TheGrayOutdoors

Super fast version of installing new locking gasket and reinstalling the wrap around window. Tested afterwards with hose spraying 4 inches from the gasket all around. No leaks.

All of this information is really appreciated. I can't thank you enough. I'm getting ready to start assembling everything as parts are arriving. I spent all day yesterday just tracing wires to determine where they went in the vehicle. Now I have to determine Polarity, because I don't trust anything the previous owners did with the electrical. Anybody have any ideas how to determine polarity of devices in the RV? I just figured I will go and look at all the devices and hope that they have indications on the back panels, I know the heater does. I spent all of today reading up on electronics, but I'm a bit rusty. I once assembled a kit guitar amplifier successfully, so I'm not a complete novice. Solar panels arrived today. My wife sunbathing with them;)

Okay, so I'm looking at: 300 watt solar panels------------Fuse--------->Blue Sky 3000i MPPT Charge Controller------------>(2) 6 volt Lifeline AGM batteries-------------->Converter/Charger Progressive Dynamics Inteli Power 4000 '----fuse-------->Inverter Everything look good on this setup? My understanding is that the Progressive Dynamics unit will provide all of the breakers and fuses needed for the system going to all DC units. Is that correct? Lastly, There are various AC outlets in my Sunrader. How do these work? Only when plugged into shore power?

Thanks for the response. Maineah, I'm going full-time with this rig and plan on supporting 2 fantastic fans, led lights throughout the coach, an iMac computer, 2 iPhones, charging sony a6500 camera, charging go pro, charging kindles, charging bluetooth speaker, water pump, and possibly running a blender on occasion. We will most likely be boon docking 90% of the time without hookups with stays of about 4 - 7 days in each location. Still overkill you think? Thanks,

Haha, Point taken. Should I go ahead and upgrade the converter as well, Linda? Almost all of the systems have been updated thus far.

Hi all, I'm going to be putting in 300 watts of solar with a dual 6 volt battery bank in my 18' Sunrader. I will never have an air conditioner and plan on running the fridge only off of propane. Do I need to hang on to my converter? Could I potentially cut this out of the loop? The only space in my sunrader that will fit two six volt batteries is where the original coach battery was, but it is almost impossible with the converter in there. What are your thoughts? Thanks Rob

Thanks for the heads up. I'll plan on using this system to dump the shower water only when boon-docking. If we're staying at a campground I imagine it won't be too hard to dump our blackwater every couple of days. Good to know though as I would have done it and been screwed. Still a newbie. Thanks.

Linda, I'm going to be putting a bypass valve on our drain from the shower which splits off into a bucket to save space on our black water tank. I've experienced the overflow of blackwater when cleaning out the black water tank the first time. I filled it up with water from the toilet while the valve was closed on the outside and it started coming through the shower drain. I went into full on panic mode, haha. We're going to be living full-time in the Sunrader for at least the next year, so I'm trying to keep the weight down and only bring essentials. Two 5lb (sorry, not 5 gallon) tanks seem excessive, maybe I'll start with one. We'll be using the fridge constantly, but traveling with the weather, so I don't see a big need for the heater and the water heater. Although, we will be cooking ALOT. Thanks for the help everyone!

Thanks for the replies. Linda, do you have pictures of your tank? Where did you get it from? I'm getting ready to install solar and things are getting heavy and really tight with two batteries and potentially two 20 gallon tanks. Thanks

I have space for 2 tanks in my 1985 Sunrader 18 footer, but do I really need two heavy tanks? How long does one tank get you when you're full timing? any ideas? Normal water heater, stove with oven, and refrigerator setup.

