Re: Interior vs Exterior Redo Time and Cost
Reply #13 –
This repeats some of my earlier postings but I was exactly where you are now. But I was in a hurry to get going so I spent more than a few coach bucks to get what I wanted. That said I was a little too trusting and naive and probably spent more than I should have or needed too. With the base done I have started on my own work to redo generator and engine compartments, separating the radiator, etc.
I divided my coach into three distinct phases. The interior, exterior and mechanical. Phase one I had virtually all of the mechanical pieces commonly noted in the posts you find here. Fuel lines, heater line, air bags, air auxiliary pump and fittings, transmission work and changed to transynd, all fluids and filters including the differential and axel, oil, coolant to OAT, resonator, Koni shocks and most recently spring assists and bearing seals. Currently about 20k. This does not include a maintenance issue I won't address here with a steering box, that needs to be separate, and the fluid changes after the first 6,000.
The second and most unsatisfactory phase was the interior. We were recommended to one of the coach works in Nac. We had the floor done as the rug was a non starter for us because of health issues. We also had minor upholstery work done and the TV mod done as well. The upholstery was great but the floor had significant short comings resulting in rework at FOT. Loved the work FOT did and wish I had paid the extra and had them do it in the beginning. The interior folks also had an independent come out to replace the Sat antenna for us. Unfortunately they installed the new antenna but left all of the fastener holes open from the first antenna and of course in the heavy rain water leaked into the coach. To top it off the Hadleys no longer work, they backed the coach out and broke one of them in half. Unfortunately I have difficulty climbing on the roof and did not catch these things in time. Not part of this phase is the work we had done at FOT to make the space under the fridge into a pull out drawer and the addition of a pull out pantry. The flooring was one hundred a foot and you supply the materials. In our case, I wanted engineered hardwood. We also had the windows resealed at Suncoast.
Phase three went the best of all the work we had done. We took the coach to RV Stripes and Graphics in Apache Junction, Arizona. Steve and his father run an excellent business and are a joy to work with. He stripped the decals and then we took it to European Detail in Scottsdale. Perry does the detail work for Barret Jackson auction. He used a four part process to restore the gel coat. The work was superb and the shine quite unbelievable. Steve then applied the decals. By the way if you use them they both allow you to overnight and Steve has 50 amp. The charge on decal removal and reapplication would be right at 3200. I had other work done to customize the back of the coach. The work on the gel coat was 1,100. I unhesitatingly recommend either of these business.
Would I do the same thing again. Nope. I had a good PDI with Brett and understood what would be involved but afterwords I would have had the coach gone through at either MOT or FOT for a complete list and then looked at vendors for the jobs that needed to be done on the chassis. I had to have the carpet out but would have spent the extra grand or so at FOT. Remember that when you read this or any other experience on the site all vendors recommended should be viewed through the lens of caveat emptor and at arms length. I base lined my purchase at 28,500 and have probably put another 32,000 into updating, repairing etc. I am fine with the price as it stands because it is a lovely machine and I know what I have and have what I wanted. It has already brought many happy moments and we have no plans of moving larger or more current. It is in the end my 57 Chevy.
Topic: Interior vs Exterior Redo Time and Cost