Rebuilding the Over Cab of Our Class C RV

Connect with me 👉🏼 linktr.ee/unde...
In past videos, (linked below) you saw us gut our water-damaged class c over cab. We tore out all the rotted wood, which included the entire floor/platform, most of the old framework and portions of the walls.
The old wood was so rotted that it would crumble beneath our fingers when we touched it. Today you'll see how we rebuilt it. We married new frame work supports with the portions of the old frame that weren’t rotted using 2.5 inch wood screws.
Instead of replacing the new over cab with the same cheap stuff the manufacturers used, we opted to use real wood. The over cab is probably more sturdy now than it ever was - even when it was brand new!
Despite what I read online, the project wasn't that expensive and it wasn't really too difficult either. I say that now, but it was extremely daunting at first. Michael's dad helped us come up with a rebuilding plan which took away a lot of the stress.
Here's the thing though, it took A LOT of time. So the only way to keep costs down are to do it yourself. If you aren't willing or can't spend the time, hiring someone else to do it will probably be suuuppper expensive. Our total cost for this project was approximately $60!
RV Water Damage & Mold Removal -
➞ • RV Water Damage + Mold...
RV Water Damage Removal-
➞ • Gutting the RV + Water...
If you’d like to support this channel for FREE by doing your normal, everyday shopping, just click on this Amazon link and shop away! :) www.amazon.com/...
We need your help! This is crucial to the success of our channel. Please SUBSCRIBE, LIKE, COMMENT, and SHARE our videos!
Here are three reasons why your subscription matters...
You get up to date notifications for every new video we release!
It helps others like you find our content more quickly and easily!
You support us as we continue providing consistent, quality content to the world :)
Thanks for the love and support!
- Michael and Jenny Justus
Have you ever wondered what it takes to live full-time in an RV? Follow our journey on social media as we search for what it really means to live…
➞ Facebook / duetjustus
➞ Instagram / duetjustus
➞ Twitter / duetjustus
➞ Pinterest / duetjustus
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAMERA GEAR:
Canon 70d (body only) → amzn.to/2ae3gkQ
Canon 18-135 STM lens → amzn.to/2eMf6Gs
Canon 10-18 wide angle STM lens → amzn.to/2eMcF6C
iPhone 6/6s wide angle/telephoto lenses → amzn.to/2eMfvIM
Shotgun mic → amzn.to/2ae3pVB
Windscreen → amzn.to/2ae4VGW
Tripod → amzn.to/2ae3Zmg
Monopod → amzn.to/2ae3sAN
Lighting kit → amzn.to/2dZW0fz
3-axis motorized gimbal → amzn.to/2dEIFs3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RV INFO:
NAME: HaRVey Dent
STYLE: Class C motorhome
YEAR: 1989
MODEL: Yellowstone Camino Classic
LENGTH: 28ft + Hitch and scooter
WEIGHT: 10,000 lb (approx.)
CHASSIS: Ford Econoline Club Wagon (e350)
ENGINE: Ford 460 7.5L V8 engine
ODOMETER: 47,000
MPG: 6.5 (on average)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MUSICAL CREDITS:
Track 1: Blank [NCS Release] by Disfigure
• Disfigure - Blank | Me...
Follow Disfigure:
/ disfiguremusic
/ disfigureofficial
/ disfiguremusic

[@Joe-cu4hi]

It's so refreshing to see young people with their parents help do amazing physical work. I have so many young friends that don't know how to open the hood of their car let alone operate hand tools. LOVE your channel

[@DuetJustusFam]

Thanks Joe. That was a major goal of this project. Thanks for following along!

[@nwlady1844]

so nice you see you two working together with each other and family. What you are learning will help you for the rest of your lives no matter what you are living or traveling in. You will not be paying someone $60 or more to replace a light switch!! congrats!

[@e_thegod5303]

I need this same thing done to my rv ! but idk where to start exactly. just start putting plywood on rotted ceiling ? lol .. this def gave me some ideas to look at .

[@thechickadee6136]

I'm really enjoying these renovation videos. I'm preparing to buy my own RV to live in full time. It may need some renovations as well. Hopefully not as many as yours. These videos are inspiring me and giving me courage to go ahead and just do it. Though I truly have no idea what I am doing!

[@DuetJustusFam]

So glad they are helping. Best of luck in your adventure :-)

[@williamjustus6385]

Shucks, thank you, Jenny for the compliment! The changes are looking great. I'm excited to see the next video

[@DuetJustusFam]

Thanks :)

[@ginahernandez8419]

Wow...that's pretty much what I need fixed in my 1993 Jamboree..wish I could find someone like that out here in California to fix mine.

