Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
RV Trip Planning Discussions

Go Back   iRV2 Forums > iRV2.com COMMUNITY FORUMS > New Member Check-In
Click Here to Login
Join iRV2 Today

Mission Statement: Supporting thoughtful exchange of knowledge, values and experience among RV enthusiasts.
Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on iRV2
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 12-29-2015, 03:23 PM   #1
cwk
Senior Member
 
cwk's Avatar


 
American Coach Owners Club
Spartan Chassis
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,970
Hello from Florida

Thank you!

I want to start by thanking all of you that have posted answers to issues on this forum. Please allow me to explain.

Last month I purchased a (very used and ill-maintained) 1996 Wilderness 35V to convert into working space. I knew it had issues, including lots of mold from previous and current water leaks. The tires were old. It had been parked and used in one spot for years. Before it was moved, I was told that they had to detach the porch roof that had been built next to it. In short, it was a mess.

I did find it on Craig's List by a small RV dealer (not in FL) and bought it "as is" so I got what I got, problems and all.

So far I have removed ALL of the interior cabinetry, appliances, flooring, fixtures, etc. Most of the walls and ceiling are removed. The LP lines inside have been removed. Some of the wiring is out (more on that below). The tanks have been flushed and emptied, and the vent pipes removed.

There was water damage to the wood frame above the shower. Some of the wood frame was simply missing due to rot. I found old water leak damage along most of the walls. The roof has been replaced and that evidently stopped most of the leaks. But, the skylight above the shower was still leaking. I found standing water between the inner and outer skylight lenses during demolition.

There has been rain since I covered the skylight and opened the walls. I do not see any more leaks.

I do want to completely remove the skylight, replace the missing framework, and recover that section of the roof. (A complete roof replacement may be at some later date.) From what I can tell the roof is 60mil black EPDM. Not just black from dirt. Inside the RV I can seen black on both sides of the material at all of the roof cutouts. It never was white and was probably a cheap replacement since the trailer had been parked for years, probably in the shade.

I also need to figure out how to patch all of the holes in the floor (pipes, wires, etc.) I need a solid floor to walk on.

I am removing the original power center and separate converter. It is being replaced with a Progressive Dynamics PD4060.

So far I have the PD4060 connected to the battery (the dealer installed a "cranking" battery for me; nice guy), and to "shore power" via a 50' 10-3 extension cord. I may install a 30A power panel next to its parking place and plug in directly with the RV 30A cord. Right now the weak link is the 30A to 15A adapter. The extension cord should be able to handle the load during the "remodel."

Today's big news is that I was able to wire up the thermostat to the rooftop AC unit and the power center. The AC is working.

That will make the rest of the remodel more bearable. The outside temps are in the 80s right now (yes, it is December).


The "Thank You" at the top of this post is for all of the assistance I received by searching through old threads on this forum. I have learned a lot of what to do, what not to do, and more.

Today's big assist was wiring up the AC unit. The dealer had "replaced" the wall thermostat before I took delivery. He said they "tested" it and it worked fine. But, since it was parked in a field about 200 feet from the nearest building the day I first saw it and also a week later when I towed it home, I seriously doubt it. Anyway, the wiring was spaghetti. Your help to others in the past got me through the wiring. I know how to wire 110VAC. I know 12VDC. But, RV wiring is new to me. The Power Center is new territory as well. And, thermostats, though they seem simple enough, had me guessing with all of the different letter combinations. But, now it is working.

BTW, I just checked. The AC dropped the temperature from 82 to 74 in about 30 minutes. Nice. Do keep in mind that it is an empty shell, so the AC did not need to cool down all of the furniture, cabinetry, etc. The sun is not shining right now (very cloudy). And, the thermostat worked as it was set on 74 and the AC turned off as planned. "I'm a happy camper!"


Again, thank you!!!

Here it is at an interstate rest stop on its way home. Yup, the Jeep can handle it. Not very nicely, but it was within weight specs given the 5.7L engine and the towing package on the Jeep. But, I would not want to tow this cross country with this combination.
Attached Images
 
cwk is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 12-29-2015, 04:17 PM   #2
Senior Member/RVM #90
 
MSHappyCampers's Avatar


 
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Columbus, MS
Posts: 54,626
Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined us!

