10/19/08 Update: This Coach is now in the process of being dismantled for salvageable parts.

quote:

Posted 10-19-2008 01:11 PM
in the process of departing 29' '77 coach,
I will post photos & description of parts as they come loose and I figure out how to post them. Dick Dubbs dubbarundo@hotmail.com some people have expressed interest in certain parts and they will have first consideration.

Looking for a good home: 1977 Barth 29 foot hump back, on a chevy P series chassis with a 454 engine. Fairly good condition, has been setting idle for almost 5 yrs. Includes 2 furnaces, Onan generator, 2 50amp power converters, atwood water heater, 3-way refrig., range and oven. My opinion very restorable. MFG plate info ...Barth 3/3/77, Chev. 12/76, GVWR 14,500, F 5,000, 8X19.5 8 ply R 9,840, 8X19.5 8 ply, S77032139MC29B, CPY 3773309102. located near Bethlehem PA. make an offer Dick . dubbarundo@hotmail.com

I have been contacted by Dick Dubbs and was asked to add the following to his post. Below is a copy of an email that Dick Dubbs sent to me.

quote:

I should have included my phone no. 610 967-9600. The Barth binder has Atwood literature for the water heater but visual inspection reveals a Bowen I D. I did manage to read some forum re. a Barth in Quakertown; from the description and comments by the people conversing mine is a little older but in a lot better shape. I really would like it to end up in the hands of someone who appreciates Barth. I am afraid that I will soon be disassembling this coach for salvage and scrap. The local authorities have decided that it is inappropriate to be parked in my driveway. I know the timing stinks I should have made it available a lot sooner, but I had thoughts of tuning it up and making use of it.Please add my phone no. and change Atwood to Bowen. Thank you for your assistance. Dick

Hey Mary if you're out there. this would be a perfect Barth to add to your stable.
Jim

Actually I was thinking about the trailer. I need to diversify.

You don't have that camper yet?

no, we don't. We have been looking for awhile. About 6 years ago we found a Barth in Florida but just were not able to swing it. We do have a custom sleeper on out semi-truck. Not quite the same..

sorry about the first post computer was acting up as a new member and new to the usa rv thing i am from the uk i do need a lot of help i was wondering the rv you were talking about if it has not been scrapped is that a good size for a first time rv person to start out on like i say i need all the help i can i have the mec and wiring skills but never had a rv before


thanks


arberg aka william

Welcome to the Forums!

First, as to size, 29' is "medium" size for a motorhome, but it's still a large vehicle.

Motorhomes have all the things to maintain a house does, along with the maintenance of a truck. An older motorhome will require more of both types. No matter how well maintained, one that has sat for an extended period will require a fair bit of both.

The "house" part of the wiring is primarily 12 VDC, but has 120 VAC mains as well. The wiring can be a bit complex.

The advantage of a Barth is that the basic structure is very robust, and being aluminum, not subject to serious deterioration. Interior cabinetry is also first rate. The bottom line is that once restored, a Barth is forever.

Thanks for the info Rusty and the best thing about the likes of a barth and a dare i say in the same breath a winny is they are classic rv,s none os your cheap plastic parts real wood and chrome as my american wife says real chrome i moved here almost 10 years ago now met my wife on the net and well things were downsizing in the uk so took the chance never looked back , Had a nasty scare in 2004 had a 9 hour brain op which ment after that i was retired from working so now i am the house husband as my wife tell everbody my first car here was a 1972 buik le sabre custom one little old lady ower from new now that had real chrome great car to drive gave it to my stepson when i got my next car needless to say he blew the engine ah well kids for you i told him check the oil and water take it easy and it will see you right his answer was its a old mans car i said it goes from a to b and it cost you nothing .well enough of me going on and on hope you had a good labour day holiday me i am still looking for that rv

srberg aka william


ps we will have to install a perch upfront as our green parrot loves to travel with us

Rusty i have a ? for you what do you think of the barth that is being offered for $2,400 and he says he will get it running i wonder if it would make the trip all the way over to buffalo
arberg aka william

William, I can't speculate on the reliability of the Barth in California (or any other Barth except the one Tom Loughney bought, which I inspected). One thing to consider is that if it were made to run and pass California emissions tests, you can be sure fuel economy would suffer. A 2,650 mile trip back home to NY would be almost certain to be An Adventure.

Dick Dubb's Barth is closer, and when buying anything, it's best to check it out first; Dick's Barth has, of course, the disadvantage of being laid up for some time. Herb's coach is known to have substantial rust in the chassis.

Which of the two would require more work and expense to make fully usable? I surely don't know, but 350 miles to Dubbs' coach is more practical, IMHO, and hopefully the undercarriage would be relatively free of corrosion.

Depending on your intentions for using the coach, 29' vs. 24' adds much in the way of creature comforts, and not too much in the way of lower fuel economy.

To be realistic, for Dick Dubb's coach (or ANY vintage motorhome), plan on at least $5,000 to bring it up to usable condition, due to its having sat for a while. Tires, hoses, belts and transmission and engine seals may need replacement (at least the first three). Figure there will be issues with the appliances (reefer, roof A/C, furnace, hot water heater, etc.) and chassis fitments (as previously mentioned), but also things like brakes, power steering, chassis A/C, and so forth. This expectation would apply to any vintage coach, BTW.

But in the end, you'd have a Barth. Most '77 Winnebagos and Fleetwoods have long been converted to mulch (or should be).

Thanx to Rusty for his information on what to look forward to when aquiring an older RV. He explained very well what it would take to get my '77 29 ' coach safely on the road. A cursory inspection under the coach revealed normal rust coating on the "iron" I could see. There is a little deteriorated sections of the wheel well liners but not enough to effect it structurly. The "new" mufflers, new one hour driving time before I shut 'eh down, still have a nice bright red paint job. The appliances were all working the day I quit. I would suspect that .......... ah well this is all moot comment as I will begin dismantling her sometime this week as I reported to the township authorities on " motor homes in driveways". I will start inside with the upper cabinets and work my way down. If any "pros" out there have helpful (or maybe not so helpful) suggestions be free to comment, please. D.D.

Last chance! '77 29' I will begin dismantling the "Seeliner" , the name given to this coach by a previous owner,sometime tomorrow. I think it was Mary Ray in another post who expressed my sentiments about a shame to erase a part of RV history. I feel a little comfort in the though that she (not Mary-the RV) may live on via parts transplanted in other Barths so they may live. I might have to down a few shots of vodka to get up the courage to start twisting screws and bolts (counter clock wise). I will make a list of available componenmts as I go on. Any words of advice? Dick.

I just noticed the date/time above, it must be Greenwich time. Here in Bethlehem it is now Sunday 7:18 PM

This coach is now in the process of being dismantled. As soon as I figure how I will be posting pix and descriptions of parts available. Dick Dubbs.

what does the dinette table look like and where is the barth located?