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Topic: Utility Bay Redesign (Read 2375 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Utility Bay Redesign

Reply #25
 Superb planning - Excellent execution - great documentation and report!    ^.^d      :thumbsup:      ^.^d      :thumbsup:      ^.^d      :thumbsup:    b^.^d


1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Utility Bay Redesign

Reply #26
Most excellent, John.  I especially like the idea of full sized wet bay catch basin with a drain and everything inside the catch basin. 

If I ever get that far that is what I would do and keep the tanks up off the floor enough so the pan could be flushed out if you wanted (needed) to. 

For now I have an aluminum pan under the waste valves.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Utility Bay Redesign

Reply #27
Thank you to everyone for the compliments.  With all the cables, tubes and wires it's nowhere near as pretty as Don's or others.

Here's the water pump side, although the water pump is actually missing - I remove it and store it inside the house for the winter. 
I did the same kind of drip tray.  I have a 6 gallon water heater.  I looked into replacing it with a 10 gallon but going by Atwood's dimension it just barely won't fit - I do have a narrow body coach.  Again not too pretty with all the wires strung around.  I turned the tank light on for the finished photo.

Some things you might notice:
    • Quick disconnects for the engine coolant fluid.  I had these lying around for years - finally got to use them.
    • Behind the quick disconnects is a small solenoid valve for my radiator mister which I don't seem to need anymore but decided I would keep it.  It has 1/4" water lines.  There's a switch on the dash.
    • In the back is the water tank fill solenoid - this was from Amazon.  In testing, the solenoid got so hot after a few minutes I was very worried it would burn up for the duration of a tank fill.  So I decided to try it with a halogen light in series and it seems to work fine and only gets warm.
    • On the right side is a 3 valve manifold.  That is so I can add in my 10 gallon residential 120 VAC water heater that sits in the main
      storage bay.  Pipe nipples pass through the bulkhead wall where flex hoses connect to the water heater.  I used this when I first moved to Boise in January and was living in the coach - not necessary but was nice to have.  I haven't used it since but I wanted the option and the manifold makes connections easy.  Output of the residential heater feeds the cold side of the Atwood.
    • I connectorized the 120VAC and 12 volt hookups to the Atwood water heater so if I need to pull it it's not so bad.  I unplug the 120VAC during winterizing - just incase.  I also have flex water lines going to and from the water heater so when removing it I can lower the face of it onto a stool with the lines still connected.  Reaching behind the water heater to undo fittings is thing of the past!
    • No screw holes in the floor of the basement.  Notice the L brackets that hold the water tank are mounted to the walls.
John Fitzgerald
1991 U300 (SAI) Side Aisle Island Bed 40'
Detroit 6V92 with Allison Retarder
Meridian (Boise), Idaho

Re: Utility Bay Redesign

Reply #28
John, that all looks disgusting to say the least. How dare you embarrass us again with such a pristine set up. The underbelly looks cleaner than most roofs and sidewalls of our coach's.
In retrospect I again have to applaud you with another beautiful configuration of the lower bays in the coach. It sure makes me ask myself why I have not done something approaching the looks of your compartments.
I guess when you have a shop for coach it opens up a miriad of possibilities to fix/change stuff. Our temperature of -7c outside and frost does not make lying down on concrete seem very nice.
Well done again.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Utility Bay Redesign

Reply #29
Absolutely awesome craftsmanship. ^.^d  But if I may make one suggestion?  :))  :))  >:D Quit chewing your nails! :))
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Utility Bay Redesign

Reply #30
An amazing post and some seriously thought out and implemented work deserving of a huge "Well Done".
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Utility Bay Redesign

Reply #31
John, your work is super ! There are many on here that have done fantastic upgrades and projects, yours have to be right up there at the top.  Worthy of the "Golden FT Award" if it existed.

Nice work.
Mark & Bev
2001 U295 36' Slide
Cummins ISC 8.3 350HP
Build #5802
Jeep Wrangler Toad

Re: Utility Bay Redesign

Reply #32
John-  My hat's off to you sir!  Fantastic thought and execution. My utility bay is in desperate need of a remodel.

Great job!
Jeff & Kristen
2002 U320 build #6039
Living the Dream!

Re: Utility Bay Redesign

Reply #33
I have to say... WOW. Is an understatement.. I am ashamed  with what I have done on my coach now.. lol..

The amount of time and prepping you have done with this is probably more than I have  Pre-thought  or executed since owning my rig.. wow ...

This is like better than text book repair instructions. I have seen some extreme design and remodels on this forum.. and hats off to them and that you to everyone that actually takes the time to do a write up.. maybe we need to send ourn info to him before and after and him him do the layout and explaining .. maybe teach a class ... I am in total awe with this.

Tip my hat to you sir!

Re: Utility Bay Redesign

Reply #34
I just had to go back and look at the pictures again. Kind of like a Mona Lisa it is so perfectly done and thought out.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Utility Bay Redesign

Reply #35
How do you keep under side so clean? Awesome !
Thank you for sharing :-)
Not sure if previous posts have mentioned this, I think Million dollar Coaches do not have such work, detail and quality.
Former 2003 GV U295 (6230) (2015 - 2025)
Former 94 GV U225 (2013-2016)

Re: Utility Bay Redesign

Reply #36
John is my hero..he has helped this newbie immensely and always offers his help..we live about three miles from each other. I have seen this work and it is impeccable...his mind never stops creating. I wish you could all see it...pics don't do it justice..
2001 U320 42 tag with two slides
Build number 1583
Love this forum for all of it's help and members

Re: Utility Bay Redesign

Reply #37
After that did you split an atom using a plastic bottle and two straws?

I am amazed. It is good to know that the folks who have retired from NASA have new hobbies!

That is an incredible job, wonderful work!

Jealously yours,

Len
Len and Deb Speiser
1999 U270 36'
2017 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
You're either on the bus, or you're off the bus!--Ken Kesey
If you're lucky enough to live in a bus, you're lucky enough!

Re: Utility Bay Redesign

Reply #38
You just created a new standard. Good enough isn't good enough anymore!
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD