The end is in sight - rehab report

[Janet H]

After months of grilling forum members about various repair issues, the rehab of our recently purchased 77 minuet is nearing completion.

This list of repairs is long but included replacing: pump, potty, kitchen faucet, carpet, upholstry, counter, table and all the water lines. Loads of other stuff was repaired - cabinets, vent fan, awning, assorted loose stuff and fridge.

When we removed the counter we discovered that the copper lines had ruptured (at sometime) and garden hose had been clamped onto stubs and pulled through. We pulled it all out and replaced with pex. It is amazing that some one would go to the trouble of replacing lines and then use consumer grade garden hose!

Thank you all for your help and encouragement. Photos to follow.

[Janet H]

We did the upholstry ourselves - now I know why folks hire it out. Big job.

[Janet H]

Here is the new counter - the old one (and table as well) were damaged.

Goodbye orange!

[Janet H]

Couch and curtains....

[Janet H]

The exterior - still with orginal orange and trim.

[thenewkid64]

Very nice!

It is a job, but the results are normally worth it! You did good. I especially like the real wood edge on the counter. It is a nice touch of class.

[Janet H]

Thanks - the counter edge is paduke wood and the reddish color is its natural state. We used a low luster urethane to protect it. The laminate was scap from our local inerior design house - someone paid top dollar for it - we got it at salvage rates.

[Moonshot]

It looks great, Janet.

My wife is interested in having me replace the dual bowl sink with either a single bowl or something else that will allow larger items to be soaked. Did you consider this? When you replaced the counter did such a change look feasible to you?

Oh, and what kind of faucet is that?

Thanks.

Scott

[Janet H]

The faucet is a Kohler - the model is K-10411 The faucet was purchased in the discount bin at the local mega-hardware store. It is great and proportioned perfectly but it is heavy - solid brass. They make the same model with a spayer or with no base plate.

I agree with your wife about a single bowl sink and we briefly considered it. It would look terrific - but my husband (sink installer) felt strongly about keeping the original. I find that the tiny double bowls are too small to hold much of anything. There are several single bowl sinks that would fit and reconfiguring the plumbing isn't as terrible as it sounds.

Good Luck.

[thenewkid64]

I have reconfigured 2 kitchens and the sink swap is not that hard. I have used a single bowl round one that is made of a composite material in my last re-do.
A picture is posted here
http://www.airforums.com/forum...&threadid=6350
In the middle of the thread. It is also available in a sand color. I bought it from Homeclick.com and the name brand is Blanco. I do not have a picture of it with the matching cutting board on top, that just came last week but I will post one soon.

[Moonshot]

Looks classy, Brett!

I hope to not redo my counter though. I just spent $600 on a new black tank so my Argosy budget is sort of stretched right now. I can probably afford to buy a single bowl that will just drop in the hole I have though. So, I'll head to Lowe's and see what I can find.

Thanks.

Scott

[Porky Pig]

Janet,

Nice job on the Minuet ... looks great!

[wardster]

Janet, that looks fantastic!!! Can you put a rough estimate on how much your restorations have cost so far?
I too have the same Argosy and while all seems to be in decent shape, it can use some improvements.
Again, great job.....

[Janet H]

How much did it cost?

Well - we try not to think about it but here goes:

$165.00 toilet
$70.00 pump
$450.00 upholstry fabric/materials (we got spendy tapestry) You could save here..... we needed 22 yards.
$50.00 faucet
$20.00 carpet (scrap)
$20.00 laminate (scrap)
$100.00 lumber (counter and table)
$100.00 assorted plumbing parts
$100.00 assorted repair parts, screws, metal tape, gaskets etc.
$1000.00 axle, shocks and shipping - on order!
$10.00 cleaners - this trailer was filthy!
$2.00 asprin and band-aids
Free labor
----------
$2087.00 total - to date.

Kinda depressing huh!

On the other hand - we love the trailer and I suppose we could be spending our time worse ways.

We did make one substantial change to the table - we narrowed it by 3 inches. This makes it easier to get in and out of the dinette and cuts down on the abrasion on the cushions. When/if we want to turn it into a bed, we have 3 boards cut to size to bridge the gap between the two sides - a small sacrifice - but the boards can be useful for other purposes - leveling wheels, for instance. Also the boards fit better than the original table ever did and I now have confidence that I won't wake up dumped onto the floor, bent in half like a sardine.

The axle was an unexpected cost - but we're newbies to airstream - a more experienced 'streamer probably would have anticipated this on an almost 30 year old trailer.

I made some pillows that store bedding - they velcro together on one side. They are nice for relaxing on the couch with a trashy novel and add substantial storage.

[Janet H]

oops - I forgot to down-size the photo of the cushions - here it is.

[norbert]

would you come to chicago and do my upholstery?
norby

[donnall]

Wow Janet, that looks really nice.
I think $2k was a bargain, because yous what amounts to a new camper. I know the labor would have added alot if you had had to farm it out. But you have a great looking rig and should be just happy camping for a long time now.

congrats
Don