Expert report by Overland Explorer Vehicles owner, Mark Cymbaluk, on his brand-new rig featuring a 1965 Chevy and an OEV Summit.
The first generation of Sprinter 3500 came with small 15 inch wheels which look ridiculous. Installing bigger tires will improve the look of your van a lot.
Discover the wonders of Lousios Gorge, Greece: an exhilarating hike revealing clifftop monasteries, breathtaking scenery, and ancient ruins.
As a child, she constantly followed her father, a skilled contractor around, and the skills she picked up now come to good use when she restores old vintage campers.
This in depth guide provides first hand insight into the pros and cons around buying and travelling in an older used van versus a new van for van life. We will help you choose the best vehicle for a camper van or overlanding, and save you money, and time by not buying the wrong vehicle.
Insulating a camper for winter living is important to protect your RV from damage and yourself from the cold! Here are 12 DIY tips on how to insulate a camper for winter use that are a must-read!
This 1949 Traveleer was left to rot in someone's backyard...until the crew at Vintage Camper Trailers decided to give it new life.
Image 24 of 30 from gallery of Old & New House / Objekt Architecten. Photograph by Ypsilon Business Photography
We replaced the funky old carpet in our fifthwheel and installed all new cork backed faux hardwood planks! Its like a brand new space!
We did a full renovation on our camper and gave it a coastal makeover! Come see everything we did in this camper remodel from the wallpaper, to the peel and stick tile backsplash, to painting the RV cabinets and walls, and so much more!
You enter your camper and WHAM – the smell hits you: that musty, old, sorta wet FUNK. It may be common, but it’s not overly pleasant. We have a super easy hack for how we have kept our camper smelling…
As more and more people are choosing to live and travel in converted vans, many van conversion companies have sprung up to serve their needs.
The couple struck a balance between old and new, freshening up the Jayco’s interior while also embracing original elements so it retained its retro charm. Photo 2 of 14 in Budget Breakdown: A 1988 Jayco Motor Home Gets a Gleaming Retrofit for $5,700. Browse inspirational photos of modern homes.
Mobile home paneling is beautiful when it is brand new. However, over the years it fades and becomes dull. The finish gets damaged, and it begins to bow and to warp. Removing the paneling from the walls of a mobile home is the only way to add new insulation in older mobile homes.
Why we bought a 41 year old Apache Camper
True to the Timex archives, this MK1 stainless steel 36mm has been enhanced with a 20-jewel hand-wound movement. It gives an old-fashioned interpretation to their first Camper model from the 80’s. Wind the crown until you feel a slight resistance — this is best done at the same time each day to keep the watch continually running. This new mechanical watch is also water-resistant up to 50 meters, and features a military-inspired, two-piece tan leather strap. Stainless Steel Case Tan Leather Strap Cream Dial Gold Hands, Indexes Crown Mechanical Hand-Wound Movement Acrylic Domed Crystal Water-Resistant Up to 50m 36mm Case 18mm Lug
RV Renovations (or motorhome renovations if you're in the UK, Australia or NZ) have captured by attention with how these talented owners can take a tired, and usually brown, RV/motorhome and turn it into their own comfortable, yet stylish, home on wheels.
This week I have made great inroads into using the caravan for its intended purpose as a workshop space – I have made a table. This is my version of a desk until I sort something else out at …
A new generation of do-it-yourselfers is bringing back a trend that started long ago with classic Volkswagens: turning standard vans into full-featured campers.
How to age wood in five simple steps! The best technique for a realistic, rustic aged wood look. Make your new furniture look old!
