Hello all it's been a little while since I've worked on my project or shared and of it's progress.
I've let this thing sit on the back burner since I last was working on the overhead bunk. I now am moving and this thing needs to move on it's own legs and most important not fall apart!
Ahhh where do I start? lol, I had been renting my current house long after I moved out just to store a motorhome I can move because it's not structurally sound for transit. And living a 100 miles away just gave me no time to get it done. Well I set a goal and a date and got it done, here is the results.
This about were I started, I installed the table support and fuel and access hole supports by laminating 1/2" MDF to = 1". Factory did the same.
Still need to finish framing in this section of the wall, not going to panel the inside right now, just need the outside done for the move.
Got the rest of the framing done for the window and the genset compartment. And a few spots for inside panel seems and where I thought would add strength. I also insulated the areas that are finished paneled inside.
I left the rear tile panel as I left it exposed to long to moisture and never insulated or supported and it warped, I figure I try that again when I peal the rear apart for repair and finish the bathroom at that time as well.
Made a nice corner section using the same process I used for the other openings. not really sure what was there before? may have been nothing.
Started hanging paneling, thought this was the best place to start.
Got it all paneled and well this MH is far from square, I did the best I could.
Now I started cleaning the glued on rotten wood from skin, turns out leaving it wood side facing the elements made for easy scraping off!
Got both upper and lower skin cleaned, no we will see how far off my openings are.
The bottom one was still one piece.
The top was a little tough as it was in two pieces and above my head. I was only tacking panels on a long screw at one end and using that a pivot I could adjust to fit.
This took forever, about half the day and turns out nothing aligned up well at all and had to find the happy middle. I hope all trim and compartment doors and windows cover the previously cut holes in the skin.
Then I secured along the top edge of skin and applied adhesive and messaged the skin and stapled where I could and kept compressing skin to paneling to make sure it adhered.
Made sure I installed one of the fuel tank fill's. Other tank don't work so I'll get that one later.
Taped up the other fill hose, and secured the wiring except the rear lighting, I need to connect that for move still.
Got the overhead bunk framed in and insulated. This turned out nice.
All paneled up! Ready for skin.....
I guess I was to tired to take any pictures of that, lol.
I got the nose skin on and it looks very rough as it had a tear and was all dented up. Smoothed it out a best as I could and think I can clean it up with body filler. We will see.
Anyways I put the corner trim on using a few screws as a temporary back bone to hold everything together and keep the wind from pealing it apart down the freeway.
I prepped the MH for a road trip, fluids good and full, battery still charged after over a year of sitting. Got the lights in order, at least stop, turn and tail.
Then I started to worry about the tires, six 10+ year old dry rotten tires, hum 16.5's where am I going to get them, and cheap. come to find out I can get them, hard to find in a E load range as a 8.75 so I found somebody who had a set of 4 16" wheels and tires from a F350 perfect. I put them in the back on the duels, I figure I rather have a blow out in the front than one in the back to destroy the walls. And I now have 4 spares for the front, I should be good for a 100 miles.
Off to the DOL and got the MH registered and insured, already got the AAA so I feel I'm good to go.
Off to the gas station and headed home. MH did great, ran good and the camper mad no funny "I'm falling apart" noises. One thing is for sure the front end needs some work. There is clearly a bent wheel and steering wheel is off and there was a wicked float followed by a white knucked death grip shake! But there were times the steering floated in the right spot and the front end was smooth as glass lol. I should have stoped but I just wanted it to get over so I prepared myself to drive a MH with out a wheel if needed!
So now it sits again, having a new baby soon and hope to maybe someday finish this project.