I had to push my business trip back a week due to Apple Computer introducing new hardware that was not available. I'm heading to Dallas tomorrow. I have spoken to Kay once and left her a couple messages. I'll probably still go by and take a look at it but if she's hoping for $20k she's heading in the wrong direction.

It's back! 1984 Barth 35' Motorhome - $15000 (Dallas)

I guess they just can't make up their minds, now it's up for $15,000...what's it going to be next???

1984 Barth Class A Motorhome
454 Big Block Chevy Engine
Gear Vendors Overdrive
New Transmission
Headers on Exhaust\
Hydraulic Leveling Jacks
Backup Camera
Convection/Microwave
Generator

I met Kay earlier this week. The Barth was up on jack stands and someone was there working on it. Took a picture of the data tag and some of the fuel injection components. Kay said it was supposed to be advertised on craigslist for $9500 but the person putting up the add for her made a mistake. She said there are some local people interested in it. Flying home tomorrow so I'll may call her again before leaving. The tires are dry rotted but if I were to try to drive it home I'd put two new tires on the front and take a new spare with me. At least it is down off the leveler jacks. I'll have some pics to post when I get home.

I'm new on the forum. I just bought this coach. Having a mechanic getting it road ready (changing fluids,belts, hoses,thermostat,repack bearings etc...),, also putting new tires on it and driving it home 150 miles to Southern Oklahoma. I might need you guys help with other basic issues...but it looks like a solid foundation from which to make a really nice, SAFE,quality unit for our family...we are late-in-life new parents with a 1, 2 and 4 year old! I was born/raised with motorhomes in the 70's and 80's fixing and tinkering with them. Didn't see many problems that couldn't be fixed a little at a time in evenings out in the driveway. We're going to get it Friday.

Welcome to the family Sounds like you know your way around a motor home. The life is a great family experience. Your kids will love it, maybe even more than their parents. My son-in-law's favorite memory of his childhood was riding around in the family van going camping.
Jim

Jim,
Thanks for note! We're excited about the coach. I see you have a Gear vendors overdrive also. I've never had one. How does it work? I was told that when they added this unit (the owner was a consciensus mechanical type of person), they took out the trans, machined the housing and added extra clutches or bands to the trans? Is the gear vendor unit automatic or manual? Is there a control? What does it do to your power and gas mileage. This coach has an aftermarket fuel injection system on it. Runs/starts so smooth.

Kive, welcome to the site.

Congratulations on your purchase. That is an interesting coach. The layout is similar to ours, with the kitchen on the passenger side. Susan (my Floor Plan Queen) really likes it there. Of course, being shorter, we don't have a dinette.

Would you let us all know where the final price ended up?

quote:

Originally posted by kive kerr:
Jim,
Thanks for note! We're excited about the coach. I see you have a Gear vendors overdrive also. I've never had one. How does it work?

http://www.gearvendors.com/

Read their site. Talk to them. They will send you an operator's manual.

Don't use OD for engine braking and be gentle when backing up. In my own case, I wired it for manual control, and used it only for second overdrive climbing and 3rd OD for level cruising.

quote:

I was told that when they added this unit (the owner was a consciensus mechanical type of person), they took out the trans, machined the housing and added extra clutches or bands to the trans?

That;s interesting. There are a couple of mods to a TH400 that racers do, but a stock TH400 doesn't need much for MH use, given the power and the power band of the engine. Does it have a trans temp gauge?

quote:

Originally posted by kive kerr:
It does have a trans temp gauge.

That's good. I would imagine it has a trans cooler, too, then.

The TH400 is almost bullet proof if you keep it cool and change the fluid now and then.

They last longer if you disable the throttle kickdown. Full-throttle downshifts on a heavy vehicle on a steep uphill are a little tough on any transmission. A momentary light throttle and quick hand lever downshift eliminates a lot of mechanical shock on the internals.

Congratulations on your purchase, as is our custom here, we have moved this to the sold forum and have deleted the original posters contact info.

Congratulations and happy trails! Glad to see this one back on the road.

Congrats on your new purchase Kive. So far you've done at least three things right, you bought a Barth, you're getting it ready for the trip the right way, you found this site

You will not find a greater bunch of people anywhere, and with all the knowledge on this site, it's entirely possible you will not need a mechanic (that is if you don't mind getting your hands dirty....)

Tina

Welcome to the family Kive, have a good trip home.

My Gear Vendors can work automatically or manually. The shift points are adjusted for the automatic mode. There should be a control unit somewhere near the drivers position. The way I work mine, I can have six gears, 1st, 1st OD, 2nd, 2nd OD, 3rd, 3rd OD. 1st OD is useful when just crawling around but not at 5mph, 2nd OD is good at climbing steep hills, although, here in the East, there's usually nothing that I can't handle in 3rd. Bill is absolutely correct, don't use the Gear Vendors as a hill brake. Also, talk to them about how full the Gear Vendors should be and the type of gear oil to use. Some of the owner manuals are old and incorrect. Fortunately, I called them before I drained and refilled mine the first time. Otherwise, I would have put in the wrong oil and too much of it. It's a special GM product. If you need to know, tell me and I'll go to the garage and get mine and give you the specs.
I didn't get it for fuel economy, but have gained about 1 mpg. The main reason was to be kind to the 454. 55mph is about 2300 RPMs.

Hey Guys,

I got home with our "new" Barth Regal 35. Things went well. It sure does run and drive well. I took down 8 new tires and had them put on a couple of miles from the previous owners home. I was quite fortunate that I was able to hire her nephew (who had been around the coach for the last 15 years and knew it pretty well. He was a real sharp mechanic) to get the coach road ready. We change all fluids, oil, trans, gas, filters, belts, hoses, checked brakes, ujoints, new batteries and the trip was problem free...exception of the tire man did not tighten the air-valve extension...one inside dual went flat and I ruined a new tire about 20 miles from home. I slowed to 25mph and drove it on in.

I have one question. I couldn't get the bags on the tag-axle to air up...where is the air pump? Is there an "emergency" fill on it where you can fill them up with an air hose? I found a "tiny" air pump in front of the radiator...looks more it's for the air horn.

I'm sure I'll be back with you all with more questions as we get everything up to snuff.

Kive