Cara P
Andover, MA
Full Member
Joined: 11/26/2007
View Profile
 Offline
|
We have owned our 1999 Coachmen Clipper 1260 for three seasons now and have decided to do some pretty serious modifications. We figure that we will own this camper for at least another five years, at which time it will have little to no trade-in value, so we may as well customize it to better suit our camping style and needs. We basically use our pop-up as a glorified tent that sits off the ground, can store our stuff and has electricity.
First, we have decided to remove the toilet/shower unit and install a custom-built dresser. In three years, we have NEVER used the toilet or the shower. We just can't imagine pulling the curtain and taking care of business in the camper! Instead, we keep the toilet closed and keep our suitcases on top of it. Putting in a dresser would help eliminate the "duffle-shuffle" and make good use of what is now wasted space.
While we are tearing out the bathroom, we will also put down some laminate flooring (Pergo, or the like). I'm not too worried about this one.
Finally, we would like to remove the sink (again, never used it . . . not even once) and install a small microwave oven in the flip-over cabinet. I'm a little concerned about flipping over the microwave, but I've seen others on this site who have done this mod, so I'm pretty sure it can be done.
Is there anything I need to be aware of before I start tearing out my bathroom? This will be our first major modifications on a camper, so I'm not really sure what to expect. My father-in-law and I are pretty handy and I'm confident that we can construct the new dresser (it will have to be just two drawers because of the height limitations). What do I need to know before I take out the toilet and shower? What about tubing, etc?
Has anybody else done a modification like this? If so, do you have pictures that you might share? We appreciate any ideas that you might have.
-- Derek and Cara
Cara
2 Parrotheads and 2 Parakeets
Happily back in Massachusetts
Go where your body and soul want to go. When you have the feeling, then stay with it, and don’t let anyone throw you off --Joseph Campbell
|
pete42
Jamestown, Ohio
Senior Member
Joined: 09/21/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
I would just be carefull in the removal somone might need it for their trailer.
|
Bumpyroad
Virginia
Senior Member
Joined: 12/01/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
check out recent thread "showers".
bumpy
|
rwm2_2000
Reynolds Ga
Senior Member
Joined: 03/24/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
I can't imagine REMOVING the bathroom but if U don't use it it would be fine but if U EVER sell the rv I would imagine it would drastically reduce the resale value.
|
jtbeck
Kentucky
Senior Member
Joined: 04/23/2008
View Profile
Offline
|
On the microwave flipping thing. I know it's obvious, but if you get one with the carousel feature, make sure that you remove the glass tray before you flip it! That could be ugly.
Me (69), DW (69), DD (95), DS (00), DS (01) and 1 camping toy fox terrier (08)
95 Fleetwood Utah, 02 Ford Explorer Limited (V8)
|
|
|
dparker
New Hampshire
New Member
Joined: 08/19/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
The camper is already 9 years old. We plan to keep it for at least another five years. At that point, with or without a bathroom, it's not going to have much re-sale value. Since we don't use it, we might as well find a way to make better use of the space.
As for the microwave, we will need to find a 0.6cu.ft. microwave. Most of them don't have the carousel glass plate feature. I'm sure at some point I would forget to take out the plate and it would break when I flipped over the countertop! :-)
I'm mostly concerned about damaging the camper itself when removing the bathroom. What about weight? A dresser will probably weigh a bit more than the bathroom. Is this a concern? I'm not going to be building with hardwoods, but it's still going to weight a little more. Should I be worried about this?
-- Derek (and Cara)
------------------------------------
Derek & Cara
2 young boys
1998 Coachmen Clipper 1260
2004 Chevy Trailblazer LT
|
mike4947
N. Syracuse, NY
Moderator
Joined: 08/26/2002
View Profile
Offline
|
The casette/shower unit most likely weights in the 100-150 pound range when the cassette is "full".
I would be very careful on removing it as it WILL have resale value. A new unit without installation now runs just over $1100 retail.
blog.rv.net Your daily guide to the Open Road
Subscribe to the daily digest
Want to sell some of your gear? -
Free Classified Listings on RV.Net
They say you learn by your mistakes, in that case I must be a genius.
|
monakayk
CO
Senior Member
Joined: 03/29/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
Just one suggestion, to remove the bathroom sounds fine to me if you never use it. If you ever do decide to resell...then it would be a quick fix...just to buy a potti potty and add it to the PUP later on. However what if some type of emergency arises and you need the sink? How about keeping the sink and make a flip-over top (with brackets that connect in the back of the sink to make it semi-permanent) counter to cover the sink. Then you can store items inside the sink area and close it up with the cover. Sort of a mini-storage area and also you have more counter space. You would only need to cut out the area around the faucet, but at least you would have a sink. This mod would at least leave you the option, if it ever does arise, for you to be able to sell the PUP and get some sort of decent price for it. Also you would have a sink if you ever do camp somewhere that it might be needed.Just a suggestion.
When you finish your mod...whatever you finally decide to do, please post photos/linked in this thread. I would love to see it finished.
Good luck!
HAPPY CAMPING!!
 MonaK
Fleetwood UTAH:Americana Series/Glideout Dinette Floor Plans
Photos of Camping Trips & Other PUPs We've Owned
Photos of our Current PUP
|
Bmach
Spfld, Ma
Senior Member
Joined: 08/26/2004
View Profile
|
Let me add that I would never buy a pup with a toilet and or shower. I would rather have the space so for me it would not lower the price. When we bought our HTT I would have loved to been able to get it without the shower but we could not.
|
Mike Up
NW Indiana section of Chicagoland
Senior Member
Joined: 05/29/2005
View Profile
|
It's your camper, so ultimately do what you want. I guess you're posting this as to get reassurance of your decision.
My advice is don't remove the bathroom or the sink. I know of no one who would use a trailer without a sink, and many who wouldn't without a toilet. Again, it's your trailer so my advise shouldn't hold much water.
However Pop Ups do hold their value, very well. A good 15 year old Pop up will fetch around $3000 here, and some are even more. A 10 year old Pop Up will fetch about $5000, as long as it's in good condition.
Pulling the bathroom out will seriously hamper value. No one likes a rig that's Jerry Rigged. Again, it's yours so it shouldn't matter.
As far as pulling the bathroom out, you already know what's in store just by looking into the cassette storage area. All those supports and bracing will have to come out. You'll also have to make that section of the floor level with the other, before you add new flooring. You'll need to plug all the plumping holes in the floor and side wall (drain vent) also. A lot of work for sure.
IMO, if it's even possible to find another PUP that's in as good of shape as yours, that you like as much, and that's less expensive, I'd sell yours and purchase another. That way you'll get the floorplan you like, maybe make a few bucks as shower models fetch high prices, and won't have all that extra work. Plus it won't be Jerry Rigged so it'll hold it value down the road should you want to sell it.
Myself, I won't have a camper without a toilet. The Porta potties are just such a pain, I made sure my current PUP had a cassette toilet.
Good luck in your decision and good luck in what ever you do.
Have a good one.
2008 Eureka Copper Canyon 1312
13'x12' Tent
2007 Starcraft 2406 Exterior
2007 Starcraft 2406 Interior
2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 4.6L V8 4X4
292 Hp, 300 lbs torque, 7000 lbs towing, 730 lbs hitch
Tow-N-See Convex Mirrors
|
|
|
