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Message |
FAST FRED (209.26.87.50)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, February 09, 2002 - 7:05 am: | |
Frequently folks deciding to convert wonder if they can afford it.
So before anything is done a budget needs to be drawn.
While you may go over it in some areas , savings in others will help.
I drew up a block list , breaking every thing down into simple catagories.
AS we all come from different backgrounds and life styles the area of concern will be different for each conversion.
HEAT $1000
REFRIGERATION $1500
AIR COND $1000
VENTILATE $500
STORAGE $1000
WINDOWS $500.
INSULATION $500
BATTERYS $500
INTERIOR $1000
FURNATURE $500
BEDROOM $500
110/220 ELECTRIC $500
12V ELECTRIC $500
HOT WATER HEATER $500
TANKS $1000
GEN SET $1000
TIRES $2000
REPAIRS $2000.
Now this was the first draft so did not include the biggest item , MISC , which did add enough that it should have been its own catagory.
Of course over the years , many of these numbers have been met easily , but some got way bigger than hoped.
REPAIRS was way under , as there was a lot to bring up to roadworthy , that I haden't found on inital inspection.
And some items I felt it was better to just make like new , rather than play with the orig stuff.
Hope this block diagram will help someone contemplating their own convrsion.
And remember this only is ONE way of figguring .
And only one persons judgment on the value of certain items.
EG: I placed a value of $1000 on a gen set,
as I never used the one in my Wanderlodge,
I felt that was all it would be worth to me.
Actually I was able to get a used ONHO propane 6.5 for $100 , and with a rebuild and brushes , and new center bearing , it was still under target.
Tanks came out great ,
two custom made{ one black one fresh water} were only $300.
and the propane tanks were free { with some horse trading}.
AND of course my interior and furnature budgets will look very small to some ,
but I build my own cabinets and furnature to maximize the space utilization .
Good draw slides and locks were purchased , not built.
I'm sure everyone will have different examples.
FAST FRED |
Mike Eades (Mike14905) (206.62.201.123)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, February 10, 2002 - 2:54 pm: | |
I found my budget was so that I shouldn't be doing a conversion, but what the heck. On the back of my bus is the saying the I htink says it all. It's too late to turn back now. Enough said. |
TonyW (64.12.101.159)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, February 11, 2002 - 11:31 am: | |
If I was 19yrs old and unemployed w/no income I would be finished and on the road by now!As it is,I'm 44,retired w/ income and I got a coffee can full of "misc" HD reciepts totalling over 7k w/ no end in sight!
The most exspensive items being 3/4 red oak plywood at $42.50 a sheet.And lets not forget that each of those reciepts represent a trip to HD. Over 100 trips so far.
I think that the "misc"is by far the most unpredictable part of the bus budget. I will do an itemized breakdown on converting our RTS when I'm (if ever?) done and won't be suprized if "misc" comes in at 25% w/ all building supplies included.
Thats my "misc" two cents worth.
TonyW |
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