Wow. WOW! Where do I begin?
Thank you all for the outpouring of support! I’ve been elbow deep in “it” and am just now getting back to this post. So, in order of your comments:
FredNewell, The floorpan I have is referred to as the “Model 400” in the 1987 catalog. It’s got an odd little “L”shaped seat to the left when you walk in. What’s strange is that the exterior paint is in the 1986 catalog but the “L”shaped seat doesn’t exist in that year’s offerings. Anyhow, my VIN# and paperwork states that it is a 1986, the seller told me it’s an ’87 and apparently the exterior and interior are half and half. But I digress…As far as if I’m trying to “rebuild the beach to as good or better than new, or just fix it?” I’ve decided to rebuild it with a few changes to the layout and customize it in ways that will work well for me (and the family). I am “working on the cheap” but I’m going to sink some money into a few items: but the big expense will be that I’m planning on outfitting it with solar. That’ll cost me! Thanks for writing!
Here's the layout from the original catalog - it's what I had before I destroyed it. The main difference was that the roof had collapsed due to the weight of the A/C, an old leak, and rusty metal bones and rotten wood.
CanadaSunrader, The floorpan certainly is open now. EVERYTHING, is out at this point, I’m down to the studs and about 1/4 of the floor is gone - as in: I can see the wheels, metal frame, and ground. Yes, motor and transmission are good. 86k original miles too!
AprilOstara, Best wishes with the work! I hope the project is just challenging enough to keep you out of trouble!
ReallyRural, Dale, I found your first post incredibly inspiring. I thought, “If someone can rebuild one of these after a tree falls through it, I can definitely fix what a few decades of water has done to the frame.” I’ve decided to rebuild some of the frame with square metal pipe. Basically, I’ll weld a cage so that I can have strong roof (not only to keep this thing plumb and square but also to support the solar panels I’m putting up top). There’s a partial metal frame up front in the walls behind the drivers/passengers seat and I’m going to build on this concept, passing through the floor and securing it to the frame. Should be plenty strong. (If all goes according to plans - do things ever?) In your second message you mention getting everything out. At this point, what’s left is the toilet (that’ll go soon), the shower, the wall between the main cabin and the bathroom, the water system (holding tank, pump, water heater). I need to document how that’s all plumbed and then it’ll go too. Regarding the electrical, you’re right, what a mess. I think I’m re-running most of it. Someone once relayed the same wisdom to me as a kid regarding an electric fence. Thanks for everything you wrote!
Feeling encouraged! But man-oh-man, at this stage, what a mess!
Here's what I'm dealing with. Since this was taken, I've removed the subfloor along the left side, tomorrow, I remove the water system and the subfloor on the right, and then, the toilet and bathroom floor needs to go.
There's most of my rig's guts on the ground at the dump!
Regarding "on the cheap" here's how to save on dump fees:
1. Offer your services for junk removal to someone without a truck. (my brother-in-law needed some stuff taken)
2. Let them know the minimum dump fee.
3. Fill the truck with your own junk
4. Stack your brother-in-law's crap on top
5. Tie it down and drive slowly
6. Dump it all on your brother-in-law's dime!