84 Windcruiser Restoration/Renovation

[DeaconFrost]

I have recently purchased my first RV, a 1984 Itasca Windcruiser, to restore and renovate, and have a long haul ahead of me. I've been searching for answers to many of the questions I have, but haven't found them all.

If I am replacing the 3-way refrigerator with a residential, do I still need all of the venting? The side vent has had major water damage, and it would be nice to close off the vent/hatch.

Also I have a access port on the driver side of the rv that looks like a water hookup, but the fresh water is somewhere else. What does this do?

Any help would be appreciated! Thanks! And will have more questions shortly, lol.

[07blacktruck]

Only because I'm a real fan of the Windcruiser/Elandan motorhomes, I'll see if anyone else out there is reading this and hoping for more of the story. I'm back in the US now and haven't done nearly as much as I want on mine but I will. Just way more involved in catch up projects than I anticipated.
Stay safe out there folks and be informed before you make decisions in the booth.

[WadenCeeJay]

Someday I'll be able to do something extensive like this. Someday...

[cajunfisherman]

the hose outlet you are talking bout could be a black water tank clean out,they look just like a freshwater hose hook up,

[07blacktruck]

falconbrother wrote:
I have found that no roof recover is permanent. Not a big deal but, about twice a year I get up there with a tube of lap seal (EPDM compliant) and look for weak spots. Even a very small "pin hole" will let in a lot of water if it's in a low spot or if, like around here, it's been raining for weeks. Ask me how I know, grrr.

The way I figure it if your chassis is good and no major water damage then restoring a motorhome isnt that bad of a job. When I bought my 1990 it had a new Norcold. But, whoever installed it didn't hook up gas so it's just electric. That's perfectly fine with me. I don't like the gas version much and don't need it. I use the generator a lot while using the motorhome. We're heading out today in the heat and I'll run the generator and roof AC all the way to the beach (4 hours). The generator will pull the fridge too. The dash air will never keep the motorhome cool in a 93 degree day with 88% humidity. The pugs like cool air better than I do..

If this Norcold ever quits I'll put a residential fridge in there and never look back.

I would strongly agree with your assessment of a roof repair. Even on a house, it has to be checked and repaired when needed. My MH has the P30 chassis, in my opinion for what it is, it's one of the best for ease of maintenance and availability of parts and service. Also considering things, it's a pretty good choice for a motorhome of the typical size. I've seen some complain of the lack of power in gassers, I can't say I've ever noticed that. The 454 in mine is a good choice and does okay on fuel. Not like a car but I don't expect that. I like the idea of a residential fridge but also enjoy being able to use mine on gas when not on the grid so I'll probably stay with that. I'm looking forward to getting home to work on the Elandan. Got a few updates I want to make and to move the TV and get rid of the two chairs in the living room. I'm always glad to see what others are doing. As much as I love the idea of buying a new one, I think I really enjoy taking care of my older one even more. Far more class and personality if a vehicle can have that....
Stay safe all....
Ken

[falconbrother]

I have found that no roof recover is permanent. Not a big deal but, about twice a year I get up there with a tube of lap seal (EPDM compliant) and look for weak spots. Even a very small "pin hole" will let in a lot of water if it's in a low spot or if, like around here, it's been raining for weeks. Ask me how I know, grrr.

The way I figure it if your chassis is good and no major water damage then restoring a motorhome isnt that bad of a job. When I bought my 1990 it had a new Norcold. But, whoever installed it didn't hook up gas so it's just electric. That's perfectly fine with me. I don't like the gas version much and don't need it. I use the generator a lot while using the motorhome. We're heading out today in the heat and I'll run the generator and roof AC all the way to the beach (4 hours). The generator will pull the fridge too. The dash air will never keep the motorhome cool in a 93 degree day with 88% humidity. The pugs like cool air better than I do..

If this Norcold ever quits I'll put a residential fridge in there and never look back.

[07blacktruck]

DeaconFrost wrote:


Sorry, I hadn't updated. Life (work and getting married) totally got in the way of me trying to renovate the old Itasca. I ended up selling it earlier this year when I bought a 1993 Winnebago Elante, which was in way better shape and far easier for me to work. Also, it was quite a bit bigger. I have redone all of the interior finishes and am working on some of the coach mechanical problems and hope to get it painted soon. Will have pics of the before and after up soon I hope!

