cancel
Showing results forย 
Search instead forย 
Did you mean:ย 

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A new RV can be very expensive and if you already own an outdated RV then you should just consider a complete RV remodel which can be a significant amount of money cheaper than the cost of a brand new model.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
Got the vent pipe cover today, With this and the computer fan the stinker should be fine, I'm going to try and install this and finish the inside trim tomorrow.

Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
rehoppe wrote:
I'd have to imagine that it might!

It'd look nice tho IF you can get it on right. The curves could be PITA.
Yeah the man said he could fix it right around all of the bends and curves, I might just let him do it.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

rehoppe
Explorer
Explorer
I'd have to imagine that it might!

It'd look nice tho IF you can get it on right. The curves could be PITA.
Hoppe
2011 Dodge 1500 C'boy Caddy
2000 Jayco C 28' Ford chassis w V-10 E450
Doghouse 36' or so Trophy Classic TT

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
Yeah this sounds good, I seen a man today over in Va. that was doing the corners of his RV in the Diamond plate and found the place that will do the bending and shaping, Just have to check into the cost of the guy that bends this stuff, This would look great only cost a bit more.....:h
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

rehoppe
Explorer
Explorer
Good ideas. I'll have to pick up some and take it up the hill with me.

It's normally a bit cheaper here, than in the Mountains.
Hoppe
2011 Dodge 1500 C'boy Caddy
2000 Jayco C 28' Ford chassis w V-10 E450
Doghouse 36' or so Trophy Classic TT

14yuTrk
Explorer
Explorer
lzasitko wrote:
To split the gutter you could use a table saw, with one side against the fence it should be pretty precise. A sharp Carbide tipped blade would give the cleanest cut, though I have used a fine wood blade with acrylic plastic and so long as you don't feed it too fast it is good.

Table saw should work, just make sure the blade is just high enough to cut through, otherwise it will shatter the edges.
It is better to remain silent... and be thought a fool... than open one's mouth... and remove all doubt

lzasitko
Explorer
Explorer
To split the gutter you could use a table saw, with one side against the fence it should be pretty precise. A sharp Carbide tipped blade would give the cleanest cut, though I have used a fine wood blade with acrylic plastic and so long as you don't feed it too fast it is good.

Replant
Explorer
Explorer
rehoppe wrote:
The vinyl gutter downspout idea does sound interesting. Now who's got a simple precise method to split it?

I need some for the gable ends on my Doghouse. And some to make a facia covering, as well.

Doghouse is a TT that will never move again, and has a 5/12 pitch metal roof over it. At least not in one piece!

The gutter is quite thin and could possibly be cut with a sharp utility knife and steel (ruler) straight edge. I used a hacksaw to cut the 10 footer down to size. I'll try a knife on the scrap piece. Right now I have to help the DW put the mattress back in the cab-over .

rehoppe
Explorer
Explorer
The vinyl gutter downspout idea does sound interesting. Now who's got a simple precise method to split it?

I need some for the gable ends on my Doghouse. And some to make a facia covering, as well.

Doghouse is a TT that will never move again, and has a 5/12 pitch metal roof over it. At least not in one piece!
Hoppe
2011 Dodge 1500 C'boy Caddy
2000 Jayco C 28' Ford chassis w V-10 E450
Doghouse 36' or so Trophy Classic TT

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
Replant wrote:
oldtrucker63 wrote:
rehoppe wrote:
Tony

I don't know if they've changed the character of PVC recently, but back in the day I used ABS because it didn't get brittle in the Cold weather. If that's still true I'd use Black trim.

How about ABS downsputs for gutters? Cut them down to make 2 strips from each spout? I haven't really looked at them lately,, but maybe?

Maybe even trim for Vinyl House Siding?

I see some of this has already been posted while I wasn't looking. ๐Ÿ˜ฎ :S
Yes the Vinyl House Siding is what I have started with, It looks good, I was just wondering if there was anything that is easier.


Tony,
This 4" vinyl gutter is what I used to stow my sewer hose in the 5" sq. "bumper" that replaced my 4" metal one. It comes in 10' lengths and you could split it down the middle to get 20' of trim for less than $7.
Al
Heck yeah man this would look great, Thanks
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

Replant
Explorer
Explorer
oldtrucker63 wrote:
rehoppe wrote:
Tony

I don't know if they've changed the character of PVC recently, but back in the day I used ABS because it didn't get brittle in the Cold weather. If that's still true I'd use Black trim.

How about ABS downsputs for gutters? Cut them down to make 2 strips from each spout? I haven't really looked at them lately,, but maybe?

Maybe even trim for Vinyl House Siding?

I see some of this has already been posted while I wasn't looking. ๐Ÿ˜ฎ :S
Yes the Vinyl House Siding is what I have started with, It looks good, I was just wondering if there was anything that is easier.


Tony,
This 4" vinyl gutter is what I used to stow my sewer hose in the 5" sq. "bumper" that replaced my 4" metal one. It comes in 10' lengths and you could split it down the middle to get 20' of trim for less than $7.
Al

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
That could be good because it was easy to cut, I know I check to see if it was strong and it seems great to me but I could be wrong.:h
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

blackf3504dr
Explorer
Explorer
oldtrucker63 wrote:
john b wrote:
Just a thought to share on the trim subject.Have you thought about talking to a continuous gutter maker for aluminum or getting some long lengths of vinyl gutter.In both cases you can cut off one side to make it into a 6 in alum or pvc 90 deg angle that way.Also a siding supplier may have some configuration already around,6in might be a good size.
Also trucker just ib passing when we were a pup bedrail was very available for projects but we soon learned that it was high carbon & not real reliable for anything structural as weldng and it did not agree with one another real well,bolting or riveting was OK. But nowadays it might be a bunch different. JUST IN PASSING. keep up the great work as I sure enjoy your project. Back in the late 60s my son & some friends built first a 23 ft class C from the ground up & then a few years later converted it into a 24 ft class A and in total we enjoyed it for 16 years & many miles. Keep on trucking as I know the fun you are having albeit work too! jmho jb
Thanks for the info buddy, I will check into the bed frame deal, I will be adding two straps to hold the tank into place but I would like the frame to stay in place also, I might have to change to a good angle iron.



I read somewhere that if the rail is easily cut with a hack saw it's usable, but if it difficult to cut it's not...
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
The trim in the RV is near finished.

Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
The bathroom trim is just about done, I ran out of wood trim tonight, I will get more trim and finish the RV's inside and then install the carpet, The last photo is of the rear corner in the shower where I made a bad cut, This corner had the nice big gap in it, It came out nice, I will clean the white sealer off of the trim after it dry's .




The white color in the corner of the trim is sealer and will come off after it dry's.



Here you can see the bad cut in the wall board corner.

Without Trucks,....America Stop's