How to Repair and Remodel an RV

Every home needs maintenance and repair; it’s one of life’s great consistencies. Once that’s under control, we sometimes feel the urge to “spruce the place up.” These are mostly cosmetic or minor adjustments that don’t require a huge amount of time or money.

Then there’s remodeling. We’re talking structural changes of the floor plan. Moving walls, replacing furniture, changing out appliances.

We have all the information you need for every one of these projects. This page offers sections on on maintenance/repair, remodeling, and structural changes. Within each section you may find links to some of our other pages for more information. As with every project, the key to success is GOOD PLANNING. We’ve got you covered!

Maintenance and Repair

RV’s, travel trailers, and motor homes need constant maintenance. The warranty period will fly by and many normal maintenance issues aren’t covered. Even if something is in warranty it could end up in “the shop” for months right during peak camping season. You really need to know how to repair and remodel an RV on your own.

You’ll want to replace the mattresses almost immediately.

The tires will need replacement within three to five years.

The roof…the roof will leak at some point so you’ll be patching or resurfacing it.

Paying someone for these repairs and maintenance issues is crazy expensive and frequently not done correctly. You can do it. See the Fix-It Yourself Course below.

 

Repairing and Remodeling

Updating your RV’s look can be fairly easy and inexpensive, and you’ll find several helpful suggestions in this section. Enlarging the bathroom, moving the walls, or changing the kitchen’s location is more difficult and costly, and are covered in the next section under Crossing That Line: From Minor Adjustments to Structural Changes.

It would be almost impossible for me to give you blanket instructions for the repair or remodel you want to do so I will point you in the right direction with YouTube videos and helpful products you will need to begin your learning journey.

For more E-Courses, Workshops, and Boot-Camps, see this page:

There are some easy things you can do to freshen up your aging RV

• • Paint the cabinets (remember to use primer first as you may be painting a plastic veneer)
  • Replace the flooring (Look at wood composites to replace worn and stained carpeting)
  • Add a backsplash to the kitchen.
  • Replace or recover worn out furniture (replace the foam covering too).
  • Make new curtains and add matching pillows, bedspread, and afghan.
  • Replace old lighting with new LED light fixtures. If your fixtures are still in good shape you can replace just the bulbs.

 

 

Energy efficiency class of A+, energy draw is only 4 Watt per bulb, equivalent to a 20 watt halogen bulb. Instant on, Mercury-free and UV-free. The reduction on power consumption will help extend your battery life.

 

Learn all you can first. These books will be valuable resources:

RV Repair and Maintenance Manuel by Bob Livingston

Bob’s RV repair manual is know in the industry as the RV repairman’s bible. It has been revised and updated many times

The RV Handbook: Essential How-To Guide for the RV Owner

Designed to be used as a fast-reference guide or a generously illustrated textbook, the guide contains helpful checklists, photos, schematics and charts, as well as valuable information on avoiding towing errors, correct hitching techniques, crowd-free camping, electrical systems, improving fuel economy, and the latest tech trends in RV.

Replace mattresses and bedding

Foam mattresses absorb moisture from your body every night. This becomes a perfect breeding ground for mold and mites.

Mattresses lose their support after just a few years. The original mattresses only last a few seasons at best and because they usually lie on plywood there is no air movement underneath to remove the moisture.

All mattresses and bedding should be replaced

Imagine looking forward to a great night’s rest while camping.

Mattress Insider sells all common RV bed sizes including the popular 60 x 75 short queen. They can make camper beds in any size or shape! Even those odd shaped Airstream size mattress replacements and the short pop up camper mattress.

All mattresses include a 121 night trial period.

The Tochta Anti-Moisture Underlay

The Tochta Anti-Moisture Underlay will keep moisture from being trapped under the mattress. It is essential for preventing mold growth.

Tochta also makes custom RV Mattresses that are so comfortable you’ll drift off to sleep in seconds and wake up refreshed. These mattresses are so good you’ll want one for your home. Shop custom mattresses, sheets, and mattress pads at Tochta!

Resurfacing your RV’s countertops with Stone Coat Epoxy Countertops

Resurfacing your old countertops to look like marble, stone, or quartz is easy without adding the actual heavy stone. With Stone Coat Countertops you can make your old countertops look like anything you want. And they’re durable.

Take 10% off your StoneCoat Countertop order using this coupon code: TINY10.

See more details about versatile epoxy countertops, floors, even walls on this page: Saving Weight On Tiny House and RV Tile

Easy and lightweight kitchen tile and backsplash

Refer to this page for lightweight tile and backsplash products and ideas.

