We have been updating since we bought our coach and the end of the planned project list is almost finished. In the spring we are replacing both original AC's and will have a couple of fiberglass boo boo's fixed. I may also install a thermal blanket.
After that we can focus on just maintenance. ;D
The Atwood AC's get great reviews and I like what I hear about the reduced noise. MOT and TN RV do not recommend them. I may go with the 15K Dometic Brisk Air ll's.
What is your next planned project?
Rear bulkhead will be the next big repair sometime in the next few mos.
Slide Pin inspection/lubrication..possible brake pads...tires all-around....
Going to get one of these to save the back.
Replacement of the blue shag carpet is very high on my list
Solar installation, still gathering information.
Use plywood if on rough surface, learned the hard way.
Hans, Don't forget the resonator?
Lots to pick from here
A bed now that we aren't using a crib anymore ( will see how much mattress we can fit where the dinette was.
A shelter for the motorhome. Hope to have a tent up before winter next year. Found a nice storage barn close to home but the couple who own it are a pair of loons.
Invertor repair or replace
Ats replacement once I remember where I put the one I bought.
Oh...yeah install resonator Thx Jeff
Any small project that I start seems to wind up as a big project. Hardwood floors thru out.
Having the Allison worked on in Phoenix next week. Apparently the torque converter is toast. Won't lockup. That will be between 3 and 6 coach bucks.
That sets back the new bamboo flooring we were getting ready for.
....full body paint at FOT in February...finally... 8) (this picture's outdated, already got the new headlights)
Adding two 180 panels up top.
Wow, first time anyone, to my knowledge, has experienced that.
Please keep us posted.
Thanks.
Oddly enough, we are working on a docking spot.
We have drifted for a year and a half, and right now we are working on getting a home in south eastern TN. We love wandering around this great country, but frankly, I need a shop, and the DW needs somewhere to plant some flowers. One of the biggest problems we have encountered in finding our "dock" is getting a spot where we can put the bus and keep it in good stead to pull anchor and set sail when we want.
We think we have found it and will know this week. When we get it, and get things done, we will have a spot for others to "tie up" and spend a little time.
We will keep you posted.
Len & Deb
Len,
A beautiful part of the country.
Even the sailing in TN/KY is OK as long as you don't require salt in the water.
Taking out the starboard side sofa and putting in a table and recliner. I've got it unbolted and now it's a matter of finding someone with more brawn than brains to help me get it out. Should make for a great video clip!
Just started repairing the inside bathroom wall which has started to delaminate from the filon, caused by a rolled window gasket that over time has let rain water work it's way down the inside wall.
This will be fun!
Well ---- I don't go looking for projects, they usually find me! The latest "find me" is to replace my speedo mini-gen sender (again). The good in this is that I have recently built a new RV garage with a pit in it so that I can access these kind of things. I've always wanted a pit to work from and this will be my first project for that. I think that I will enjoy this change out!! Have a great day ---- Fritz
Our little project(s) include new underground service to our home so we can drive multiple RVs around Harry's kennel. Once the overhead wires are gone, we are planning to complete in the spring so we can get back on the road. Some assembly required.
NEVER seems like little projects, always grow into big projects.
1. Solar install along with inverter and all other related electronics (Victron parts nicely stacked in living room, I enjoy looking at them)
2. New brakes and front air chambers.
3. removed the trash compactor thinking I would just replace it, WRONG! Removing the old unit goes down as one of the hardest things I have done. Some genius way over installed the factory unit. It was bolted in from the bottom some how during coach construction. I ended up having to cut the guts out of the compactor and then the cabinet to get it out. I also discovered that nobody makes a 12" wide compactor anymore. I ended up building a new cabinet to take a 12" slide out trash can. I'm still working on this.
4. Replace the radiator and CAC, No problems now but I'm sure with a 95 coach its only a matter of time before I spring a leak.
I am done for this year. Got more done then I thought
Did more then I thought needed to be done.
Next Spring:
New graffix's
Re-upholster sofa
New carpet in the front while the sofa is out
Replace the other 6 air bags, that really don't need replacing!
But as you know, "You have an RV, you already have a problem, you just don't know what it is yet" So it could all change!
Cheers
Need to install a new King Cruise control, the last item damaged by the engine fire. If it is warm this week should have it completed in a couple of hours. I will also install a 12.5 kw Onan generator. I needed to narrow the sound enclosure 1.5" to allow it to fit the mount and clear the frame rails. Should be super quiet with the Foretravel sound proofing and Onan enclosure. Gained a storage compartment as the generator has it's own cooling system in the enclosure. Time to enjoy it!
After the winter hibernation cycle. Run an overhead, oil and filter change on both the engine and transmission (change trans to synthetic) and tires.
"You have an RV, you already have a problem, you just don't know what it is yet"
So true Chris and rather sad as well.
Finishing redoing gen compartment,will put new brushes and bearing in gen while it's out.
Use the heck out of the coach in 2018. Having just purchased and invested significantly in mechanical service/upgrades we will, hopefully, use 2018 for 2 - 2 month trips and 6 - 8,000 of hopefully trouble-free miles!
