A new beginning 86 Rockwood.

[Eric Plough]

   Hi guys, I'm Eric and I'm new to the sight. This last winter I procured an 86 Rockwood Class C MH, it's in pretty poor condition but it has a lot going for it too........ I think. It has the International IDI diesel and Ford C6 trans. After it sat for several years I started it and drove it for 400 miles to get it home without issue. This was my parents motor home and it means a lot to me to keep it now that my mother is gone and she and my dad had such a great time in it, otherwise given it's condition I would likely have scrapped it. And so it begins............

   As far as the box is concerned it is looking a lot like a complete demo and rebuild. I will be gutting the interior this spring (if it ever gets here). The interior layout from the factory looks pretty cluttered and inefficient. This build will set up the motor home (yet to be named) for two people only so that should allow me to get rid of some features and dead weight intended to allow 6+ people to sleep inside. It has a rear birth that I want to get rid of and use that space to improve and enlarge the bathroom. The forward birth over the cab has very little head room so I'm thinking of raising the roof Like Dave Creu did on his Dodge MH. This should free up a lot of space on the main floor.

   The kitchen also seems to be a space waster. I am feeling like I want to put everything on one wall, as it sits now the refrigerator is behind you when you stand at the sink/range leaving nothing but a narrow walk way between. The three way fridge is a monster an I can only assume that it weighs a ton. With my wife along for the ride I have to assume that we'll be spending most of our time in parks rather that dry camping so I intend to replace the fridge with a 120 volt apartment size unit.

   As for the exterior, siding is going to be the biggest problem to solve. The original siding, a corrugated fiberglass and is impossible to find and if I could I'm sure that it would cost prohibitive to use. I had considered using reinforced fiberglass panels like the Kurth Family did in their Class C resto but have heard that this is not a good option as there is no UV protection with this material. My next option is a form of T-111 that is quite a bit thinner than the stuff that you see on the side of barns and has a pattern milled into it that looks a bit like wains cotting. If I go the T-111 rout I will give it 2 coats of oil based primer and three coats of latex exterior house paint. I have also been told that this is not a good option for several reasons, not the least of which being weight. Any input here would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading my first installment and lets get those comments coming. 

   Thanx.

    Eric

[Jimco_W001]

Eric,a 800 to 1000 watt inverter should do it.Plus you will have 120 A/C for the little things like charging your cell phone.

About your exterior siding.Try to think of a way to clean it up and reuse it.Maybe new wood installed behind it and some adhesive?

[Eric Plough]

Kevin, the only pic so far is the one you see by my name, I'll get more when the sun comes out and yeah, it will be one hell of a build. Doing all of this and keeping a budget will be tough.

Lakota, I am on that page with the T-111 and weight, however this particular rig has a fiberglass siding and is in awful condition over an OSB substrate so I don't think that pound for pound I would be too far off it's current weight, how it would or will wear is my main concern and it certainly wouldn't be laying flat. Siding options are so limited based on price and weight so this is my greatest sticking point right now. Do any of you have any experience with the FRP panels? The fridge I thought was kind of a no brainer and Home Depot has one I really like.

Jimco, what would you consider a "medium" size converter?

[Kevin Crowley]

Do you have any photos of your Rockwood? 

[Kevin Crowley]

That's a hell of a project Eric. Best of luck with it!

I'm looking forward to further updates!!

[Lakota Wolf]

The T-111 siding is not a good way to go,, its extremely heavy and isn't the best for wear with weather laying flat. As far as a refridge,, they have apartment /man-cave models that work well.

I tossed my old dometic due to ongoing problems, even when replacing them with new. I use a 40 inch high fridge with mini freezer and a dorm style fridge (24x24 size). I can run either one off an inverter, or either one (individually) off solar.

[Jimco_W001]

Eric,you have many decisions to make.A A/C fridge will work and be very reliable.Add a medium sized inverter and you might go for a few days without plugging in.If your driving everyday than the house batteries will stay charged and you should be able to run it indefinitely.

On the exterior siding I would reuse the original siding if you can.