Thinking of Items from Home Manufacturing that will work in an RV

[ie2special]

SO now I think that I am some engineering genius J/K but I do think that there are some materials that could be used to help save weight if I were building from scratch or remodeling.

I would like thoughts on this.

1. Bamboo Flooring: Green, light, many colors

2. Less expensive cabinetry and trim: Paint grade instead of stain. I don't mean camper weight, but there are NO companies that offer white or black painted cabinets and paint grade wood is much cheaper than stain grade wood.

3. Ikea Furniture instead of built in's for non-seatbelt couches. I love that they are slip-covered, more homey and washable. Plus there are sleepers, L-Shapes, and the whole thing comes apart.

4. Use a customers furniture from home to integrate into the design. I love our bedroom furniture. We could take the drawers, cabinets doors, headboard, and put it into a coach. (Weight may be an issue on non-diesel models)

I would love a discussion on this

[CJBROWN]

Posted in your blog on Entegra.

Sounds like maybe you're a candidate for a DIY or custom build out.

On your list:

1. Luxo coaches are all ceramic floors. I put ALLURE planked vinyl floor in mine in place of carpet. We have 3 dogs and camp in the dez a lot.

2. No one wants painted woodwork in a luxo - you do find them in the overland type rigs, 6x6's, one-offs.

3. Ikea is low-budget and generally slightly build. They do have some 'swedish engineering' here and there but mostly it's college-dorm grade stuff.

4. About the only thing I'd want from my bedroom would be the CA-king bed. The RV queen is a bit small with two dogs. We get by though, we are weekend and vacationers. For full timing I'd want a king for sure. The built in cabinetry in the RV's is what lets everything fit, gives the most room for what's on hand, and has to work around the engine bay in a DP. Again, sounds like you should consider building your own if you're handy. I've often thought of doing the same, but with age comes fatigue, so it all just sounds like too much work. I've built and restored a few boats, built a truck camper, and done some custom RV projects, but not one from scratch.

I noticed you were trying to accommodate teenage kids in your full-timing plans. Keep in mind they'll be grown and gone before you even know it. Give 'em a bunk and a book LOL. My youngest has gone off to college, we have photos of our new coach when he was about 10 years old. Things change pretty quickly in the big scheme of things.

[patsikes]

I added an Ikea Furniture base cabinet and counter top next to the kitchen counter for TV / storage / cat box cabinet. The only issue so far is it tends to be a bit squeakier... still working on that part...

[JFXG]

Originally Posted by ie2special

...... Less expensive cabinetry and trim: Paint grade instead of stain. I don't mean camper weight, but there are NO companies that offer white or black painted cabinets and paint grade wood is much cheaper than stain grade wood.

paint grade is paint grade because its cheaper (and jointed), and its cheaper usually because they use cheap softwood or particle board. neither will stand up long to the movement and wracking of an RV.

3. Ikea Furniture instead of built in's for non-seatbelt couches. I love that they are slip-covered, more homey and washable. Plus there are sleepers, L-Shapes, and the whole thing comes apart.

Ikea stuff is cheap because its cheap goods. Being stationary in a house allows it to last a while, but check out some Ikea stuff that's been moved 5 or 6 times. then consider movement and wracking in the RV, and imagine it having been moved 10 or 15 times per year.

4. Use a customers furniture from home to integrate into the design. I love our bedroom furniture. We could take the drawers, cabinets doors, headboard, and put it into a coach. (Weight may be an issue on non-diesel models).....

dressers, cabinets, and other furniture items designed for residential use are built to dimensions that usually won't work in an RV. Rvs need drawers that are shallower front-to-back than residential, cabinet doors that are usually smaller in both dimensions (but particularly height). There's also the issue of matching finishes.

Just my opinion. I'll bet, though, you could get a heck of a price from a coach manufacturer for a basically empty box, then have a ball doing it yourself!

["007"]

You could start with something like this a design to your hearts content.

[brunsje]

ShowHauler builds about 40 units per year. They will do just about anything for you, subject to the laws of physics and a Class 8 Chassis.

JohnnyB

[Ed-Sommers]

Not that it matters much, but if you have NO experience with RVing under your belt, getting a little would probably alter your thinking process somewhat.

Ed

[doc]

Well said Ed! Building or altering something on the cheap will usually being more expensive in the long run. There are hundreds of coaches out there that will make you very happy. Just look and continue looking - you will know when you find it.