Hey all - long time lurker, but I finally have something to share.The wife and I had been enjoying a 2003 Forest River MB Cruiser that was approaching it's 10th birthday and looking a little tired. I had the tools, I had the shop, I got in way over my head.It took weeks and weeks to pull it off, but I completely gutted and renovated our little class B. I've been a woodworker for years, so it seemed a do-able project - but I don't know if I would ever do it again! I was surprised at how differently things are built in an RV. I know many trade-offs are made to save weight, but I rebuilt it how I thought was "right", and in the end, I took it to the CAT scale and I only added about 250 pounds to it. This site and others were valuable during the process. It was my first time doing something like this, so I'm sure I made some mistakes. I'd be interested to hear what others think.It's part carpentry, part plumbing, part electrical, part woodworking, and all cherry.Lots of pictures of the RV in the process, and when completed, at this link (the link is mine, and it's safe) The RV Remodel.Now, the wife is after me to get the outside looking as good as the inside - but I'll have to shop that out. I know my limits.Enjoy! And thanks for all the help you didn't even know you were giving me!

Nice job - how much did the renovation cost you?

I tried not to keep too good of track of it, lest the wife find out!But all in, I figure it was around $5k. That's everything. New fans. Appliances. Counter tops. Upholstery. Tank heaters. etc. It softened the blow spreading the orders out over the weeks.But heck, the wood itself was over $600. I had to special order the quarter inch plywood. All the stuff I could get locally (Utah) was MDF core. I knew I didn't want that because it would soak up any spills like a sponge. Shipping plywood in from across the country ain't cheap.

Very nice. Makes my high top van conversion look easy by comparison. But I kept it simple by not including bath, toilet and tanks. Even with my simple conversion experience I can totally appreciate all the work you did. Its not easy but well worth it once its done.

That's just a beautiful job. I'd be proud of that curved aluminum one, too.Looks forward to hearing more about how you are enjoying it. Nothing's as satisfying as something you created yourself.Welcome to the forum.

2003 MB Cruiser (near) Complete Rebuild | Good Sam Community

TheFitRV_James
Explorer
May 08, 2013
DaveInAL wrote:
My biggest issue at the moment are the cushions and the couch. I see you sent those out to be done. The cabinet below the microwave is hard to get in and out of and a drawer would help there!

The lower part of the vanity on mine is taken up by the generator.

Dave

When I sent the couch and cushions out, I asked for the couch to be reinforced. It was sagging pretty badly and a pain (literally) to sleep on. He wound up putting 3/8" plywood under both the bottom and back cushions of the couch. The support for these was pretty flimsy from the factory, and this firmed it up immensely.
DaveInAL
Explorer
May 08, 2013
My biggest issue at the moment are the cushions and the couch. I see you sent those out to be done. The cabinet below the microwave is hard to get in and out of and a drawer would help there!

The lower part of the vanity on mine is taken up by the generator.

Dave
TheFitRV_James
Explorer
May 08, 2013
DaveInAL wrote:
Great job! You have given me some good ideas for our 2005.

Dave

Dave and Dale - I used to live in Huntsville back in the day!
Another MB Cruiser - there aren't too many of us. Probably the best change to the original design was to convert the two lower galley cabinets to drawers. You can do that without too much effort and it makes it LOADS easier to get to items in the back of that lower cabinet. Good luck.
TheFitRV_James
Explorer
May 08, 2013
Escargot wrote:
Great job!
PS
"The latches are all those push-button kind that lie flush until you need a knob. Very clean looking I think. Except that someone (and I won’t mention her name but here’s a hint – I’m married to her) left one of them popped out and messed up the picture."

No... The popped out latch is great as a comparison! I'm quite sure that was her intention and there's much to be said for her foresight. :-)

Obviously, there are people much wiser than I on this forum...
:)
DaveInAL
Explorer
May 08, 2013
Great job! You have given me some good ideas for our 2005.

Dave
spacedoutbob
Explorer
May 08, 2013
Very nice remodeling job, thanks for posting and the great photos. I'm very impressed!

Bob in Calif.
Escargot
Explorer
May 07, 2013
Great job!
PS
"The latches are all those push-button kind that lie flush until you need a knob. Very clean looking I think. Except that someone (and I won’t mention her name but here’s a hint – I’m married to her) left one of them popped out and messed up the picture."

No... The popped out latch is great as a comparison! I'm quite sure that was her intention and there's much to be said for her foresight. :-)
TheFitRV_James
Explorer
May 07, 2013
You folks are awesome. :)

We've been enjoying it already. We had one shakedown cruise after the rebuild where I had to chase a leak (my own fault), but other than that, it's been trouble free.

We took a couple trips south to Arizona this winter, and it's warming up enough to where we could head north now. I think our next trip will be up to Idaho someplace for a quick get-away.

The wife and I like to make fitness videos from unique places when we RV, so I've had my eye on the Bruneau Sand Dunes. Has anyone been there?
markopolo
Explorer
May 07, 2013
Nice up-to-date modern look!
You've probably easily added what you spent to the value of your RV.
ennajean
Explorer
May 07, 2013
Very nice......good job.

Forum Discussion

2003 MB Cruiser (near) Complete Rebuild

About Motorhome Group

Related Content

2002 Lance 811 Rebuild - Update 09.30.2020- PROJECT COMPLETE

Grey water tank won't drain completely

2009 Tiffin Phaeton Engine Rebuild

92 Toyota Motorhome complete roof tear-down and rebuild

Rebuild ideas and thoughts