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LLWHS's avatar
LLWHS
Explorer
Nov 08, 2013

Abnormal Conversion Advice Needed

I am a manager of a humane society which currently owns a 10+ year old * non-operational RV * (Class A) which used to be used as an animal adoptions vehicle. Sadly, the RV is currently parked in a lot and being used as storage. I was told that it has no salvageable value, we are paying insurance on it, and we would have to pay to discard it. Therefore, I have been given the task of determining the feasibility of converting this RV into a *stationary* office space or animal over-flow (kitten nursery, etc.) area (please see this blog on Austin Pets Alive for a general idea of what they have done with functional/mobile Airstreams: http://spankyproject.blogspot.com/2010/01/austin-pets-alive.html ). At this time, the suggested parking spot for this RV would be on *city property* at least 200ft away from a building, where there are currently *no plumbing or electrical hook ups.* We could pay to trash it, or we can convert it.

Clearly not your typical conversion…

I have zero experience with RV conversion, so I am looking for some expert knowledge. If anyone could provide information on the following, I would greatly appreciate it.
- General costs of conversion
- Companies with non-traditional conversion experience, in the Washington DC area or other
- Electrical requirements of such a project (210 volt & 110 volt lines needed?)
- Plumbing requirements of such a project
- Obtaining permits or licenses for RVs on city property, Washington DC or other
- Etc…
Class A

9 Replies

  • timmac's avatar
    timmac
    Explorer
    Nov 09, 2013
    Post it in the free section on Craigslist and you will have 20 calls the 1st day to haul it away.

    Than buy one of those construction office trailers, you can find those at a bargain prices since the construction industry is very slow right now.

    I have seen them for as low as $2000 with ac/heat and restroom, this might be cheaper than converting a old motorhome.
  • vegasfoodguy's avatar
    vegasfoodguy
    Explorer II
    Nov 09, 2013
    LLWHS wrote:
    I am a manager of a humane society which currently owns a 10+ year old * non-operational RV * (Class A) which used to be used as an animal adoptions vehicle. Sadly, the RV is currently parked in a lot and being used as storage. I was told that it has no salvageable value, we are paying insurance on it, and we would have to pay to discard it. Therefore, I have been given the task of determining the feasibility of converting this RV into a *stationary* office space or animal over-flow (kitten nursery, etc.) area (please see this blog on Austin Pets Alive for a general idea of what they have done with functional/mobile Airstreams: http://spankyproject.blogspot.com/2010/01/austin-pets-alive.html ). At this time, the suggested parking spot for this RV would be on *city property* at least 200ft away from a building, where there are currently *no plumbing or electrical hook ups.* We could pay to trash it, or we can convert it.






    Clearly not your typical conversion…

    I have zero experience with RV conversion, so I am looking for some expert knowledge. If anyone could provide information on the following, I would greatly appreciate it.
    - General costs of conversion
    - Companies with non-traditional conversion experience, in the Washington DC area or other
    - Electrical requirements of such a project (210 volt & 110 volt lines needed?)
    - Plumbing requirements of such a project
    - Obtaining permits or licenses for RVs on city property, Washington DC or other
    - Etc…




    What does this have to do with the camping experience?
  • rexlion's avatar
    rexlion
    Explorer
    Nov 08, 2013
    Like pianotuna says. If you offer it for sale at a couple hundred bucks, you get someone else to pay the cost of hauling it away!
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Nov 08, 2013
    Hi,

    Another option might be to sell it on craig's list or similar venues.
  • crasster's avatar
    crasster
    Explorer II
    Nov 08, 2013
    Can't help you with permits etc., but I can say it is fairly easy to "gut" the house parts out of an RV. The fridge & plumbing is the hardest challenge, but if you are going to scrap all of the guts & have some demo equipment, its easier.

    First I'd make the entier interior just walls and a floor. Then I'd build whatever up from there.
  • tkcas01's avatar
    tkcas01
    Explorer
    Nov 08, 2013
    Have you thought about finding someone that will haul it off for the scrap metal?
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    Nov 08, 2013
    Basically you could do with a gutted RV the same thing you would do with any other portable building. Push,pull or drag it to where you want it parked, get busy gutting the interior down to the wall board. Then place what you want inside. There is no reason you could not use the correct extension cord to get 120VAC power to it. As for water, sewer? That will depend on local building codes. Personally I would not worry about that part of the project.
  • wildmanbaker's avatar
    wildmanbaker
    Explorer
    Nov 08, 2013
    You need to do the leg-work to find this out yourself. Contact the building department the has say-so for the area you are planning to do this in. They should be able to tell you if you can, or cannot do this, and what would be required. The RV should already be wired and plumbed so unless you are going to up grade the system, it should be fine. The waste water system will probably need to have the holding tanks by-passed, to directly dump into the sanitary sewer system tie-in.

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