Ford RV Conversions In Two Sizes: 1979 Ford Courier vs 1981 Ford F-250

Today on Shitbox Showdown, we’re getting out into nature with a pair of Ford truck-based RVs. One is built on the compact Courier frame, while the other rides on a full-size F-250. Does size matter? We’ll see.

Yesterday was one of those foregone conclusion days; I wouldn’t pay that much for that Skyhawk, and neither would the overwhelming majority of you. Besides, that Renault Encore is a legitimately neat little car. It would be a conversation starter for sure. Not fast, of course, but not everything needs to be.

Regarding the Buick’s price: The original price cap for cars on here was a hard $2,500 ceiling, which was difficult in the beginning but then got almost impossible as time went on. You can only look at so many Chevy Malibus and Nissan Versas for sale before you just start to go numb. So now the price cap is gone. Shitboxes are shitboxes, regardless of the price, and even I, a GM apologist from way back, can’t deny that that Skyhawk qualifies.

While I usually shy away from RVs on here, we have looked at a few here and there. When I find something really unique, however, I feel obligated to show it to you, and both of today’s choices qualify. I’ve never seen anything quite like either one of them; similar, yes, but not quite the same. So let’s head to the campground, and see which one is a better deal.

1979 Ford Courier Chinook – $6,800

Engine/drivetrain: 2.3 liter overhead cam inline 4, four-speed manual, RWD

Location: Ardmore, PA

Odometer reading: 63,000 miles

Operational status: Runs and drives well

We’ve all seen these little pickup-based Chinook RVs before, of course. They were really popular in the 1970s and ’80s, and have had something of a renaissance in recent years. But nearly all the ones you see are based on Toyota trucks. Not this one. This is a Ford Courier, a captive-import Mazda pickup sold by Ford before the Ranger.

The Courier was available with two engines: a Mazda-built 2.0 liter four or Ford’s 2.3 liter. I’m assuming this one has the 2.3, because you’d want the added power with the extra weight of the camper. It’s backed by a four-speed manual, rare for a camper. It runs and drives fine, but the seller cautions that a truck this old is going to need some tinkering from time to time.

The trouble with old RVs is that the interiors are sometimes not exactly inviting. Leaks can lead to funny smells, old carpet and upholstery can get nasty, and it’s all a lot of work to clean up. This is the only photo we get of the interior of this one, but there is a short video in the posting as well. It isn’t much to go on, but it doesn’t look half bad.  The seller says it only sleeps two and maybe a kid or a dog, but if you need more room, you’re not shopping for an RV this size anyway.

It’s in nice shape outside. The seller says it was a California truck for most of its life, which accounts for the lack of rust. It’s a cute little thing for sure, and a hell of a lot easier to maneuver than a typical RV.

1981 Ford F-250 Shasta – $3,800

Engine/drivetrain: 300 cubic inch overhead valve inline 6, three-speed automatic, RWD

Location: Nordland, WA

Odometer reading: 55,000 miles

Operational status: Runs and drives well

If you need or want something a little bigger, how about an F-250-based conversion from another heavyweight in the RV industry, Shasta? It’s unusual to see an RV based on a full-size pickup truck; van conversions are far more common. I imagine this would be nicer on a road trip, because there is more legroom in a truck cab than in the front seats of a van. And it has an advantage over a slide-in truck camper, because the cab and camper are connected by a pass-through.

This truck has the smallest engine available in an F-250, but it’s a great one: Ford’s legendary 300 cubic inch inline six. It has an automatic transmission, probably a nice beefy C6, so no worries about durability there either. The seller has done a bunch of work on it as well, including new tires, new fuel tanks, and a rebuilt carb, among other things.

This one is a little more self-contained RV than the Courier, with a kitchenette and a toilet. It looks pretty good inside, but it’s also very dated. And I’d be more worried about the possibility of leaks with this one, since it’s a more conventional wood and aluminum body instead of the fiberglass Chinook body. But if it smells all right inside, it’s probably fine.

Outside, it has a cool vintage vibe to it, with the stripes and all, but I see signs of a little rust here and there, and the driver’s side of the camper portion looks a little beat-up. But it’s a hell of a lot nicer than most sub-$4k RVs out there.

I know that cheap RVs have a sketchy reputation. But honestly, these two look pretty good to me. So come on, live a little. Go have an adventure somewhere. Which one of these is going to take you there?

(Image credits: Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace sellers)