Thanks for the update and congrats on the new traveling partner. I do well understand work getting in the way too. Sad but that happens to us all. I've seen pics of the Elante but can't claim any familiarity with them. Does that have the same basic shape as the Elandan? Probably crazy but the basic design of those is my all time favorite in a motorhome. Thanks again for the update. I hope all is well there and the new life is going great for you and your bride.
Stay safe over there..
Ken

[DeaconFrost]

07blacktruck wrote:

Just curious, any new updates on this project? I will admit to having a certain weakness when it comes to the Windcruiser/Elandan motorhomes. I'm still away from mine but have high hopes for next year. The Elandan that I bought last year is my first venture into the RV world. Call me crazy but I love the older models. I hope all is well out there for the other readers. Anybody that wants to talk about them or any other model, please feel free to post it or send a PM.
Stay safe all..

Sorry, I hadn't updated. Life (work and getting married) totally got in the way of me trying to renovate the old Itasca. I ended up selling it earlier this year when I bought a 1993 Winnebago Elante, which was in way better shape and far easier for me to work. Also, it was quite a bit bigger. I have redone all of the interior finishes and am working on some of the coach mechanical problems and hope to get it painted soon. Will have pics of the before and after up soon I hope!

[07blacktruck]

DeaconFrost wrote:


It is a DIY roll-on. After using the aluminum tape to seal the joints. I rolled on 3 coats. It is basically the finished product, however I have material left, and will apply two more coats once the rooftop air conditioners are installed.

I plan on ordering the new Gree Air Conditioners that have just been released. I want to take a chance on them because they include a automatic climate control as opposed to the manual interface that I've seen made on almost all non-ducted rooftop a/c's for the last 40 years. But, the roof still has a sag (even without the a/c's bearing down) after 28 years of them sitting up there. I really haven't found much to help solve the problem. I plan on trying a 3/4" plywood sheet spanning from one aluminum brace to next, 28" wide, and placed in between the aluminum roof and the insulation; to help support the air conditioner.

In the meantime, I've slowly started on ceiling replacement, screwing and liquid nailing 1/4" luaun plywood up. I then hope place a cove moulding around the ceiling perimeter trim it out.

Just curious, any new updates on this project? I will admit to having a certain weakness when it comes to the Windcruiser/Elandan motorhomes. I'm still away from mine but have high hopes for next year. The Elandan that I bought last year is my first venture into the RV world. Call me crazy but I love the older models. I hope all is well out there for the other readers. Anybody that wants to talk about them or any other model, please feel free to post it or send a PM.
Stay safe all..

[Funrover]

Good luck!

[semiretiredDIY]

Residential refrigerators do not need venting.

[DeaconFrost]

07blacktruck wrote:

Is that coating a DIY roll on or is it sprayed on? I like the white color of it. Does the picture show the finished product?
I'm getting ready to seal the roof on my Elandan. This is good info. Thanks for posting and please keep it up.
Stay safe out there.
Ken

It is a DIY roll-on. After using the aluminum tape to seal the joints. I rolled on 3 coats. It is basically the finished product, however I have material left, and will apply two more coats once the rooftop air conditioners are installed.

I plan on ordering the new Gree Air Conditioners that have just been released. I want to take a chance on them because they include a automatic climate control as opposed to the manual interface that I've seen made on almost all non-ducted rooftop a/c's for the last 40 years. But, the roof still has a sag (even without the a/c's bearing down) after 28 years of them sitting up there. I really haven't found much to help solve the problem. I plan on trying a 3/4" plywood sheet spanning from one aluminum brace to next, 28" wide, and placed in between the aluminum roof and the insulation; to help support the air conditioner.

In the meantime, I've slowly started on ceiling replacement, screwing and liquid nailing 1/4" luaun plywood up. I then hope place a cove moulding around the ceiling perimeter trim it out.

[07blacktruck]

Gary's Windcruiser wrote:

gusbratz wrote:
roof looks nice. what kind of coating is that over it? i would like to coat my aluminum roof with something like that after i eternabond the seams.

Thanks. I've applied three coats (will apply two more after I install new A/Cs) of Black Jack Ultra-Roof 1000 Elastomeric Roof Coating.

Is that coating a DIY roll on or is it sprayed on? I like the white color of it. Does the picture show the finished product?
I'm getting ready to seal the roof on my Elandan. This is good info. Thanks for posting and please keep it up.
Stay safe out there.
Ken

[Geocritter]

It's interesting Gary, I looked at the previous photo but I hadn't noted where you were from. After I looked at the photo and my eyes drifted to the pine trees and the PU trucks I said to myself "I'll bet he's from Texas!" Sure enough (LOL).
Steve

[DeaconFrost]

gusbratz wrote:
roof looks nice. what kind of coating is that over it? i would like to coat my aluminum roof with something like that after i eternabond the seams.

Thanks. I've applied three coats (will apply two more after I install new A/Cs) of Black Jack Ultra-Roof 1000 Elastomeric Roof Coating.