Budget parts vs. part availability

[skydawg]

I am planning to remove and skin over the original bus windows as well as put together a custom door, and have looked through several threads related to these topics.

A lot of suggestions for budget parts point to things like eBay or RV salvage as being a cheaper option than "new" aftermarket items such as those sold by RecPro, etc.

My question is... has choosing the "budget" option came back to bite anyone later on if the part in question had an issue or had to be replaced? For example, if I cut a hole for a window in my sheet metal for an oddball sized RV window that I got a good deal on, am I going to have to potentially pay a large sum of money to have a custom window fabricated for it later on when I cannot find another of the same (if it were to break)?

Just trying to weigh whether it would be better in the long run to buy "standard" sized aftermarket items and pay a bit more, knowing that I could get a replacement if needed. Same with RV door latches, etc.

[ewo1]

I was lucky enough to get a relatively new pull camper that was overturned and damage in a hurricane in S. Florida a few years back and i used the windows on my build.

There are alot if crazy sized windows out there and many come in stock sizes.

I wouldn’t worry at all about tomorrow’s issues.

In a Worst case scenario you get a smaller sized window and add a “filler” trim ring around it and you’re good to go!

If your goung used try your best for dual pane windows
I am using single pane.

[skydawg]

Originally Posted by ewo1

I was lucky enough to get a relatively new pull camper that was overturned and damage in a hurricane in S. Florida a few years back and i used the windows on my build.

How hard was it to remove the windows without damaging them or the trim ring, or did you have to buy a new trim ring?

[ewo1]

Originally Posted by skydawg

How hard was it to remove the windows without damaging them or the trim ring, or did you have to buy a new trim ring?

Easy peasy, just remove the screws from the trim ring, push window out, done!
You can reuse the trim ring no problem!

If you do not have a trim ring then you can just rivet it to the bus wall.

[skydawg]

Originally Posted by ewo1

I was lucky enough to get a relatively new pull camper that was overturned and damage in a hurricane in S. Florida a few years back and i used the windows on my build.

I was toying with the same idea, but hung up on how much of the RV I could actually repurpose. Were you able to re-use any of the electrical, water tanks, appliances, etc. (or just the windows)?

Did you have to pay someone to haul it off after you were done scavenging, or do you just have it parked somewhere?

[Kentucky Dreaming]

I have a water damaged truck camper that I plan to cannibalize if I ever get a short bus. Charger/converter, 3-way fridge, propane cooktop, water heater, tank, and pump, windows, & maybe even the door. Outdoor vented propane furnace, Jack-knife sleeper sofa....

Yup, it's worth it