A Catepillar diesel-powered custom mid-70s Winnebago motorhome converted into a custom car hauler? Yes, please. I can’t imagine driving this rig anywhere and not having to answer questions about it. This incredibly cool 1975 Winnebago Motorhome Car Hauler, “Rampabago,” can be found here on Facebook Marketplace in Louisville, Kentucky, and they’re asking $30,000. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Rocco B. for the tip!
Somewhat akin to wearing both a belt and suspenders, or owning an on/off motorcycle meant to do more than one job, this little motorhome with a car hauler on the back is maybe not a perfect motorhome or a perfect car hauler, but the combo of the two makes it about as unique as it gets. In case you were wondering, no, the car shown on the back is not included in the $30k asking price.
We don’t know what model Winnebago this was originally, but the wheelbase looks too long for it to be a 19-foot or even 21-foot Brave, so I’m assuming it’s a 23-foot Indian or a 25-foot Chieftan. The light blue isn’t a factory color, but there isn’t much factory about this super cool custom, and I think it’s a really nice, fresh color for this rig. The seller says they created more than a little buzz when they created this custom diesel-powered Winnebago car hauler a few years ago on the internet, and I don’t doubt it. Here is a 1975 brochure showing the Winnebago motorhome lineup. They say this creation has been stored outside for the last few years since it was completed, and has weathered a bit.
A nice custom touch is the name and logo on both the front and back, Rampabago. Unfortunately, there are no engine photos, but they say it’s powered by a Caterpillar 3208 diesel, which is a 636-cu.in. (10.4-liter) OHV V8, which had a few ratings depending on if it was used in a truck, or a marine application, or in a 1970s Winnebago car hauler… Just kidding on that last part. Here is an interesting brochure showing some of the features and specs of the Caterpillar 3208 diesel engine. It appears to have between 175 and 210 horsepower and 400 to 485 lb-ft of torque. One of you diesel experts will know more about it for sure. It’s backed by a TorqueFlite automatic transmission sending power to the rear wheels.
There aren’t any cab photos showing the driver’s view or the front of the interior at all, and really only three partial photos showing the side dinette. I believe everything may have been removed from the interior other than this one seating area, but the seller doesn’t mention that in their listing. What they do mention is that it runs and drives well, but as with 1970s technology, it’s on the slow side. I wish they had kept more of the motorhome bits inside, such as the bathroom and kitchen, but they’re gone, according to websites talking about it back in 2022 when it was reportedly created. Would you change anything about this custom 1975 Winnebago Rampabago car hauler?
So one can u know where you sleep..
Lol
I like it..
I think you meant car shown on the back not car show. Otherwise unless it had the rest of the motorhome it’s overpriced. A trailer will do the same thing.
Thanks for catching that, Daniel!
Looks like they turned it into a studio!
I love the link to the Winnebago brochure!! Just look at all those greens, browns, yellow, wild floral paterns!! Yepper, it’s 1975 in all its radiant glory. Just need to see the kids in bell bottom pants and Dad in a Leisure suit driving the thing.
This is one wild custom. A lot of work went into it, and looks good too. The Cat 3208 paired to the Torqueflite ( or is it Loadflite?) Trans is interesting. I guess it can take the torque of the Cat. I only drove one truck with that engine, a logging truck with a knuckle boom and a bed on the back, hooked to a 5 speed, and it did pretty good. But I’m sure more expert opinions will have better insight than me ( Looking towards Howard and Geomechs and Stan) I enjoyed your write up Scotty thank you.
Good point on the transmission, Dave! I’m guessing LoadFlite, but I just went with what the seller listed. The only thing cooler may be a motorhome with a “garage” for hauling a vehicle, or motorcycles, snowmobiles, etc., like you see with some trailers. Just to keep the vehicles out of the weather and out of prying eyes and prying fingers at night.
It’s funny Scotty. I learned more about the “Loadflite” name from you, and one of your write ups on a Dodge truck.If it weren’t for you I wouldnt have even asked that!!! There’s always someting new I’m learning about from you folks at Barfinds.
Interesting idea if you’ve the need for something like this, the bits around to put something like this together, and the skills it takes to make it work right. Seen the idea of this in some very expensive rigs at offroad events that sold for a big chunk of change but how many times did we go to a well attended dirt bike race and see some guy and his buddy pull up in some beater Ford Econoline that smoked as much as the Jawa/CZ they backed out of it? Use whatcha got and put the rest of the cash in the bank.
“…no, the car shown on the back is not included in the $30k asking price…”
That’s a relief for whoever buys it.
Awesome. 🤌
These were very popular with drag racers before the ultimate behemoths they use today. 3208? Yeah my “rating” is it stunk in a trucking application, I suppose it would be okay here. I read Winnebago never offered a 3208 in a Brave, and I probably would have stayed with a gas job. If it’s 175-210 HP, it’s the “NA” ( naturally aspired) and a hair dryer adds about 40 HP, but probably adequate without. It’s not a bad unit,,,,for 1975, but with diesel over $7/gallon,( in Cal) and single digit mileage, you won’t go far. Still a nice unit for that classic that is no longer is highway compliant.
Never seen one of these in person; never seen a diesel powered Winnebago of that vintage, but I heard of them. But, I might add, for its age, if it’s the original engine, it could be an 1160, the daddy of the 3208.
In some ways I preferred the 1160. It still ran the tried and true Scroll injection pump instead of the sleeve-metering system. Not that there was anything wrong with the sleeve-metering injection pump; I just preferred the Scroll system.
Both engines ran the same injection timing advance mechanism which could be troublesome if you let the engine run too cold, or didn’t change oil frequently enough; or both.
In either case you couldn’t get a much smoother running diesel engine.
Had to look I found it fascinating! I could use this one!!
Cool idea but it must be a nightmare to load. What are the ramps the same length as the truck?
That unit is good to go for car hating California as well, being a 1975 it is exempt from smog regulations and therefore it’s engine swap is none of the states business, it should find a home here if the seller advertises in the right places!
If you are filthy rich, ok, go with it, but a Win-a-bagle?
not my kind of vehicle, but very cool. if you must haul for shows or just to get a car where you are going, this is one neat way to go.
Used to drive a Ford LN 7000 with the 3208 twin screw and a 10 speed as I recall. 20 foot box held 500 bushels of grain. Performed quite well hauling grain to the river terminal in Keokuk Iowa.
We tow our race cars with motor homes or in the past VW campers with portapots in them. Race track bathrooms aren’t exactly healthy to use and really get useless when the heavy drinkers barf all over them. This big guy here is worthless but interesting for anyone who is not interested in hygiene, which these days is very important.