Moving the Bathroom

[mthwhntr]

Hello all! I recently purchased a totally gutted 1970 26ft AS Overlander and, with a lot of help, am about to start a total shell-off restoration.

I have been drawing out some floor plans based loosely on the original, but it just occurred to me that since I am basically starting from scratch, I could potentially move the bathroom from the rear of the trailer to the center. Since everything has already been removed (plumbing, electrical, etc.) it seems to me that it's just an issue of moving the holding tanks and I'm good to go.

What are some potential issues with this idea? Is it practical? Am I missing something totally obvious (or maybe not so obvious)?

[rugjenkins]

I redesigned my camper layout from a rear bath to a center/side bath. Many considerations need to be considered: 1. Weight distribution in the right places. 2. Moving things around take a lot of time- I would be done if I keep the same layout. Plumbing around axles and frame. 3. Welding the frame 4. New tanks to fit the space. The old ones don't normally drop right in. Other than that, do what you like. Time, money and preferences take the cake here. Good luck

[Danruehl]

I am completing the same on a 59 overlander. The existing layout didn't work for me and it was a total rebuild anyway. My bath is on the curb side. Biggest drawback I currently see is having to climb on the bed to get in and out. It's your trailer, make it what you want.

[Belegedhel]

Welcome to the Forums!

Anything is possible with time, effort and money.

The biggest issues that you will encounter is that when your trailer was designed with its prior layout, they fit appliances in where they would be hidden by cabinetry, etc., and made penetrations in the shell. So if your moving the bathroom also results in having to find a different place for the furnace or water heater to live, you will need to patch up the existing shell penetrations and make new ones (this will probably also be true of the black tank vent through the ceiling).

Another issue may just be availability of parts. The typical shower pan/seat arrangement that works in a center bath is a single piece item that has the pan on the floor in front of a wheel well, and then it extends up into a seat that goes up over the wheel well. Inland RV has these on their website, but a poster in a recent thread said they were no longer available. So building out the shower enclosure itself may end up a real exercise in custom fabrication--but you may end up with that challeng if you tried to put the trailer back together as originally laid out as well.

good luck!