Total Rebuild of a 1979 Dodge Class C

[oldtrucker63]

I would say some of you have seen the start of this build that my brother bgriffey had posted, Well I have now bought the RV from him and plan to post the pixs of the build I have found a lot of rot in this RV I have torn out everything on the inside and have the rear opened up and the skin off the lower driver side, I will be buying a camera for my wife for christmas and im sure she will take the pixs if I can learn HOW to post them on here, Please remember its winter here in Kentucky so it will be slow but we will keep the pixs coming, Like I said this will be a total build from floor to walls and roof and custom inside build so I would appreciate all the help I can get this will be my first build and I will be learning as I go so any info will help. THANKS......Tony Griffey.

A new RV can be very expensive and if you already own an outdated RV then you should just consider a complete RV remodel which can be a significant amount of money cheaper than the cost of a brand new model. If you are retired and use your RV to travel then why not save the money for your travels rather than on spending a large chunk of money on a brand new travelling vacation home. When you decide to have an RV remodel done you can have your old model completely gutted and rebuilt to look just like a newer RV and when the work is done you will not even recognize your old mobile home. Going about having a new RV to travel in this way can save you thousands of dollars and you will not have to worry about the payments on a brand new RV home. Many retired people are travelling this way nowadays so they can travel the country and be comfortable while doing it, and there are many others that own these vehicles that they will take on summer family camping trips. The RV’s that are made today are unbelievable and have all of the luxuries of home at a fraction of the size, these make it great fir families and retired folks to travel comfortably, and having an RV remodel done you can make your old RV look just like a brand new one.

Statistics show that the amount of registered RV homes on the road is growing steadily every year, and much of this is due to the baby boomer generation retiring and wanting to travel the country in comfort and style. Having an RV remodel can make your RV brand new. Some things you may want to consider is having all new beds and appliances put in. Since RV appliances are smaller than your normal home kitchen appliances they are much cheaper, and a complete RV remodel will probably cost you anywhere from $5,000 to $12,000, depending on how many changes are being done. The latter price could even be a little more if you are having your RV completely gutted and redesigned. It will still save you a lot of money over purchasing a new RV home. Another thing to consider during your RV remodel is if you plan on just remodeling the inside or if you want to have the exterior redone as well, and if this is the case the project will cost more money but will still be cheaper than buying a new RV. Most of these vacationing and traveling vehicles have a type of siding on them, and the more modern ones are sometimes made of more durable fibreglasses and plastics, these materials are very nice since you do not ever have to worry about rusting.

If you plan on getting a loan out for this remodeling job then you will first want to get various estimates, much like a home remodeling project. Once you get all the estimates you want you can then apply for the amount of money through your financial institution or credit union. The amount of money you need should not be hard for you to get approved for, especially if you have good credit. If you are a retired individual you most likely can take the money out of your pension or 401 funds, and this would be your best bet due to interest rates. Usually the place where you originally bought the RV can do the remodel for you as well, and if they cannot they can usually refer you to someone who can do the job for you. With the popularity of these vehicles constantly growing there are also many new dealerships and shops that specialize in these vacation vehicles. Having a comfortable vehicle to travel year round in or to just vacation in yearly is a great asset and can also be a great stress reliever. It is also a very popular vehicle for families to use on family camping trips, and the nice thing is that if the kids want to rough it while camping they can just sent their tents up right outside the RV.

[oldtrucker63]

With the weight that these RV have new tires would be something for everyone to keep in mind, It could hold down the cost of repairs.

[Biscuit1001]

mikakuja wrote:
I've used re-caps on 5 tons for years without any major issues but I would never put them on my rv. I know someone who had one come apart on their rv and the cap went through the floor and destroyed the furnace.

(I hope this isn't consider off topic...)

I had something very similar happen to me. The tires were only 3 years old and less than 5,000 miles on them (from the previous owner), and the rear passenger side outside (dually) tire blew apart on the freeway. That set of tires is directly under the furnace which in turn is directly under the refrigerator.

I was coming home from having Camping World work on the frig, so when I heard what sounded like a loud explosion and saw sawdust flying out the furnace door vent, I assumed the Camping World tech screwed something up and a propane line to the frig blew.

I pulled to the side of the freeway and went back to look, inside and out and under at the tires, but they all looked fine (because they're dually and the other one was holding that side up).

It wasn't until 2 days later when I took it back to Camping World that I found the tire had blown. I felt better when it took THEM quite a while to figure it out, also.

Needless to say, I'm not driving it until I can afford all new tires.

[oldtrucker63]

sundancer268 wrote:
Back to that 360 Vent, I put one on my Class "A" this past spring and I have to say it is beautiful. In the past, before the 360 Vent was installed, running down the road we always had the smell of sewage in the coach. After the 360 Vent install, we have no more smell. Wife loves it.

I like them 360 vents too and will be using them also.

