Our RV Reno Project!

Our RV Reno Project!

Have you ever been swept up in those Pinterest-style RV renos and thought... “I could do that!”. Well, us too! We wanted to dive in and see if it’s all that it’s cracked up to be. As an RV dealership, we recognize we have certain advantages; however, many of the challenges we will face will be the same. We want to take you along on this journey with us to discuss what red flags to look out for, how to choose your trailer, budgets, design, etc. We will learn a lot during this renovation, and we hope you will too!

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Our first task was to choose a trailer and decide what kind of camper we want to design the trailer for. Some layouts favour couples, while some are more accommodating for bigger families with kids. We created a team of staff within our East Edmonton location from various different departments to ensure a diverse group of people with different skills and ideas. Ultimately, our goal was to sell the trailer, so we created a vision that would appeal to a larger group of people. Your DIY trailer might look much different from ours, and that’s what makes it so special.

Don't miss the full video walkthrough at the bottom of this post!

Our team initially decided to choose a family-oriented unit with bunk beds because we know these units have excellent resale value. We then briefly got caught up in the trendiness of camper vans, Bohler styles, and we even went to see a vintage 1960s Airstream! The Camper Van lost out because we didn’t want to deal with an engine. The Bohlers were adorable, but we also knew the market for these was limited as they are smaller units. We all loved the Airstream, but after seeing it, we realized it needed some fairly extensive bodywork, which would have set us way over budget. This brings us to our first lesson.... 

Do your homework!

When searching for your perfect fit, it’s important to take your time- don’t rush into purchasing! It was surprisingly easy to find ourselves getting caught up in the buying process and falling in love with unique styles and ages, but it could have been a very expensive disaster had we not done our research. It’s better to know what you’re getting yourself into and what your intentions are before buying. Are you prepared to totally gut your unit? Do you have experience building cabinets and walls? Or are you looking for a solid unit that just needs minor cosmetic updates? A little paint and décor can go a long way sometimes!

 

We eventually settled on a trailer that one of our customers traded in for a newer unit. We saw SO much potential in this structurally sound Dutchmen travel trailer, perfect for couples. With a few updates and some elbow grease, we knew we could transform this unit into a modern travel trailer once again.

We inspected the exterior seals and structure to check for water damage. This is definitely the biggest issue with used units, so it was such a relief to see that only minor roof touch-ups were needed. The previous owners clearly performed regular maintenance, and it paid off. During our mechanical inspection, we found the propane regulator was at its limit for adjustments (water-column/pressure) which means that it needs to be replaced in order to be reliable. Otherwise, the axles, bearing & tires, appliances and the overall structure were all in great shape! Before tackling your job, have your unit carefully inspected for any water damage, mechanical issues, or structural issues. 

Follow along with Jamie Lee O’Neil, Arrkann East’s fixed operations manager (formally assistant service manager) and Nikita Hemmings, Arrkann East’s fixed operations dispatcher (formally service advisor) as they completely transform this trailer and share insight along the way.

 

View the full video walkthrough and end result here!