Pulled the Apache outside so that it could be fully raised, the only way to reinstall the galley tops, and test the water system (with the sink upright). Galley tops were a bit fiddly to get the joint between the two pieces to be thin/narrow and even. Cannot explain why this was necessary since no … Continue reading May 1 through ….

Only as little work done, as other stuff got in the way. But the utility (propane, electricity) storage shelf on the tongue, holding the propane and batteries pack, is complete. A fun project that allowed time to: 1) teach, learn and practice welding, and  2) justify purchase of more tools. The result: The rings were … Continue reading Through April 19

Fabricated (Patrick learns to cut and MIG weld steel) new battery box and propane shelf for tongue. Box to hold two 6 volt deep cycle golf cart batteries. Box located in center of the treadplate platform. Room for two 20 cf propane cylinders; one on each side. To fab and add two 8” dia. rings … Continue reading Late March thru April 9

Spent mostly of the week taking on structural and cosmetic repair to the ABS road cover, bed ends, etc. Had never done BS repairs before using MEK, but its a pretty quick learn.  Created a slurry of liquid ABS (“LABS”) by mixing ABS shards with MEK 50/50. Most of the structural work was done by … Continue reading ABS Repairs & other stuff (Mar 11-16)

The finishing (well almost - the vent fan still needs to be installed) work on the electrical service was completed. Fabricated the “control panel” that takes the place of the OEM DC converter) and wired the panel up to all the loose ends dangling in the utility closet under the galley. Tedious but mostly without … Continue reading Electrical Wrap – Up (Mar 4 -7)

The original thinking regarding plumbing the sink was that a 3 way faucet (manual pump, city water under pressure, storage tank pump supplied pressure) was the way to go. It seemed to provide maximum flexibility. But once the part arrived no one liked either what it looked like or how it would work with the … Continue reading The Faucet Saga

New laminate was applied to the galley tops as well as the front dinette table. A new oval mini table was fabricated to take the place of the long-gone gaucho table. (It was thought that there was no need for the additional sleeper that the convertible gaucho table provided.) The biggest challenge was fitting all … Continue reading Countertops (Feb 25 – Mar 3)

The Ramada came with a mixture of OEM and suspected PO-supplied plywood seating. And one piece just missing. Decided to replace all of it with new plywood. Discussion ensued on what to do with the Gaucho - build to fold/unfold into a bed, or just serve as a bench. The decision, after looking at the … Continue reading “Furniture” (Bench seating)- (Feb 18-23)

Both the plumbing (water supply to sink, sink drain) and all electrical (battery eliminator, 12VDC supply) are being replaced. Plumbing: A pump was added to provide positive pressure to the sink faucet. The bulkhead city water fitting was replaced, and a check valve that integrates the city water line with the storage tank-supplied water was … Continue reading Plumbing and Electrical (Feb 12-16)

Removal of the cracked and stiff with age OEM seal just required pliers and tugging it out of its aluminum track. However, installing the new seal was a different matter. The folks at the ACPS suggest trimming the leading edge of the new seal to a “point”. Soapy water was also suggested. Use of a … Continue reading Replacement of the seal/gasket over bed end (Feb 11)