The letter I sent to the original owner of the bus was returned today—undeliverable, unable to forward. Bummer.
The past few days I’ve been rocking the bus. At long last I’ve reached a point that when I walk inside I can actually see what it is going to be when I finish. I can visualize the end. Not that there isn’t still a million details as well as plenty of big projects still to finish, but the framework is there now.
When I was trying to convince Ali to keep the original walls the only reason I was doing so was because of this one particular wall next to the stove. I knew this one would be a pain in the ass. The wall was built before the kitchen was installed, so there is no way to remove the wall without removing the entire kitchen. Well, there is one way—the Sawzall way. Today I went after it with the Sawzall, a hammer, and a very big screwdriver and managed to get it torn off far enough back to tuck a new wall in its place.
With that torn off I found this vent. This is the pipe that brings the sweet smell of holding tank to the outside world—or in this case, to the inside of the bus. I’ll need to do something about that now. You can also see in the picture just how much insulation was in there. So I guess in the end it was a good thing to tear that wall off.
I’ve never really done any sort of woodworking, so for me this is always sort of a learn as I go project. I tend to overbuild the hell out of things. Frankly, I can’t believe how much lumber I’ve used up. I’m pretty happy with the way things are going though. This is the passenger side glove compartment I built. In the event of a front end crash it doubles as a crash barrier.
Anyway, this is where I left it this afternoon.
Oh, we had resigned ourselves to holding off on reupholstering the couches and chairs, but then a Bum friend who does custom upholstery got in touch and promised he could rock the job out in just a few days. It’s gonna look sweet.
Lastly, the average temperature for February came in at 8.6 degrees. Coldest in twenty-five years. Thank-you very much for the support Minnesota.
35 Comments on “Walls Going Up”
You may want to consider a good sealer for the wooden decks, perhaps Thompson’s. Also might consider high quality carpet tile for the flooring as kids and life can be hard on flooring, and you can easily replace just a couple of sections as needed.
Can I offer another thought on the carpet? Don’t do it.
Carpet is just a dirt trap in an RV, and no matter how diligent you are about cleaning it the dirt goes through the carpet anyway and it’ll be there until you finally decide a carpet makes no sense in an RV. You can always put down area rugs here and there – pick ’em up, shake ’em out, et voila, job done!
One of my happiest days was when I tore out all the carpeting in my current RV and was able to finally get the hidden dirt vacuumed up. I promise you, the place will not only be easier to clean, it’ll smell better, too.
I understand the temptation to overbuild, but there’s a reason the RV manufacturers don’t do it – excess weight is a performance killer for an RV. Sure, they also go that route to simplify construction. But the bottom line is the bottom line . . . overbuilding takes time-consuming labor and better materials, eating into profits.
Unless someone is starting with a chassis and power train that can handle the extra weight, building lightly to match the HP and suspension you have is the right approach. It isn’t that the coach will just sit an inch or two below her waterline once she’s provisioned – instead, she’ll break her back and leave you sunk. Well, stranded anyway. 😉
YMMV, of course, but I’d build as lightly as possible. The Travco will appreciate it.
TJ
MAD skilz, Pat! So impressive and SO EXCITING THAT YOU GUYS ARE ALMOST ON THE ROAD! Thank goodness for Bum friends to see you through!
Looks great..I agree with the no carpet and use area rugs that can be thrown out or at least cleaned outside. Or have some indoor/outdoor carpet cut to fit but don’t glue it down ..so it can be rolled up and taken out.
But the walls and ceiling look great.
We have had Rv’s for decades and I absolutely would never have carpet in an RV again! We wind up using rugs just to try to keep the dirt out of the carpet. We lived in our motorhome for 15 months when we relocated to another state. Even with only adults living ther carpet is impossible to keep clean, especially in the winter and wet months.
Looks great so far!
Carpet is heavy and collects germs and dirt while retaining water getting nothing but heavier every month you own it. Linoleum can be replaced at half the cost, half the weight and retains nothing and is easily replaceable. Weight is a major factor when pushing or pulling on down or up the road. Lighten the load when ever possible. Thats my .02 cents worth for today.
Two weeks! Looking good, Pat. I’m excited to see it lived in.