Hi, Does anybody have any blueprints/mockups/diagrams/schematics of the plumbing? I tore out all of my plumbing because it was leaking in so many spots. I took pictures and plan on doing drawing a schematic, but a little confused as to where to build in drainage, winterizing capabilities, and how and when to use flexible piping versus PEX (which is what I'm going with). This is my first plumbing job, so I'm a total newbie. Thanks, Rob

Okay, Believe it or not, we didn't see the extent of this damage because it was so expertly covered up by the previous owner. I think that the old axle snapped at some point and the rear tire tore a hole in the floor, but who knows. When I started pulling back rotted wood it was a nightmare, but slowly it's been put back together and now I think stronger that ever. First I cut out all the bad. Then I cut a square of aluminum to which I riveted to the existing aluminum and sealed with dicor. Then I laminated in 1 x 3 crossmember using a kreg jig and screwed the aluminum into this. From there it was a cut and fit job with foam insulation and 3/8 inch ply. My wife went in with the fiberglass and built up the torn out wheel well and connected everything with mat and completely encapsulated the top side of the ply and the underside creating a complete bonded seal with the Aluminum. I sprayed the underside with Rustoleum undercoating and we primed and painted the interior white.

Ohhh, I see! Ordered the gasket with lock. Thanks!!

Hi Everyone, Finally getting to the front windows and I ordered a Trim Lok locking gasket, but the width of the gasket is less than the old one I pulled off. I feel like this will be a problem with compression. Do you have any thoughts? Here is the Link to the one I ordered. Thanks, Rob

Thanks for all the responses everyone! Linda, I have boards there because we're glassing in ribs to support the front end sag. Also have main coach sag and am trying to figure out the best way to fix that, because that was truly a big project (mess) for the cabover. I have two questions? What type of 1/2 inch ply should I use? I've heard marine grade mentioned on here. I have resin for the fiberglassing project, will this work for the floors?

Thanks for the response, here are links to the videos in Youtube. Sunrader damaged Floor Sunrader Cabover Damage

The videos are of the damaged cabover and floor. Sorry, never posted videos before and I didn't realize that you have to download them to view.

Hello everyone, Cabover Should I cut out the old platform and then fiberglass in a new piece of ply? Or, could I impregnate the damaged platform with resin and then fiberglass mat over the old piece of wood? Coach Floor I've heard cutting out the old floor is a nightmare, however, I have some pretty severe damage right behind my driver's side wheel well where the aluminum sheeting is ripped off and it goes all the way through to the coach! I found the previous owner just put an old car floor mat between the coach and the road (bless their heart). Is it possible to cut out that severely damaged piece of the floor, patch in some ply, impregnate everything with resin, then fiberglass mat over the entire floor? Is this the best way? I'd like to limit the loss of headroom and addition of weight. Thanks, Rob MVI_6623.MOV MVI_6627.MOV MVI_6630.MOV

I have loads of dicor and butyl tape and will use them amply!

Thanks so much!

Hi, I just pulled off my old marker lights and cleaned up the fiberglass on my 85 Sunrader, then realized the pigtail connection on my new leds are much finer gauge wiring. Is this mismatch of wiring okay? These are the lights: https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/oval-marker-lamps/oval-led-truck-and-trailer-lights-4-led-side-clearance-lights-w-4-high-flux-leds-pigtail-connector/580/#tab/Specifications

I reached out to a few local Toyota specialty shops, rv places, and a handful of reputable local mechanic shops. As soon as I said rv, they stopped me and said they couldn't accommodate. I haven't tried a 4 x 4 shop yet. Thanks for the recommendation.

Hi Everyone, I've been cleaning up the Sunrader while searching for a mechanic who will even discuss putting in a rear axle. I'm having a real hard time finding someone who is willing to help me. Is this the norm here in Los Angeles? Should I just 100% plan on doing this axle swap myself? Anybody know a good mechanic here? Pictures of progress soon to follow...

As I search for an axle, I'm working on some of the new owner checklist. I ordered the vacuum hose replacement kit from LCE Performance and am going to flush the radiator and change the transmission fluid this week. Do you suggest that I change other rubber components in the engine as well? Do you have resources for where I might be able to find those parts? Thanks

Okay, I'm sold. I know I need the rear 6 lug axle and the 4 wheels that go with it. Are there any other components I should try to get off the donor? Assuming I do this myself, I'm guessing I should I plan on repacking the bearings. Any other maintenance I can do while I'm down there? The shocks are looking old as sin and I was thinking of updating them to Bilsteins, which is what everyone seems to recommend.