You enter your camper and WHAM – the smell hits you: that musty, old, sorta wet FUNK. It may be common, but it’s not overly pleasant. We have a super easy hack for how we have kept our camper smelling…
This post may contain affiliate links to support the upkeep of this blog - at no extra cost to you! Please read my disclaimer for more info.Whether you’ve been driving your trusted companion for a while or you have just bought a new (for you) motorhome, your rig might be in need of an update. Don’t have too much stash stored away? No worries! With these tips, you’ll get your camper up to date even with a low budget. A complete makeover might seem like a daunting task, but even small updates make a big difference. With just a few rolls of vinyl sticky back plastic/contact paper for instance, you can refresh your RV kitchen in minutes. You Might Also Be Interested In► Our $140 Budget Rv Reno – Before & After► 80 Jaw-Dropping Rv Bathroom Renovations► 15 Fresh And Easy Rv Bathroom Makeover Ideas 1 – Use a bit of paint This is one of my favorite ways of updating any space, was it in an RV or a house. Paint doesn’t cost a fortune, you can see results quickly and especially light colors brighten up space quickly. See below how Meredith from The Palette Muse transformed her camper with a bit of paint. She did the camper makeover as a $100 room makeover – hundred dollars, one month. I don’t know about you, but I think she did a phenomenal job. She also painted her own hexagon backsplash. You’ll find her tutorial here. If you’d prefer a subway tile or Herringbone, see my tutorial here. 2 – Update your upholstery and dated fabrics One of the easiest ways to spot camper’s age is from it’s upholstery. If you are not fan of 70’s flowers, 80’s neon colors, 90’s abstract shapes or early 2000’s muddy colors, give your upholstered furniture a makeover. Sometimes just a throw over helps, but you could also make your own slipcovers, like Little Llewellyn made hers or just buy a new one from Amazon or Ikea. Below is a “before and after” photo of Ashley’s RV in her blog Domestic Imperfection, where she has a tutorial on how to reupholster RV cushions… without sewing! For a quick update get some cozy throws and cushions, like these camper themed cushions from Amazon. DON´T MISS How to DIY Faux Tile in an RV or a Camper - Subway and HerringboneIf your RV couch has really seen it’s best days, it could be worth the investment to buy a new one. For a more budget-friendly option you could look from normal furniture shop as the purpose made sofas can be very expensive and ” a normal sofa” will do as fine, as long as it fits in and it’s not overly heavy. For example, check out Ikea’s modular Vallentuna sofa series. 3 – Add some wallpaper (or remove it!) Wallpaper can make it or break it. One of the easy ways to get rid of the outdated look is to remove your wallpaper borders and/or paint the walls. Or if you like wallpaper, try some modern design like Flipping Wendy used on her camper ceiling! 4 – Update your knobs, handles and taps/faucets It’s incredible how much just changing the kitchen cabinet handles transforms the space. Do the same to your internal doors and bedroom cabinets. Buy new ones or just give the old ones a lick of paint. Another instant uplift to your kitchen or a toilet is to change your faucets or just paint them. Swipe below to see Chenae’s RV toilet transformation. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Chenae | Fifth Wheel Farmhouse (@fifthwheelfarmhouse) on Sep 29, 2019 at 6:23pm PDT 5 – Install a new backsplash There are so many ways to update your RV kitchen backsplash. Easy and cheap ways are but not limited to; painting one, wallpapering, using peel and stick tiles, using similar contact paper as on the countertop, or using a sheet of stainless steel. You can also use normal tiles, (if the area is not very large, remember the weight!) but use flexible grout. Some great examples below: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Full Time RV • Travel (@affinity_rv) on Jun 24, 2019 at 3:12pm PDT View this post on Instagram A post shared by KERMIT & TRINITY (@kermitandtrinity) on May 28, 2018 at 1:05pm PDT View this post on Instagram A post shared by Florence the Airstream Machine (@florence_the_airstreammachine) on Sep 11, 2018 at 4:14pm PDT View this post on Instagram A post shared by Full Time RV • Travel (@affinity_rv) on Nov 28, 2018 at 5:08pm PST 6 – Update the countertops For a more sophisticated look, update your kitchen countertops. If you install a real wooden one, it looks beautiful and lasts you a long time. It is a bit more expensive and heavier though, so for a light and cheap option keep an eye out for a laminate one. If you are on even lower budget, try painting them, or use contact paper. View this post on Instagram A post shared by summer & david (@rollingkirks) on Jul 25, 2019 at 4:04pm PDT 7 – Update your lighting Updating your lampshades makes a massive difference. Also, not only for new fresh looks, swapping to LED lighting saves your valuable battery, but is also very bright. So ditch your old dim lights and swap to LED. Mountain Modern Life has a handy guide on how to update your RV lighting. