Free is a strange word, as it would insinuate getting something for nothing, but that is rarely the situation. Offered for free with a clear title, keys, and a big block Mopar engine, this camper is absolutely free to whoever comes and takes it away! Check out this sweet freebie here on craigslist out of Woodbridge, Virginia.
Parked nearly 10 years ago, there isn’t much info given on this large free steed. A tarp or some other type of cover was draped over this camper, and there is some mold that could stand a good washing. The biggest thing is figuring out what to do with this camper. A free 440 V8 is nothing to turn away, but at the same time, this camper could still possibly be a viable road trip machine after a lot of cleaning, and some interior work. Perhaps not the most alluring classic camper, this Winne is still a classic, and would look great toting around old bikes, and towing a muscle car, or some other 70’s era vehicle. With a fantastic price, and a big heart, what would you do with this free camper?
Free? Looks like we’ll be seeing this still unwashed parked on the streets of Woodbridge for the homeless. Our city has hundreds of them parked all over.
Parked like it is, I’m assuming you enter by crawling through the window? LOL Nice theft deterrent. Sometimes old RVs are like old exercise equipment, you can’t hardly give them away.
That 440 might have a steel (forged) crank – worth the trouble to grab it.
That 440 might be a 413 that came in some campers well into the 70s
413 is what I was thinking too.
413 $$ rev it up…rev it up powershift here we go !! Everyone, hum a few bars ( music from the ’60’s !!) Beachboys?
…don’t forget…you are also getting a free torqueflite and free rear end…maybe a Dana 60….the rest of it you give to the fire department for practice…
Then you have to pay someone to tow it away. Wrecking yards and tow companies don’t want to deal with RV’s, they are big, bulky and in many states are forced to treat the sewage tank as hazardous material. In LA many the tow companies the city uses refuse to take motor homes. It would be cheaper to buy a 440 and torqueflite off Craigslist than having to pay to have this thing hauled home then to the wrecking yard.
Steve R
Steve R, Yes, Bingo, In CA we have the same type of thing goin on, People who give these motor homes away, just dont want to deal with all the hassle,
FYI, have you ever tried to get rid of a motor home? Septic systems are hot potatoes, never know whats inside, where u gonna dump it.
I have been given two, for the motors of course, but then another just for the frame, then another dodge 1 ton dually, 360/727 from a storage facility, i ended up demolishing the camper section and sold the mini wini frame with cab section still attached, for 500$, The remains of the camper are still in a pile at the back of my property waiting for a cold foggy night.
Depending on the year it might be a 9 1/4 Detroit locker almost as strong as a Dana
Not a Winnebago, it’s a Pace Arrow.
You are correct. Fleetwood made the Pace Arrow. Not Winnebago.I worked for them for 9 years. Some do not realize Winnebago is a brand name.
Hi Michael, Worked for Johnny Crean myself for years in towables. Pendleton Or, Winchester Va, Rialto Ca. but also spent time in San Berdo, LaGrande, and a couple others.
This RV and most in this shape are junk, and it will cost you to strip it out and get rid of the bones. BUT in old Virginnie, it may not cost a mint for disposal fees. In California it would be prohibitive. I see these in rainy Oregon quite often, and at that price. I think these days the largest supply of 440 Mopar drivetrains are from these RVs and so they play an important role in getting the mighty wedge back in service. The last steel crank 440 was 1971, and I can’t find the year of this Pace Arrow. :-) Terry J
Terry J.. Ma Mopar built forged crank 440s in passenger cars until mid ’72, but continued them in big motor homes until at least ’76.. no joke
With both sadness and relief (from payment relief and maintenance), we recently sold our gorgeous 2008 Pace Arrow. My wife and I have camped our whole lives, starting out in tents, then moving to rigs as her back started giving way.
We found a place that sold rigs on consignment. They told me that rigs lose one percent of their value per month. They sold the rig in two months and the price covered the remainder of the note.
That said, unless you know motor homes, you can’t imagine the cost and labor required to keep these operating, much less to repair a (badly) neglected one. And I assure you the smell inside will make you gag!
Yes, perhaps the drivetrain has value. Uh, I’ll pass on this one :-)
Even for free,I would like to see a lot more pics!
does it/can it run?what is the inside like?does the roof leak?[probably]!
are the brakes froze up?,alot of questions that sellers/owners should try to answer,but hey its FREE! like others mentioned -crankshaft/heads/tranny/rear end,all good stuff to get for free,if you have room for this/and or could revive it!
Cheap living gets cheaper all the time!
After sitting for 10 years on dirt, I suspect you’re right: frozen brakes and leaking roof which would make for a great interior. In addition, the engine, transmission, rear end, frame, etc., etc. will probably have little more than scrap value.
Change all the fluids. Soak the cylinders with a combo of WD-40 and engine fogging storage oil and let it sit to soak in. Slowly turn the crank until all free. Then spin over with the starter with plugs removed. Replace all fluids and use seal conditioners made by Hapco and or Lucas in the engine and transmission. Yes it could be saved and have done this with many so called junk vehicles.
No contact info to reach person giving away. Please add
It’s the seller, no one on this site
Strip it to the chassis, throw the cab from an old truck on there and have a really tough flatbed work truck.
Power wash and sanitize it. Retro RV’s are getting very collectible for car shows NASCAR races etc especially with the right retro colors. This could be very savable. Just keep it on a tight budget and don’t go overboard. The exterior after being power washed would polish right up.
Knock loud. The Joads are home…
A lot of assumptions in the comments with very little seller info/pictures…No, it won’t be free as it will cost to retrieve it but who knows. If I were closer to VA I would certainly have a looksee.
Fly out and drive it home.
