Completely remodeled 96 U320

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Completely remodeled 96 U320

June 02, 2015, 08:26:25 am

Over the past couple months, we have been remodeling our newly purchased 1996 U320. I am happy to say that we had it out last week for its first voyage and everything went smoothly. I have complied a list of the top items which we had done and posting some pictures as well. I have to say I am extremely impressed with the quality of the Foretravel Coaches and we are looking forward to many adventures this summer.

Flooring: 12" Granite with clipped corners and in-floor heat, Carpeted Bedroom
Lighting: Under cabinet lighting Weanas G4/24 LED, 2 Watt,Warm White 12V
Sconces: 2 Watt, T2 LED, Candle Lamp Warm White 12V
Seating from Shop4Seats, Antelope Leather
- 72" Stratford Sofa bed with Ottoman side and drawer.
- Monterey Dinette with Drawers both sides
- Deleon Captain & Passenger Chair with power bases
Modified coach battery slide out track to accept 6 Deep cycle 27D batteries
Replaced Javalina monitor with 7" TFT display
Larger 4.5g water pressure tank.
Oiled Bronze hinges and pulls throughout
Reupholstered valances
Dometic 320 white toilet
Beautyrest Recharge full size queen mattress
Maytag Model #MMV6190DS 1.9 cu. Ft. Convection Microwave

Re: Completely remodeled 96 U320

Reply #1 – June 02, 2015, 08:37:02 am

Wow! I'm particularly drawn to the gorgeous tile floor!

What is that in your upper cabinet inserts? It almost looks like mica.

Re: Completely remodeled 96 U320

Reply #2 – June 02, 2015, 08:44:48 am

Agree. the floor looks gorgeous.

But, how much "ballast" did that add to the coach.

Have you weighted it since the upgrade?

Re: Completely remodeled 96 U320

Reply #3 – June 02, 2015, 08:45:59 am

Beautiful coach! With the high quality of the Foretravel design you'll be able to enjoy it for many, many more years!

Re: Completely remodeled 96 U320

Reply #4 – June 02, 2015, 08:47:50 am

Quote from: Andrew & Julie – June 02, 2015, 08:26:25 am

Dometic 320 white toilet

Andrew,

Since I am installing the same toilet, where did you put it?

Thanks,

Trent

Re: Completely remodeled 96 U320

Reply #5 – June 02, 2015, 09:13:46 am

Simply elegant and functional upgrades. Well done! Did you do this yourself, or third party(ies)? How thick are the granite tiles?

Re: Completely remodeled 96 U320

Reply #6 – June 02, 2015, 09:15:20 am

holy crap! (pardon the pun)

Re: Completely remodeled 96 U320

Reply #7 – June 02, 2015, 09:34:00 am

Thanks for the responses and complements. I was very pleased with the way it turned out. Here are a few response to some of the questions:

What is that in your upper cabinet inserts:
- It is an etched/frosted glass that my wife found and had cut to fit.

how much "ballast" did that add to the coach
- The floors them self added about 800 lbs. including the thinset. I am guessing that I pulled out about 200 lbs. of carpet/sound damping materials and 200 lbs of tile in the bathroom. In total about 400 lbs extra added for that upgrade.

Did you do this yourself, or third party(ies)? How thick are the granite tiles?
- The granite tiles are 3/8" thick and weight about 5.5 lbs. each
- Yes, I did all the work myself.

Since I am installing the same toilet, where did you put it?
- It is in the water closet between the washer/dryer and the full closet in the bathroom area on the drivers side.

Thanks

Re: Completely remodeled 96 U320

Reply #8 – June 02, 2015, 10:02:44 am

My DW wants to know where you got the light fixtures. We are in the middle of upgrades on our 96 U295.

Re: Completely remodeled 96 U320

Reply #9 – June 02, 2015, 10:05:55 am

A monumental undertaking with first-class results!

Re: Completely remodeled 96 U320

Reply #10 – June 02, 2015, 10:17:49 am

VERY nice !

Re: Completely remodeled 96 U320

Reply #11 – June 02, 2015, 10:58:37 am

Results look first class

How long did it take to complete all the work (from demo through finishing touches)? I recently put in a Dometic Sealand Traveler 520. I was all set to buy a white one, but fortunately asked Tys what she thought first, and she set me straight! So I bought a bone 520 instead. There really wasn't any stark white in the bathroom and the bone 520 complemented the base color in the shower pan, walls, and vanity counter top/sink perfectly. I have figured out that I am much more tolerant of color combinations than she is, so that is why she is the chairperson of the coach interior decorating community

Don

Re: Completely remodeled 96 U320

Reply #12 – June 02, 2015, 11:05:08 am

Andrew,

It looks like your new dinette seat covers up access to the lower half of your "china cabinet." Do you still have access to it?

Thanks,

Trent

Re: Completely remodeled 96 U320

Reply #13 – June 02, 2015, 11:36:42 am

My DW wants to know where you got the light fixtures.
- The lighting fixtures were purchased at Home Depot. For the 2 in the front and the 2 in the back by the head board, I added a switch and the 12v T2 LED bulbs. The 2 on the vanity just needed new LED 12v bulbs. Each fixture was around 30$.

