Phil Hendrix
Chicago area
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Joined: 02/02/2008
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Ever since we got our coach last summer my brother has become hooked on wanting to buy one himself but being the frugal/thrifty person that he is (his words)doesn't want to spend the money to get what he wants. He wants to try to find a 40-45' diesel coach that needs some extensive remodeling done to help keep the immediate purchase price down. Then put some sweat equity into it himself and then he says he also has the opportunity to make it just the way he wants. Now I will say if anyone can pull it off he can. He can do just about anything and loves doing this type of thing anyway.
I told him I would help him do some research. Anyone know of places to start?
Thanks,
Phil
1999 American Coach - Heritage 45' for some places
(And when we can't afford the fuel)
2007 Sprinter 2500 RV conversion for other places
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wallynm
Los Alamos NM
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Joined: 09/27/2000
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Tell him to look here
RV Salvage
He can get a real sweat equity unit plus a ready made parts bin.
They call it rebuildable inventory.
Phil Hendrix wrote:Ever since we got our coach last summer my brother has become hooked on wanting to buy one himself but being the frugal/thrifty person that he is (his words)doesn't want to spend the money to get what he wants. He wants to try to find a 40-45' diesel coach that needs some extensive remodeling done to help keep the immediate purchase price down. Then put some sweat equity into it himself and then he says he also has the opportunity to make it just the way he wants. Now I will say if anyone can pull it off he can. He can do just about anything and loves doing this type of thing anyway.
I told him I would help him do some research. Anyone know of places to start?
Thanks,
Phil
Have a Cat Engine Yahoo Group or Cat RV Club Web Page
Have a Freightliner Yahoo Group or FCOC Web Page
wallynm@yahoo.com
2002 DSDP 3567 PUSHED BY KITTY KAT
THOSE THAT DO NOT KNOW HISTORY ARE DOOMED TO REPEAT IT
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hershey
Albuquerque,(fulltime) NM, USA
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Joined: 06/04/2003
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Just go to Quartzsite in January. Nine out of ten converted buses are parked in the desert with a "FOR SALE" sign in the window. Some are past refurbishing but there are a lot that could be rebuilt.
hershey - albuquerque, nm
Someday Finally Got Here
My wife does all the driving - I just get to hold the steering wheel.
Expedition - Suzuki Grand Viagra
NASCAR 20 - - 99
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sonuvabug
Mid-Western, ON Canada
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Joined: 06/08/2006
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If he's done any shopping around at all, he'll soon realize there are lots of handyman special rigs for sale in need of "good hands".
eBay, Craigslist, your local RV dealers and private sellers via your local classifieds are all places to start looking.
You only have to go shopping for a used rig to realize how many sub-standard rigs there are out there for sale.
He should not have finding what he wants at a very affordable price. ~ bugjr ~
1993 Glendale Royal Classic Ford E350; 460EFI; E4OD;
Drives 26'/Sits 29' with rear slide; Michelin LTX/M&S; New Monroe "SC2955" Damper & anti-sway bar bushings; Rebuilt Rear Leafs; Bilstein B46-1613/14; Should be "pristine" by 2009 or 2010 or ... 
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BroncoRVer
8,600 feet elevation, Colorado
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Joined: 07/22/2005
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Several people on this furum have old coaches (older than 1990) that they have re-furbished and they like them. Ebay is a good place to look for these starter units.....
2006 Winnebago Voyage 35A, W-22
Brake Buddy, Aventa II tow bar, Protect-A-Tow
2005 Hyundai Elantra toad
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RVSnowbird
OR-NV-AZ-OR
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Joined: 10/21/2003
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Find out where repossessed rv's go.
The best deal I ever got was in 1987 on a 1985 35' Komfort T-Class 5th Wheel as it was stripped. The procedure was to examine the coaches during the week and turn in a bid by Friday. The high bidder is informed on Monday and has 24-hours to come up with the cash.
It was new and had never been lived in but stripped and put into a new storage on a pay first and last months rent special during which it couldn't be touched. It was missing the toilet, holding tanks, propane tanks, air conditioner, awning, night stands and all the drawer knobs and pulls. Altogether, approximately $2,500 to put it back together over the next year.
Google "repossessed rv" for a few ideas.
RVSnowbird
have you checked out the new RV.net Blogs yet?
Deceased 2/28/08 RIP
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beartruck
Madison, South Dakota
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Joined: 11/15/2006
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I've known people who have started with something way too old and abused to rebuild. It may be cheaper in the long run to get one in fairly good condition.
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Locomotiveman
Willmar, MN
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Joined: 03/07/2005
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Yes, I can. BusConversion Magazine. It deals in 'Total Conversions'. It's the BIBLE of real bus stuff...Prevosts, MCI, VanHool, and Eagles with 8V92 and 8V71 Detroit Engines. www.gobusing.com Ph#714 799-0062. Order 10 or 15 back issues as well to see some 'ongoing' conversions take shape. VERY interesting. Best 'real' magazine with classifieds. Then go to www.busnut.com for their $160 dollar library/DVD's of bus 'How-to'. Also excellent. Hope ya have lots of wrenches! Have fun.TOM
Locomotiveman..Yes I am a career cross-country Locomotive Engineer. Wife is an RN. We are CLOSE to retiring and 'downsized' to a Monaco Executive w/450hp Cummins and nice drapes. Locomotiveman
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Phil Hendrix
Chicago area
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Joined: 02/02/2008
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Hi Tom,
I did tell him about the Bus Conversion magazine/market. I tried that myself before I just decided to buy the present motorhome. Matter of fact I still stay in touch with the bus conversion forum...alot of great people there. I still get the magazine too. Might even get the guts to try again myself.
I think my brother is considering it as an option but was also wanting to look at starting with an RV because he would have a better chance of getting a unit with slideouts. I think he is willing to even start with a wrecked unit just as long as it makes sense when all factors are considered.
Thanks,
Phil
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keywester
Hamlin, TX
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Joined: 01/24/2004
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There are a lot of repossessed vehicles sold by banks who finance rv's. Bank of the West would be a good one to check. Give them your location and see if they don't have a couple close. Normally they are in pretty fair shape. They are mostly in need of minor repairs and a WHOLE lot of cleaning. They might even be willing to finance the unit again for your brother.
2007 Jayco Eagle 341 RLQS
2007 Dodge Ram 2500 w/6.7L Cummins
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