Building a "Mini" - Fun Mover/Toy Hauler Class C RV

2TrickRick
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2TrickRick
Edited Date/Time 10/27/2022 10:44am
I did the unthinkable last year and sold my Box Truck I converted into a hualer.. Sad




Now I need another for Vintage Racing and after looking at what's on the market I'm going in another direction.



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2TrickRick
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2TrickRick 8/29/2022 9:09am
8/29/2022 9:09am
The Box Truck market is pretty crazy in Michigan (still) people are asking 5K for a rusted-out truck that needs work and the rockers rusted out. The Fun Movers on the market seemed overpriced and the ones priced reasonable already have enough leaks on the overhead to need a major overhaul.

So I found a 1996 Fleetwood 22ft Class C RV with 46k - figured this would be a great base to start with. The Fleetwoods offer steel framing in the rear and a compact design. It was clean, runs good and everything works.









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2TrickRick
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2TrickRick 8/29/2022 9:13am
8/29/2022 9:13am
This is the plan..

1 - Cut the RV and save as much as possible - I want to reuse as much of the wood and cabinets so when Im finished it looks like it was built that way.

2 - Have the small rear garage hold 2 full size bike and have a flip down work area.

3 - Keep everything that works - Fridge, Bathroom, A/C unit, Genny and water.
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2TrickRick
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2TrickRick 8/29/2022 9:20am
8/29/2022 9:20am
Step 1 - Start removing everything inside..





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2TrickRick
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2TrickRick 8/29/2022 9:25am
8/29/2022 9:25am
I'm amazed how cheaply RV's are built - Fleetwood's are known for "quality", if that's the case I would hate to see a "cheaper model"

But I was able to save most all the wood panel and cabinets., The refrigerator was the only thing that I was building around, the rest of the stuff can be moved.












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The Shop

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2TrickRick
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2TrickRick 8/29/2022 9:32am
8/29/2022 9:32am
The bathroom location was determined by the electrical, existing plumbing and vent Ines. I'm not worried about the black water tank location as the new toilet will be a marine unit that "pumps" uphill, downhill or sideways. I'll just run the line wherever it needs to be.

The shower will be moved in the "garage" area and drain straight into the gray tank. I dont really camp of stay at the track so a "outdoor" wall shower in the garage will work fine for washing off after a mud race if needed.







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2TrickRick
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2TrickRick 8/29/2022 9:45am
8/29/2022 9:45am Edited Date/Time 8/29/2022 9:45am
I reused the old bathroom overhead, but I was a little short, so I repurposed a couple of the old kitchen shelves.

The old walls were nothing more that 1 x 2's turned sideways with paneling on both sides (amazed they hold togther) - I was going to use 2x2 metal framing studs but they only had the 10ft lengths and I could not waste 3ft per stud as Im trying to do this for under 1000.00. So I went with 2x3's

Each joint was glued, screwed and plated - should be good.







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2TrickRick
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2TrickRick 8/29/2022 9:53am
8/29/2022 9:53am
Quick trip to our local Habitat for Humanity and I was able to score the perfect color cabinet for $50 bucks.

The 12volt wiring was a trip.. I'm use to working on my boats and if a yellow wire with red strip leaves the panel (or switch) it suns that color till the fixture. not so with RVs - they used whatever color they had. Couple lights left the panel green/yellow and ended red, purple and I think a blue..

But you can see I used the old panel off the dinette set on this wall to "match"

Lots of L brackets have been used to offer extra support









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2TrickRick
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2TrickRick 8/29/2022 10:03am
8/29/2022 10:03am
The " used base" cabinet was 24" wide, I needed it 21" wide- so I cut a few inches off the back to make it fit. I also needed to take apart each draw, cut off 3" and reassemble. The rails needed to be cut also..

The counter was also cut down and I was able to remove the back-splash, cut it and reuse.

Still on Budget $$







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FarleyMX25
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FarleyMX25 8/29/2022 6:22pm
8/29/2022 6:22pm
Awesome project!
Pirate421
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Pirate421 8/29/2022 6:49pm
8/29/2022 6:49pm
This is great. I’ve always wanted a class C. My wife says when I retire we can get one and hit all the nationals and whatever stuff she wants to see if course. You didn’t want to just build out an enclosed trailer for the garage?
183Matt
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183Matt 8/29/2022 9:26pm
8/29/2022 9:26pm
Awesome project!
lumpy790
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lumpy790 8/30/2022 7:10am
8/30/2022 7:10am
There are a couple C Fun Movers listed in the Facebook Four Winds and Thor fun mover group.
2TrickRick
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2TrickRick 8/31/2022 9:55am
8/31/2022 9:55am
Maybe leave it all White, or maybe a basic wrap... unsure.






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2TrickRick
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2TrickRick 8/31/2022 10:00am
8/31/2022 10:00am
lumpy790 wrote:
There are a couple C Fun Movers listed in the Facebook Four Winds and Thor fun mover group.
I like the idea of a smaller, nibble RV/Hauler, most Fun Movers (four winds) are 31ft.

Plus, it seems they all leak in the overhead and start to delaminate, and I just didn't want to spend 20k on a project.

2TrickRick
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2TrickRick 8/31/2022 10:04am
8/31/2022 10:04am
I used lots of loctite power grab! On the panel, trim.. anything and everything. I want to bind this into one large piece.