How long did it take to complete all the work (from demo through finishing touches
- I have been working mainly in the evenings on it over a 2 month span. estimated hours for the floor would be 20 hours, cleaning wood/lighting/hinges 10 hours, cleaning ceiling/installing carpet 5 hours. All in all about 40 hours for the interior.

- stripping old valances and side pieces, pulling staples and recovering 20 hours. BTW, there had to be a couple thousand staples in those things - Thanks Foretravel...

It looks like your new dinette seat covers up access to the lower half of your "china cabinet." Do you still have access to it?
- Correct, the lower cabinets are not usable. Small price to pay for the extra seating and having an additional bed.

Don, I have learned early on as you have also, when it comes to colors and final say, I graciously step aside and it makes life much simpler.

Andy

Re: Completely remodeled 96 U320

Reply #14 – June 02, 2015, 12:37:57 pm

Hi Andrew,
That is beautiful work. Your coach looks great.
Raymond

Re: Completely remodeled 96 U320

Reply #15 – June 02, 2015, 01:28:26 pm

Great work Andy having done ours I know the work it takes to complete such a beautiful job.

Andy

Re: Completely remodeled 96 U320

Reply #16 – June 02, 2015, 05:10:59 pm

I think that looks just incredible. I have '96 envy! Nice work.

Chris

Re: Completely remodeled 96 U320

Reply #17 – June 02, 2015, 05:27:15 pm

When we did our floor the DW pulled 119 staples out of the padding just on her side of the bed. That's an area of 18" X 72". Just removing all the staples throughout the coach equaled the weight of the new hardwood floor!

Re: Completely remodeled 96 U320

Reply #18 – June 02, 2015, 10:20:46 pm

Oh my that is a nice job. Congratulations!

Re: Completely remodeled 96 U320

Reply #19 – June 02, 2015, 10:26:58 pm

Awesome work! Very well done!

Re: Completely remodeled 96 U320

Reply #20 – June 02, 2015, 11:49:24 pm

A&J, really nice work and looks to be a massive upgrade.
I have a few questions as well, as I have done this kind of work before. Did you put another layer of ply to sub floor as the original is not strong enough to withstand cracking?
Maybe you are already planning this but the kitchen counter surround now does not "fit in" with the the overall look so a nice splash would help enhance further the overall looks.
The little table in living area is one thing that I have problem with it being so large (sticking out) in our coaches, so I cut ours down to just overhang the cupbpoard by 2" and removed that lamp. Gives more room to move around.
I also like the new material on valances.
Well done, looks great.
JohnH

Re: Completely remodeled 96 U320

Reply #21 – June 03, 2015, 07:37:59 pm

Did you put another layer of ply to sub floor as the original is not strong enough to withstand cracking?
- I did not add an additional layer of plywood. There was originally 12" tiles in the bathroom area and those tiles had held up nicely over the years. I did have to do some repairs to the sub floor in the bathroom and outside the washer and dryer. Other than that I prepped the floor (sanded and filled areas) and laid it directly onto the wood.

Maybe you are already planning this but the kitchen counter surround now does not "fit in" with the the overall look so a nice splash would help enhance further the overall looks.
- I am starting to install a herringbone tile in the kitchen back splash and removing the mirrors in the bathroom to install tile as well.

The little table in living area is one thing that I have problem with it being so large (sticking out) in our coaches, so I cut ours down to just overhang the cupboard by 2" and removed that lamp. Gives more room to move around.
- Plan is to remove the table and replace it with a wall mounted electric fireplace in the near future.

I also like the new material on valances.
- Thanks, the old ones were pretty dirty and faded.

Andy

Re: Completely remodeled 96 U320

Reply #22 – June 04, 2015, 12:02:24 am

Reason for me questioning the sub floor was I had seen some other coaches with tile and the grout had many cracks and when I used to do Tiling in homes I tried to keep 1" of thickness to support them. When I did our kitchen/Bathroom in the coach I 100% glued and stapled 3/8th ply to it all and in 5 yrs not one movement. I also just recently removed our Bath mirror and tiled as Ruth thought it was a stupid place for a mirror. I have done the kitchen b/splash twice. I am removing the carpet and putting down 5" wide Eng Maple planking in living room and bedroom in near future. Finally have it just need to do it and in winter take out sofa when in Mexico and have it recovered.
Fun isn't it!
johnH

Re: Completely remodeled 96 U320

Reply #23 – June 04, 2015, 06:44:07 am

John,
I had tossed around the idea of of using the Schluter-DITRA product but in the end based on how well the bathroom tile held up and the condition of the sub floor opted for the simpler route. As for the back splash, I am installing a backer board (glued and screwed) in which to install the tiles.

Heading out this weekend for a 5 day trip then when back I will try out the Poli Glow product on the outside based on another members recommendations.

Making memories,
Andy

Re: Completely remodeled 96 U320

Reply #24 – June 04, 2015, 09:51:14 am

What a great coach with all the classic touches of a Foretravel of that era but brought into modern times. We are pretty lucky to have the great foundations that Foretravel built originally back "in the day".

Nicely done.

Craig

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