Sam, Thanks for the detailed reply.

So far I ripped out most of the paneling and some polystyrene. The 28C only sleeps 4 so I'll be adding a bench dinnette where the table is and making the bed are a into a U shaped bench that also converts to a bed, giving us a dining area and room to spread out.

I'll be ripping all the flooring out as well. The carpet is old and just ugly. Lol. I plan on using 20 guage metal track and studs for framing all the seating to save on weight.

I have never owned an camper trailer so I still have lots to learn about the systems on board, like toilet, sink, a.c. and water heater...lol.

This is exciting. Thanks everyone for your support. I'll keep updating this thread.

One thing I've learned is that everyone should check the caulking around all openings! Luan rots easily.

More thoughts.
 

Just remembered we used Rust Oleum primmer and paint on any metal we came across. The frame at the fiberglass wall. Your plans sound great. Our dinette is a permanent bed for our adult daughter that is challenged by Autism(high functioning). So proud of her!! She works part time at HD. Some as a greeter and some times as a cashier. She has certificates for computer courses. She claims I am "too needy when I need computer help" Would you say parent abuse.!! If you find your beds are uncomfortable because of the cushion cracks then top off with a foam topper. DD bed is far more comfortable than mine. Keep in mind that your trailer sold for more than $30.000 when new. Worth the time and effort to remodel.

"Keep in mind that your trailer sold for more than $30.000 when new. Worth the time and effort to remodel."


So true.

And they don't make 'em anymore.

Enough reason to restore and use.

Sounds like you're a great father Sam. I can only hope to be half the father you are to my little boys.

I'll be doing some more demo work today. Debating whether to remove the polystyrene on the walls and put up 1" polyiso for double the insulation value R8 vs R4. The polystyrene inatalled looks ok but it absorbs water and lead to all the luan walls rotting.

I want to make a wall system that is more forgiving down the line by removing everything putting roofing felt, 1" poly iso, then 1/4" cedar panel. This doesn't add weight but gives me double the insulation value and makes it more water resistant.

Does anyone think this is worth it?

After removing the queen bed and cabinets, it opened everything up.

I'm going to replace the AC unit. Any suggestions on which one to use? I'm looking at the Domestic Duo there 15000.

Has anyone installed a on demand water heater? I'm thinking about putting a tub in to make the wife happy and worried that the current water heater won't cut it with 2 little boys and a wife.

What you purpose.
 

How you remodel is a personal choice. DH didn't rip out all walls to the fiberglass. I wanted him to do this. I think the biggest water stopper was removing and reinstalling all windows. Then we sealed any spaces with spray foam in a can. If you get your walls too thick I would worry about them not being able to slide down when the HiLo is lowered. We have camped when it snowed in Oct. Our HiLo was toasty warm. I made some towel snakes and filled them with beans. They are placed at the door.behind the wardrobe and behind the ref. Places that seem to have air leaks. I use a cube heater in the BR when washing up. A nice luxery and cheap. My DD used the bath tub a couple of times. Then she grew too big for it. Our HiLo dealer sold us some pluming part that caps the water off to the bathtub underneath the RV. Now I put a nice piece of exterior plywood across the tub and use this area for laundry,tote with dry food ect. Inside the tub is an extension cord and some misc items. I applied heavy duty velcro and it suctions in place and never moves. We camp at places that have decent showers. You can shower anywhere with the use of Flip flops.

Please be advised that even small on demand H2O heaters draw a LOT of power. Smallest about 30 amps!

Just picking up on this thread, it looks like you’re making some really nice progress. I did a lot of walls in a recent rebuild, and getting the water absorbent foam out of there is nice, but I kind of had to because the outer wall was completely delmaminated down one side and all of the 1/8” sheeting was damaged anyway (both inner and outer layers).

In the end, I feel like the original factory gluing was superior to mine so where I could leave it in place, so I did. Maybe that helps you decide? You’d be re-laminating the wall on both sides of the new foam instead of one face on the old foam. Still, I really disliked the idea of all of the white, absorbent foam so I wasn’t sad when so much of it had to come out. There’s a thread hanging around about rebuilding a 2000 24’ hilo if you want to look up some pics.

Best