Renovation

I'm sure someone has done it. Probably, it's a DIY project.
Maybe you could talk to contractors in your area looking for some inside work during the winter?
Preferably, one familiar with RV construction.

You will find as many answers as you find folks who have done it, and they will be all over the map. We just started this process a few months ago. In the last year I have spoken to shops about everything from full body paint, to flooring and upholstery. In some cases bids vary by up to 3X. When it comes to major wall repairs, I would talk to Precision Paint and Mike's Custom Painting, both in Bremen In. They both have a reputation for doing quality work, and have done extensive work to Alfa brand motorhomes, which frequently require full wall replacement prior to repainting. When it comes to other work, sometimes creative solutions can save a ton. Tomorrow I'm working with a local kitchen installer to make replacement countertops and a dinette table for our rig. I'm removing the old tops to use as patterns. He will fabricate new Formica tops, working onsite, and I will reinstall them with new sinks and faucets. Replacing everything will run me about $8-900.

By the time it's done, we will have a 34' nine year old rig with new full body paint, new LED lighting inside and out, a new ultra-leather recliner, and matching reupholstered dinette and sofa, new countertops, sinks and faucets, new toilet, and new flooring throughout, for roughly $17-18K. I could of went with the highest bids on all this work, passed on doing a lot of it myself, and easily spent $45-50K, which would of been a very poor decision. It's a Winnebago that fits out needs and has served us well, so I don't hesitate to upgrade it. Good luck with whatever you decide.

If I've got this right, you are wanting to spend $25,000+ remolding a $20K DP with 100K miles on it. When you get finished you will have a $30K motor home that is 15 years old with 100K miles that no one else wants... OK, that a few might want.

I'd sell it for $20K and add the $25K and find a 06 similar unit with half the miles and updated electronics. Sorry but I think you are going to throw good money into something that while it's served you well, it time to upgrade the entire rig.

If you decide to continue, then I'd start looking in the Amish area of IN (RV capital of the world) for shops that will have surplus items and more reasonable prices to do the work. Good Luck

Are you familiar with "doityourselfrv.com"?
(I don't know if I can share a link here.)
Lots of renovations and rebuilds.
Good luck with yours!

Wow! Thanks everyone! Sounds like I could spend as much or as little as I want. While I would love to make this a DIY project, I live in a high-rise apartment downtown, so my RV lives in storage when I'm not using it. Also, I've learned over the course of 14 years of home ownership, I have no skills. (Hence the apartment - for now).

Soren, NICE work on the RV reno! Sounds like you have a a good handle on things and are doing GREAT with the budget! Sounds to me like you're doing pretty much what we would want to do. $17-$18K wouldn't be out of the realm of reality. I'll have to check out those places and see if I can get a feel for what I'd be spending.

Ivylog, LOL yup, something like that. This is obviously a concern of ours as well. We don't want to get TOO upside down on this unit. We love the size, the floor plan (for the most part) and the wheelbase - it's SUPER maneuverable. Finding that combination in something new has been challenging. We're keeping our eye out for something, but in the meantime we're looking at a reno as an option as well.

Thanks!

Brian

While I don't have such a new MH I am going through some of the same things as you with my '75 GMC Eleganza II. I bought it because it only has 1 step to get in it. Steps are my problem. I paid $10K for it and have added another 10K and looking at another 3-4K getting it ready. Right now it is sitting in Orlando, FL at GMC Coop Motor works. I don't know if I could get that much out of it but it does only have 56,000 miles on it. I am hoping to get a couple years of use before I have to give up RVing. I have found it is not as enjoyable travelling alone.
Adding up I did spend 35+ nights in my Roadtrek this year.

Oh nice! See, I think it would be cool to reno something older like that. As far as RVing alone? I think you're right. I do enjoy a good solo trip from time to time, but if I'm going out on my own I generally just bring my backpack and my tent.

Brian

Brian, I'm similar to you in that my skills are limited and I have very few tools (or a place to do work).

So, to me, if a person has the skills to do the renovation work, it would make sense, otherwise, I would trade up as it will cost a fortune to pay out of pocket for all the work that you mentioned.

Good luck!
MM.

I'm with IvyLog if you are paying someone to do it. It just doesn't make sense from a fiscal standpoint. If you were a DIY'er then I'd say go for it as labor is going to be half or more of the cost of the renovation.

Mr. Mark/barmcd,

I think you're probably right. I'll keep an eye out for something newer and see how the costs line up. I do wish I had skills... and time...

Brian