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)
That F-250 has seen some shit. Just look at it.
But the Courier has also.
And I can smell them both right through my screen.
No thanks.
The F250 Shasta for me. The Courier is just a a box with a bed while the F250 actually has some amenities like a stove, fridge, sink, shower and toilet.
Shasta, even with the leaks and dry-rot because it has all the reasons I would want an RV (not having to poop outdoors or cook in the rain.)
The Chinook is less leaky and looks like it might have a pop-up roof, but I could just chuck a futon and table in the back of a van and have the same thing with more usability.
That shasta has had leaks like MAD… no freakin way you’d get me in that thing.
Chinook all the way.
The Courier is more my style. The Ford seems like you’d be better off with a van and avoid all the leaky possibilities.
I’m fond of Chinook’s oeuvre generally, but I just saw Twisters this weekend and that truck-based Shasta looks like a great storm-chasing rig; it gets my vote today.
I was all-in on the Shasta until I saw the driver’s side. Oooofff!!! I don’t want to deal with rust or a leaky camper on an RV and this looks to have both.
Chinook is probably the better RV brand anyway. As a bonus, there are a decent amount of go-faster (go-fast just isn’t plausible for this) parts for the Lima 4 and a 5-speed transmission swap should be easy-peasey to get a little more umph to the wheels. Just need to knock at least $2k from the price.
“I was all-in on the Shasta until I saw the driver’s side. Oooofff!!”
Don’t worry… it’s fiiiiine…
Bulldog F-250 and a camper? If it weren’t on the other side of the country I’d go look at it. Take the difference in price, clean up the larger Shasta, add some dual wheels to the back, and call it a day.
The Shasta looks like a wonderful place to pick up some kind of nasty fungal infection. The Chinook is overpriced, but I’d rather pay too much than wind up in the ICU with a team of doctors frantically trying to figure out how to stop my kidneys and liver from failing.
Are you sure?
I mean with the room of the Shasta you could have enough extra space to take RFK Jr. and Roseanne Barr bear hunting with you. /s
Too soon?
It could be his campaign bus. He could grab roadkill from all over the country and never have to pay for meals between campaign stops.
Courier is cooler, probably not enough cooler to justify the extra expense but with my pretend money this morning I’ll go for it
The Ford Courier has the perfect size for me, if I am camping I am not in a rush to get there I will probably take secondary roads. I dont love the price but the truck is clean.
My brain says F series, but my heart says Courier. It’s so interesting and probably easier to drive around in a normal truck-ish sort of way, and there won’t be another one at any campground or car show around. The third pedal really helps too.
I like the size of the Courier. A long conversation on fiberglassrv.com describes a ‘79 Courier/Chinook camper that looks very similar to this one externally. They posted several interior shots, including one of a toilet, so at least some these must have been so equipped. Wish this listing had included interior pictures, too.
The Courier wins because 2.3 and manual. The 3/4 ton wins because you could five-speed-swap it. M50OD is perfect for that motor.
Also, surely that’s a C6. Somebody correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m not sure the C4 came in 8-lug stuff. And that would make it a small-case C6, which would help fund the manual swap.
True, the 3/4 Ton trucks didn’t use the C4
I’m going with the Courier. The F250 seems like a better idea on paper, but that thing looks rough. It looks like it has had some low budget amateur repairs done to the exterior of the living area. The interior looks cramped and kind of gross.
The Courier may not have the amenities of the 250, but it looks like it is well kept and has some updates to the interior and electrical systems. It is also more maneuverable, easier to park, and less harsh on gas. It is worth the extra $3,000.
I’m surprised how little love there is for the Courier. Not that I’m a fan of either, but I’m just not an RV guy.
I’m pretty sure that I wouldn’t be able to drive any old compact pickup for more than a few miles. Curse of long legs!
Even then, I would Clorox-bomb either of these before I would sleep in them.
6 in a row makes it go!
The F250 for the price and it just seems like it would have more of a practical use. Also at that size you could swap in a 7.3 power stroke or 12v Cummins and be able to get up to decent speeds and get better fuel economy. Though I do see water damage on the top back drivers side of the RV. But what do you expect for that price?
Shasta. It would at LEAST be able to get out of it’s own way.
I’ll take the Ford. Park it at Torch’s house just to mock his broken Ford.
Torch, can I steal some electricity, Please?
F-series, that 300 is gonna last a long time. Also kind of platform, depending on condition of the camper part, may be a cheap “in” for a light-duty overland/boondocking rig.
I’ll take the big one, so long as I can source some NOS plaid to reupholster those seats with.
I’ll take the Shasta because I’d like to go more than 13 MPH every once in a while.
I’ll take the Courier because I’d like to get more than 7 MPG every once in a while.
That’s fair. I’ll make sure to have the campsite set up by the time you get there.
Shasta…if ONLY because it has the 300 in it. Not sure about the RV part. But the price difference you can gut it and repair/replace what needs done and likely (if done frugally) still be cheaper than the Courier.