warmer months when a furnace not only isn't necessary but isn't even thought about until late fall going into winter, when most people have already long since parked their rig until spring thaw, again, never having needed the furnace. So as far as unused on board RV appliances go, I'd say the furnace is first, followed by the oven.
This would mean that the usual repair, like cleaning out the intake and outtake on the exterior or making sure the vents and ducts aren't crushed or obstructed, making sure the gas line is actually on, making sure the thermostat is correctly installed, no wires pinched there etc...may not work in this case. This furnace may actually have to be removed, cleaned out or possibly repaired. Moving parts need to be moved once in a while or they will freeze in place and not operate as intended. Furnace repair is necessary, at least for me since I have to have a highly well maintained vintage coach at all times including things that aren't necessarily necessary for coach usage. Why have an on board furnace if it doesn't work? Pointless, so its repair is imminent.
Mr. Buddy Heater
This all being said, it's time I review for you the Mr. Buddy Heater sold at hardware stores (Lowe's, Home Depot) also sold at Camping World. If you don't have one, get one. If you don't think you need one, get one. If your like, we have a furnace, we have two of them in our coach, I'd say, first off, congrats on your many furnaces totalling huge BTUs you don't need all the time and insane propane usage when not really necessary, not to mention the battery power (if boon docking) required to run those many furnaces you may have, but still, get one. You'll be oh so glad you did.
The sole reasoning for the purchase of this Mr. Buddy Heater was because of the furnace being inoperable and I spend a ridiculous amount of time in this coach be it winter, summer, spring or fall. I need the heat and driving clear across Denver to get to a repair facility was out of the question during this time of the year. Lowe's is around the corner from us, so that is where I found this Mr. Buddy Heater. I had seen Mr. Buddy Heater many times advertised in Motorhome magazine and Trailer life, not to mention Camping Worlds website.
When I see these types of heaters I don't really put a whole bunch of faith into them. There are just so darn many heaters out there. However, having seen it advertised everywhere, battery operated, and holds two 1lb propane cylinders I decided to take a closer look, then thought, what the heck, I'll get one and because Lowe's at the time was having a sell, I got the big one. ( I strongly suggest the big one especially for an RVer). They are on average about $140. Well worth every single penny as this product does exactly what the box says it does. It can heat up to 450sq ft of space in no time at all. It is D battery operated for the blower or fan (or you can buy the adapter to plug it in - $20). You can run it with the blower fan on which obviously heats up the area quicker or just run it on ambient.
Why a battery operated, propane cylinder all in one portable heater in an RV? Duh! For those of us who prefer not to always be in a portable subdivision (campground), or use our obnoxious generator (at all hours of the day and night - how fun is that?), or be plugged in (to yet another power source) and you need heat (and don't want to use up your precious on board propane, battery power or just don't need 26,000 BTUs for the next few hours while parked in the middle of nowhere) then a Mr. Buddy Heater would do the trick, perfectly. No exterior sounds coming from your coach like a generator, no on board what I consider alot of times emergency propane needed or coach or house battery power is required meaning that you can get out of wherever you may be parked because you didn't kill you batteries with the furnace running (been there done that far too many times to even count - mostly in my younger days - not again).
This heater can be used anywhere you need heat be it indoors or even outside. It's battery operated for Goodness sakes, which is why I say all RVers need one and with all that storage on newer RVs today, one has no excuse for not having one. When you aren't using it in the coach then it can be used outside on the porch, deck, spare unheated room in the house, office, garage, den, under the awning of your RV if you still want to enjoy the outdoors here in Colorado even though the sun has gone down, the evening chill has set in the air, you have no firewood and want heat while you sit and watch the sun set...wherever heat is needed, quickly or for a time.
It has three settings. The highest setting will heat you out of whatever space you are in (granted it isn't a huge coach or barn) in short order with the fan on. The lowest setting will keep any space (again, a space that isn't a barn or large coach) at a perfect temperature as long as it's on, even on just ambient or no fan. The D batteries install on the rear of the heater and requires four of them. The heater isn't all that heavy to carry or move around and it doesn't get hot to the touch (except the front areas are very hot while operating).