Painting your RV cabinets

Painting your RV or travel trailer cabinets is one of the easiest ways to freshen up your rig. Using the right products is essential as you might be dealing with a thin plastic or vinyl veneer over particle board. The right primer is essential for cover paint adhesion. And guess what? The best stuff everyone recommends is not the most expensive.

A gallon of this Zinsser Primer is currently just $53.05* from Amazon. “Priming isn’t just an extra step in the painting process – it ensures that the work and money spent painting surfaces isn’t wasted. Use primer as a buffer between what you need to paint and the top coat you want to use to make sure that nothing interferes with the final appearance of your work.” Zinsser also makes a primer to kill mold an issue most RVers deal with.

B-I-N Advanced Synthetic Shellac Primer is a synthetic shellac-based primer sealer that provides excellent stain blocking for whole-surface interior priming and exterior spot priming. It combines fast dry time, low odor, excellent hide and stain blocking for new construction, remodeling and fire and water restoration.

B-I-N Advanced Synthetic Shellac High Hiding Bright White Primer Sealer:  water-based fast-dry ultimate stain blocking for water stains, rust stains, graffiti, crayon, grease. Superior odor blocking for smoke, cigar, cigarette, pets, food. Low odor Nationally VOC compliant.

If the original plastic veneer is broken off use Peel Stop, Triple Thick, Zinsser Primer to raise the broken area to the same level as the good area.

DO NOT USE ZINSSER UNDER PeelNStick tiles. Here’s more on self stick back splashes.

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Heirloom Traditions, All-In-One Paint has become a leader in developing a paint product designed for the novice painter that gives them beautiful results, even if they have never painted before. They combined what once was multiple steps into one product and took the guesswork out of choosing the right products.

All-In-One has paint designed for every surface of your RV. Even the furniture. Leather, faux leather, and vinyl can be painted. It will look better than new. See the Painted Leather or Vinyl Chair Bundle that includes everything you need to get professional results.

 

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Replacing old windows

The windows on your RV can make a big difference in your RV experience. For your RV, you need great quality windows to make that difference. That’s where RECPRO comes in. With their line of RV windows, you can be sure to find a product that matches your RV style and needs.

RV windows are actually fairly easy to replace. Mine had about thirty screw on the inside but once removed the window came right out. I removed the old rope caulk and put down a new layer then pressed the new window into place. My wife held it steady while I climbed inside and screwed it into place.

You might think about replacing a window with an exit window just to give you an extra exit option in an emergency like a fire. If your egress window isn’t in the best condition or is not easy to use, investing in a new working model that is easy to use is vital to safety while on the road.

Use this coupon code at checkout to get 5% off your order: TINYLIFE

 

Windows that match your “vintage” trailer

Vintage Trailer Supply offers gently rescued windows, window hardware, and seals as well as other salvageable parts from trailers that have been totaled by insurance companies. They have a huge selection to match the windows in older travel trailers and RV’s.

If you need parts to repair your windows, check out the Mobile Home Parts Store. They have a large section of RV replacement parts. The Mobile Home Parts Store has replacement crank mechanism for the roof vents.

Blackout Window Shades and Window Coverings

Shades perform a wide variety of functions despite their seemingly simple design. Whether you’re looking to shield yourself from the sun’s penetrating rays, or you want some privacy while parked up at night, the right kind of RV shades can work wonders. RecPro has a great selection of window shades and reasonable prices.

Custom NitePro Blackout Nighttime RV Roller Shades are durable and blocks light from making its way into your RV and sleeping quarters. The shades are solid vinyl sheets that are specifically constructed to resist sun rays up to 99% in most applications. They also feature an internal mechanism that keeps the shade from retracting too rapidly.

See more window covering option on this page: Tiny House Window Treatments

 

 

 

Crossing That Line: From Minor Adjustments to Structural Changes.

Good Planning is Essential!

Remodeling and/or changing the interior layout of your RV or travel trailer can be a huge project

There are four basic RV construction methods:

1. Wood supports with tin
2. Stick and tin
3. Fiberglass laminate
4. Then there’s Airstreams.

If you can, determine the construction method of your RV before demo. Look for a YouTube® video of your make and model. It’s great to have the visual to see exactly what you’ll be working with. I can pretty much guarantee you will find water damage, dry rot, bug and rodent damage and mold.

You might get a little overwhelmed by the mess during the demo process. The key thing is to complete the demo them clean it all up. Once clean take a few breaths, access the damage, and come up with a plan to move forward.

Repair and restoration of “Vintage” Travel trailers

This YouTube® video is a great illustration of a “vintage” stick and tin RV trailer construction method. These old beasties are comparatively easy to work with because they have wood paneling and wood framing. Air Stream trailers are so different we will cover them on a separate page.