Congrats on the new rig! Keep her between the ditches!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!
__________________
Joe & Annette
Sometimes I sits and thinks, sometimes I just sits.....
2002 Monaco Windsor 40PBT, 2013 Honda CRV AWD
MSHappyCampers is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-29-2015, 04:27 PM   #3
Moderator Emeritus
 
Bruce C's Avatar
 
Nor'easters Club
Fleetwood Owners Club
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: NH
Posts: 5,099
Good luck with your project. Have fun.
__________________
Bruce & Nancy
FMCA F280542
2004 Bounder 35E
US Navy Vet.
Bruce C is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-30-2015, 04:33 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
denlock's Avatar
 
Newmar Owners Club
Spartan Chassis
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Sterling Heights, MI
Posts: 2,723
__________________
Tricia & Dennis Lockhart
2010 Ventana 4333
Spartan MM w/Cummins 360 ISC
denlock is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-30-2015, 04:55 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
bluepill's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Pensacola, FL
Posts: 2,457
A suggestion: Rather than worry about rebuilding small sections of the roof penetrations to support your full weight, just make a map of them. After you finish re-roofing or just patching, mark them with a bold "NO STEP" just like on parts of aircraft wings. Lots of sources for stickers if you want to get fancy.

__________________
2008 Itasca 37H
2011 & 2012 Len & Pat's "One lap of America"
27K miles & 41 states in 13 months
Yellowstone Lake 6-1-2012
bluepill is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-31-2015, 02:02 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
hal1phx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Everywhere USA
Posts: 2,107

Good luck with your project
__________________
Hal & Jackie .... 03 TS Select 45DS01
02 Haulmark 20' Edge .... 02 Corvette Rdstr

[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
hal1phx is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-01-2016, 10:46 AM   #7
cwk
Senior Member
 
cwk's Avatar


 
American Coach Owners Club
Spartan Chassis
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,970
Where to ask questions? So many forums!

Thanks for the warm welcomes.

I have spent hours already looking through some of the older posts. I've learned a lot in a very short period of time. Love it!

Thanks for the idea about labeling "soft spots" on the roof. That might be handy.

Progress on my TT conversion is also coming along well. Yesterday I received some flush LED light fixtures I ordered. I set one up temporarily last night and am impressed with its performance as compared to a traditional two bulb (1156) RV ceiling fixture next to it. A lot less amperage, and an easier color temperature for reading/working. Now I need to figure out the overall plan for the work areas and put lighting as needed. I will probably put in "too many" lights and have them switched on separate zones with a set of wall switches.

OK, enough about that.

My real question is, being that this is the "New Member Check-In" sub-forum, where should I be posting all of these questions? Obviously, this is not the correct place. However, there are so many choices, I got lost somewhere late last night trying to figure it out. So, I am asking those more experienced with the forum structure for advice.

Further questions that I have will probably be for electrical, roofing, flooring, exterior, etc. This is a Travel Trailer, but the questions often seem to apply across the board. Where do I start?


Thanks!!
__________________
Charles and Beverly
"The Eagle" - 1991 American Eagle 38J - Cummins 6CTA8.3 300hp DP, Allison MT643 4spd. Trans., Spartan chassis.
Link to our Eagle Thread
cwk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-01-2016, 12:22 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
Vintage RV Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: East Moline, IL
Posts: 169
Welcome from East Moline, IL. Wishing you the best of outcomes for your new project.
__________________
26' 1991 Class C Ford Tioga Arrow
DW, 2 Shih Tzu furkids and me
Youtube Channel: "https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCJ...vVa8upNDtZ2dZg
CaptainGeezer is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
florida



Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
For my Florida friends. MSHappyCampers Just Conversation 8 02-12-2016 08:28 AM
Florida down on dogs Okiedoke RV'ing with Pets 1 11-07-2015 07:28 AM
Winter Reservations Florida 2015 Feb-Mar seb1899 Camping Locations, Plans & Trip Reports 5 08-09-2015 06:29 PM
Insurance in Florida Lobstah iRV2.com General Discussion 5 06-04-2015 02:13 PM
Sales Tax & License Plate Question -Private Seller in Florida BrewE2 MH-General Discussions & Problems 15 08-21-2014 08:16 AM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 07:09 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.