If you are in a smaller coach, I'd say anywhere up to as much as 29ft or so, one Mr. Buddy Heater will take care of your heating needs and if your in a larger coach, it would certainly asst with maintaining a level amount of heat inside the coach along with your furnace. Most on board RV furnaces can't really regulate heat all that well due in part because of the nature of construction of RVs. The walls in RVs are not the walls in your home. They are significantly thinner by nature so heat can escape very rapidly when the furnace shuts off. With the Mr. Buddy Heater, you will stay at whatever temp you set until you turn it off.
Now, the heat on the Mr. Buddy Heater is provided by two 1lb propane cylinders which screw on at either end. On low these will last up to 6 hours which if you have an on board furnace (or two) and it's really cold out and your worried about having to unhook and run down to the propane place to fill up your built on propane tank (motorhomes propane tanks are welded onto the frame of the coach meaning if your low you have to actually drive the entire house to the propane fill station in sometimes frigid, freezing temps and buried in snow - been there done that), you wouldn't necessarily have to until at least the weather outside broke. With the heater on medium heat, you get about 4 hours. With the temp set to high you get roughly 3 hours (of course by that time you'd have cooked yourself from the inside out). I have been using these heaters off and on for several years, and I never use it on high unless I'm heating a coach up from a standing freezing or below freezing temperature and even then, after about 15 mins to half hour (depending on just how frigid it is outside) I turn it down to low because it's heated up the space quite nicely and will remain that way as long as the heater is on. So, my point, get one...just do it! lol - (no, I am not a spokes person for this product. When I find a product that does exactly what it's supposed to do and it helps out RVers in a big way, then I mention it, in the detail most wouldn't take the time to do).
Tires
The tires on this coach were so new in fact that they hadn't really been broken in, which was another first for me and an enormous savings when thinking of the future. Tire replacement on a motorhome is expensive to say the least. This was already done when I got the coach and in part, due to the price I paid for a 1978 vintage 26ft (even though the GMC Motorhome is also 26ft and going at prices in the high teens and built between 1973 and approx 1978 by General Motors Corp), I paid a nice $4500.00 (compared to a GMCs average price of $16,000.00). A price I felt well worth the over all condition of the coach, including brand new tires.
After having driven the motorhome less than 100 miles, it became apparent that the tires were purchased from someplace, installed by a friend of the owner or owners at their own location and never balanced, I'm assuming. People who aren't familiar with the performance of a motorhome or the severe importance of balancing tires (a place who installs tires would have automatically balanced them from the beginning) wouldn't have perhaps understood the major importance of having this procedure done. I was getting really bad and very heavy vibration from the front drivers side tire due to being way out of balance. Having your tires balanced is not a major ordeal and is crucial to the performance of your rig, and most of all, your safety. Tire maintenance is huge! Never forget that.
Decorating my Vintage Coach
In regards to this, my 1978 Swinger Executive Lounge Motorhome, decorating it wasn't as difficult as have been some of my other previous motorhomes. Reason being I feel is that this coach was very tastefully done, from the factory. There were no hideous colors to try to hide or accent or try to match colors with, no obsene materials or color choices and it was kept in immaculate condition, which also helps.
The upholstery is done in a what I consider, masculine tones and colors. Browns were very popular in this period so I expected that, but what I didn't expect was the baby blue. This color runs in small threads through the upholsery on the cock pit chairs as well as the couch and rear lounge. The bucket chairs are all baby blue.
The original carpeting was a very deep pile brown carpet on very dense pad. I know this because the original carpet is still on the floor of the coach, under this new carpeting installed by the previous owner as they hated the brown. Yes, they could have removed the old carpeting, but why? The more insulation from the air and wind and cold blowing under the floor of the motorhome, the better. So on this floor currently is original pad, original brown carpet and newly installed baby blue carpet. While I don't mind the baby blue carpet, seeing the original dark brown carpet (and photos of original brochures of motorhomes from this period with the dark wood or paneled walls and dark brown carpeting) made the motorhome feel a bit 'more' luxurious, even though alot of times that was purely an illusion and excellent selling plan for the manufacture. In the case of this motorhome, it too would seem or appear more luxurious than it is with darker carpet. Having said that, I'm still leaning toward nice dark hard wood flooring. I'm just not too keen on a cold floor in the winter and if you have tons of area rugs all over the place on top of the hard wood floor, then what's with having a hard wood floor? Practical people, think practical.
With carpeting at least I can vacuum up a mess easily enough and a stain can be washed out. A ding, dent, nick or chip out of a hard wood floor I just spent a bunch of money on in a motorized house that's 35yrs old would send me into a tailspin of anquish. While I know these can be repaired, just not as easily as just having a vacuum on board and a fully carpeted unit. Get my drift? Then too, no shoes are ever allowed anyways and since I use my coach year around (even in below zero temps) having a wood floor transferring the cold outside temps to the inside would be just a waste. It helps to know how your going to always use your coach as to what flooring works best for you and your families needs.
Secondly, if there were ever a wet spot on the wood flooring and someone slipped and fell, while in the coach, in such a small space, it could be a disaster in the long run.
All that being said, some of these new hard wood flooring offerings are just plain awesome, including the one that resembles a hard wood floor from an old saloon. Rustic, beat up and natural, only it's brand new and stained to whatever suits your fancy. Would certainly make it alot harder to 'slip and fall' while on board. :) Stay tuned to see what I do finally end up with in the end on the floor. Baby blue carpeting probably won't be it. Until then, it's just fine.
As for other interior decorating accents, in this coach, I went with the baby blue because it's a rare color (outside of Holiday Ramblers which used alot of baby blue back then - alot of pastels really - looked awesome though none the less) in a motorhome back then and I used the brown and off white or 'bone' color. I like three colors to work with and all three must be already built into the coach.
You can't really tell in the photos I have here but there are alot of throw pillows to go with this coach. Throw pillows work wonders in an RV and especially an old one. I go through decorating or re-decorating periods where one minute I may like the way it looks then the next it has to change, then back, then back again and so on. So, in these photos on here of my coach interior I was on the 'less is more' mindset and the pillows were stored (onboard of course in case I change moods in mid-camp lol). What you can see here in these pics, first off would be the baby blue barrel chairs sporting brand new modern throw pillows with a square pattern (changing up accent patterns adds a certain homey touch to whatever your decorating) and in this case these chairs needed all the help they could get. Baby blue chairs aren't pretty in the daylight unless accented by something to take your eyes away from all that blue (keeping in mind the carpet too is baby blue). These pillows (found at a thrift store - where most of the stuff I get for my vintage coaches is found) have all three of the colors I wanted to use. Baby blue, off white and brown. Perfect. So I then began my search for other decorating ideas, masculine and for a small space such as this in those colors.
Wall hangings are also something I do to change the space from 'camper' (ugh hate using that word - unless describing a person) to relaxing, soothing, uplifting, positive, fun, and family oriented environment. To do this I chose pictures whos color scheme is that of the three colors I'm using, then the saying on the picture (my pics in my coaches are usually a saying of some sort - generally but not always as is the case with the pics in the kitchen of this coach) has to be uplifting and positive. In this case the pics, mostly in this living room this time, are baby blue, brown and off white and the space where your guests or family first come to sit. The pics in the rear or galley area are kitchen are more fun and upbeat. Two different moods for two different spaces, yet the same.
The couch then has two simple brown very comfortable pillows on either end along with the ones that came with the coach back in 1978 to give the couch a finished and lived in, yet very clean look along with the throw (shouldn't every RV couch have a throw? lol) which is again the baby blue color. Having a conveniently located throw is just plain common sense for anyone who travels with someone that gets cold very easily, no matter the season (or maybe you are that person - I'm that person), just incorporate it into the flow of the RV and no one will be the wiser. The brown tones I used to decorate were to soften the blow from all that baby blue.