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Full Time RV • Travel (@affinity_rv) on Jul 9, 2019 at 4:40pm PDT 8 – Refresh your window coverings Another often overlooked element in interior design, that can easily update the whole space, is window coverings. Vehq has listed a few different curtain ideas for RVs and Ditching Suburbia shows on his tutorial here how to update the curtains without sewing for less than $100. View this post on Instagram A post shared by SAM + DAN || Canyon & Ember (@wearedanandsam) on Dec 16, 2019 at 7:22pm PST View this post on Instagram A post shared by SAM + DAN || Canyon & Ember (@wearedanandsam) on Jan 21, 2020 at 11:06am PST 9 – Add more curtains Curtains are not only for windows! For example, replacing awkward doors with some heavy drape curtains makes a statement. View this post on Instagram A post shared by LeeAnn《RV lifestyle》 (@leeannieblivin) on Mar 27, 2019 at 9:19am PDT Here is another example from our RV. I changed the top alcove curtains to longer ones, for two reasons; firstly make the space appear larger and secondly for a bit of “wow-factor”, to remind me a bit more of a house than an RV. Underneath between the cockpit and living area, there is another curtain for privacy when we need it but don’t want to close the long curtains. 10 – Add plants View this post on Instagram A post shared by Full Time RV • Travel (@affinity_rv) on Oct 26, 2019 at 7:28am PDT Some greenery provides an instant refresher – they make the space feel so calming and cozy, they purify the air, reduce your stress levels, and just look great. Read everything you need to know about plants in an RV here. 11 – Add art & mirrors One way to make your space feel like home, is to add some art and other personal pieces on the walls. How about a gallery wall with photos from your travels? You could also use mirrors to create an illusion of space. View this post on Instagram A post shared by BETHANY | RV LIVING 🤍 (@simplecatlady) on Jun 15, 2019 at 9:04am PDT Again, here is our van. Small picture frames really added a homely feel to this space. However, a top tip: Attach the background also with double-sided tape, otherwise when you drive, the picture frames will make black stripes onto your wall, especially if they are white…….. 12 – Update your floors This may require a bit higher investment compared to the other ideas on this list, but replacing the floors, especially if the old ones are pink, worn carpets with smoke burns, makes such a difference it can’t be ignored! See this handy tutorial from Mountain Modern Life here. Thanks for reading. I hope you got some inspiration for your own project, and as always, I’d love to hear how you’ve transformed your RV on a budget! You Might Also Be Interested In►OUR $140 Budget Rv Reno – Before & After►80 Jaw-Dropping Rv Bathroom Renovations►15 Fresh And Easy Rv Bathroom Makeover Ideas Pin me for later!
If you don't have two tubes of caulking and a piece of plexiglass laying around it will cost you a few dollars more. You may remember what I started with, this tiny 22 by 24 inch shower with a tiny 22 by 24 inch shower curtain rail. What you did not know, is that the shower stall was wobbly and needed to be re-caulked around the top because there was a big gap where water could go down into the wall. It also had a pair of bizarre and totally useless soap dishes that got in the way. Before I replaced the shower walls, I started out by bending the shower curtain rail into a better shape. Post & pictures here! UPDATE: We've been on the road a week and the shower curtain configuration works great! It actually stays in the shower pan better because we are not constantly pushing against it while we wash. I saw a forum post where someone upgraded their shower starting with a $20 piece of plastic wall panel from home depot. So I saw an opportunity to completely fix my shower! For $20! (this is not an affiliate link, but I want to make sure you know what I'm talking about. When you go to the store you have to know what you want or they can't find it. You don't want the $40 rigid plastic) First step, remove the old shower enclosure. This was really simple because after I drilled out the plastic rivets it was held to the wall with three strips of double-sided tape. Measure the space, and cut the plastic approximately to size. Test fit it into the shower enclosure. I had to cut some off the bottom of each side because something's not square. Of course, nothing is ever square anywhere when you're remodeling. It's better to leave a little gap for expansion and movement while traveling than it is to get it absolutely tight. Second