Our last trip cost $200 before we even left the driveway. We eliminated the hot water heater years ago. The fridge is electric only, so we use a cooler and travel with one of those portable power supply boxes for any surprises. It has heat and a nice warm bed and that is good for us. I hear you about the gas though 10 miles to the gallon. Still cheaper than a hotel.

Here is a link that might be useful: My camper

Gosh, Gooch, your camper is almost the same as mine! I have a 78-9 Dodge, 440 engine, 9600 lbs. weight, full bath in back, dinette on one side for my wife, makes into a bed, double sleeper couch on left side, big sink--all the goodies, and its a bit longer than yours! Doesn't have the stripes on front, but has a mighty grill guard on bumper.
It has quartz-halogen headlights on it, don't know who installed them.
Name on back Says: "Good Life!"
I'm going to have to fix the front overhang due to water leaks. Had to do the back bathroom walls! Always something to do. Bought it with 15,000 miles on it, now has 69,000! Former owner used it to bring drugs up from Florida! Hope they cleaned them all out-never found anything, except a map of the East coast of Florida, with the reefs and bars marked in red!
Happy camping: rustyj

Ours we bought 4 yrs. ago with 68,ooo miles. The interior walls and ceiling have been redone due to leaks. The overhead bunk window will still leak and we have to keep an eye on it and do repairs. We have one table along the whole back side that turns into a bed. And the cupboards above the table also fold down for a bed. We have a tiny bath behind the driver seat with no sink but a shower head. Stove and sink along one side.We take it to NJ from upstate NY every year and tool around the adirondacks when we can afford gas. We love it. We always check out older campers...they have alot of character.
We do have a good excuse to not lend it out though...too many quirky things that would be a headache to someone not familar with it.:)
Hope your next trip goes better!
Meghan

Finally got around to fixing the fridge. Found the main burner rusty, slots almost filled up. got it out, and cleaned it out good. Can't understand why, since the mfgrs charge $1000 for the fridge, they can't make the main burner from stainless steel, instead of chrome plated tin! Haven't worked on the other stuff--still fixing lawn mowers, getting them ready for leaf work. Any way, the fridge works good again. Next will be the RV anti-freeze gig. Best way to do it! I used to blow out the lines, but after several broken pipes, i switched to AF.
I put a by-pass kit on the hot water tank, and made up a short hose from car heater hose. I disconnect the water pump hose from the tank, screw on the short heater hose, stuff it into the gallon jug, turn on the pump, and then go around turning on the various faucets, until they run pink. This also protects the sink traps. Uses less than a gallon of pink! In Spring, i hook up the garden hose, turn it on and let the inside taps run until they run clear. Then i turn the handles on the by-pass kit, to let water go into the hot water tank again. If you don't install that kit, you'll have to use enough pink stuff to fill the hot water tank, and then the pipes, which will use up almost 5 gallons of pink stuff!
HTH: Rusty Jones

Yeah I guess it is getting time to get her ready for hibernation. We don't have a hot water heater, so anti freeze-ing is easier. Two years ago we had a flood at our house and we lived in the camper from mid Sept. until mid Oct. 2 adults and a toddler. I will never forget that! Good luck with lawnmowers, we are getting our tractor ready to bring to camp land to harvest trees to build a cabin. Got a yard full of almost fixed (or almost broke?) lawnmowers I want to just put in the back of my mind. I need to be independantly wealthy with 20 extra hours in the day!

Here's a follow-up on my camper repairs!
Opened up the front upper bunk! Awwwfull! Found the wood all rotted! Had to make and install a front cross stringer, made with pressure treated wood. Found front window rubber torn and leaking! Inside panelling shot! And sides, too!
Haven't bought the sheet of inside panelling yet, but soon. Found side upper windows leaking, too. I think i've got them sealed good. Have to go to the auto glass company to get front window rubber replaced.
And, with my wooden foot, it makes it hard to stand up in between the seats to work on it! But, I'll manage to get it done.
I drilled holes under the overhang so the water can run out, if need be.
Do you run your coach around during winter? I do. I take it out once a month on a good day, and put 10 miles or so on it, just to keep the seals flexible and all working ok.
Well, thats the news about my problem. Hope you folks keep warm this winter. I know i will. The gas bill went down $45 a month since last winter! Woo-hoo! No more shivers!
Rustyj