Community Forums

Visinedrops · 07-14-2010, 01:06 AM

Okay, beginning story:
A friend of the family purchased a '70's Executive motor home for $1000, and almost the entire left side of the motor home was dry rotted. I was asked to drive it to the shop for him, and while cruising on the back streets, going no more than 25 mph, the entire drivers side moved outward about 8 inches away from the main body.

Okay, so I was asked if I could repair it, and I figured it would give me something to do, so I agreed to do the work and gave a...ahem, low bid, of $200.

Here's what my dad and I did roughly 4 years ago, and took 2 to 3 weeks.

You can see the original wall in the first picture as a darker color. That's all that was left of that side.

Studs replaced and interior paneling done:

Studs replaced from front:

Plywood being installed:

My dad working on the framing for the water heater:

Cutting out the window frame from the inside:

Rebuilt step, new floor, and trim:

Finished, siding is 6 or 8 sheets of FRP glued onto the plywood, then caulked:

GENECOP · 07-14-2010, 05:26 AM

Nicely done, but i do think you charged a little to much

,G

Gotta_P · 07-14-2010, 05:48 AM

Is there any insulation between the walls? Maybe there were no pictures of that step... Finished product looks awesome!

GOLDWINGER2 · 07-14-2010, 06:38 AM

You guys are GOOD!!!
J

Visinedrops · 07-14-2010, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gotta_P

Is there any insulation between the walls? Maybe there were no pictures of that step... Finished product looks awesome!

Yes, we used dense foam board insulation, and spray foam in all the crannies we couldn't get the other stuff into.

After it was completed, the guy who owned it lived in it for 3 years, and said he never saw any signs of leaking, except in the bathroom, but that was on the OTHER side of the rig.

I heard he sold it last year...pity, I wish I could have bought it from him.

Always-RVing · 07-14-2010, 04:57 PM

Nice work

Thanks for sharing

leadman · 07-17-2010, 04:30 PM

Looks like you did a very good job for a friend. Must have been alot of work.

Visinedrops · 07-18-2010, 02:16 PM

It was quite a bit of work, and a LOT of figuring. We burned out the motor on a table saw ripping down 2x4's to make the studs about half-way through the job.

I'm currently working on my '70 winnebago, but fortunately it's all interior work. I'll post pictures of it as soon as I can.

Sammie · 07-18-2010, 02:47 PM

You guys need your own RV Rebuild reality show on TV. Awesome job.

Sammie

Visinedrops · 07-18-2010, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sammie

You guys need your own RV Rebuild reality show on TV. Awesome job.

Sammie

LOL, cool idea. Unfortunately there aren't very many jobs available to be able to pull off something like that.

I've wanted to start a business that builds motorhomes built off reclaimed and/or wrecked truck frames. Make a MH with amenities for those who can't afford $65,000 for one.