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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A new RV can be very expensive and if you already own an outdated RV then you should just consider a complete RV remodel which can be a significant amount of money cheaper than the cost of a brand new model.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 Sundancer268 That site helps a bunch..Real good info.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

tboss
Explorer
Explorer
hey driver dont use stapels to secure the wires to the wood use wire ties with a stick-on peel and stick mounting bracket..most box stores sell them ,,as previously suggested split loom is great for running wires thru wood but where it goes tru metal use a cromett to fill the hole,,Im just saying,,,

sundancer268
Explorer
Explorer
Here is a PDF of Anchor Marine Products. They are part of Marinco Corporation and make High Quality Electrical products for the RV and Marine industries.

http://www.marinco.com/files/ANCOR%202008%20Catalog.pdf

A lot of good information you can use to check out other companies products.

I did make a mistake in saying that Tin Coated wire was required for marine use. It is Recommended, not required. I do use it myself because of the fine stranding of the wire and I just like good quality workmanship and try to do so in all of my wiring projects wether on the boat or the Motor Home.

PS: you are doing a fantastic job and I do admire your ambition and workmanship.
U. S. Navy (RETIRED) 1993
1995 Gulf Stream Scenic Cruiser 34' Diesel Pusher Cummins B5.9 12 Valve Engine, Allison MD-3060 6 Speed Transmission.
TOAD: 2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk Elite
Road Master Sterling All-Terrain, Airforce One

sundancer268
Explorer
Explorer
Yes, do not solder any connections. If you check out this WEB Site, they cover it very well.

http://www.sailangle.com/articles/details/id/6

Some of this is over kill for campers especially the 120VAC items. They do give a great explanation on the do's and don'ts and the reasoning for that choice.
U. S. Navy (RETIRED) 1993
1995 Gulf Stream Scenic Cruiser 34' Diesel Pusher Cummins B5.9 12 Valve Engine, Allison MD-3060 6 Speed Transmission.
TOAD: 2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk Elite
Road Master Sterling All-Terrain, Airforce One

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
So your saying do NOT Solder any connection,???.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

sundancer268
Explorer
Explorer
"Solder & heat shirking tape is by far the best connector if needed be, as suggested by another contributor."

Do NOT Solder any connection, That is worse than using solid wire instead of stranded. In the Boating World, the code requires Tin Plated Stranded Wire as it will flex with out breaking.

Use un-insulated crimp on solder-less connectors and Heat Shrink Tubing with the sealant inside. You will wind up with a weather proof connection that will last longer than the camper.
U. S. Navy (RETIRED) 1993
1995 Gulf Stream Scenic Cruiser 34' Diesel Pusher Cummins B5.9 12 Valve Engine, Allison MD-3060 6 Speed Transmission.
TOAD: 2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk Elite
Road Master Sterling All-Terrain, Airforce One

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks, I will tell one thing, This will be the last one without a garage to work in, This outside fighting with a tarp sucks, So from this one on, The next will be done in a garage, So that is my next project when this RV is finished I will have a building to work in.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

ALnCORY
Explorer
Explorer
Its coming together real well there Trucker...... I really like what you did on the dash and dog house. Have a great weekend...
I don't think anyones dying statement ever contained the words "I wish I had spent more time in the office", so lets go somewhere!

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
That don't look like much is done but I worked all day on this thing A lot of grinding on that front metal to get that silver tar stuff off, Man don't ever use that stuff its junk, Anyway its getting there slow but sure.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
And I have put the front metal back on too.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
Just a little bit more done on the roof and trusses.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
cbmcnulty1 wrote:
I just joined and I am starting my first RV renovation. The 1991 Fleetwood Jamboree I just purchased had a little water damage showing.. until I got it home and my wife and I started cleaning it. that is when we figured our that in addition to the few water marks inside, 90% of the wood over the cab was rotted to dust. I am pretty handy ( I am a construction manager and have done all the remodel of my house) but I was a little upset when I found the rotted wood because I thought I just wasted 5K and my wife and son and I wouldn't be able to enjoy RV'ing
After reading the posts here, I am confident ( and a little excited) to start such a big remodel. I have started "gently" removing all the wood...I keep having visions of a piece of wood coming up with some Fiberglas attached!
I can not figure out how to view the photos a number of posts reference. I am particulary interested in photots of cabover renovations, the framework that supports that section etc.

So can anyone tell me if they have renovation photos such as this and if so..How do I view them ( and dummy it up for me - while I am very good with woodworking and framing, not so good with computers)

And thanks again to everyone here....all these posts really made me feel better that a renovation liek this can be done by someone with a little skill
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YES HERE IS ONE
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/23787625.cfm
Without Trucks,....America Stop's

cbmcnulty1
Explorer
Explorer
I just joined and I am starting my first RV renovation. The 1991 Fleetwood Jamboree I just purchased had a little water damage showing.. until I got it home and my wife and I started cleaning it. that is when we figured our that in addition to the few water marks inside, 90% of the wood over the cab was rotted to dust. I am pretty handy ( I am a construction manager and have done all the remodel of my house) but I was a little upset when I found the rotted wood because I thought I just wasted 5K and my wife and son and I wouldn't be able to enjoy RV'ing
After reading the posts here, I am confident ( and a little excited) to start such a big remodel. I have started "gently" removing all the wood...I keep having visions of a piece of wood coming up with some Fiberglas attached!
I can not figure out how to view the photos a number of posts reference. I am particulary interested in photots of cabover renovations, the framework that supports that section etc.

So can anyone tell me if they have renovation photos such as this and if so..How do I view them ( and dummy it up for me - while I am very good with woodworking and framing, not so good with computers)

And thanks again to everyone here....all these posts really made me feel better that a renovation liek this can be done by someone with a little skill

oldtrucker63
Explorer
Explorer
lzasitko wrote:
Or you could also put in the walls rigid conduit. Comes in either metal or plastic but it would allow you to add more wires if needed or remove and replace. Just use a fish tape to go through it. Then it is not exposed to the elements and easy to change.
Can't run conduit through the wall because of the steel framing that is also in the walls, And if I run the wires inside the walls it must go up to the roof to cross the steel rails and them back down into the walls and from frount to rear thats 4 times, Thats the way the factory had it run I will have to stay floor level with most of the wiring, Only the cab marker lights will have two wires up top and a few 120 volt wires.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's