Results for "plywood"

After hearing my RV dealer call these thick kitchen cabinet bottom boards "industry standard" while my mechanic buddy insists they're just wasteful space-stealers, I'm completely confused. I've been doing a complete remodel to maximize storage space, but I'm shocked at the poorly designed layout.

The cabinet bottom board is a ridiculous 2 inches thick - that's eating up 10% of my entire cabinet height! Even worse, the drawer cabinet only has about 4 inches of usable space on each side because of how the PEX water lines are routed. It's like they just threw those lines in there without any thought to space efficiency.

I keep hearing about how amazing modern RVs are, but this is just terrible design. Is there any way to actually fix these issues? Can I modify the cabinet bottoms to be thinner and reroute those PEX lines properly? I really need to reclaim this wasted space but I'm not sure where to start or if it's even possible to address both problems. …more

Finally figured out why my neighbor's slideout glides like butter while mine scrapes horribly against the exterior wall every time — what's their secret? My slideout has started rubbing against the exterior bathroom wall, and the coach is perfectly level.

The main thing I've noticed is that the gap at the bottom of the slide is much smaller now compared to the top - it used to be about 1½-2 inches at the bottom, but now it's barely anything. There's also about a ½ inch difference in height from one end of the slide to the other when I measure from the top.

I've independently jacked up both sides of the slide more than an inch each and checked the gap, but neither showed a difference. When I crawled underneath, I couldn't see where the slide might have moved laterally closer to the wall. The exterior stripes still line up. I also noticed the shower hasn't been used in 6 years or longer (I bought this coach used).

I'm wondering if this could be some kind of drooping issue? I've heard about things like rollers wearing out, but I honestly don't know what to look for or where to start troubleshooting. Should I be checking underneath the RV? Any advice on what might be causing this rubbing and smaller gap would be hugely appreciated! …more

Apparently my 2000 Allegro Bus slideout only starts sagging and needing floor repair when it hits 85 degrees outside — works perfectly fine otherwise. We discovered water damage under the slideout and need to replace some plywood subflooring, but there are screws I can only access if I lift the slide somehow.

I'm worried about damaging the slideout mechanism or worse, having it fall and hurt someone. The hydraulic system seems to work fine, but I've heard you shouldn't trust it alone for this kind of work. What's the safest method to lift and support a slideout while doing floor repairs underneath? I want to make sure I'm not making a dangerous mistake here. …more

My RV roof has had this squishy soft spot right next to the roof vent ever since we got hammered by that nasty rainstorm last month. When I step on that area, it feels spongy and I can tell there's water damage underneath the rubber membrane.

I'm pretty sure water has been leaking through the vent area and rotting the plywood underneath, which seems to be about a hand-sized area. I want to cut the rubber membrane back, replace the damaged wood, and then reseal it properly.

Should I be worried about the structural integrity? What type of materials should I use for the replacement wood, and how do I properly reseal everything to prevent this from happening again? I'm thinking of folding back the rubber, replacing the damaged section of wood, and then resealing the membrane over the new wood. …more

Group 31 AGM battery weighs 75 pounds and sits in the worst possible spot on my F53 chassis — wedged behind the step well with about 4 inches of clearance above it. Last time I changed it I nearly threw out my back. There has to be a safer way to swap these heavy batteries. …more

Apparently my 2006 motorhome's hide-a-bed frame started sagging completely to the floor yesterday and now it won't even support a pillow without collapsing. Our 2006 motorhome came with this lovely feature where the hide-a-bed frame has given up on life and decided gravity is its new best friend.

We already invested in a new firm mattress (because apparently throwing money at half the problem seemed logical), but the worn-out frame underneath still creates this romantic "let's all sleep in the middle together" situation. The support system is shot, and getting this whole sofa out for a complete overhaul sounds about as fun as changing a tire in the rain.

Anyone found a quick and dirty fix to stop this sagging madness? I'm hoping there's some clever solution that doesn't involve taking apart half the RV or my entire savings account. What's worked for you when your sofa bed decided to become a hammock? …more

I noticed my 2005 Gulfstream Crescendo's slide-out T-track bulb seal has deteriorated for the third time this season and I'm done replacing it blindly. The existing seal fits into a T-track configuration with specific dimensional requirements - the track opening is approximately 3/16" wide with the T-head measuring 3/8" at its widest point.

Standard automotive or hardware store seals don't appear to match these specifications. What's the proper methodology for sourcing replacement T-track bulb seals that will fit correctly? Also seeking guidance on preparation procedures to ensure proper installation and seal longevity. …more

Around $3,200 to replace both front windshields on my 2005 Fourwinds Hurricane after they popped out and cracked, wondering if this is even worth fixing. I'm staring at a $2,400 glass estimate, but my gut tells me this is just the tip of the iceberg since there's likely structural damage behind all this mess.

I'm at that classic RV crossroads where I need to decide: throw good money after bad trying to fix this thing properly, or admit defeat and salvage/sell it as-is? The glass quote alone has me wondering if I'm looking at one of those repair jobs that costs more than the rig is worth. Anyone have guidance on how to make this painful financial decision? …more

Apparently I need to check if my Jayco warranty covers cabinet repairs before I start tearing into these furniture issues myself. I have a Jayco motorhome and need a custom dinette built to replace the original one. I'm wondering if Jayco builds their cabinets in-house at their factory, or if they contract out to local shops?

More importantly, I'm looking for recommendations on where I can get this work done. Are there independent cabinet shops in the Elkhart-Middlebury area that specialize in RV woodwork? I have all the detailed dimensions from Jayco and am hoping someone can share contact information for local cabinet builders who might be able to help. Any advice or contact details for reputable RV cabinet makers in that area would be really appreciated! …more

Opened a $2,000 quote for professional RV seating installation to accommodate grandchildren and wondering if I can safely install Honda Odyssey middle row seats myself instead.

My specific modification involves elevating the right seat 12 inches and the left seat 6 inches, with horizontal offset to prevent interference during movement. My primary concerns are proper mounting procedures and safety compliance.

What's the correct method to securely attach minivan seats to an RV floor structure? I understand my custom elevation may create unique mounting challenges, and I want to ensure proper seatbelt integration at each position.

I need technical guidance on mounting hardware specifications and structural attachment points to ensure this modification meets safety standards. …more

Pulled the trigger on a 2012 Thor Avanti repo as my first RV purchase, but I'm completely clueless about what condition red flags to look for. The interior is... let's call it "lived in" to be charitable. The U-shaped dinette looks like it hosted a wrestling match, and I'm pretty sure something died in those cushions.

I'm wondering if I can swap out that sad dinette for a jackknife sofa instead? And don't get me started on the flooring - it's so worn I can practically see through to the ground. Is it realistic to replace RV flooring, or am I signing up for a special kind of torture?

Oh, and can I ditch whatever prehistoric mattress is in there for a real full-size one? Basically, is renovating a Thor Avanti actually doable, or should I just keep scrolling through RV listings and pretend this hot mess doesn't exist? …more