It begins!

[w1bmw]

I got the curb side windows skinned this weekend and some paint put up on 'em. I also finished out more of the interior carpentry (getting the tops of some of the walls done to match the roof curve) but I'm still not quite ready to do up all the photos from that just yet.

In other news, I picked up my THIRD Thetford Aria this week. The first two both arrived in pieces thanks to UPS. I told the seller (PPL Motorhomes) not to send another and that I'd drive to their wholesaler's warehouse (about 10 miles from my house) and pick it up when another one came in. I reckon I know what I'll be doing next weekend for sure.

Oh, pics are at http://www.skoolie.net/gallery/v/Skoolies/MCP-II/Construction/Windows/

[Elliot Naess]

That's funny! I bought a Thetford Aria also, and the first one was smashed when it arrived at the local RV store. You'd think Thetford would learn!

[w1bmw]

It's been a while since I posted, but the bus is still coming right along. All the interorior framing is done, as is the electrical and MOST of the plumbing. I had to pull up my first start at a floor after a local installer showed me the RIGHT way to do it for motorhomes (Hint: GLUE).

I've started using my Picasa site for pictures... the latest are up http://picasaweb.google.com/Mark.D.Zimmerman/BusJAN07 and I'll probably straighten up my gallery here once I get a little closer to being done.

Next week, the floor goes down and then it's time for cabinets and the appliances. If all goes well, we will be aboard and full timing it in 6 weeks!

ciao,
/z

[captainkf]

Looks great! What kind of carpet did you use for the walls and ceiling. I have been thinking of somthing like that for ours as it is a bit boomy inside. Was it expensive? How did you install it? What kind of glue did you use? What happens if you decide to remove it in the future, will it come off without massive work? Keep us posted on your progress.

-Richard

[8wheels]

I too would *really* like to know more about the carpet, for wall & headliner use especially. I was thinking Ozite, then Boat Hull Lining, but sourcing that stuff is a challenge.

Thanks! Oh, and great progress!

[w1bmw]

Looks great! What kind of carpet did you use for the walls and ceiling. I have been thinking of somthing like that for ours as it is a bit boomy inside. Was it expensive? How did you install it? What kind of glue did you use? What happens if you decide to remove it in the future, will it come off without massive work?

This month's pictures are at: http://picasaweb.google.com/Mark.D.Zimmerman/BusFEB07


I used the lightest (16oz per yd2) outdoor carpet I could find at Lowes and used their indoor/outdoor adhesive trowelled (?) according to directions. Logic for using the outdoor stuff is that any leaks wouldn't have such a negative effect on the finished product. The glue also has antimicrobial properties and is supposed to fight mold and mildew in the event of moisture incursions. I'll get closeups of the carpet and the glue used this weekend when I'm back out there working. This covers up all sorts of sins with the wood work, including those places where my bulkheads meet the curve of the cieling. I did a pretty good job matching the curve, but with the carpet in place, it's spotless.

The walls went up very easy, as the carpet is so very light. The ceiling was a little more tricky and i ended up cutting the carpet in 28" strips to go inbetween the ceiling seams. Once the cabinets are up down each side of the bus, I'll put in some 1" trim strips (probably that fake plastic wood trim stuff since it's flexible) to cover up the gaps. I'll use glue or screws to hold them in place.

As for removal, I already took one piece off one of the walls to get inside the plywood for adding some electrical wiring (Planning is for sissies). It was pretty tenacious, but it came off in one piece and didn't require much in the way of preparation to hang the replacement piece. This particular spot had been set up for about a month.

Anyway, more pics this weekend. My move in day is now 7 weeks away, so it's time to get cracking!

[captainkf]

Thanks for the info! It looks great. I definatly see somthing like that for the future of ours. The idea of contracting out cabinet work is a good choice if you want high quality looking custom cabinets if you don't have the tools, space and or skills to do it (as is my case). Keep up the posts.

-Richard

[w1bmw]

Closeups of the carpet I'm using are:
http://picasaweb.google.com/Mark.D.Zimm ... 7684544210
http://picasaweb.google.com/Mark.D.Zimm ... 3519119074
and the glue is...
http://picasaweb.google.com/Mark.D.Zimm ... 9288922866

[8wheels]

I've heard of cyclists shaving their legs, but never shaving their arms! LOL

Well you helped me make up my mind. Gonna do it. The *only* disadvantage I've heard of is the potential to retain dust & cooking smells, but I'll deal with that. Just no stinky fish frys inside. Advantages are so many that it looks like the best way for me too.

Thanks again!

[w1bmw]

Well, another good weekend... I got the shower all plumbed and almost all of the sheathing up. Pics are up at http://picasaweb.google.com/Mark.D.Zimmerman/BusMar07 and I am down to three weekends left. All of the carpentry is done and the cabinets and appliances are next. This should pretty much finish it out and with a little paint, she'll be ready to move to the park and start living in. I can handle the trim work with a small battery powered saw once we get settled.

[Griff]

Nice work, it's coming along quite well and looks great!

[w1bmw]

OK.. the three weeks came and went, but the bus didn't get done. I was able to part the thing behind my office and it's done enough to live in it, so that's what's going on. The last thing really remaining before I take it to a park is getting all the cabinets hung and they should be done in 10 more days.

As of today, the door is done! I talked to several salvage places looking for doors, but never seemed to find anything that I wanted to deal with (the two i actually went out and looked at had damage i didn't wanna try to fix). I ended up going to Giant Recreation World in Orlando and just ordering one from the catalog for about $400. It was more than I really wanted to spend, but it was a brand new door in the frame all nice and shiny!

The biggest problem was the largest I could order was 24" x 72" and I had a hole that would accommodate 32" x 83". Having already had fits with the fridge, I wanted keep the largest opening possible there in the event something big had to come in or out. Also, framing had me nervous. I had figured I was going to have to weld something, but I got lucky.

Anyway, I've posted pictures at http://picasaweb.google.com/Mark.D.Zimm ... sApril2007 if you want to take a look.

[jterry]

do you still have the doors you took off? my doors are badly rusted on the bottom and I am not looking forward to fabbing new bottom pieces. I am in the southern ocala area and may be interested in them if they are available. thanks. jterry

[w1bmw]

Hell yeah! Come get 'em PM me with a phone number and I'll PM you with mine.

[crazycal]

I think your bus turn out very nice. Good job.