What did you do to your Class C MH today???

camperdave ,
They're called 'Pathetic Tubs' . :)
I can also see the need for something to be done with those tubs.
Can you imagine being pulled over by a LEO and in your sideview mirror , you see him/her walking towards you carry your plastic tub full of rv accessories ? :E

I added a 60"x30" piece of plywood, that covered 2 tubs, like a lid.
I used 4" 'E-ternabond' tape as a seal all around the edge of the tub, where the plastic tub lip meets the wood compartment . It's now dry and free from road-splash/insects.

As for now it works by allowing me to store some lighter 'not often used' items in the tubs, the plywood allows bulky heavier items to now be supported.

If I needed stronger support in the tubs themselves , I would buy or weld up a basket and use it as a liner , attaching it to the wooden framework of the rear compartment.

The wife and I are preparing for a winter trip from Colorado South to see family in the Yuma Arizona area for a few weeks. (Heck maybe help to build a wall). This past weekend we got the oil changed, fluids checked, annual brake inspection and tire check. Did a thorough cleaning and since I got done with some of that I took up rewiring an old rear camera and got it to work, replaced brake light bulbs and lubed the automatic steps and ran the generator. Then we took a 50-mile test drive for a pizza lunch and returned. All ran well.

The weekend before we practiced putting on some tire cables in case of winter weather before we hit the nice warm weather in Southern Utah. Evaluating replacing the front tires as they are going on five years...bummer.:S

After driving a few hundred miles and setting up camp, I sat and admired the quality workmanship. Then I started planning how to improve upon the factory shortcomings. When we return home in a few weeks, I'll get on it.

Camperdave wrote:
The pilot would light, but die as soon as I released the knob or turned it to any temperature position. Some interneting said the likely problem was the thermocouple, however I read two different folks say that stuffing some foil into the knob solved this problem for them.

I had problems with the knobs before and I lubed them with "Super Slick Stuff." It comes in spray can and does lube but dries to a clear finish. You probably wouldn't want to use any regular lube spray due the flammability issue. I just sprayed a tiny bit into the valve where the knob shaft enters it, then turned it on/off a few times to make sure it penetrates before it dries. Turn off the gas at the tank before doing this.

No problems since.

Heater did fine. :B

On the way home I hit up a CAT scale. I had 3/4 full water, full fuel, and empty grey/black tanks. We were otherwise pretty lightly loaded (end of trip so no food).

With no people in it, but one 35ish pound dog sitting on the passenger seat, our weights are:

Front axle: 3940
Rear axle: 8240
Total: 12180

Specs on the door sticker are:

Front GAWR: 4600
Rear GAWR: 9450
GVWR: 14050

So I've got 1870 pounds available, 660 in front, and 1210 in the rear. I wish Fleetwood had made the floor of the rear (very large) storage areas stronger. There is no way I could load more than a few pounds on those flimsy plastic tubs without them pulling out from the wall! :S I had assumed it was no big deal since I wouldn't want heavy stuff that far back, but with over 1000 pounds to play with...

I think some kind of structural support for those tubs is in order this winter! :B

I got the motorhome all prepped and ready for a Christmas trip to Southern California! Beds made, batteries charged, coffee loaded, presents hidden. Head out first thing in the morning.

Hope my heater can keep up with the cold winter temps down there. :B

We will be out of town over the holidays so this morning I "winterized" our coach... southern Arizona style. Opened all the drains and took the rig for a short ride during which time all of the water in the tanks, lines and water heater drained. Added a quart of pink RV antifreeze to the black and gray tanks which were empty except for a very small amount of water. Finally, I added a cup of antifreeze to all three traps {kitchen and bathroom sinks and the shower}.

We usually don 't see temps below the high twenties and that is only briefly in the predawn hours but once in a while, we might see a night approaching or even reaching the high teens. Either way with the water gone and antifreeze in place I'm set. Been using this method for about 10 years without any issues and when we head out in January for our next trip with the coach all I have to do is close the valves and add water.

Lastly, I restocked the bar. :B

Small but significant mod this weekend, I swapped the engine cover console (just the console part, not the acutal engine cover. It just slips off by lifting it up) between my old van (which had a new style console) and the 2005 motorhome. It's not totally clear from the pics, but the footroom is 1000x better. With the 2005 console, there is no way to get a foot between the seat and the console. Now my wife can easily slip through. And it still holds plenty of cups, so no real loss.

before:


after (the other part of the swap was to also get the backup monitor which was already mounted to the van's console):

Great job Gary Haupt

pnichols wrote:

garyhaupt wrote:
Did a reno on the inside....took most of a month. Rebuilt a couple cabinets to include some shelving. Re-painted ALL the wood...which was just a huge task. Re-covered the dinette cushions and put down a vinyl floor.

I am posting the entire thread...there are lots of pix if you scroll thru.

https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/29728991.cfm

After a month long trip..Sept thru October....it all hung together and I love it.

Gary Haupt

Gary,

I just read your post, with photos, on the massive interior redo. That was an outstanding piece of work - way to go.

BUT ... to go along with your 4WD setup:

1. What did you do to increase the ply count of your tires so they won't puncture so easily when way off-highway?
2. What did you do to increase your onboard propane and fresh water capacities for more serious boondocking?
3. What did you do to increase your cell tower access range for when way off-highway (or did you add a satellite phone)?
4. What did you do to reduce the noise/fumes of your Onan for unexpected long generator runs when way off-highway?
5. Etc.?

Just kidding on such things as 1. through 5. above ... enjoy you new mobile digs! :)

Hey Phil...I would give a lot to have been able to increase the water storage..and fuel. Anything is possible of course, throw enough money at it, but...being a poor man, I do with what I have.

Going for a two month wander south come Jan/Feb. Hoping for a coastal drive going and inland coming back.

Gary