Save the 440, kill the rest of the DNA sponge with fire
Chrysler Marine and Industrial used forged cranks in 440’s and other similar applications right to the end in 1980. Chrysler Marine had 60% of the gas inboard engine market until the division was sold off in the 1980’s. A lot of history there for Chrysler.
I don’t see getting a return on my investment! LOL
I have junked out a few. Most are the house of mouse. Its a ton of work to junk them. One turned out to be a 413 and not a 440. The transmissions for the most part have a brake drum E brake set up mounted to the back of them, hard to convert to car use. 3 Mopar, oneToyota and a Ford so far…pretty sure I don’t want to junk anymore. My own personal one in Florida is Chevy powered, may end up junkingthat one some day….lots of work
There’s the voice of experience talkin’ , Gary. Thanks Matt, thought the ’71 New Yorker engine in my ’41 p/u was the last steel crank. In ’72 the Fed mandates started the slippery slope of engine H.P dropping like a rock which continued for the next decade or so. That said the big wedges were still strong.
The main prob with RVs is that they leak. Roofs, vents,windows, caps. Then mold, mildew & dry rot isn’t far behind. Even ones that look a lot better than this one can be a biohazard. :-) Terry J
Chrysler Marine and Industrial used forged cranks in 440’s and other similar applications right to the end in 1980. Chrysler Marine had 60% of the gas inboard engine market until the division was sold off in the 1980’s. A lot of history there for Chrysler.
Hi Terry,
I worked in Motor Home Product Development in Riverside from 87-96. Saw Mr. Crean all the time. We all had to be on our best behavior when he was around.
Cheers,
Michael
Somebody call Walter White
Free is a bad thing when you have neighbors that drag vermin infested crap like this home and park it next to their rotted semi trailer and fiberglass boat collection.
At Chris- I like your optimism on this RV. This kind of find makes me want to start a company rescue in the oldies. I live in North Idaho, things are a little more relaxed as far as having junk around goes or disposing of it. You just got to follow the rules. Although I can see where it could amount to some fees in order to dispose of certain things.
park in on the street in dale city to replace the limosine people are living in
Free is not cheap! Experience here. But if you like it for what it is, go for it
It’s not what you pay for something but what it costs you that counts. :-) Terry J
Interesting Michael. I was with Fleetwood (production)for about 6 yrs ending around ’89 and was at HQ in Riverside a time or two. Never met Mr Crean, and probably missed seeing you since I was from Terry and Prowler travel trailer plants.
Readers: Fleetwood was the GM of RVs in those days. 14 or 15 RV trailer plants, and equal number of Motorhome factories and the largest manufacturer of “Single Family Housing Units” ( Manufactured homes) in the nation. For a time I was in the Rialto Ca. Prowler plant when we were producing over 200 RVs a WEEK. :-) Terry J
I’d take a sawsall to the body and cut it into chunks. The rolling chassie and drive line that remained would be restored and the wheel base shortened. I’d than go looking for a COE cab and fender assemble with a custom period looking truck box on the back. Most of these old motor home were low milers as they were not driven daily and in this case you’d have a really cheep start to a custom truck.
Woo-hoo! I like this conversation!!
I see the chassis for a COE ratrod
I see the chassis for a COE ratrod
I’m positive that the interior is just like the Brazilian rain forest when it rains. The roof will be sagging, the walls stained, the carpet, well, yuck, and it would be a nightmare to fix. The engine is the only plus here.
Recall my last free car…I paid too much.
After pulling the engine and any usable parts, I see the rest being a fun target at somebody’s next Guns & Barbecue.
Required viewing: Watch the Roadkill guys in a similar motorhome predicament:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JXDcJQqZrA
Wasn’t the Pace Arrow an upgrade from a Winnebago and more expensive? Is PA still in business?
Nope Charles, Totally different companies. Michael will have to respond to the question about Pace still being around. In the last crash, Fleetwood went Bankrupt, but I heard they are still building Manufactured Homes, so some of that big company still remains. :-) Terry J
Fleetwood went bankrupt around 2008, I think. When we sold our gorgeous (see above) Pace Arrow, they said that the 2008’s were the last of the “good” Pace Arrows and more desirable than models since then. I believe they ceased making manufactured homes.
The Pace Arrow was top-of-the-line for the Fleetwood gas rigs. Ours had the 502 GM / Allison 6-speed, balanced gearing, power to spare, and more luxury than our house. Sad to sell the unit, but, that’s that happens when your dear sweet wife’s health declines and priorities change.
Oh boy! A rolling meth lab ala Breaking Bad
I was given a ’76 Travco 320, updated in the early-2000’s. Dodge M-500 chassis, hydra-boost brakes (disc on front) and really nice. But then again, my uncle ordered it new in ’75, so I know the history of it…and they are very well built
That Pace Arrow is ‘stick & staple,’ so odds are it’s a petri dish for all kinds of mold spores.
Could n’t do it in Portland Or the city is full of them on the streets they made law the homeless are living in them……
Just what I need to get all My possessions in and tow my bimmer to Mexico. I’m guessing disposal would be rather easier down there after I was settled. Don’t mind gutting, fumigating and rubberizing the roof. Would have to find out about the power train and wish it was in the n’west. I’d do it.
A late friend of mine would go to the US for long vacations after he retired. He would buy something like this,fix it up enough to get it licensed ,drive around the US ,then drive to the airport in LA and ….leave it there. Some other aussies have decided to bring theirs back here only to find they are too wide and not possible to register them for road use here. ooops. heres an idea…https://youtu.be/RLo4eZzdiDg
Nice. Drop a smelly dump on the dumb ole Americans and let them clean up your mess and at our expense. Classy.