| Author | Message | ||
| Bob (Bobb) (69.19.5.78)
Rating: N/A |
Well I'm at that stage where I need to give serious thought to a floorplan.. so here it is: http://www.shadowhost.com/mci/ Please have a look, and give me your comments and suggestions! Thanks, Bob ps.. does anyone have rv symbols that would work with turbocad, that they would want to share? | ||
| Phil Dumpster (12.230.214.167) Rating: N/A |
Good floor plan but... Generally, you want the toilet to drop straight down into the black tank. Since the standard location for sewage dump is on the left side of the coach, preferably just in front of the rear wheels, you'll want to locate the black tank in this area. Otherwise, you run a chance of solids getting hung up in the plumbing. So, flip your bathroom design so the stool is on the driver's side of the coach and you should be fine. If you plan to use a combined grey/black water system, you should treat all waste as black. | ||
| J.L.Vickers (209.34.15.19) Rating: N/A |
Phil,Is right on the bathroom. I question the dishwasher but if the Boss Lady wanted a dishwasher you better let her have the dishwasher. I think a stand alone icemaker might be the thing that would rate higher than a dishwasher. Just a thought on my part. | ||
| Peter E (64.50.1.99) Rating: N/A |
for my use I would like a larger pantry and more space for clothing... I would move the bedroom wall forward to get closet space and go to a love seat to get the pantry area | ||
| DaveD (142.46.199.18)
Rating: N/A |
We have an 18" built in (Sears) dishwasher in our conversion and it works great. It has all the features of a 24" dishwasher. My wife was a little skeptical when I wanted to include a dishwasher, but now she wouldn't be without it. I would go for a little more room at the foot of the bed if possible. Dave Dulmage (MC-8) | ||
| DonTX/KS (66.82.9.27)
Rating: N/A |
We put a full size Maytag dishwasher in ours, never considered any other option really. We have a small one in the house, they are much more costly than full size, hard to find, and generally inadequate. Rather than waste space on an icemaker, we used a full size house refrigerator with icemaker in the freezer portion, would sure do it that way again in a heartbeat. On the stool location, I had mine on the passenger side of the bus, but the combined blac/grey tank went from side to side of the bay, so it made no difference which side the stool was on, put drains on both sides of the bus, NEVER used the pass side one, but it was there and no real cost to accomplish. Always remember, you are not trying to imitate some cheap Class A motorhome, you are building a bus conversion! | ||
| BrianMCI96A3 (198.81.26.45)
Rating: N/A |
I like your floor plan, but I worry about elbow room at the bathroom sink, what with the wall only an inch or so to the right and the ceiling to floor to cabinet diretly to the left. If you wanted to stay within that footprint, I'd put the sink on an angle where the floor to ceiling cabinet is and put the cabinet where the sink is, with the sink on an angle there, the elbow room would be fine and allow you at least a little sink counter space. I am a little concerned about the casters on the chairs in the living room, unless they are restrained they might be flying around inside when you turn a corner with the coach. Brian | ||
| Craig S (65.202.123.254) Rating: N/A |
Hi Bob, In my opinion, it lacks closet space. Don't forget that under the bed there is a lot of good storage for extra sheets, blankets, pillows, etc. Some use it for a water tank location. You might consider a shelf or top of a bureau in the B-room for a TV. My electrical box is in a closet just aft of the toilet area. The stack runs inside another closet from the black/gray tanks to the roof. This spring I will add shelving inside at least one closet to accomodate all the stuff my wife can't live without when traveling. Things like boom box, CDs, cameras, plastic tubs with face cloths and towels, a broom and vacuum, coffee maker, toaster oven, blender, gifts for nieces and nephews, picture albums. And I know I left something out. Of course, you may put some in the bays. I find that the wife dictates where stuff is located. I think it's a nesting thing. Craig S. | ||
| DonTX/KS (66.82.9.27)
Rating: N/A |
