The Step

The entrance step always takes abuse!

You may think, "Why are you blogging about your step?" Well... it's because we replaced the step with industrial carpet squares and a wood-like stair edge. I foresee this pattern hiding the dust, dirt and grime that the pitter-patter of little feet may bring in. This is a better alternative to what comes standard on RVs of this category.

I wish we had a picture of the step before. It was a bunch of rubber crap glued down with goo that was absolutely gross!!

*As I blog, I am finding that I wished I took way more before pictures because I can hardly believe how bad this RV really was, and how fantastic the after is turning out.  Remember... were of the "Rattle-Can Restoration" generation and do not have thousands of dollars to sink into the "Roachman", but with our limited resources, it's turning out quite well and our family will really enjoy it!

Flooring with Style

After so much tearing out, we are finally putting things back together!!

 You don't need much flooring material for an RV. We found this vinyl sheet good from a local flooring store here in Yorkville, IL as part of their super cheap remnant closeout corner. We got a wicked good deal.

I know that carpet is hard to keep clean when you're camping in the woods or at a dirty, dusty racetrack, but I'm a fan of carpet in an RV.  Our first RV had carpet -- it was blue, but it was cozy. Our second RV had vinyl flooring throughout and it felt cold. So for our 3rd RV, we compromised. We decided to have vinyl in the high traffic areas such as the kitchen, bathroom, and shower areas, and have carpet in the living and sleeping areas. 

This slate looking vinyl sheet good gives this RV such an update from what is common of the early 2000s RV styles. Along with the wood cabinets, these browns, beiges, and toupe colors warm up the interior.  So far, I am super happy with our choices.

Overhead Cab Reconstruction

We are learning that Class C Motor homes are notorious for roof leaks! 

The only way to make this RV right is to strip it all the way down to its bones.

It took months for the RV dry out completely.

 

  We removed the water damaged wood and old Styrofoam insulation and waited. 

  

We added new 1 x 1 treated wood to the structure using the old wood as a guide.

  

  We glued the exterior skin to the interior structure and shored it up using two ladders (which are just out of range for this picture, but they are on the right) and 2 x 4s. 

 

Jeff then added new insulation -- Owens Corning R50 1 inch foam bought at Menards-- using a circular saw to make the cuts...

and glued it in with waterproof adhesive.

It was then finished with a 1/2 inch plywood as the new surface material.

For now this is as far as we can go.  The front window is out, the marker lights need to be replaced, and the roof needs to be sealed.  Until these three mini projects are complete, and we can be sure there are no leaks... this project is to-be-continued. Once all that is complete and Jeff can finish the interior of the bunk, the RV will start really looking like an RV again!!

So Bad, I had to post it!!

What my neighbors must think?!? This is embarrassing.

I guess, you gotta do what you gotta do to keep the water out!

More Wicked Water Damage

Is that a hole in your RV?

 

Yes, yes it is!

There was sooooo much water damage done to the bulkhead that it rotted the wood behind the driver's seat beyond repair! Mighty Jeff removed the damaged wood and outer skin of the RV in an effort to make a durable repair. 

This is the fix...we (I mean Jeff) cut sections of particle board using the outer skin as a template and glued it in place.  Those are the used, well-worn brake rotors from my Ford Expedition... they make great weights to hold the outer skin in place while the glue sets :)

We rolled up carpet to "seal" the hole while the glue dried to keep the honest animals out. I know... if they really wanted in, they would have easily found their way!  Maybe it just made us feel better?? I don't know.  But man, look at this picture... what a mess!! And, you'd think by now I would have taken down those hideous curtains??

When the "wall" was finished, Jeff secured it to the RV with screws.  Good as new... maybe even better??

One Couch...Done!

Today is a good day!

We are on our way... the couch is done.  

While I didn't do any of the sewing (my husband Jeff is a fantastic upholsterer...and never gives himself enough credit), I did have to find the supplies.  

Ebay is great.  I'm not much of an ebayer, but I found the hog rings we needed to fasten the seat cushions to the frame, and at a good price, too. The purpose of this post is -- don't be afraid to use ebay as a locating tool, you may be surprised at what you find -- we sure were.

Digging In

Happy New Year!!

With every new year brings new projects...

Meet my husband Jeff. You will see him in many, many, many pictures...working on this rig!   Pictured above is the beginning of the big tear down.  We stripped her down to almost buck nakedness!! The cabinets were salvageable...with a little work, and the appliances were in good working order, but that was about it for the interior.  

You can see in the lower left hand corner that the interior was upholstered in a lovely blue with white swirls ... yuck.  I'm excited to make the interior my own and am super lucky to have a husband who can make it happen!