You sir, are one talented(or crazy!)individual ! This makes me wonder what ever happened to that English bloak, who did the same thing to a Grand Villa(?), and then had to move back to jolly old England. Anyone remember ? Robbie
08 FW Providence 40X
FL-XCS chassis
46"LED,Blu-ray 5.1
Ready Brute tow bar/braking/break away system & wireless light bar
'11 Ford Edge AWD toad
2 Honda 2000s for 30 amp dry camp
&300 watts of solar
Beware of those who point their finger the LOUDEST !
We started to build the breakfast bar, which replaced the dinette and settee as we just couldn't justify the space taken up, versus the utility of a simple bar similar to a residential set up, and for this we placed it between the w/d and the future entrance stairwell handrail, and so this required us to continue the finishing of the related cabinetry for the w/d and such, although we had to use some temporary bracing for the bar while fabricating...
Some folks have commented kindly as the work has progressed, and for that I thank everyone. A bit of review of the project rationale is in order, as my family's needs for space, privacy and utility required the conversion. Our special needs clients are adults but are really just like kids, and are pumped to travel in the "big bus", and they have already tried out the bunks, and are so exited! In the course of the search for a suitable coach, I really wanted and focussed on a higher end coach such as a Foretravel, Monaco, Country Coach or Beaver, as they generally had the items and quality we looked for. Safari also had some coaches that we really liked the floor plans and cabinetry, as well as the alloy coach works, but I was leery of the Velvet ride and Juice brakes on them. So at least we have a "Modern" drivetrain, and chassis that we are happy with in the Gulfstream, and we are happy so far with our choice of coach. Conversions such as we are doing are somewhat similar to " Bus Conversions", but none of them had the right blend of modern and mainstream mechanicals for us. Here in Canada, as I'm sure is similar in the U.S., things such as " Bus Conversions" can really run the extremes from the professional conversions for " stars and roadies" to the rather interesting creations usually built from an old school bus after reading Mother Earth News once too many times, along with having a good supply of old panelling from the "70s and a old wood stove or two. In Canada, the only real market for those things are ( in no particular order) old hippies, old prospectors, or French Canadian Fruit pickers. But I digress...
The lovely and talented wife stitched up a new set of drapes for the Master bedroom, and for the bunks
More pics tomorrow, project is being forced along as we are taking it ( with details not done I'm sure ) to the beautiful setting of Port Townsend and Port Hudson Marina and Rv park, starting next week...cant wait!
Great project! I'm looking to do something similar since I'm planning to full-time with my family of five. I've seen a lot of custom C's, bus conversions etc., but very few class A remodels. Your work looks great!
2007 Four Winds 5000 28A
Chevy Workhorse Chassis, 6.0L Vortec
Are you going to be traveling with the same two clients or different ones from time to time? I am sure your clients are very appreciative of what you are doing for them. It should be very rewarding for you.
So to finish this particular thread, I thought we would bring you up to date...We just came back from the Washington and BC coasts, covering some beautiful country. We went west from the Okanagan on Hwy 20 thru Washington Pass and spent the better part of a week in Port Townsend with several days in Vancouver BC before returning home. As for the coach project we have been documenting in this thread, we finished close enough for the trip and so I will end this project thread summing up our findings, as we still work out the bugs...We had really no mechanical issues, other than blowing an inner rear somewhere on the trip, and looking forward to finishing details of works in progress. The coach delivered about 9.5 MPG towing our Vitara, and was a real joy to drive especially up the grades, which in our last coach, a Fleetwood gas 33 foot worked hard to pull. So moving up to 38 feet of diesel happiness, with air ride and brakes not only gave us a far better ride and handling, but with an extra 5 feet, far more usable space, as well as 2 more MPG. The bunks worked out fab for our special needs folks, and they loved to be on the "tour bus". As they live with us full time, it was great to personalize each bunk for them, and still have lots of room for us and our espresso machine! Oh, by the way, the W/D installation worked out terrific, and it was so nice to put on a load, and get up or come back from an outing to dry laundry! If the bloody thing only would fold and put away as well! so this is the coach in Omak, on the way to the coast. Next up, finishing minor projects such as changing out the fuel transfer pump, a new upgraded exhaust system for the genny, and finishing the long list of minor projects started...thanks to all for their kind comments, and we will update some newer project under new threads. Cheers and happy RV'ing Darren
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