Without measurements, some things are hard to evaluate. I marked off the floor, then "made" items from cardboard boxes and sticks to simulate the items. I was surprised that several of my layouts that looked great on paper, did not quite work when walking thru it. The two couches across from each other worry me a bit, might be too tight for the aisle. | ||
| Craig S (65.202.123.254) Rating: N/A |
Don's post remindeded me of another... Our one couch flips down into a bed. With two, you might not have enough room to have either or both open. Craig S | ||
| DaveD (142.46.199.18)
Rating: N/A |
Your layout looks very nice. We did a similar thing as Don and moved things around until they felt right. Dave Dulmage (MC-8) | ||
| Doug Dickinson (Dougd470) (65.161.188.11)
Rating: N/A |
I marked mine on the floor with masking tape but did not go to the point of using boxes. My criteria is that I like open space! For that reason, I am using a 6 ft long bathroom on one side with a narrow isle to the bedroom. On the other side from the bath is bunk beds. They are necessary now (still have a few kids at home) but later, when we full-time, we intend to open the wall against the isle and make the area all bathroom, with removing the bunks and making a shower (we can live with campground showers for a while) and a closet for the greater amount of stuff we will be using and carrying. The wall will be built to remove and the floor will all be the same anyway. I agree that you need some space in the bedroom for drawers/shelves. I have gotten away from drawers and will be using all shelves - it maximizes space usability and is convenient too. Floor to TV height on one side - all the way to the ceiling on the other. As for kitchen, we decided to go without a dinette. I am giving up storage space to do so, but I always found that to be inconvenient storage. I am building a desk on the wall and placing the fridge over there (and the main elec distribution panels and switches above it). I would also worry about couch clearances. I am using captains chairs across from convertable sofa and it might not fit that way either. I am working on a solution. FWIW - and good luck. Doug St Louis MC9 | ||
| Bob (Bobb) (216.232.224.234)
Rating: N/A |
Hi.. thanks for all the input! I have updated the plan using many of your suggestions, and my oversights.. (see toilet) All seats are to be bolted to the floor.. these were just the symbols I had in my particlar drafting program. Closet space is always a premium, but there is one big one at the back (26D x 91W x 36-40H), another in the right hand front corner of the bedroom, which will be 19wx19dx55h, with a shelf on top for an LCD tv. Storage under the bed, and another full height angled cabinet in the bathroom.. also one behind the shower in the bathroom.. | ||
| RayC (142.165.92.77)
Rating: N/A |
If that is a full 4 burner stove with oven and is the choice of your partner I guess that is what you will have. Mine wants 2 burners and a convection oven, which also seems the way the motorhome companies are building them now. | ||
| BrianMCI96A3 (198.81.26.45)
Rating: N/A |
Bob, your poor co-pilot got the boot??? (grin) Y'know... with the toilet right next to the cabinet you could have a sliding door with access to stored toilet paper inside the cabinet, very handy at the right moment! I think I'll make a note of that... Brian | ||
| Bob (Bobb) (216.232.224.234)
Rating: N/A |
The co-pilot chair is a dual purpose chair. Still there! The toilet is one of those high tech japanese models. No tp required.. lol. Like I said about the symbols.. they are generic, what came with the program. All items, including the stove are still open to change.. the plan is just an indicator of where it will be. | ||
| Bob (Bobb) (216.232.224.234)
Rating: N/A |
I posted some pics at http://www.shadowhost.com/mci/conversion.html | ||
| Doug Dickinson (Dougd470) (24.207.240.13)
Rating: N/A |
Thanks for the pics!!!! Doug St Louis MC9 | ||
| BrianMCI96A3 (65.41.248.188) Rating: N/A |
Great pictures, it surely will not look like an MC-7 once she's done! Man that was a lotta work... obviously lots more to come. Brian | ||
| Ray D (205.171.72.27)
Rating: N/A |
Get out the duct tape, hot glue gun and carboard. Spend a week building your floor plan in the bus, full walls and everything, then you will know if it will work | ||
| James Maxwell (Jmaxwell) (66.81.37.21)
Rating: N/A |
