I've got a '06 Cavalier. The skin is in rough shape. Thought about patch panels for some areas. (all marker lights, Exterior components, Etc...) Then I got to thinking about just replacing all the skin with a more common type and for the fresh paint. So not only does the current skin need patches, It also needs paint. What would I be looking at with this? Thanks.

 

So you have an aluminum skin and you want to reskin? Am I understanding you correctly?

If I am, you can purchase the material from All-Rite (Custom RV Parts, RV Parts Manufacturer, and RV Accessories at All-Rite) and they will big truck it to you.

They sell both retail and wholesale and I, along with virtually all RV dealers, buy from them. Be warned however that while what you have in mind is not technically difficult, I doubt you will want to bear the expense unless you are simply in love with your camper. It will come in a custom made wooden crate on a tractor trailer, unless you live near one of their two warehouses and can pick it up yourself.

I can't give you a price, but if you measure up what you need, they can.

Good luck,

Steve

 

Exactly. This will be a permanent home for the wife and I in the next year. moving and downsizing. I'm also trying to eliminate the inch over hang at the bottom and smooth out the sides for water repellant and easier cleaning. What would something like this run me? (Ballpark) I'm doing the labor. I could use the current skin but Don't want to use 16 patch panels then chance a leak plus paint...Just talked to allrite. $348 per 29' X14" panel. One side would run over $2K!

 

I can't tell you cost because it varies by pattern and by the foot.

Getting a single piece shipped to me one time ran north of $100 for a about a sixteen foot piece if I remember correctly. My guess is it will be in the thousands, but I am not sure. I don't order often so I don't have a good sense of price.

 

After looking at prices and the body, I've decided for now to pull all the panels, And using aluminum roof flashing as the patch panels placed behind the body panels attached with rivets. Once done, Run HVAC tape over the rivets on the exterior then prime and paint the body panels. And I figured, While I have the panels off, Why not just rebuild the damn thing while I'm at it? Re-enforce the studs, Install better insulation, Re-wire the rats nest Gulfstream did. (Who runs 10 bulbs and a kitchen off 14 AWG wire and a 20 amp fuse?! Or have grounds that do nothing? Or wire nut at every chance possible?) Customize a few things such as install speakers along the ceiling and install 2 outside above the door, Install 2 more porch lights along the side to total 3 for better lighting, Install strobes in those porch lights and install a 12VDC auto alarm for when the wife and I are away, Run new coaxial cables, Improve the landline phone wires, Install both WIFI and 2.5 gHz antenna for wireless broadband, Place a block of wood under the shower to improve support that is already there, Run the marker light wires through the body and not left hanging along side the chassis, Replace the roof and while up there insulate the duct and repair any damage, Install a 2nd window in the bedroom and one in the kitchen. It has a TPO roof and a bright individual thought they'd be smart and layed composition roof tar all down the front and back. It cracked and leaked. So I have damage to the 1/8" luan decking and some in the front wall possibly stud damage or rot.
There is probably more but can't think right now. I currently have a thread on here about what I've already done to this unit. The only thing I REALLY want to fix and can't is the tongue. It is welded on at an ANGLE!
when I'm done it will be what we want and last for years. Even the paint will be custom. The floor plan has already been changed. It no longer has a gas furnace or dinette, Couch has been pulled and is movable, Removed bottom bunk for more room, Larger fridge installed. 20 sq. ft. Had hell getting it in the door. Really want to take the bedroom fixtures from a Fleetwood and install it in this unit. The closets and nightstands are perfect for a unit this size. The tall closet on one side and night stand on the other doesn't work for either one of us. Would also love to install more cabinets. Not enough. What does everyone think?

 

That's gonna be one (expensive) customized 06 model RV!!! Good Luck to you! It'll sure be YOURS!

 

If I went with RV parts, It would be damn expensive. However, I'm going with common residential house products. I also have a construction and electrical background so I won't be contracting labor. Wife can't wait. She's already drawing out floor plans and what to add. She even wants to put a combo washer/dryer in.

 

So you are going to rewire to a 50 amp system?

Steve

 

Yes. I already have a PD4560 installed. Major improvement from the wfco that was installed. However, Now I have RFI like mad from it.

 

Not sure why the RF interference. That is not a common problem. What is it affecting?

Steve

 

27 MHz radios mostly. Some digital television. And AM broadcast at times. Its the worst when I have it on boost mode and all my lights are bright. When in a "float" mode, They're dimmer and the RFI cuts down. That's another reason for the re-wire. I already talked to PD about it. They're clueless. I placed a ferrite core around the 120VAC wires and it vibrated. It is using the skin and wiring as an antenna. Although there is no voltage on the skin and is only acting electrically as a ground. One thing that did help but at minimal was to wrap all wires with a wire and ground both ends creating a "coax" type effect. Although it worked, I can no longer put the box cover on. I used a tester to check if the hot and neutral lines incoming were reversed and they were not.

 

Something is wrong here. I have installed dozens of power converters of all brands and have never had this type of problem. Did the old WFCO do this?

STeve

 

NASCAR is in town so heading to the track. I will get back to you later.

Steve

 

Not as much. Between the dim lights and RFI, That's why it was replaced.