When doing your own motorhome repairs you might have to gain access to areas that you normally can not get to. You might be fitting or replacing plumbing, 12/24 volt wiring or opening up areas for your electrician. When that happens you have to get creative and explore other possible ways to get the job done. Sometimes though you have no alternative to removing paneling and or furniture so that repairs can be made. This is what we have had to do to “Rose The Lifestyle Challenge Bus”.
Going Backwards To Move Forwards
Now that our motorhome is watertight it is time to focus some attention on bringing the interior up to scratch and modifying it to suit our families needs. The walls all need relining after changing the windows and both the 240v and 12/24v electrical systems need updating.
The electrical systems have to be at least roughed in (running any new wiring) at this stage. Which is what we are up to at the moment. I have my electrician taking care of the 240volt mains with me opening any areas that he needs to get to in advance. I am also taking care of all the 12/24 volt wiring at the same time and building cupboards to house the new safety switches and the 12v switch panel and battery monitors.
To enable us to do all this I have had to remove all the center panels from the ceiling, the back of the robe, the front overhead bulkhead, the gas stove, some existing wall paneling and the outside fridge vents. I also have to replace some water damaged timber as I go. The work is progressing well despite the rain but check out Lisa’s reaction when she came out to do a video of our motorhome repairs.
Moving Forward
Hopefully Lisa will calm down as soon as she sees the walls with the new linings on. That will start in the next couple of days when we have finished the wiring . I have run extra wires through the roof and walls for any extra hatch fans, pumps and accessories that I might want to add later. Once that is done I will be gluing the wiring down in the walls to prevent movement and noise, insulation will be fitted to the walls and ceiling, the new wall linings will be installed, the ceiling panels will be refitted the stove and new bedroom furniture will be installed and the electrics can be finished off.
If you are considering doing your own motorhome repairs you could use this as a rough guide but remember to always use a licenced electrician for any work on the 240volt system and any furniture that you install has to be screwed down to the floor.
We will keep you posted as the repairs progress and our deadline draws closer.
Cheers,
Dave
New Life On The Road
Looking at the video you have to think “Things can only get better”. Didn`t they write a song about that. Electricals are a worry because there always in behind everything.
A good comparison to the end result..
Nothing is being left to chance John. If there is the slightest posibility that I will need power someware later the wiring is going in now.
It will lok like a totaly different bus in a week. I will post more photos then:)
Oh my I can understand you freaking out Lisa but there are still enough days for David to get it all together.
I like the way he is leaving nothing to chance.
Thanks Rita – I am trying to stay out of the bus unitl it looks like a bus again!! I had a quick look this afternoon and was amazed with how good it is starting to look – the ceiling is almost back on, the walls are starting to be put back together and the wiring is in. I really am glad that their is a safety switch added to the bus – it makes me feel good that our boys will be safe 🙂
Cheers
Lisa
Hi Lisa
Seems like a case of needing to be able to imagine what it will look like when finished.
It’s surprising how quickly it can come together once the underlying work has been completed. Stay on task & I’m sure you’ll be surprised how quickly this can come together.
Regards
Terry
Terry Paris recently posted..Scuba Diving Insurance – Is Your Life Worth The Cost
Hello Terry,
Kinda funny how quickly David pulls everything together. When we had our house we spent seven years fixing it up. When we wanted to get it on the market it only took David a little bit over three weeks to have it finished 🙂 I guess the bus will go down the same way!
Cheers
Lisa
Hi Dave,
Just like us, at times we need some running repairs to move forward!
It is great to have a deadline and something to work towards. Your Motorhome will have a new lease on life and bring you much happiness and joy on the road.
Cheers
Belinda
Belinda recently posted..Wavy Clip in Hair Extensions
Hi Belinda,
Some of the repairs that I am doing did not become apparent untill I took a good look under the surface. Fixing them now though will save me a lot of problems and hard work later. It will alow us to enjoy our motorhome more without things constantly having to be fixed as we travel.
I like working to a deadline. It helps to keep me focused.
Cheers,
Dave
I have found from personal experience that it is best to let the repairer or fixer get on with things themselves as my polite enquiries don’t speed the process up in any way. it looks like Dave has everything well in hand. You must be all getting excited now.
Compost King recently posted..Vermicomposting
Hello Compost King,
So very true – stay out of David’s way and he get heaps done 🙂
Cheers
Lisa
Hi Lisa and Dave
Thanks for sharing your Motorhome repairs progress report. It’s a huge job! I’m with you Lisa – I would be having a heart attack too!
I’m sure Dave has it all in hand and is very experienced so it will be OK! Hang in there guys – I look forward to seeing it all finished!
Bev Langford recently posted..Dog Separation Anxiety
Hello Bev,
I am trying hard to not say anything to David about how its looking, and trying so hard to focus on how he says it will look. David has a way of “seeing” the end product where as when I look all I see is OH MY what a mess!!!
Cheers
Lisa
Hi Dave,
The Bus is coming along nicely, although you have it in bits at the moment, once you get the interior skins back on it will make such a pleasing difference…especially for Lisa 😉
You will be driving out the gate, and on the road before you know it… which will be truly one of the greatest feelings, and will make all the hard work rewarding.
I’m already looking forward to see the progress in your next post.
Cheers,
Cade
Cade recently posted..3 Money-Time Saving Tips for Stock Trading Picks
Hi Cade,
I have now got the bedroom walls sheeted with the windows installed in each side. It put a bit of a smile on Lisa’s dial. She is starting to get a bit of an idea of how it is going to look when I am finished. I will be keeping a few surprises up my sleeve untill just before it is completed though.
It feels like our planed departure date is speeding up on us like a freight train at the moment. It is making the feet itchier by the day as well as the rest of me yesterday, I was putting insulation in the walls at 10pm last night while trying to get a bit more done.
Lisa will be doing an update video in the next day or two also.
Cheers,
Dave
New Life On The Road
Hi Dave,
It will be all worth it when you hit the road. I am looking forward to your updates
Cheers
John
http://telegraphtrack.com/
Hi John,
The repairs are moving along well when it is not raining. The itchy feet are kepping me motivated:)
Cheers,
Dave
Motorhomes can have a much easier wiring system in it but nevertheless is still important to be done properly by a professional electrician.