You can see easily that travel trailers, motor homes, and RV’s are very flimsily made, unlike a tiny home. The walls, even on modern ones are at most only 1.5″ thick. Some RV’s use 1×2 wood sideways so the wall is only 3/4″ thick. There’s just no way to insulate properly with that thickness.

Remember, the RV frame is designed to just handle the weight of the trailer as it was built. If you add a bunch of building material you might compromise the ability of the RV frame to safely hold the load. You might also change the weighting required to tow the trailer safely.

Here is a good YouTube® video of a guy redoing the bathroom of a really old RV.

 

Rosie: scratch-building a vintage camper trailer

Here’s an awesome resource hot off the presses.

Rosie:Scratch-Building a Vintage Camper Trailer brings a wealth of problem-solving tricks of the trade, offering new ways of thinking about old practices and techniques. Author Joe Mirenna brings a fresh look at doing things better, smarter, and less expensive by questioning everything from basic construction methods to choices of materials. Let these clear descriptions and hundreds of photographs become an inspiration for anyone contemplating joining this expanding world of interest.

This is an excellent resource complete with photos and diagrams. It’s available in Kindle and paperback. I like the paperback version so I can keep it on the job site without worrying about breaking my E-Reader.

The Kindle version is only $7.99 and has a hundred pages of additional content. Click here to order Rosie from Amazon.

See more information about Kindle E-Readers and Pads on this page: The Best Tiny House Bookstore

 

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Newer travel trailers and motor homes are much harder to work with

Here is a YouTube® video showing the construction of a Flagstaff by Forest River in a factory. You will see many construction methods that you can not duplicate without a huge factory backing you up.

• The walls are highly engineered, one piece SIPS.
• The nose cone in one huge molded fiberglass construct.
• Plumbing and wiring harnesses are very difficult to reach for repairs after construction.

But, it’s good to see how one is constructed so you can decide how to proceed with repairs and remodels. You might even find a video showing your exact make and model of RV so you can see what the walls and ceiling are made of.

Replacing RV and Travel Trailer Furniture

Your woodworking skills will be put to the test building lightweight but durable cabinets, drawers, shelving, and storage areas. If you need matching hardware and trim you can find it at Vintage Trailer Supply, Inc. Many times the cabinets are actually structural components so removing them weakens the trailer.

Specialized RV & camping trailer furniture

Specialized furniture, like Jackknife Sofa Beds are just easier to replace. You’ll get a modern product that should hold up well.

This 62″ Jackknife Sofa Bed comes in several colors.

• Supportive high-density foam covered in low-maintenance PolyHyde upholstery with contrasting top stitching.
• Lightweight and versatile to conserve interior space; fastens to the coach wall, allowing for additional storage space underneath.
• Converts to a bed in one easy motion.
• Sofa Size: 72″ x 28″ x 23″
• Sleeping Surface: 72″ x 42″ x 8. 5″
• Overall depth in bed position: 42″

For more furniture specifically for RV’s and travel trailers visit this page.

As Part of Your Repair and Remodel Don’t Forget the Trailer Itself

Look underneath your RV. Whether it’s a travel trailer or a motor home the undercarriage will need some work.

 

At the very least there will be rust that needs to be dealt with. You may also find cracks that need welding and wiring that needs replacing.

The waste drain valves may be leaking or corroded shut. Those are easily replaced.

TheTrailerPartsOutlet via EBay is a great source for tires, wheels, axles, trailer hitches, leaf springs, bearing, and every repair part you might need to return your trailer’s integrity to brand-new condition.

 

 

RV Repair Club is a great resource to get your remodel or repair done

Whether you’re already on the road or planning your next RV trip, turn to the RV Repair Club for step-by-step videos on RV repair, maintenance and upgrades.

The videos and classes cover all aspects of RV repair, remodeling, and maintenance. Videos cover topics like, heating and cooling, gas systems, plumbing, appliance repair, and more.

They also have an informative blog you’ll find most interesting. Want to learn how to repair your brakes or repack the wheel bearings?  You’ll save a ton of money doing it yourself.

Lots of videos and information for free. Take a look at their website.

Other pages of this website you will get good information from:

Ideas for new or renewed countertops.

Best Off-Grid Energy Sources,

How to Heat Your RV or Tiny Home,

Best products for flooring.

Replacing Your Water Heater

Dealing with moisture and mold damage

Replacement RV Appliances and Parts

Adding storage for the “Stinky Slinky”

How to Drain and Maintain Your Holding Tanks

RV Shore Power, Surge Protectors, 50 amp, 30 amp hookups.

Generators or Portable Power Centers, Which one is right for you?

Most Important:

How to repair or refinish your RV roof.

Additional vintage parts sources I have used

GetRVParts These folks got me parts for my 30 year old NorCold refrigerator quickly.

Young Farts RV Parts

RV Parts Country