rebuild of class C

[Jim Louiselle]

Hi all !

I have been looking at diffrent places on the web and actually was surprised to run across as many people as I have who were doing the same thing as I am going to do..

Namely, rebuilding our camper rather than buy a newer one.

We bought a 1988 Coachmen Catalina 26' class C last fall that we knew had water damage.

But it was so mechanically near perfect that I decided to buy it and rebuild.

Two previous owners and 30.000 miles and everything is operating at near perfection in regards to engine, trans, drive train, brakes all interior appliances etc.

Too bad the original owner didn't look for water issues until it manifested itself inside the coach.

As having spent 15 years in the trades as a cabinet maker and furniture builder, I have all the tools and knowledge to do the actual work, but am having to really study up on the areas I am not as confident in, namely electrical and gas.

I intent to note, diagram and photo document everything in great detail, and would appreciate any and all suggestions as to what mistakes others have made in how to proceed, things to not overlook, etc.

We intend to reconfigure the insides for a more updated and spacious (as possible) floor plan. I look forward to any helpful observations, thanks.

 

 

[Paul & Sarah]

Jim,

If you find some infor. I would thank you, to forward it to me because like you, I am trying to rebiuld a class C with water damage.So I am looking for ideas to change the floor plan.

I am having to fix some of metal frame work so it is way harded than i felt it would. But like they

say if you start something you have to finish it.

Maybe we can talk back and to as we work on our two projects

 

Paul

 

[Jim Louiselle]

 

 

 

Hi folks.

We plan on starting this fall after the last camping trip, with the focus mainly being on opening the back wall and stripping the inside of everything.

Once the cabinets and appliances are out I can take down the interior wall paneling and get a better idea as to what extent the damage is.

There are some places that I know are a total loss, but am hoping that most of the frame is intact.

I have done some mental calculations on the new floor plan, and it is not too different from the original. The emphasis was to squeeze every available square inch of floor space out of it. We have a 26' Coachmen Catalina that the company decided to stuff full as much furniture as a 40' bus would hold!

It feels cramped and busy inside.

I took out one bench seat behind the drivers chair so we had more room for the dog and I could re-mount the captains chair 4" further back to give me much needed leg room.

We lost the storage under that bench but still have plenty.

We took out the dinette table that went with that bench as we also have a small pull out table on the other wall between two other swivel chairs! I guess they thought eight people were really going to all be in this thing at one time !

The remaining bench seat contains the furnace, but I can still loose almost half of that bench as well.

I am going to get rid of the angled counter top that sticks out into the walk way and takes up yet more room and remake one that is strait along the wall to give us a couple more square feet there.

Because I don't want this to turn into 2 or more years of rebuild, I'm simplifying things by leaving the major components, toilet, shower, plumbing, water heater, gas lines etc. right were they are so I wont have to reroute lines or pipes or move holding tanks.

I have turned the bed 90 degrees so there is now almost seven feet of room to stretch out.  Now that the foot of the mattress is not against the bath wall, it will enable me to expand the rear wall of the bathroom about 18 inches so it doesn't feel like you need a shoe horn to fit in on the toilet.

We are going to get rid of our 40 gallon fresh water tank and put in a 10 gal. since we never boon dock for more than one night and don't drink from that tank anyway.

This will free up more space for storage.

Since we moved the bed, we covered up a dresser on one side of the bedroom, this space will be made into an outside access storage that slides out on heavy duty ball bearing glides.

Since we are residing, we can put doors wherever we want as long as the is a void behind the wall.

We are also getting rid of the front and two side windows up on the cab over.

Less work to rebuild and less places for sealant to fail and water to creep in. 

The carpet will be gone ! absolutely.

I have some red oak parquet flooring squares found at a tag sale that will do just fine.

That is about all I can give you for the moment.

If you want, sometime I can draw an existing floor plan and then side by side it with what I am planning to see the differences in area and function.

This web site is an excellent place to find people doing just what we are, giving new life to our good old RVs.

You can find multiple sources on the web for everything you will need in the way of siding, electrical, fittings etc.

Good luck and post your pics when you get going !

 

[Kurth Family]

Im very much looking forword to see your work, any links you have we would greatly appreciate!

[Jim Louiselle]

Here is a list of suppliers and parts sources.

there are more online depending on what you are replacing.

I personally have not used any one of these yet as I won't  begin my tear down until after Columbus day weekend.

Depending on what I find, I'll most probably be looking for replacement exterior fixtures such as wheel skirts and electrical/water access doors. etc. as well as completely residing and a new roof.

The wood, insulation, wires etc. I can find at any Lowes.

I hope I know what I'm getting into !

Good luck.

