Remodeling our $30K DP

[MJD2]

After lots of searching and help from this forum we bought our first Motorhome.
http://www.irv2.com/forums/showthrea...errerid=108568

2000 Holiday Rambler Endeavor on a Frieghtliner Chassis with a 300HP CAT.

Now we are starting our remodeling and prepping for full timing. Our goal is to be out of the stick house and living in the RV by mid July.
With the business that we run time and money will be our biggest challenges.

First thing is we removed the couch and Captian chairs, then pulled the carpet.



We are going to lay Traffic Master Allure flooring.

We discovered that the Captian's chairs are worse than we first thought.
We are thinking we might need to replace them.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks,
Mike

[datrbone8]

WOW ! That didn't take long

[Peralko]

Have you had someone go through the engine to make sure it is in top shape? Recommend yu check engine coolant hoses and any hydraulic hoses. Also brakes, the exhaust brake, and of course changing engine fluids. Coach heaters etc. Bad chairs won't strand you, but chassis problems will!

[PyrateSilly]

There are quite a few that replace or add in Lazy Boy chairs. Find something that you like from a furniture store that fits where you want and go with that.
Just remember you do not need to have RV in the name for it to go in the RV. RV in the name seems to add a lot of money to the price so if you can get the same thing or better without spending more money it's a good thing.

[MJD2]

Originally Posted by Peralko

Have you had someone go through the engine to make sure it is in top shape? Recommend yu check engine coolant hoses and any hydraulic hoses. Also brakes, the exhaust brake, and of course changing engine fluids. Coach heaters etc. Bad chairs won't strand you, but chassis problems will!

Thanks for your input.
I really appreciate your concern.

I think I have the drive train covered as much as I can.

This was a one owner coach and very well maintained.
71000 miles.
We reviewed all maintenance records and manuals... The previous owner saved everything. Every receipt scrap of paper, even the original build sheet.

A local mechanic went over it and said it was good to go.

I spent over 3 hours going over the coach before we drove it, before we bought it.

We drove it 400 miles home.
It is scheduled to go in the local truck shop for a complete inspection and service..
This is the shop our friend who is an over road trucker takes his Kenworth to.

It is also getting new tires.

I may be new to Motorhomes and even diesels, but I do realize that no matter what we do, even if we bought a brand new coach we could still end up stranded somewhere. I have seen my share of new vehicles break.

We joined coach net before we bought it.
We have a budget set aside for break downs.

I do my research and try to be as prepared as possible.
If I have missed a step please let me know.


Thanks,
Mike

[MJD2]

Originally Posted by PyrateSilly

There are quite a few that replace or add in Lazy Boy chairs. Find something that you like from a furniture store that fits where you want and go with that.
Just remember you do not need to have RV in the name for it to go in the RV. RV in the name seems to add a lot of money to the price so if you can get the same thing or better without spending more money it's a good thing.

Thanks,
Besides living room chairs we need good driver and passenger chairs.
The cushions and covers are worn on ours and the driver seat was uncomfortable after an hour of driving.

Thanks
Mike

[Algoma]

Assuming your seats were Flexsteel you can get new ones from Captain's Chairs for RVs and Marine - RV Seating, Marine Seating, Boat Seating, Yacht Seating
Other people have just had their existing seats recovered and the foam replaced as necessary. A local company could do that for you.

[EngineerMike]

Mike- try Ikea for the "recliner." We got a nice bentwood chair to substitute for the ubiquitous recliner. And vs the bulk of the recliner, it makes the coach feel and act bigger, as well as being a great chair. You can order any of the dozen or more upholstery pads in a color to match your decor. Some people fret you can't bolt it down (although you could use the same clamp type setup many coaches use), but we just let it float and it has never moved enough to notice.

Friends like it so much, my wife wound up selling our first one to one of her buddies who just couldn't wait to pass by an Ikea. Now we're on our second. I think she wanted to change the upholstery color, which she did by a shade. All I know is I had to drive a thousand miles w/out "my" chair.

FYI- its easy enough to do wall paper, paint, etc. in your redecorating dreams.
Flexsteel is the way to go for driver/passenger chairs. Call Redlands Truck & RV in the northeast L.A. area & see if they have any leftovers; folks sometimes take their rigs there to do remodel stuff, and Redlands occasionally has essentially new replacements. I saw a set of Flexsteel driver/passenger chairs there last time I visited.

[deandec]

Reupholster and new padding for the chairs, unless you do not like the chair itself, will be cheaper than buying new ones. Most local upholstery shops will do the work. Does not need to be a boat or car shop.

We did that with one chair cushion and the large sofa using UltraLeather to match the rest of the furniture.

[SarahW]

You might also Google for RV salvage yards in your area. Sometimes you can get salvaged stuff at good prices. Be sure to update us with your progress; we love to follow along and admire your hard work!!

[MJD2]

Thanks everyone.

They are flexsteel pilot and co-pilot chairs.
We are looking into how much it will cost to recover them.

I think we are going to try and put a cabinet on the slide where the couch was and put one of our flat screen TVs on it. A couple of smaller comfy chairs opposite it.

We don't have an Ikea near us but may be able to visit one in another city or find something online.

Thanks,
Mike

[Gorlininc]

Hi Mike

If your driver and passenger seats are the large comfy seats, you would be better off having them redone. My seats are getting uncomfortable after several hours driving. When I get back home in November. I will remove them and have the recushioned and new leather. New seats are just crazy in price.
Good luck in your travels. I'm sure you will have a great time.
Rick

[datrbone8]

Wife thought her Flexsteel chair was uncomfortable until I showed her all the adjustments available. She had the air bolster pumped all the way up. Once that was adjusted she liked the chair a whole lot better. She's a tiny one and just barely makes a dent in the cushions

Hope you'll post pics along the way of your renovation.

[Davdeb1]

The cheapest I've seen recovering is about 400 per chair. I don't know if that includes new foam. If I recall, you were going to be doing about 30k a year driving. That means you will want to replace in 4 years or so. I would take a chance on some memory foam drivers cushions that truckers use. New seats will meet you back about a thousand each.