Spend a week building a mock-up? Hell, in 2 weeks u can do the job. Look who's talking after 18 months! I think it is a good idea to have a well designed floor plan but it is a better idea to remain flexible on design as you progress, as you are doing. New, and possibly better, products are being designed and marketed as you work and you may even change your mind on things as others offer suggestions. And, be prepared for that surprise that inevitably comes along (How many 1st time MCI converters realized that the floor was off-level by 4" front to back before they laid their water glass on the 8' counter-top they were getting ready to install?) | ||
| FAST FRED (65.154.177.85) Rating: N/A |
"Spend a week building a mock-up? Hell, in 2 weeks u can do the job. " True , but if it comes out cruddy its far more expensive to toss out 15 sheets of plywood than some salvaged cardboard.Esp when fine tuning and moving things a couple of inches is needed. Every boat mfg ,( many with Full design staffs and 50+ years of practice) usees mockups, you will find it a very sound investment in time and effort. FAST FRED | ||
| Terry Mac (67.233.187.148)
Rating: N/A |
Are all MCI's off level like this or only certain ones?I have a 72 MC7 with the skylight windows. | ||
| JohnFitz (209.179.168.15) Rating: N/A |
I don't know what you have planned for air conditioning but the shower may block air from the forward roof A/C. I have a side isle and notice this drawback. At night when you need a little a/c, but not alot, it's handy to leave the bedroom unit off (because of noise) and let the forward blow straight back. During the day the reverse is handy as well - to keep it quieter in the living area. If you want to keep layout as is then ducted A/C should work to solve this. Disclaimer: I have '91 model A/Cs - new ones should be a little quieter. I would switch positions of the range and dishwasher so you have work space right next to the sink. If you mount the range lower you can make a flush cover that hinges in back and acts as a splash guard. This will give you even more work space when not using cooktop. We almost never use our gas oven - the convection/microwave is much faster and easier. If you boondock alot - you'll want the gas oven. I think you need more tall closet space. The bar stools are nice looking but I think you'll find you won't use them much. Most people want some kind of computer desk area instead. I would plan on putting in a side-by-side frig if not already. I looks like you could tighten up the space between the co-pilot and swivel chairs. Do the mock-up - you'll almost be sure to learn something and you'll be glad you did it. Remember, your building for yourself, not us. | ||
| BrianMCI96A3 (198.81.26.45)
Rating: N/A |
Terry, I'm pretty sure yours has the same slope, but there is one way to be sure. stand in the rear of your coach holding a broom handle against the ceiling and walk forward, by the time you reach halfway you'll know if it slopes or not, and it's the floor that rises as it goes back, not the ceiling sloping down. Brian | ||
| CoryDane RTSII (66.155.188.8) Rating: N/A |
Hi. I have looked at your drawing and have come up with the below mentioned thoughts. I don't know your bus so I don't know if there is any reason something can or can't be done so maybe all my thoughts are for naught. I had a horrific time fitting all the "STUFF" I wanted in my RTS simply because I wanted a lot of STUFF. But read and see if any new sparks come to light.... cd I have to agree with John on the bar stools. I tried to fit some in my coach and it was hard shifting space around. Next to the couch is a rough spot and the stool next to the wall is gonna be a problem. Even if you pull the hallway stool out tothe edge of the counter top, the hallway is going to be blocked now. I had many, many many drawings with stools and counter top, most of which were just, "how would it fit if I" and then it didnt fit anyway. Your drawing depicts the stools in a "storage" mode but in real use, I think you will find it a problem. In the space of the stools, you might fit a desk and chair. Desk can offer some storage too. and if your desk is high, where a stool is used, then the TV can sit up there. I dont know, either way, in your drawing, it seems someone is gonna git a crick in the neck trying to watch tv but the desk seems more "manageable" in my eye. Your table between the two swivel chairs can be made to store things underneath, if you make the chairs fixed, they too can store, or make storage under the chairs