 

 

 

 

• All-Rite California, 1500 Shelton Drive, Hollister, CA 95023
  All-Rite Georgia, 2580 Jeremiah Ind. Way, Conyers, GA 30012 - Aftermarket RV repair parts and supplies. Siding, roofing, doors, and windows.
  www.all-rite.com
  
  
• Amercan Stonecast Manufacturer of "Premium SINKS designed specifically for the RV industry"
  
  
• Arizona RV Salvage inc., 2737 W. Lincoln St. Phoenix, AZ 85009
  "We own an R.V. wrecking yard. We sell tons of used appliances and other R.V. goodies. Everything we sell is completely tested and comes with a warranty."
  www.azrvinc.com
  
  
• Bontrager's Surplus
  18719 E. U.S 12
  White Pigeion, MI 49099
  www.bontragers.com
  866-483-7017
  
  
• Bunkley RV Superstore
  PO Box 190206
  Mobile, AL 36619
  www.rvamerica.com/rvsuperstore/
  
  
• Camper Capitol USA
  4233 Forest Ln.
  Garland, Texas 75042
  www.campercapitol.com
  
  
• Camper's Choice
  502 4th St. NW
  Red Bay, AL 35582
  www.camperschoice.com/cgi-bin/web_store/web_store.cgi
  
  
• Camping World
  Various locations
  800-626-5944 (Ship anywhere)
  www.campingworld.com
  
  
• Certified RV
  8340 San Fernando Rd.
  Sun Valley, CA 91352
  818-767-8171
  
  
• Cherokee RV Salvage
  7102 Raleigh St. #8
  Westminster, CO 80030
  local # 303-295-3433
  1-877-470-3433
  http://www.cherokeervparts.com
  "Where Old RV's Go To Heaven. We have thousands of parts including hard to find parts."
  
  
• Colaw RV Parts and Salvage
  I-44 Exit 22
  10389 Cimmaron Rd.
  Carthage, MO 64836
  local # 417-548-2125
  1-877-548-2125
  Colaw RV Parts & Salvage
  "Home of the 'We Have Your Part' people, Colaw RV Parts & Salvage Super Store. Need a new RV motor? We've got 'em! A generator? No Problem! How about an RV refrigerator? You have found the right place. Colaw’s staff will assist you in finding late model parts as well as new parts."
  Colaw’s RVExit.com
  "RVExit.com is an online RV Parts retailer. RV Parts and Accessories on Sale. Order online and get RV products delivered to your house or campsite."
  
  
• Giant RV
  800-266-6444 (Ship anywhere)
  • Upland, CA: 909-981 0444
  • Corona, CA: 909-279 2450
  • Colton, CA: 909-824 3742
  • San Bernardino, CA: 909-384 0444
    
    
• Dyer's RV
  An online RV supplies and accessories catalog.
  www.dyersonline.com
  
  
• Factory RV Surplus
  1611 West Bristol Street
  Elkhart, IN 46514
  [phone]
  E-Mail: [e-mail]
  www.factoryrvsurplus.com
  "Please check out our on-line store if you have a couple of minutes, you never know what you might find! A truely unique shopping experience if you like camping. Go Rving, Life's a Trip..."   ...John Stoffer, Web Developer/Sales
  
  
• Fish House Supply
  P.O. Box 205
  Buffalo, MN 55313
  [phone]
  http://www.fishhousesupply.com/
  "You wouldn't think about this place as a RV supplier, but they carry everything. Stoves, Furnaces, Dinettes, Bunks, Lighting, Siding, etc. I bought my siding from them at a very reasonable price. " ...Scruffy
  
  
• GO-RV.com
  RV parts and accessories
  http://www.go-rv.com/
  
  
• Hitch Supply.com
  This is a Links page.
  www.hitchsupply.com
  
  
• Hitch Web
  Trailer hitches
  Van Nuys, CA
  www.hitch-web.com
  
  
• Manchester Tank
  Manufacturers of propane tanks
  www.mantank.com
  
  
• On-Line Directory of wrecking yards and used parts
  www.junkyarddog.com/search.htm Choose Category: RV
  
  
• Northern Tool & Equipment - Trailer parts
  Burnsville, MN
  www.northerntool.com
  
  
• Pelland Enterprises
  Arnold, CA
  Holding Tanks (1600) Water Tanks (600) Windows, fenderskirts, surrounds, tubs, Shower Doors, etc.
  www.pellandent.com/
  
  
• RV America On Line
  www.rvamerica.com
  
  
• RV Parts & Accessories from PPL
  Houston, TX
  www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/rv_parts_rv_accessories.htm
  
  
• RV Stuff USA
  "...one of the oldest and largest RV Accessories & Motor Home Parts sites"
  http://www.rvstuffusa.com/
  
  
• RVSupplyDepot
  Charlotte, NC
  www.rvsupplydepot.com "For all your Recreational Vehicle needs"
  
  
• RV Surplus/Salvage
  Elkhart, IN
  www.rvsurplussalvage.com "...doors, windows, aluminum and fiberglass siding, roofing, furniture, holding tanks... 65,000 square foot warehouse to explore in Elkhart, IN... on-line store"
  
  
• RV Surplus Inc.
  Elkhart, IN
  www.rvsurplus.net "I purchased my aluminum siding from RV Surplus Inc." ...Rexford Billings
  
  
• RV Workshop
  8729 Lyon Valley Rd.
  New Tripoli, PA 18066
  www.rvworkshop.com
  
