I just bought a 1990 class A Mallard Overland Diesel. I got it for me and my kids to live in while we transition into a new location and new home. ( wherever that may be) I was searching for a pace arrow 37 ft with the washing machine. But, I just couldn't find one that I could afford, so I ended up with the Overland hoping to install the washing machine somewhere in it. I already have a washer dryer combo ready to install. But, I can't figure out where to put it! I can't find the space!The only thing I could come up with was rearranging the bathroom to fit it in the hall area. That would mean, moving the toilet and sink to the side wall and opening up the middle of the bathroom as the walk though to the bedroom! The problem with all of that is, I don't know how to do it! How hard of a project is that? The toilet has to be over the black water tank? How do I hook up a washing machine? How and where do I move all the outlets and switches that are on the wall that I want to remove? I have tried to find to find a space. But, I just can't. Does anyone have any ideas? I don't know how to post pictures on here. Or if I can. Any suggestions would be helpful.And, I won't mention the bunk beds that I want to install in the bedroom, or the hardwood flooring that I want to put down.I wouldn't even know who to contact in my area to do this sort of work.

Are you only going to be using at locations with hook-ups?IS this like your body style?

I recently added a splendide w/d to our coach while doing a conversion...look for my post thread with pics as " my new project coach "...you maty find it helpful, or email me for info , cheers, and good luck Darren

Usually they are put in a closet, and you end up losing the closet space.

Moving a toilet is a major decision and project. As you found the holding tank is right under it. Most RV parks have a laundromat in their utility buildings. You can get more in a larger washer and get several loads done at the same time. The W/Ds in an RV are much smaller on load capacity and also much slower per load. With luck on your side you may find that the holding and water tanks are placed in your MH with a lot of consideration to weight distribution. Since water weighs 8.3 # per gal it is really something to consider.

Thanks for all the advice. I was a bit too ambitious to start out. Now I am concentrating on getting the RV road worthy!

remodel of a 90 Mallard Overland 38 ft. HELP!

25 Replies

bsinmich
Explorer
Sep 09, 2013
LG61820 wrote:
When I was test driving my motor home, the owner kept saying "slow down, you need to stop up here." I thought, "Dude I've been driving longer than you. I think I know what I'm doing." I was wrong. Driving a MH is not like driving a car. You have to start slowing down much sooner and you will get the brake pedal to the floor before you stop the thing! You are driving a much heavier vehicle than you likely have ever driven before. With practice you'll get the feel of it. Best wishes to you. LG

If you are getting your pedal to the floor you have a problem with your brakes also. It takes no more pressure to stop the MH than my Saturn Vue that I pull behind. Have you flushed your brake fluid, if you have hydraulic brakes.
LG61820
Explorer
Sep 09, 2013
When I was test driving my motor home, the owner kept saying "slow down, you need to stop up here." I thought, "Dude I've been driving longer than you. I think I know what I'm doing." I was wrong. Driving a MH is not like driving a car. You have to start slowing down much sooner and you will get the brake pedal to the floor before you stop the thing! You are driving a much heavier vehicle than you likely have ever driven before. With practice you'll get the feel of it. Best wishes to you. LG
duckiee
Explorer
Sep 01, 2013
Well. I have had some remodeling done. The floor is almost done. They guy that was putting in my new floor was trying to soak me for more $. So, I got fed up and he ran off.

I have had numerous people out to look at the brakes. Most of them thought it was me that was the problem. I am not a feminist, but I think there are a lot of chauvinist guys out there. Which is so frustrating.

I am still trying to figure out what to do at this point. I guess I will have to try to finish off the floor myself and get it to an RV place to just tell me what exactly is wrong. Then, I guess I will go from there.
Roman_Duck
Explorer
Jul 01, 2013
Short of doing the brakes yourself, it's going to be pricy no matter where you go. If not the rv dealer, then I would recomend that you take it to a heavy duty truck repair center. sometimes you can find a certified mobile tech. who can be more cost effiecent than a shop (no overhead). Good luck and if someone offers to fix it for an unbelievable price, then be very careful. One thing that you don't want is someone working on them, that doesn't know what there doing
duckiee
Explorer
Jun 27, 2013
glamisorbust wrote:
What are the brakes doing? Pulsing, surging, squeaking, not working at all? Call orangewood RV in surprise, AZ. Talk to Jim, at the parts counter. He knows his stuff, and will answer any question you have. They can also look at your brakes or anything else problematic. I have had very good luck there. If they aren't close to you, they can at least point you in the right direction as to where to take it.

Tried to call Jim today. Guess he was busy. I left a message and he didn't get back to me. I kept looking for a mobile truck repair and after searching for a while I found one to take a look at my RV. He things that I might just need to bleed the brakes. So I will try that first and hope it not any worse than that. I found the guy on the internet. He is based here in Surprise. I can't think of the name right now, but he came out to the storage lot and fixed my tire. Looked at the RV. Told me about some leaks I have underneath. Gave me some advice and gave me a brake by not charging me! What a guy! In this heat he was crawling all around under my RV. I will certainly call him again if I need anything else done.
duckiee
Explorer
Jun 27, 2013
doxiemom11 wrote:
When we needed brake work on our motorhome, the rv dealer referred us to a truck brake shop. That's where we would go.

Searched and found a mobile truck repair guy to take a look at my RV. He made it to the lot where I am storing it. He checked the brakes and said that they might just need to be bled because it has been sitting for a while. We are going to try to do that ourselves and see if that works. If not, he said he will come back and see if it's the master cylinder. He didn't think it was the hydro boost. He also found a couple issues that I have going on underneath. Something I will take note of. Really nice guy for driving to me,looking at my RV, and fixing my tires in 105 degree heat at no charge!
doxiemom11
Explorer II
Jun 27, 2013
When we needed brake work on our motorhome, the rv dealer referred us to a truck brake shop. That's where we would go.
duckiee
Explorer
Jun 26, 2013
glamisorbust wrote:
Sounds like a bad situation, sorry to hear about the move, etc. Where in AZ are you located? If you are near surprise, the guys at surprise auto repair have done me right every time. They just charged my dash a/c on my class A, a few weeks ago. They might be able to look at your brakes. Just google it, you'll find their number.

I am in Surprise AZ. I found a mobile repair guy that is coming to look at it today. I hope it works out. Wish me luck. (: Just afraid of getting ripped off.
Glor-E-B
Explorer
Jun 26, 2013
There are shops that repair buses here in Massachusetts, similar chassis/body to class A RV. You might find similar services there in AZ.
FormerBoater
Explorer
Jun 26, 2013
OP, you might want to start another thread regarding the brakes.

As most will be unfamiliar with your chassis, please detail in the post what type of brakes that you have i.e. air, hydraulic or air over hydraulic.

If you have air brakes, any heavy truck shop should be able to help you.