with a swivel to move the chairs around. Maybe a storage box with drawer or door access, from under the chair/table/chair. The table set up as a "end table" perhaps raise the table top with a drawer under it and storage under that. Leaving the front of the storage compartment recessed back under the chair/table/chair to allow leg room "forward". With nice wood, would look nice. The nook can have storage under the seats and maybe some under the table depending on the layout or you can build in a countertop with storage underneath and 2 stools on each side. Might consider putting the Refrig in the spot of the Pantry and vice versa. You may need access to the fridge less and could help on your weight distribution. I agree, swap the stove and dishwasher. Any reason why you wouldnt want the shower against the street side wall with a center walk through? With the shower openeing and toilet facing the shower, you can place a door for privacy and the storage on the curb side can be made a little larger to compensate for the cabinet removed from the street side. Might even place a clothes washer/dryer there. I think you room sizes are right. The bedroom might be a little "tight" but you have a nice living room/kitchen space and the bath is about right space. There are mechanisms that allow the bed to fold up, out of the way, during the day. A couple of seats with drawers under them for chests, slide under the bed at night and against the wall during the day when the bed is up for a sitting area or office with a fold out desk against the shower wall????. I love the design stage, there is so much dreaming you can do, dreaming of all the wonderful things you dont have enough room for, until your drawing proves that you just might slip that item in the corner over there. lolol Ya Gotta Love It "Imagine Your Dreams" cdcdcd | ||
| DaveD (142.46.199.18)
Rating: N/A |
MC-8s have a slope from front to rear, I think MC-9s are the same. I believe this was done to improve sight lines for rear passengers. Dave Dulmage (MC-8) | ||
| Gary Carter (68.25.19.221) Rating: N/A |
I can't figure out where you put silverware and pots and pans. With the dinette not sure what you will use the stools for. We are full timers and the name of the game is storage. | ||
| ChuckMC9 (Chucks) (66.167.142.34)
Rating: N/A |
MC9's slope as well. I didn't know it was a full 4", haven't gotten to the stage where I need to know exactly how much yet. "Off-level" sounds negative to me - it was done on purpose!  | ||
| CoryDane RTSII (66.155.188.197) Rating: N/A |
On the Silverware issure.... When I was vacationing in Florida at WaltDisneyWorld in Fort Wilderness Campground, I got to know a couple with a bus conversion there. They invited me in and the neetest thing I ever saw were the shallow drawers installed in the upper cabinets on the lowest shelf. These drawers were used for the silverware. Very slick, neat and out of the way. I love seeing other conversions, people have such great ideas. "Imagine Your Dreams" cdcd | ||
| Bob (Bobb) (216.232.245.18)
Rating: N/A |
Ok.. the next stage.. one wall is built, and now needs to be braced.. here is what I have planned: Braced Wall Again could I get your comments and input. Advice from an engineer would really be appreciated! Bob | ||
| Peter Broadribb (Madbrit) (67.136.107.194)
Rating: N/A |
Bob, I am a bit concerned about what you are doing. Do you have engineering advice on these shells? The MCI shell relys upon the inner and outer skin for its strength and the frame holds the skins in alignment, one reason why the inner skin is so well riveted. Putting too much strengthening into the frame can make things too rigid, the original frame was designed to be flexible, hence no cross bracing. This happened to one converter who slab-sided his Eagle with fiberglass and when he pulled out of his drive, the front wheel came off the ground as the bus could not give even the slightest amount. Within a short space of time all the joints had cracked. The strength of the MCI is below the windows as the glass and frames offer no structural support. The roof holds the front and rear ends to the "bridge section" in the middle, hence only verticals are needed. The MC-7 and 8 models had one diagonal strut just behind the driver's area and this nearly always has fractures at the top or bottom or both. Notice the MC-9, no angled brace, obviously not needed. Take care. Peter. |