  
• Southweat Wheel - Trailer parts
  Lubbock and Dallas, TX
  www.southwestwheel.com
  
  
• Todd's RV & Marine - We have a large parts inventory of older repair parts for RV appliances dating back to 1970's in Dometic Norcold, Suburban Coleman, Faulkner, and more. Also have available some Holiday Rambler and Winnbago body parts and windshields.
  2918 N. Rugby Rd.
  Hendersonville, NC 28791
  [phone]
  http://www.toddsrvandmarine.com
  
  
• Trimco-Trims & Seals
  472 Newbold Street
  London,Ontario,Canada N6E 1K6
  Tel: [phone] [phone]
  http://www.trimco.info
  "Manufacturer of plastic profile extrusions."
• Ventline
  Bristol, IN 46507
  [phone]
  www.ventline.com "....produce range hoods, roof vents, and electronic products for the Recreational Vehicle Industry."
  
  
• Wheel Wedge
  Atlanta, Georgia
  www.wheelwedge.com Supplier of lightweight wheel blocks... "The Wheel Wedge prevents accidental rolling of cars, trucks, RV's, & Trailers."
  
  

---

ALUMINUM SIDING

• Discount Aluminum
  1461 Seminola Blvd.
  Casselberry, FL
  407-695-2555, www.discount-aluminum.com
  
  
• Interstate Metal Fabricators, Inc
  13509 Johnson Road
  Milwaukie, OR 97222
  800-587-3463 or 503-786-8860, www.interstatemetals.com
  
  
• The Metal Company
  5509 Harlan St.
  Arvada, CO
  800-231 0401 or 303-423-4425, www.themetalcompany.com - Good site.
  
  
• National R.V. Siding Ltd.
  16112 - 114 Ave.
  Edmonton, Alberta
  Canada
  1 888-443-4041 www.rvsiding.com Good site.
  
  
• Other options suggested by builders

ENTRANCE DOORS

• Interstate Metal Fabricators, Inc.
  13509 Johnson Road
  Milwaukie, OR 97222
  800-587-3463 or 503-786-8860
  www.interstatemetals.com
  
  

ELECTRICAL

• Amperor Europe Ltd.
  30 Ballot Road
  Irvine KA12 0HW
  Scotland U.K.
  Tel [phone]
  www.amperordirect.co.uk/index.asp
  Power supply solutions.
  
  
• Power Inverters
  www.powerinverters.org
  Power supply solutions.

WINDOWS

• Hehr International
  PO Box 219
  Plymouth, IN 46563
  219-935-5122
  (Note: Hehr's windows exactly fit the specifications in the plans)
  www.hehr-international.com
  
  
• Buccaneer Manufacturing Co
  Florence, Oregon.
  "We are an international hehr window supplier." www.buccaneermfg.com
  
  
• All-Rite
  www.all-rite.com
  "RV repair parts specialists." Supply windows and window parts, plus other after market items.
  
  
• Pelland Enterprises
  Arnold, CA
  Hehr windows
  www.pellandent.com/
  
  
• Peninsula Glass Company
  6005 NE 121st Ave.
  Vancouver, WA 98682
  Phone: [phone]
  www.motionwindows.com
  "We have been in business since 1975 and manufacture new and replacement RV windows manufactured under the trade name 'Motion Windows'."
  
  
• SpectAL Industries Inc.
  850 Moeller St.
  Granby, P.Q. J2J 1K7
  PHONE [phone]
  FAX [phone]
  A window manufacturer for R.V.'s. We do round corners aluminum windows, with or without louvers, sliders and push-out emergency windows to custom sizes.
  www.spectal.ca
  
  
• Interstate Metal Fabricators, Inc.
  13509 Johnson Road
  Milwaukie, OR 97222
  800-587-3463 or 503-786-8860www.interstatemetals.com
  
  

WATER AND HOLDING TANKS

• All-Rite
  www.all-rite.com
  "All-Rite custom builds tanks as well as windows and other items such as entry doors. All customers have to do is send us a drawing and we can build it."
  
  
• INCA Plastics Moulding Co., Inc, 948 Belmont Street, Ontario, CA 91761
  "Since 1959, Inca has been the industry leader for RV Waste and Water Tanks and has supplied tanks to most Recreational Vehicle manufactures throughout the United States and Canada." www.incaplastics.com
  
  
• Pelland Enterprises
  Arnold, CA
  Holding & water tanks
  www.pellandent.com

[Paul & Sarah]

 

Jim

thank you for sending this imformation

Paul

[Kurth Family]

Hey jim thanks so much for that incredible list! we getting into the trenches now, but its going to be worth it! We just got the roof off today

[Marlon]

Hi
I rebuilt almost from Junk conditions a 1987 Class C Honey. I tried to save money and bought a new smaller Gas/Elec Frig big mistake. I should have stayed with the same size. I also added solar panels that are mounted in the front window it allows filtered light in an keeps the batteries always charged even in the Maine winter. Good Luck it's worth the time we Luv our 1987 Ford Honey