I have to agree with Taojones about overbuilding. I also tend to way overbuild and I have such a hard time building for the RV. I just can’t get used to making everything so light and, as a result, sort of flimsy. But I know from our experience carrying a bunch of rigging wire with us down to La Paz last summer that the extra weight was noticeable every time our little Dolphin climbed a grade. She was much happier after we off-loaded the rigging and just had what she was designed to carry aboard again. Your big 440 engine will certainly handle it better than our little 4-banger but it still pays to pay attention to the weight.
440! Ha. This is the ’66 version man, I’ve only got 318 pulling this rig around. The 440 was still a few years off for the Travco.
Also, I’m justifying every pound I put in by claiming it as an offset of the 500 pound (I inflate that number daily) generator that we are leaving behind. 🙂
You do nice work Pat.
NIce progress!
Looking great, but how in the world did you figure out the curve to cut for the left side of the panel next to the window across from the stove?! (The one that’s the left side of the storage closet) Having done my own share of projects similar, I would have stared at that for a full day and then thrown up my hands in defeat.
Sometimes I do something smart and think ahead. This is one of those times. I kept the wall panels that I pulled off. Trace and cut. 🙂
Looking great!
I see a sailboat in the background!!!
Can never be too far removed from the water.
I’m thinking of rehabbing an old RV myself. This is a great resource!
Will you be making any provisions for children’s car seats or seat belts?
Yes, I’ll be rigging up a couple of seat belts for kids car seats.
The idea of putting carpet in would never have even occurred to us.
I was going to make one of my troll posts about Allie barefoot and pregnant in the new kitchen then I thought after you get done and while its still bare for a photo shoot you might check into making some period shots for sale. Spring is coming up and the RV ads will be in full swing as well as Dodge. Retro seems to be making a comeback and that includes advertising. I think there is even a retro rv page on facebook to give you some ideas. Good Luck
How will you finish it?
As is or a water-based stain (http://generalfinishes.com/retail-products/water-base-wood-stains-dyes/water-base-wood-stains#.Uxa6cWeYY1g)?
Maybe vapors are not such a good idea for the little ones?
Considering it hasn’t been above freezing since we bought the bus we’re going to have to leave it for now. We’ll stain it when we get somewhere warm.
Pat, The bus is looking spectacular! If you want to email me the address you used for letter to original owner, I can do some sleuthing at this end to try and find. Believe he was an attorney. Include wife’s name if you see it in the paperwork.
When considering weight during updating don’t forget in addition to the generator you removed the roof AC (the removed unit probable weighed in the neighborhood of ten to the power of six….estimate on my part).
Hi Pat and Ali,
First comment from a long time fan and reader of you blog.
The letter coming back undeliverable made me sad just a bit. I do love a good mystery and so I did a bit of sleuthing on this magical world wide web. Found an address for an Eileen Doris Smith (possibly related to a Leslie Hamilton Smith aka Les Smith) in Mission Texas former address Marion,IA.
Eileen D Smith
802 Lake View Dr
Mission, TX 78572-7768
I sure hope this turns out to be your Eileen Smith!
So impressed with your work. Hope to see you, Ali, and the kids on the road one day (in a nice, warm spot).
Jimi Hendrix “Are You Experienced” poster in background of last shot.
“doubles as a crash barrier” Compared to the stack of beer cans, also known as the heater duct, your VW bus had, that is a crash barrier.
As far as ownership history, you may have some luck with the DMV in the state it was last registered. It works for boats (at least in Oregon).
My biggest concern would not be your work quality, or the low HP of a 318, but the marginal breaking system on that vehicle on today’s higher speed thruways/expressways. Coming into a big city and you’ll immediately realize you are no longer in Kansas… All the best and be safe.
Hi Ali,
This is the Mom you helped out at IKEA today. Again thanks and have a great trip. You have a beautiful family.
Enjoy, Marion
Hi,
What is the stuff you are using for the ceiling lining in the bus called? It looks good for the job, and might suit us for lining the ceiling in our boat.
You have probably said this somewhere in your blogs, but I could not find it.
Thanks, and all the best with your bus. I still prefer boats because they are not restricted to go only where roads go, but a bus definitely has some good points. You can always stop and get off if things go a bit pear shaped.
Also remember that the authorities may want to see what occupies any spaces concealed by your handiwork.