Just spent over $200 for the super deluxe Fantastic Fan, with built in weather radar! Front vent leaks and won't shut all the way. May replace back power vent near bathroom also, as fan motor is shot.
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CP 9 miles off Exit 399, I75.
2003 GMC 2500HD 4X4 D/A Ext. Cab
Propane Powered Honda EU2000i
Lots of Hot Sauce! Air # 283
We have lived since 1996 in our 1974 29'. We have just bought a 1990 32' and are starting to get it ready for our season working on the road: end of May to mid September.
First thing was: replace the tires. We checked on line & local Goodyear dealers. Bought the Marathons from Sam's Club because of: easy to fit in their parking lot & their road hazzard warranty. Total around $400
Now we will need to carry a spare. A job for the local welder, to mount it under the truck (we have a spare from our 1974). It looks like the brakes are OK. We need one battery.
Next: the original Magic Chef microwave 1200w has to go. Too small a cavity for fulltiming. Will replace it with a 600w. Or Panasonic 800w recessed turn table. Won't pay more than $80. If over 600w, will need inverter. Will buy inverter maybe anyway. Not more than $250
The chipped porcelain coated sink: replace with stainless sink. Either on line or Lowes. Haven't looked much at prices yet. Should find something under $150.
For now, we will replace the carpet with a brand new one we already own.
The main work is the bedroom: replacing the twin beds with RV double. Somebody mentionned "Knox Foam". A 48X74X4" costs $120 delivered. Will add a Visco foam pad (no cover), maybe the 2" from Knox Foam at $168
or 2 pads, total 3" thick for $112 + $30 shipping. Then a cover for the whole thing: $58. Still shopping for that pad. Total under $350.
Our major expense will be a new hitch. Air ride hitch. After numerous conversations, here and on the MDT forum on Escapees: we have settled on Easy Rider Hitch. It looks like it will be $650 plus freight.
This poll being to gather data for recruiting sponsors, here are my own observations: the items people are looking for, fall in (at least) 3 categories:
1_ run of the mill stuff: just go to Camping World catalogue or the like, WalMart, Lowes,... Anybody can find sources & prices; they will shop for that on their own.
2_ more specialized. All the sources above will have some - usually inadequate selection, low end quality or really overpriced. Like trailer tires at a good price, hitches,... Mike is always looking for things like extensive selection of 12v products, specialized hardware (he collects fasteners of all types), rivets (?!), ...., RV plumbing, solar products,.....and more
3_ the toughest ones: things most people don't know exist AND often don't know they may need. The ones which are really hard to track down.
I mentioned having a hard time getting information on an air hitch. The market of course is much smaller than for party lights, banana tree, or wind chimes.
I talked to a lot of people on line who were able to point me in the right direction, and steer me away from shady outfits.
Wild guess: I think we will have to spend about $2500 this year (excluding cost of the trailer of course).
Only about 9% of all active members have voted for this poll. Please take a moment to vote if have not already. Also, we would love to hear your spending stories too!
Hard to say how much I'll spend with any accuracy. I am testing to see if I need bigger tires to get a bit more ground clearance or if my axles are sagging. Or it might well be my damn new driveway is too steep. I was going to get some drag wheels but it seems that is good way to put undue pressure in a bad spot.
Taller Tires $?
New axles $$$?
New paved parking area $$$?
I am also looking at getting a stripped A/S shell to make in to mobile work studio. Anyone have a good A/S body and frame with trashed interior they are looking to get rid of?
In the first 16 months:
1) Drilled rivets out of the belly pan one by one and replaced with new and a shoulder washer to hold the pan where it was not secured by the worn rivet system $25 of rivets and washers
2) Reapplied ParBond to all appropriate seams to stop 3 leaks....$25 and 8 hours of my labor...most of that musty smell has subsequently gone away :-)
3) New tires 15x7.00 $378
4) New water heater-dealer installed $650
Still to do:
1) Schlage Deadbolt lock....works from inside, not from outside.
2) Fuse block for 12V, currently has a jumper on it to power the 5 interior 12V circuits, entire block needs to be pulled and redone in modern style fuses.
We started with Refrigerator Control Board and replacement power cord and the missing OPD valve on aluminum propane tank #2...
That led to replacement Fantastic Fan vents, and new plumbing fixtures/faucets.
From there, the pink and muave and chocolate had to go, so we've invested in fabrics and reupholstery of couch, headboard and all kick panels, plus matching folding chair, plus carpeting and mini-blinds and curtains, plus all bedspreads and linens. Total cost so far approaching $2,400, and still climbing slowly, but it looks soooo much better..
John McG
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Condoluminum
In Theory, there's no difference between Theory and Practice, but in Practice, there is usually a difference...
I agree. I wish I only had to spend $2500 LOL. But Andy did say a "Year". I spent around $1300 at the close of last year. That got the floor (the wood deck) replace New flooring, rims and tires. I have not done a lot of work yet this year but getting ready to dive in again.
I figure I will put about $1500 to get the majority of the interrior back in as far as the cabinetry. Then we can start with drapery, new bed and new pads for the goucho. Then we can start talking about new A/C, RV Reefer, RV water heater. When the original expired 110v units were installed. I want to boondock some places so we need to look at getting those but that's a next year thing.
I figure by the time it's back to just general maintance stuff we will have about $10k in it at the rate we are going.
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1959 22' Caravanner
1988 R20 454 Suburban.
Atlanta, GA
Our money is going to 'infancy' costs. Hitch, brake controller (upgrade), spare tire & wheel, LCD TV, DVD, linens, portable grill (S/S Holland), generator, digital voltage monitor, aux. fuel tank, & a host of the standard RV accoutrements, ie; water hose(s), pressure reg., etc......... When will it end???!!
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"I have a new invention, 'Instant Water'. I don't know what to add to it!"
The nickel and dime'ing never seems to stop. I suppose this is normal! I know this is normal!
$9 New umbilical cord
$14 New connectors
$5 Lots of fuses
$8 Light Bulbs
$6 Replacement light sockets
$20 Trip to hitch place to have them rewire what they messed up the first time.
And this was a light week for spending!
Having an Airstream that may one day be finished.... Priceless!
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1972 27' Overlander 72 Overlander Jack Pad--- A notebook used by Jack Nicholson in the Shining to keep track of how much work he had done on his Airstream. "All work and no polishing makes Jack's Airstream a dull trailer"
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Front vent leaks and won't shut all the way. May replace back power vent near bathroom also, as fan motor is shot.
When will it end???!! 
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