[John_H]

Hello Izasitko,
What I ment while typing is that in the rv construction or de construction that I have seen, above the cabinets, interior walls, there is a continious running side to side ceiling panel. Then On the interior walls they then nail/staple these top plates threw this ceiling material, into what ever structure that they prearanged in their thinking/planning. Now in home construction which was a facet in my trade, There is a rough in carpenders crew that frame from the floor joist, sub-floor, outerwalls, ceiling joist/truss's, roof. Then layout interior studded walls tying the for menchioned top plates in a similar way of planing to structure. And then ceiling sheetrock but butting this into interior wall top plates, not first into sheetrock that was layed going from outer structure wall to wall.
I Wasn't very clear,,,,,,,

[sundancer268]

Back to that 360 Vent, I put one on my Class "A" this past spring and I have to say it is beautiful. In the past, before the 360 Vent was installed, running down the road we always had the smell of sewage in the coach. After the 360 Vent install, we have no more smell. Wife loves it.

[14yuTrk]

Sounds like recaps not brand new. Here where I live my insurance company told me that If I ran recaps I would have no coverage. Too many separations and they can wreck a motorhome. Yes they can be a way to save money but I see them all over the highways from truckers that use them. When I needed new tires I bought brand new, pretty good deal for goodyears at around $250 installed and with the beads for balancing.

I have never bought a recaped tire. These were the original tires that came with the Motorhome, not recaps. Michelins XZA 8R 19.5
and I replaced them with the same.
Seperation doesn't onla happen to Recaps, the rubber seperates from the wire and can leave the tire inflated.
Why would anybody even think about recaps, I haden'e even heard the word mentioned in the past 30 years or more.

[TyroneandGladys]

In regards to recaps I drive a school bus and they are allowed on the rears but NOT on the steering axle.
However I have seen the damage a blown rear tire can do to a RV and thanks but no thanks to recaps.
I personally check the tire pressure before every trip and then check the temperature of the tires at fuel stops during the trip and because we live in Phoenix AZ I replace the tires after three years of service.
Overboard maybe but I have peace of mind that I have done everything that I can do to protect my family and possibly yours.

[TyroneandGladys]

oldtrucker63 wrote:

TyroneandGladys wrote:
Purchased 6 Yokohama Geolandar LT235/85R-16 load range E tires from Discount Tire and am very pleased

What was the final Price.??

Paid $960 for six tires mounted balanced metal tire stems and then got a $70.00 Rebate.

[mikakuja]

I've used re-caps on 5 tons for years without any major issues but I would never put them on my rv. I know someone who had one come apart on their rv and the cap went through the floor and destroyed the furnace.

[lzasitko]

John H wrote:
Correction: home construction does NOT put ceiling up first, RV interiors do !!! My cross thinking, sorry !

Actually in home construction drywall always goes up on the ceiling first then walls are sheeted, or at least that the way I have done it for going on 40 years. No problems with the ceiling drywall sagging as it is supported. If it is done the other way the ceiling may not be a nice straight line. Depends on rafter or joist spacing and thickness of drywall etc.

[lzasitko]

14yuTrk wrote:
By blew I mean the caps came off, at least one I remember had full pressure but no rubber left on it.

Sounds like recaps not brand new. Here where I live my insurance company told me that If I ran recaps I would have no coverage. Too many separations and they can wreck a motorhome. Yes they can be a way to save money but I see them all over the highways from truckers that use them. When I needed new tires I bought brand new, pretty good deal for goodyears at around $250 installed and with the beads for balancing.

[oldtrucker63]

14yuTrk wrote:

LOL.....OK Still what was the final price Mine has 7 brand new tires But ya never now when ya might need some.....

As tires go, age is the main factor, I blew 5 on a trip less then a thousand miles. They came on the rv which was 6 years old had 20 some thousand miles on the odometer and tire tread looked like new.
By blew I mean the caps came off, at least one I remember had full pressure but no rubber left on it.

Was this new tires OR Recaps I would never buy Recap tires There just no good when it comes to a little weight and hot weather.

[14yuTrk]

LOL.....OK Still what was the final price Mine has 7 brand new tires But ya never now when ya might need some.....

As tires go, age is the main factor, I blew 5 on a trip less then a thousand miles. They came on the rv which was 6 years old had 20 some thousand miles on the odometer and tire tread looked like new.
By blew I mean the caps came off, at least one I remember had full pressure but no rubber left on it.

[oldtrucker63]

TyroneandGladys wrote:

TyroneandGladys wrote:
Purchased 6 Yokohama Geolandar LT235/85R-16 load range E tires from Discount Tire and am very pleased

Goofed wrong discussion

LOL.....OK Still what was the final price Mine has 7 brand new tires But ya never now when ya might need some.....:B

[oldtrucker63]

TyroneandGladys wrote:
Purchased 6 Yokohama Geolandar LT235/85R-16 load range E tires from Discount Tire and am very pleased

What was the final Price.??