shovelryder
01-15-2013, 09:32 AM
Not sure whos interested.....but it may be a good read.
I grew up living in a biker family....in very ratty campers....and some months in ditches and rest areas. This gave me a love for nice RVs. All my adult life has been going ALOT of weekends and drooling over new campers to find that "just right" one. BUT......They all had flaws! The one I decided on and was within minutes of buying had crooked outlets!!!!!! That was when I realized Id be better making what I wanted, or at least an oldie made into a goodie. I decided to put an ad on craigslist for a cheap camper. I wanted a class C. I needed the motor easy to get out and in, and much easier to get parts for. A few weeks after posting, I got an email with a number. I called the guy....$500....send pics please.....Expecting a real winner.....Actually looked pretty decent. Supposedly ran very good. Needed tires, other TLC.......But was worth it if it made the 200 mile drive to my house.
Long story short, we went and got it and it made the drive home without a hassle! Interior was rough, counters warped bad, all surfaces delaminating, very little water damage. Turns out it had a NEW 400sb crate motor, and a new th400 trans!!!!.I did exhaust,u joints, carrier bearing, and valve cover gaskets. I got tires from a guys camper he was scrapping fer a hundo for ALL of them. My 13yr old made the dining table, new paint through out, new counter tops, fridge fascia, faucets,flooring,and carpet. Got a free nice mattress for the queen over the cab, foam for the twin bunks, new ebay cushions for the dinette. Mounted a genny in the sidebox to. And a new entry door assembly.
Did a couple long trips with it this past summer and its amazing! I dont want when I see new RVs anymore....at all.I love this old thing!!!!!!! And my whole family was involved in making it the way we wanted it.....Was a great project.......
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/1richie2/motorhome/99e58887.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/1richie2/motorhome/a1d2d016.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/1richie2/motorhome/5f266aca.jpg
I grew up living in a biker family....in very ratty campers....and some months in ditches and rest areas. This gave me a love for nice RVs. All my adult life has been going ALOT of weekends and drooling over new campers to find that "just right" one. BUT......They all had flaws! The one I decided on and was within minutes of buying had crooked outlets!!!!!! That was when I realized Id be better making what I wanted, or at least an oldie made into a goodie. I decided to put an ad on craigslist for a cheap camper. I wanted a class C. I needed the motor easy to get out and in, and much easier to get parts for. A few weeks after posting, I got an email with a number. I called the guy....$500....send pics please.....Expecting a real winner.....Actually looked pretty decent. Supposedly ran very good. Needed tires, other TLC.......But was worth it if it made the 200 mile drive to my house.
Long story short, we went and got it and it made the drive home without a hassle! Interior was rough, counters warped bad, all surfaces delaminating, very little water damage. Turns out it had a NEW 400sb crate motor, and a new th400 trans!!!!.I did exhaust,u joints, carrier bearing, and valve cover gaskets. I got tires from a guys camper he was scrapping fer a hundo for ALL of them. My 13yr old made the dining table, new paint through out, new counter tops, fridge fascia, faucets,flooring,and carpet. Got a free nice mattress for the queen over the cab, foam for the twin bunks, new ebay cushions for the dinette. Mounted a genny in the sidebox to. And a new entry door assembly.
Did a couple long trips with it this past summer and its amazing! I dont want when I see new RVs anymore....at all.I love this old thing!!!!!!! And my whole family was involved in making it the way we wanted it.....Was a great project.......
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/1richie2/motorhome/99e58887.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/1richie2/motorhome/a1d2d016.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/1richie2/motorhome/5f266aca.jpg