Smart_Alec
Explorer
Joined 15 years ago
User Profile
User Widgets
All Activity
Remodelling
I don't suppose I'm the only one who has to deal with this, I'm in an older Dodge motorhome, a Class C Tioga. It's my residence. I don't have a brick and mortar house to retreat to. The ceiling leaks and there's been some water damage. I need to renovate this thing while still living aboard. Anyone else been in a similar situation? How did you cope?1.7KViews0likes5CommentsRe: I want to rehabilitate my old Dodge Class C
Bumpyroad wrote: sort of reminds me of a friend I had at work. He would buy an older car for say $2,000, spend $2,000 fixing it up using hundreds of hours of labor. He'd Sell it for $4,500 thinking he "won". bumpy So you're saying he really "lost"? Who is better qualified to judge his outcome, you or him?514Views0likes0CommentsRe: I want to rehabilitate my old Dodge Class C
Bordercollie wrote: If we knew what we were doing, we would have saved our money and bought a much newer and better conditioned rig that suited our needs much better for $21K Well, that's why I'm here, because I don't entirely know what I'm doing and I want to seek advice from those who have traveled down this road before me. My construction skills will serve me well, I think, but this is still a new area that I'm still exploring. RV construction seems to be an esoteric field. :D513Views0likes0CommentsRe: I want to rehabilitate my old Dodge Class C
Bordercollie wrote: More power to you. There are a number of old rig refurbishment threads on this forum and those who have done it will provide advice. It is sad, however, when a project like this bogs down for health or other reasons and never gets finished. It is likely that the old appliances, plumbing, 12 and 120 volt systems electrical systems will require replacements and upgrades not to mention engine, cooling system,transmission, brakes, dash AC, wheels and tires, suspension,(etc.) that will need repairs or upgrades to make this sows ear into a silk purse that you can trust for serious motorhoming. Think it over, it's a lot like renovating a termite ridden dry rotted old house. I hear you. And I agree with you. But, you know, these old Dodges are tough. That said, it's hard to deny the tolls taken by years gone by. I like this old girl, but no, I wouldn't to take her on a serious road trip. Still, it would be nice to get her running well enough to visit a State Park once in a while.513Views0likes0CommentsRe: I want to rehabilitate my old Dodge Class C
Did I mention I'm on a tight budget? My 1976 Dodge Tioga Class C is what I've got. Not looking to buy, I already have it. It is where I live, with very affordable lot rent in a nice RV park; I'm a broke-ass "full timer". Yes, it's funky in many aspects but it has a nice vibe to it as a place to live, and I would like to make it as nice as possible before selling it and moving on to a larger unit. That's where I'm coming from. :D513Views0likes0CommentsRe: I want to rehabilitate my old Dodge Class C
Frankedj wrote: You will also have to add additional framing at every cut edge to have a surface to attach the new panel to. Well, no, I'm just removing the paneling so I can inspect things. I will, of course, remove the fixtures in due time and reattach them to the old framing when I re-panel the ceiling. I hope you guys don't think I'm some sort of radical or subversive or something! Check out this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXC01JHjOFI Some people might throw up their hands in horror at this, but to me, tonight, it was very inspiring. :)433Views0likes0CommentsRe: I want to rehabilitate my old Dodge Class C
Frankedj wrote: With 20 years of experience in construction you know that you will find the unexpected. Using one of those saws to cut through ceiling and wall panels without knowing exactly what is in that ceiling or in that wall can cause considerable damage to wiring that might be in there. You will also have to add additional framing at every cut edge to have a surface to attach the new panel to. That is also going to reduce the structural integrity of the whole unit. You would be better off to pull out the cabinetry and replace full panels with full panels. If you want your repairs to last you should do them as close to original as possible if not stronger. Never go the route that will be weaker or do it because it is easier. You will end up paying for it in the long run with a job that needs to be done twice instead of once. Styrofoam insulation is what you were thinking of. Well, I thought it was "styrofoam" but the web site's spell check kept flagging it--probably because I didn't capitalize it. The "oscillating tool" (it really needs a more zingy name), used with a delicate hand, will cut only just as deep as you want and no further, so I'm not worried about damaging any wiring. I used to do bathroom remodels. If they just wanted new tile over their tub or shower, I learned how to take out those sections of wall in one piece (as opposed to just demolishing them) without disturbing the surrounding walls. Surgical precision and patience were required, but it really payed off.398Views0likes0CommentsRe: I want to rehabilitate my old Dodge Class C
gbopp wrote: The OP is probably talking about either the: Dual Saw vs the Harbor Freight Double Cut Saw. Or: Fein MultiMaster vs the Harbor Freight Oscillating Multifunction Tool. Yeah, it's the multifunction oscillating tool. No wonder I couldn't think of the name for it, it doesn't really have a name. "Multifunction oscillating tool"? Yeesh! It was the infomercial for the Fein Multimaster that made me want one. That is one effective infomercial... :)398Views0likes0CommentsRe: I want to rehabilitate my old Dodge Class C
Golden_HVAC wrote: You could be looking at spending $5,000+ to restore the motorhome. You might be better off buying something a little less mileage and newer. . . Something without the problems of roof leaks. Something without a carburetor too! Going up into the mountains with fuel injection works so much better. And OVERDRIVE! This brings down the engine RPM and it will run quieter, and better MPG. The thirty something RV you are looking at will not get great mileage, might have a problem finding 16.5" tires to fit your rims, might be over it's GVWR before loading it with supplies, among other problems such as the steel rims not rated for Radial tires! Engine mounts that might allow it to move around a bit, steering box flex. With the motorhome side, the "Converter" is not voltage regulated, and will boil the battery dry if you forget to fill it with water each month, and have it plugged into 120 volt power. 105 volt power will not charge the coach battery at all - so the new ones are better! Fred. Hey, Fred I really appreciate your response. The reason I'm on this forum is to learn, and it sounds like you have a wealth of knowledge on this subject. I'm dismayed to learn that tires might be hard to find, but my situation is what it is...398Views0likes0CommentsRe: I want to rehabilitate my old Dodge Class C
Golden_HVAC wrote: You could be looking at spending $5,000+ to restore the motorhome. Well, "restore" and "rehabilitate" are two different vectors. These things are not made of expensive materials. No matter how much styrofoam, paneling, and 3x3 wood I have to buy, I can't imagine it adding up to $5,000!!398Views0likes0Comments
Groups
Full Time RVers
Thinking about becoming a full-time RVer? Ask the experts.Dec 28, 20241,587 Posts Motorhome Group
Join in here to discuss all things motorhomes.Feb 28, 202538,707 Posts
