Renovated our Class C 1978 Dodge

[Aznbyte]

This is my first post here, but I am super excited to share our experience with renovating our Class C RV and our first excursion out. We've sold everything we have, and have begun living in this full time! It's been a great experience so far and we've only just started!

We were gifted this RV so in that regard we were lucky. But the overall cost was kept as low as possible. We used pallet wood for the floors, and furniture and cabinetry from our home (mostly Ikea products.) Overall costs were under 2500$ for full renovation. We opted to remove the bathroom, shower, heater and water heater units.

Below are a few pictures from demo to completion.
Demo:




Broken Windows/Seal Replacement


Laying Flooring:


Adding Shiplap Walls:



Over the cab bed:


Kids Beds and Master Nook:




Kitchen:



First night in Moab, UT:



Looking forward to feedback, and being part of this community!

Moderator edit to re-size pictures to forum recommended limit of 640px maximum width.

[DrewE]

Ron3rd wrote:

DrewE wrote:

It's not BS; there are a few campgrounds that require self-contained RVs only, usually meaning ones with full plumbing systems (a toilet that goes into a holding tank of some sort).

Here's one example: Silver Strand (California) State Beach Campground. You don't need a generator or propane, just a sanitary plumbing system. You'd probably want to have water available, of course.

Generally I think these restrictions are due to not having bathhouses/bathrooms, and many zoning/sanitation codes require that campgrounds without bathrooms of some sort be restricted to self-contained RVs only.

I agree with your premise but no state campground like Silver Strand is ever going to look inside your rig. They give you your tag and you go to your site.

That's probably true. As a practical matter, it would not be much fun for a family camping at a developed campground with no toilet facilities of any sort available, so it's mostly a moot point anyhow for the original poster.

Is it okay to break the rules (and, in the case of a state campground, quite possibly state law) if you never get caught? It's a moral question, I suppose; I personally do not think it's the right thing to do in the general.

[Ron3rd]

DrewE wrote:

2012Coleman wrote:

beemerphile1 wrote:
Be aware that occasionally you may see signs at a campground that RVs must be fully self contained. Your RV is no longer self contained.

Really? So the fact that I can't generate my own electricity, and have an empty fresh water tank/propane bottles excludes me from camping at such a CG - if it even exists?

Have never seen this at a campground.

It's not BS; there are a few campgrounds that require self-contained RVs only, usually meaning ones with full plumbing systems (a toilet that goes into a holding tank of some sort).

Here's one example: Silver Strand (California) State Beach Campground. You don't need a generator or propane, just a sanitary plumbing system. You'd probably want to have water available, of course.

Generally I think these restrictions are due to not having bathhouses/bathrooms, and many zoning/sanitation codes require that campgrounds without bathrooms of some sort be restricted to self-contained RVs only.

I agree with your premise but no state campground like Silver Strand is ever going to look inside your rig. They give you your tag and you go to your site.

[DrewE]

2012Coleman wrote:

beemerphile1 wrote:
Be aware that occasionally you may see signs at a campground that RVs must be fully self contained. Your RV is no longer self contained.

Really? So the fact that I can't generate my own electricity, and have an empty fresh water tank/propane bottles excludes me from camping at such a CG - if it even exists?

Have never seen this at a campground.

It's not BS; there are a few campgrounds that require self-contained RVs only, usually meaning ones with full plumbing systems (a toilet that goes into a holding tank of some sort).

Here's one example: Silver Strand (California) State Beach Campground. You don't need a generator or propane, just a sanitary plumbing system. You'd probably want to have water available, of course.

Generally I think these restrictions are due to not having bathhouses/bathrooms, and many zoning/sanitation codes require that campgrounds without bathrooms of some sort be restricted to self-contained RVs only.

[2012Coleman]

beemerphile1 wrote:
Be aware that occasionally you may see signs at a campground that RVs must be fully self contained. Your RV is no longer self contained.

Really? So the fact that I can't generate my own electricity, and have an empty fresh water tank/propane bottles excludes me from camping at such a CG - if it even exists?

Have never seen this at a campground.