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2TrickRick
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2TrickRick 8/31/2022 10:08am
8/31/2022 10:08am
The floor was bought from Menards (on sale of course) - It seems to match the 90's "Oak" while giving the inside a updated look.

Its Vinyl laminate flooring (snap lock) - I used silicone to hold it down with a couple finish nails in each board. These style floors are designed to "float" but I found if you allow them to "float" on a RV or boat they just come apart, so I turned it into one big floor..



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38special
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38special 8/31/2022 10:11am
8/31/2022 10:11am
Great thread - just like your recent YZ490 thread.

I'd vote for a basic wrap. Plain white does not look good with the windows, IMO.
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2TrickRick
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2TrickRick 8/31/2022 10:26am
8/31/2022 10:26am
Once the floor was finished up I started on the couch area - The old couch was up on legs with a Gas Furnace, Water tanks and some other hardware under it.

The new couch is a FlexSteel with no room under it, so I needed to make room - First Furnace was removed. I don't like the idea of a little gas fireplace under a flammable couch ... so if I need heat I'll just plus in a small electric heater.

Next was the water tank.. thats going under the new counter.

I built a 4" base to raise the couch a little to clear the wheel-well and each section got 3 pcs of 1" hard insulation foam for sound and carpeted up 3 pcs of 3/8 for the couch to bolt to.






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Pit Row

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2TrickRick
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2TrickRick 8/31/2022 10:34am
8/31/2022 10:34am
38special wrote:
Great thread - just like your recent YZ490 thread.

I'd vote for a basic wrap. Plain white does not look good with the windows, IMO.
Before I wrap it, I may just black tint all the windows just to see how it looks. I'm not against the plain white and have seen a few that looks pretty cool.

It will be a "wait and see" decision



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2TrickRick
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2TrickRick 8/31/2022 10:41am
8/31/2022 10:41am
Pirate421 wrote:
This is great. I’ve always wanted a class C. My wife says when I retire we can get one and hit all the nationals and whatever...
This is great. I’ve always wanted a class C. My wife says when I retire we can get one and hit all the nationals and whatever stuff she wants to see if course. You didn’t want to just build out an enclosed trailer for the garage?
nothing wrong with a small cargo trailer, I used one at Vintage Days, But I like the idea of small and compact.
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183Matt
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183Matt 8/31/2022 6:19pm
8/31/2022 6:19pm
Black and grey wrap looks good!
2TrickRick
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2TrickRick 9/1/2022 7:38am
9/1/2022 7:38am Edited Date/Time 9/1/2022 7:39am
Keeping moving... I wasn't going to try and remove the old walls inside if they had no damage, but I sure wasnt going to keep the soft blue colors..

I used Zinsser B-I-N Primer/sealer to give the new peel and stick wallpaper something clean to adhere to, the wallpaper was a "inexpensive" Amazon prime find.. doing my best to stay on budget.








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183Matt
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183Matt 9/1/2022 8:32am
9/1/2022 8:32am
What’s the plan for the bike access door?
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2TrickRick
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2TrickRick 9/1/2022 8:37am
9/1/2022 8:37am
183Matt wrote:
What’s the plan for the bike access door?
Not really sure on that..

Ramp style door off the side so I can re-use the old exterior wall, so everything matches.
or
Find or build a 36" door and screen and open up the existing entrance door..

Still lots of questions that need to be answered with this one..


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Falcon
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Falcon 9/1/2022 2:30pm
9/1/2022 2:30pm
Cool project. I'd be a little worried about the weight of all your garage "stuff" hanging out behind the rear axle, though. Make sure to load it lightly! Bikes, air compressor, tools, chemicals, gearbags, stands, etc. can all add up.
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2TrickRick
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2TrickRick 9/2/2022 8:47am
9/2/2022 8:47am
Falcon wrote:
Cool project. I'd be a little worried about the weight of all your garage "stuff" hanging out behind the rear axle, though. Make sure to load...
Cool project. I'd be a little worried about the weight of all your garage "stuff" hanging out behind the rear axle, though. Make sure to load it lightly! Bikes, air compressor, tools, chemicals, gearbags, stands, etc. can all add up.
definitely a concern and something I took into consideration when I started.

The plus is the Fleetwood is a steel chassis and a little stronger than others (but its no box truck)

I removed almost 500lbs so far off the back end and Im watching the weight of everything that goes back in, plus the RV came with air shocks (bonus)
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2TrickRick
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2TrickRick 9/2/2022 8:50am
9/2/2022 8:50am
Amazon peel and stick 3D tile on the kitchen counter wall.

The wall was clean and primed before application and I really recommend this product! looks great and sticks like 3M on steroids. !


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2TrickRick
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2TrickRick 9/2/2022 9:12am
9/2/2022 9:12am
The couch was stuffed into place and the last little door/wall was built.






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Sandusky26
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Sandusky26 9/2/2022 12:26pm
9/2/2022 12:26pm
I don’t think those floors are going to do well with the seams close together and nailed down, they need to float.

2TrickRick
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2TrickRick 9/2/2022 2:41pm
9/2/2022 2:41pm
Sandusky26 wrote:
I don’t think those floors are going to do well with the seams close together and nailed down, they need to float.

We did it on a buddy boat (bigger fly bridge) and it's been holding up for the past 3 seasons, but this is a cheaper material so maybe that will hurt it..

but if it comes apart, I'll redo it, it was only 75$
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