On our way home to Florida we'll stop in "RV WORLD" (Indiana) and look at possible driver/co-pilot seat upgrades.
Only other projects will be fluid changes when we get home.
Replace engine and generator compartment sound/heat insulation. Try to make ours look half as good as Don's. 8)
Chuck, I did this last year when the old insulation was crumbling around the generator. I used a foam mat with adhesive backing. It was really easy to use and has worked great so far. My source has 4' long rolls which they sell by the foot. The fun part will come with taking your box apart, but it is do-able. Here is a link:
SSP Foam Mat 1/2 thick by 48 wide (per foot)-Super Soundproofing Store (http://www.supersoundproofingsales.com/SSP-Foam-Mat-1_2-thick-by-48-wide-per-foot/productinfo/09-42725/)
You may reconsider - do you have any idea how difficult it is to find blue shag carpet these days? :D
I did this when lifting the radiator using motorcycle lifts.
Quote from: Bob & Sue - 2 weeks ago
Having the Allison worked on in Phoenix next week. Apparently the torque converter is toast. Won't lockup. That will be between 3 and 6 coach bucks.
That sets back the new bamboo flooring we were getting ready for.
Brett. "Wow, first time anyone, to my knowledge, has experienced that.
Please keep us posted.
Thanks."
Wow. Saved myself a few coach bucks. New update. Long (5weeks) story short. Transmission and retarder is now doing fine. Per my conversation with James at Foretravel I just yanked the power from the ECU for the ABS system and that's all it took. This confirms the the ABS system (Midland and obsolete) can directly effect the Allison performance. Before I cut power the trans wasn't locking up in 4,5 & 6 gear and the retarder wasn't working.
I will still need new pads and one rotor turned in the near future ( no serious damage to the rotor but I cooked one side of the rear pads). W.W. Williams said the one side ( pads ) just won't last as long. And at that time I will have the ABS sensor ( cooked it to I believe) replaced also. The meritor springs were also installed during this long (5 weeks, & 3 truck shops) process.
A few pictures and an update on the bathroom wall.
Couldn't remove the cabinets without removing the whole door frame so I left them in place and removed all the wallpaper and backing from the fiberglass sheet that is glued to the blue foam insulation. Then I carefully cut out about an 1/8" deep space between the fiberglass and the edges of the cabinets so the new plywood could be below the surfaces of cabinets and the countertop. I was forced to use 3 pieces of plywood to make it all fit, but that leaves me only two seams to fill befor I apply the walpaper. Lots of cutting and fitting in this project.
Today I glued two pieces of backing up, tomorrow will be the last piece.
Am awaiting the order from TRI-KEC for the wallpaper.
Some befor and durning shots.
The first two pictures show the bubbles in the wallpaper.
Not exactly on the coach (Home2). Solar panels (on Home1). About 11KW worth. Given angles, location, shade and everything else it will put out about 120% of our current annual use. Tax and local utility incentives and excess power buy back make it pretty attractive.
Hardwood floors, done. Additional paint, done. Engine compartment insulation, Done, Window Bra, done. Window tint, done.
Next on the list is replace airbags, refurbish 6-packs, replace inverter (not necessary, just a "wanna do"), and service generator.
Bob & Sue, the brake pads come in axle sets std
Heading up to Elkhart next week. An Amish fellow who works for my company is an expert remodeling guy and he is going to redo my coach. plans are to replace the flooring with all wood looking vinyl in the living, galley, and bath areas, and new carpet in the bedroom, redo all the valances, bedroom window curtains, and headboard, add MCD shades all the way around, new hard surface counter tops with new sinks and faucets, recover the sofa, and maybe a new recliner. And what ever little details that come up. Looking forward to a totally new interior. I almost forgot I am removing the dinette table and chairs and replacing it with a combination desk/breakfast bar.
installed rebuilt carburetor on grand villa 454. Discovered a hard metallic knock at low (idle) RPM when engine is cold. Sounds like a bearing but it would go away at higher RPM or when engine got warm. A very challenging problem. With much research and irrational thinking i discovered a flex plate. Had never heard or one. if you haven't, it's a flywheel for automatic transmissions. So, it seems that when the bolts through the flex plate into the torque converter loosen a little it sounds like a hammer hitting the engine block. who woulda thought. Replaced the bolts and tightened them good and no knock. Next, will be replacing the air bags in the front air springs and then a couple of solar panels. Don't we have fun, guys. I love this stuff.
Wantabe
Wantabe.
Isn't it great when the solution ends up costing WAY less than you anticipated. We were told that we were looking at a $3000 to $7000 transmission repair and it ended up being a $50.00 part. Although the diagnosis to find out ran in the hundreds. Sigh.
Bob, my issue took me a little over a month of persistent research, four bolts to remove the flex plate cover, and six flex plate to torque converter bolts $5 purchase, for a good outcome . I still don't understand how or why the loose bolts created the hard knocking noise. We're not talking about loose-loose, we're talking 3/8 " ratchet snugged up. I went to school on that problem with a cheap fix. Still a mystery to me.
Wantabe
Re insulated the engine compartment last week in my new coach.