[Bruce_Brown]

Aznbyte wrote:

DrewE wrote:
Be aware that without a water and sewer system, it may in some (maybe most) states not be legally an RV for registration purposes. You can, of course, register it as a truck, but that often involves more money and things like registered weight limits and other hassles. This would not be heavy enough to require a CDL to drive if it is registered as a truck.

That being said, I think you've done a nice job. The workmanship looks good, and I hope it works out splendidly for you and you have lots of great times in it.

Best thing about being here is that I am learning a ton. Thanks for the info. Good to know when I do this again! I was able to get it registered just fine this time. Hopefully it continues to stay that way!

I'm thinking it will continue to be fine. I highly doubt anyone is going to come in to inspect and confirm those items are still on board.

[Traveler7]

Great job! Love the plants in the kitchen!!

[TNGW1500SE]

This post requires a youtube link 😉

[beemerphile1]

Be aware that occasionally you may see signs at a campground that RVs must be fully self contained. Your RV is no longer self contained.

[my440]

Thanks Aznbyte, like to see a exterior shot of your rig one day.

I see a glimpse of the back corner,nice mountain graphic.

[Aznbyte]

DrewE wrote:
Be aware that without a water and sewer system, it may in some (maybe most) states not be legally an RV for registration purposes. You can, of course, register it as a truck, but that often involves more money and things like registered weight limits and other hassles. This would not be heavy enough to require a CDL to drive if it is registered as a truck.

That being said, I think you've done a nice job. The workmanship looks good, and I hope it works out splendidly for you and you have lots of great times in it.

Best thing about being here is that I am learning a ton. Thanks for the info. Good to know when I do this again! I was able to get it registered just fine this time. Hopefully it continues to stay that way!

[DrewE]

Be aware that without a water and sewer system, it may in some (maybe most) states not be legally an RV for registration purposes. You can, of course, register it as a truck, but that often involves more money and things like registered weight limits and other hassles. This would not be heavy enough to require a CDL to drive if it is registered as a truck.

That being said, I think you've done a nice job. The workmanship looks good, and I hope it works out splendidly for you and you have lots of great times in it.

[Aznbyte]

my440 wrote:
Great job! Like the light colored wood. Back in the 70's everything was dark.
Did you paint the outside of your rig black? I was going to do that but was not sure what it would look like.

I did paint it completely black! I will get an updated picture and post it. A lot of people think its going to be hot in side, but its not. It's actually 20degrees or lower than outside (mid-day during the heat.) Insulation works well (along with good airflow!)

does this mean NO bathroom, shower, water heater in the rig at all?

Thats right. I am sure many people think this is crazy (as some already mentioned its just a hauler) but it works for us already. We've been minimalist for a while so it fits our needs. We visit friends/campgrounds/rest stops enough to meet our needs when it comes to those things. Dishes are done with water we store on-board, and it does quite well.

One more thought -- in some of the photos of the demolition, it looks like there is some water staining of the plywood underfloor. Could that be indicative of a roof leak?

There was water damage and we did replace much of the subflooring. Also there was a number of holes on the outside we repaired, along with complete resealing of all exterior points.

You added a large amount of weight with your choice of materials. You need to get it weighed and then compare to the GVWR, tire ratings, and axle ratings.

It looks good but to me an RV with no bath/toilet facilities is simply a cargo hauler, not a livable RV.

I suppose livable is determined by the user. We've been minimalist for a long time, so just because it doesnt have those things doesnt make it not liveable. We've done composting toilets before with good success. I do appreciate the comment about checking the GVWR and ratings etc. However the amount of items we took out, vs how much we put in is quite a bit less. This RV housed a bathroom, fridge, water heater/heater, shower, double bunk beds, and more. I am positive we are under the weight that was in it previously. Still, I will check these out. Its going into the shop monday for a post-trip checkup!

Apprecaite the comments all!

We don't have a blog up yet, but its coming! 🙂

[beemerphile1]

You added a large amount of weight with your choice of materials. You need to get it weighed and then compare to the GVWR, tire ratings, and axle ratings.

It looks good but to me an RV with no bath/toilet facilities is simply a cargo hauler, not a livable RV.

[Bill_Satellite]

Cat Lady wrote:
“We opted to remove the bathroom, shower, heater and water heater units...” does this mean NO bathroom, shower, water heater in the rig at all?

This interests me the most!