Then the floor in this area of the coach I chose a piece of heavy, woven, woolen, off white, thick, shaggy, very warm, very comfortable, nice looking and foldable fabric, again found at the thrift store. It's completely unexpected when walking into this coach and adds a touch of warmth and homeyness to it as well. Not to mention keeping the floor of the motorhome warmer in the winter.
As for the rear of the coach, this is where I went throw pillow crazy. I wanted to create a space, different, yet the same as the front. Upfront its all about 'welcome to my home that's mobile' with a more staged and straight laced look while out back it's about 'settle in for the long ride' with an assortment of throw pillows of various shapes and sizes but in the same color pallot to create a more 'chillaxed' feel, yet keeping in the same spirit as that of the front half of the coach. Again, the pics I have here are after that phase (which will come back as the weather breaks into spring) in which case I'll go through again and re-decorate for spring/summer.
The window treatments in this coach are all original and as of yet I don't really have any plans to change them. If I did, I'd consider wooden, woven shades probably. Not curtains although curtains do help with keeping the cold out in the winter months where as blinds can allow cool air to seep through. So, that's a long ways off even if I would consider it.
The floor space I tried to leave unspoiled in most areas. However, in the winter months I'll put down an area rug or two (as in the living room) to help with heating and because no shoes are allowed, walking around on a cold floor isn't much fun. While in the summer months I'll take up the area rugs and just have to vacuum more, which I don't mind in the least. But in this coach I use both bone color rugs or brown.
As for knick knacks, well I'm a guy so I don't have much in the way of knick knacks, but what I do put out refers to the overall underlying theme of this coach which is tribal African ( to be brought out more this summer). I've discovered that these colors work well with that art (which can be expensive) and I've been slowly purchasing (not from the thrift store) accent or decorative African art to stage in various yet minimal areas so that the theme is felt not beaten into you. When I do a re-decorate I do it all in one day so I just save up my purchases until I have all the pieces I need for the transformation, then do it all then as apposed to doing it each item at a time. My partner has told me I need a spare room in the house just for storage of the decorating themes we've had in the past as I'm running out of storage space now lol.
I can't help it. A motorhome is such a small space, and if you spend alot of time in it as we do, then you can quickly (or at leas me who re-arranges our house at least once a month) can get bored with my decorating theme so, I have to change it up. For me, it's part of the passion of vintage RVing. They are a blank slate just waiting for your (here is that word again) 'creativity' to shine. Here, no one gets upset if you screw something into the wall (within reason of course), or change something up. It's paid for, you own it, it's already old as the hills and nine times out of ten, if you do go to a portable subdivision (campground) every one around you will be in something built in this decade. In other words, a coach just like yours will probably more than likely not even be any where near you, your state or your city. You and your coach will, just by nature of your passion, vintage RVing, will stand out in a huge crowd. So you best be perfect or at best a perfect representation of Vintage RVing.
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ReplyDeletejust traded a Goldwing motorcycle for a 1978 swinger,wtih 52000 miles i'm the third owner and the home is in great shape, I have I question I hope you can answer.there is a narrow box above the entrance door with a knob that says warmer or cooler. do you what this controls.???
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ReplyDeleteHowdy! I just picked up a fair condition '73 Swinger here in Willow, Alaska! It needs help but drove away under its own power and got up to 55 mph pretty quick. I paid $2200 for it and noticed later some evidence of prior roof leaks but inside it is ALL ORIGINAL! Looking forward to sharing the renovation story later this spring and getting it on the road. It even had ALL of the original manuals with it. So I plan on scanning them in to share with whoever needs them.
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I have a question I have this exact rv gutted trashed but it says it is the executive lounge II swinger 440 engine block generator attached is that the same as this one or a newer version or different class series
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