How to dismantle my Motorhome?

[Heebson]

I jest.

I’m still very new to owning a motorhome, but all my days I’ve been a keen DIYer (joinery, plumbing, electrics).

So, I’m quite keen to do some modifications, from the trivial (e.g. adding a hook) to more substantial (e.g. adding another solar panel). The thing is, I’m terrified about putting in a screw, let alone a drill a hole, in case I hit some embedded wire/pipe or damage the structure.

So, I was wondering if there were any general guides or videos showing how coachbuilt Motorhomes are put together? Where & how pipes & wires are generally run; what is the skeleton (if there is one) that could take a heavier load; what’s the shell made of; etc; etc. Obviously if there’s a guide to a 2019 Auto-Sleeper Neuvo, that would be just dandy

I often read something like “I took a feed from ceiling light and…” and am left wondering : how’d you find the wire? how’d you feed the wire to where it was needed!?

I‘ve changed OEM car stereos to CarPlay double dins, so I‘m ok with concept of popping trims and feeding wires - I just don’t know where to start in the Hab area!

Thanks in advance if anyone can help me out.

thnx,
Heeb

 

[Raul]

I can’t help with you specific model. But, YouTube has a allot of good info. You just need to filter trough to get the relevant content. There is a guy The wrinkly nomads, it’s a good start, and my kind of how to videos. Very informative. Like him there are lots of folk that share, and not for clicks.

 

[tonka]

Get on YouTube. Quiet a few video to show how motorhomes are built and also construction materials.
Also search caravan as well as motorhome as most of the build is very similar.

 

[DerryW]

Hello and Welcome Heebson.

Like you I too like to tinker with the MH. Can I be so rude as to suggest you state make and model of your pride and joy. There are no giveaways on your Avatar.

Sorry and apologies, just seen you have given those details.

 

[Thornebt]

The Autosleeper owners club has some technical info on its site and a technical help person who answers questions. It's about £20 a year membership.

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[pappajohn]

Best bet would be a quality cable/stud finder.
They work similar to a sonar/radar system.
While moving it along a wall or ceiling it will detect wiring or a wooden frame stud.
Outer walls are usually fibreglass or aluminium and an inner skin of thin ply or fibre board with a polystyrene core.
Internal walls are usually thin ply or fibreboard with little strength for screws etc.

 

[donkey]

I always consider using adhesive pads, if they are adequate then I don't need to drill any more holes.

Geoff

 

[Heebson]

The Autosleeper owners club has some technical info on its site and a technical help person who answers questions. It's about £20 a year membership.

Thanks for the tip. I use the general A-S Owners Forum, is there more info/support then on the Owners Club site then?

 

[PaulOH]

Have been stunned how thin the 'walls' are, and that they seem to be pretty consistent (and load bearing), so don't take apart lightly as to put back together as they may not always fit or look like you intended! Plastic moulded parts may not be replaceable and woodwork repairs will take up more room unless done with the same sorts of tool they put the van together with. Take apart only after lots of pix!!

 

[Heebson]

Best bet would be a quality cable/stud finder.
They work similar to a sonar/radar system.
While moving it along a wall or ceiling it will detect wiring or a wooden frame stud.
Outer walls are usually fibreglass or aluminium and an inner skin of thin ply or fibre board with a polystyrene core.
Internal walls are usually thin ply or fibreboard with little strength for screws etc.

I was wondering if my stud/wire detector would work or if there would be too many false-positives. Guess I can give it a try

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[Heebson]

I always consider using adhesive pads, if they are adequate then I don't need to drill any more holes.

Geoff

Yeah, I’ve used those for a couple of hooks on wood surface, but there’s a few areas on my van with material finish, not least the overcab bed area that has a soft, padded ‘wall’. I’d also like to mount clips for umbrella/walking poles that would probably be too much for the pads.

 

[Heebson]

Have been stunned how thin the 'walls' are, and that they seem to be pretty consistent (and load bearing), so don't take apart lightly as to put back together as they may not always fit or look like you intended! Plastic moulded parts may not be replaceable and woodwork repairs will take up more room unless done with the same sorts of tool they put the van together with. Take apart only after lots of pix!!

Lol, yep - there’s always a moment of terror when popping a trim off, even when I’ve watched a video walk thru - then I see pictures of vans with the ceiling hanging open to route new cables!

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

Isn't there a John something? who does some very helpful videos, on how NOT to do a job!!
Mike.

 

[Otter Spotter]

The way most coachbuilts are made which is cabinets fitted to floor with services threaded in and out if them, then the walls and roof slapped on around the cupboards/shower room etc, they are not built to be pulled about, so you need someone who knows your make to guide you.

 

[Otter Spotter]

Isn't there a John something? who does some very helpful videos, on how NOT to do a job!!
Mike.

Don’t go there, he doesn’t even know how to use his ‘Gadgets’

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[Wildbill]

Google is your friend but don't believe everything you see.
Bill

 

[Stealaway]

Often wooden walls are not wood at all. Often only a sandwich of thin ply and polystyrene.
Glue wooden battens to the walls with good double sided tape and screw to that .

 

[Heebson]

So, per advice, I’ve now watched a few videos on how modern coachbuilts are constructed.

WOW!

I now see that there’s really nothing run ‘in’ the walls/ceilings like a house (I now realise that some of the photos I’ve seen must be from PVCs). It’s also clear that most of the interior installations and cable/pipe runs are done before walls/ceiling is even on, so the idea of finding & reusing them is at best optimistic.

I guess this has been both reassuring and disappointing!

thanks for the pointers,
Heeb

 

[PaulOH]

So, per advice, I’ve now watched a few videos on how modern coachbuilts are constructed.

WOW!

I now see that there’s really nothing run ‘in’ the walls/ceilings like a house (I now realise that some of the photos I’ve seen must be from PVCs). It’s also clear that most of the interior installations and cable/pipe runs are done before walls/ceiling is even on, so the idea of finding & reusing them is at best optimistic.

I guess this has been both reassuring and disappointing!

thanks for the pointers,
Heeb

Agree that it is a bit daunting to see it like this and realise that it appears only specialists can dismantle refit and rebuild. However there is a positive here, because if you search about, you'll find many stories on here of inadequate materials related to plumbing, electrics and sealing, even on quite new vehicles. You as the (handy) owner could - for example - dsconnect and leave inaccessible wiring etc., inert and substitute new, up-to-the-job installations which you can have confidence will do what you need and be 100%more accessible (and understood). Okay, it might be surface mounted, but that's better than flush fit&burned out!