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Total Rebuild of a 1979 Dodge Class C

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
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A new RV can be very expensive and if you already own an outdated RV then you should just consider a complete RV remodel which can be a significant amount of money cheaper than the cost of a brand new model.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 RVโ€™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.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's
3,483 REPLIES 3,483

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks for the tips there, I'll check it.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

rehoppe
Explorer
Explorer
You might spray some lube onto the seal to help soften it and keep it from sticking. I didn't last summer and when I went to winterize it, I thought I would have to break it to get it open. Gave it a shot of Kroil and the next day it flushed fine.

If yours leaks you might be able to get a new seal.
Hoppe
2011 Dodge 1500 C'boy Caddy
2000 Jayco C 28' Ford chassis w V-10 E450
Doghouse 36' or so Trophy Classic TT

tenbear
Explorer
Explorer
oldtrucker63 wrote:
On these RV Toilet's...??? When you add water to the bottom of the bowl
How long should should that water stay in the bowl.??? It has been 15 minutes and there is still water in the bowl but it did leak through when I first poured the water into the bowl, I Might have poured to much water into the bowl and made it leak a little, Or should it hold the water.???:h


It should stay there long enough that the seal never gets dry. A couple of years ago mine started to leak. I took the seal out and cleaned it, scraped some mineral deposits off. It now works like new, holds water all winter. Yours should too.

BTY, its good to see you back at work on the rebuild again. Looks great.
Class C, 2004/5 Four Winds Dutchman Express 28A, Chevy chassis
2010 Subaru Impreza Sedan
Camped in 45 states, 7 Provinces and 1 Territory

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
oldtrucker63 wrote:
On these RV Toilet's...??? When you add water to the bottom of the bowl
How long should that water stay in the bowl.??? It has been 15 minutes and there is still water in the bowl but it did leak through when I first poured the water into the bowl, I Might have poured to much water into the bowl and made it leak a little, Or should it hold the water.???:h
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
On these RV Toilet's...??? When you add water to the bottom of the bowl
How long should should that water stay in the bowl.??? It has been 15 minutes and there is still water in the bowl but it did leak through when I first poured the water into the bowl, I Might have poured to much water into the bowl and made it leak a little, Or should it hold the water.???:h
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
I only have six weeks to finish this old dodge and the black tank might take 2 to 3 weeks to get here, I will start on the generator and get it installed, And install the Air system also, There is a lot of little things I can work on while waiting on the black tank to get here
I will also need to check this old toilet to make sure it will hold water, If not I will order a new one, Anyone know what a good brand would be, We want the tall version.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
Here is the Courtesy Lights that will mount into the step's. I have the wiring run so that when the porch light is on the step lights will come on too.

Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
I hooked the Generator Start/Stop switch up to the generator today and it works great, Now to mount the generator and run some wiring.

Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
vikrv wrote:
The DW wanted to tune in to a recent episode of Extreme RV so we checked it out, and among the musical band Prevost customizations, etc. they had the restoration of a 1947 Westwood Coronado trailer (link link). So rv.net has been fortunate to have your Trucker Rv restoration channel also and will be looking for you to debut it in 6 weeks or so...
I will be putting a video together of my build too, Only it will have to be with Photos......LOL I don't think it will make the History Channel but it will make RV.net, Thanks for the link's I Love stuff like that.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

RambleOnNW
Explorer II
Explorer II
The DW wanted to tune in to a recent episode of Extreme RV so we checked it out, and among the musical band Prevost customizations, etc. they had the restoration of a 1947 Westwood Coronado trailer (link link). So rv.net has been fortunate to have your Trucker Rv restoration channel also and will be looking for you to debut it in 6 weeks or so...
2006 Jayco 28', E450 6.8L V10, Bilstein HDs,
Roadmaster Anti-Sway Bars, Blue Ox TigerTrak

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
I placed my Ordered today, a Waste holding tank 30 gallon and the Waste Holding Tank - Grommets - 3" and 2" and also a RV Sewer Cable Actuated Waste Valve - 3" with a 72 inch cable, I have already received the courtesy lights for the steps and the generator Stop/Start switch with hour meter and the Toilet floor flange and seal, Now I just sit here and wait for the right weather to set in and then start to work, I think the first thing will be to install the black tank and then get the rear bumper set up for the generator and the Honda 5.5 HP engine and Air compressor, There is a lot of work to get done with only about 6 weeks to finish this, I at least want to get it finished enough to where we can go camping, I can always do the little things as we go.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
blackf3504dr wrote:
oldtrucker63 wrote:
Now after all of this warm weather, There calling for 6 to 8 inch of snow, Ya just got to Love it right.............


Did y'all get the snow ?
Not yet Today has been in the 50's They are saying Starting Sunday morning and through Sunday, 6 to 10 inch's Then warn back up Monday to around the 40's If it snows it sure will not last long, Maybe just enough to get the four wheeler out and play some.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

blackf3504dr
Explorer
Explorer
oldtrucker63 wrote:
Now after all of this warm weather, There calling for 6 to 8 inch of snow, Ya just got to Love it right.............


Did y'all get the snow ?
Mom , Dad , Scooter & K.C ( killer cat )
'96 F350 4dr. Dually, 7.3 5sp.
'92 Holiday Rambler 34'
REAL TRUCKS DON'T HAVE SPARKPLUGS !

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
Now after all of this warm weather, There calling for 6 to 8 inch of snow, Ya just got to Love it right.............
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
The start/stop switch and wiring harness should be here Friday, (I Hope)
If it is not raining I will be trying to install this generator and get the wires ran for the inside Start/stop switch with hour meter, There is a bit of welding to do but first I need a torch to cut the steel with
I have two torches but I have no tanks yet, so I'm going to get a friend of mine to bring his tanks and try and get this generator finished this weekend.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's