step, add support for the new rounded corner I plan to put in. I ripped one corner of a 2x4 on a 45 degree angle, cut it into sections and glued it to the wall with a little "liquid nails" adhesive. I made the top piece of wood long because I intend to screw the shower head support into it and I did not want it to split. I sanded them so they wouldn't have sharp areas rubbing on the plastic when the trailer was in motion (and because I'm a sanding fool!! I love sanding LOL) Third, apply adhesive of your choice to the walls. They recommend a water based adhesive. I used a good quality adhesive caulk which is technically a water based adhesive, because that's what I had. If you have to buy something, you may want to buy what they recommend. But, I assumed since they originally built this thing with three strips of double sided tape, and the new enclosure will be resting on the shower pan, it's not going to take a lot to hold it up. If it does in fact start to peel away from the wall, I bought some stainless steel screws and I will put them around the edges. Fourth, slap that bad boy in there. Try to line it up as best you can before the caulking or adhesive grabs lol. Use a rolling pin to roll really hard on all the surfaces to spread the adhesive around and make sure it gets a good grip. If you have any spots along the base that won't stay flat, prop a board or something against them to hold them down until the glue has time to set. Fifth, caulk all the edges. Now here's the trick to gain precious inches - Screw your shower head into the CORNER of the shower stall. Instead of standing across the width of the tiny shower, you will now be facing corner to corner and gaining a lot of space. Okay, not a TON of space, but a 10"-12" which makes a huge difference! Instead of standing on the short 24-inch side we are now standing on the almost 36 inch diagonal. Use some stainless steel screws along the top if you put hooks on the wall, because they will probably cause the plastic to pull down a little. Stand back and admire your beautiful new shower that only cost you 20 bucks! Yes that is light from heaven shining down on my beautiful new shower. I can almost hear the angels singing. Make sure you have THIS SHOWER HEAD: (affiliate link will take you right to it) I can shower for 10 minutes with this shower head and not run out of hot water! It really feels like a lot of water and it's not. The shower head mixes air with the water and makes it work much more efficiently. Seriously - you have to get one! In addition I made a splash guard, to keep the water going the right direction because the new shower stall is a bit wider than the pan. It is simply a piece of plexiglass cut into basically an L shape. There happens to be a screw on the outside corner of the shower pan that I used to hold the splash guard in place, and then it's securely caulked. I didn't want to attach it too well at this point because I'm not sure if it's going to get in the way of anything, and I may end up removing it. However, I think it's going to work just great! One last note, on camper showers there is a ring that the hose goes through to hold it up while you shower so it doesn't turn the valve off on the sink. We often use our shower head to fill buckets, wash dogs, etc. It was irritating to have to remove the shower head every time I wanted to move the hose. So I replaced it with a metal coat hook... Works great!! And just in time because someone has been chasing ducks and needs a bath! Now! Go Play Outside! I
With these creative DIY ideas, you can update your kitchen cabinets without replacing them. Try these easy ways to refresh cabinets with paint, molding, inserts, and new hardware.
Who doesn't love having a private, tranquil spot in their own backyard to relax and unwind? Creating a private oasis in your outdoor space allows you to enjoy the beauty of nature without feeling exposed to the outside world. Installing a privacy screen is one of the easiest and most budget-friendly ways to carve out
French artist Benedetto Bufalino (previously) brings functional fun to existing objects that were built with practicality as a primary objective. Since transforming a cement mixer truck into a disco on wheels back in 2016, Bufalino has continued to create unique urban interventions out of cars, phone booths, and other vehicles and objects from daily life. While some of his creations are meant to be observed as structures (like his modified aquariums), others are built to be used. More
We're taking a look at pop top caravan renovations for design inspiration and to see if we need to do anything differently for a pop-top.
How to install RV flooring step by step from removing original flooring to choosing new flooring to installing new RV flooring.
For twenty years, Little Guy has been producing old camper designs in new and exciting ways. Let's see what makes these teardrops stand out!