[@ladonnarhoads2786]

I am so enjoying your rebuild. I appreciate your posting it.

[@DuetJustusFam]

+LaDonna Rhoads We are very glad you are enjoying it. Thanks for following along :)

[@myfrianoel]

These are amazing. I just bought a 85 Toyota Granville and I know I'm going to need to fix some mold in the corner of the over cab

[@dianecraig6055]

Oh gosh you guys are so funny...I'm loving the final clips. "Tsunami shock wave...perks of not being in shape".

[@DuetJustusFam]

+Diane Craig 😄👍🏻

[@triacook383]

hated the circumstances last Friday, but so good to see you again, Jenny...and to meet you, Mike! loving your vlog!! always looking forward to the next one!! -Tria

[@DuetJustusFam]

Yes, same here. It was so good to see you and Doug! It's been too long! It would be fun to get together sometime when we visit South Jersey again. Thank you for the support, we're excited to have you on the journey with us!

[@seanstumpf4190]

Starting to look really good in there. You guys are gonna be on the road full timing in no time!

[@DuetJustusFam]

+Sean Stumpf :)

[@cassybushard1641]

Hi I just found your page and I couldn't be more thankful lol I just bought a 1988 Class C and it needs some of the same stuff you guys did to this one. Your page is going to be INCREDIBLY helpful!

[@Michaelajacksonfilms]

Thank you!

[@DaveHH2011]

Loved watching your videos they are giving me much needed support for doing so myself. :)

[@DuetJustusFam]

+Dave Hemsley Thanks, Dave! We hope the videos help give others ideas and encouragement to dive in head first. That's often times the hardest part... But, once your invested, you'd be surprised how much you can do on your own. 🙂 Happy renos!

[@KimOfDrac]

I'm watching this in order so I don't know if you mention it in a later video doen the playlist or not ;) but I was interested in the total sum you invested in the RV and the renovation of it :)

[@karyhernandez8349]

Hello I have an RV camper 1985 Chevy and I’ve recently been looking at your videos to fix my RV I bought it for a project and with a little bit of your help would really keep me going on completing my goal on fixing it to travel

[@Andre-op1wm]

I need to repair the bunk area that has water damage on an old 86 tiago arrow. Was not sure where to start but this helped me a lot thanks. gonna check out the rest of your videos.

[@DuetJustusFam]

Thank you, Andre! Best of luck with the rebuild!

[@rolloverriderpgr]

starting a 31' Minnie this week. Found laminated 3/4" plywood to replace the existing laminated floor! 1 little leaking side window is the culprit! But that bad boy took out both sides of that floor!

[@meanderingmyrrkat8798]

Thank you soooo much for this...I am in process of repairing same amout of water damage to my 85 Huntsman as well as replacing roof 😎😁

[@lisal8331]

I knew you were from Missouri! I've seen Cards, Mizzou, and the Blues logos!! Awesome!

[@DuetJustusFam]

Haha! Are you a fellow Midwesterner?

[@ricktofte4]

Very informative thank you for that well done production guys

[@SandM4n96]

looking good!

[@DuetJustusFam]

+SuperHero Movie Reviews Thanks!

[@winglover1]

I bought a class C with lots of leaks.. I had many similar issues that your videos are addressing so I thank you! One question I had was did you screw the underneath portion above the cab up into the new framework inside? Also... My front window seems to be leaking somewhere. Have you seen anyone just remove the leaky thing, frame and mount something over the old hole? Tin? aluminum? plastic? Wood?? Many of the new RV's don't even have this ""feature"" so I am more inclined to just remove it than buy several hundred in rubber and hope it doesn't leak. Thoughts?

[@govmentsucks2323]

my next rebuild will be all ceder wood and stainless screws... and id never use any carpet lol.... i may use spray foam and make it more for winter living in northern canada :)

[@DuetJustusFam]

You had me until you said northern Canada haha. Just kidding! We've heard northern Canada is gorgeous!

[@RoseHenges]

Thanks for sharing your remodel process, I'm following along! My husband and I (and toddler) are planning to full time rv by next year, but we are still researching purchase options. Would you mind sharing how much you paid for yours?

[@DuetJustusFam]

We snagged this little beauty for $4,000. In a later video, we will discuss all of the costs involved in getting it up to snuff. Hope you find a great RV! -Michael and Jenny

[@herewegofans]

Fixed several cabovers. Find them like what this fix did. RIP that out, and glass mat first. Epoxy that, then put aluminium strength members to tie into cab, then poly board (starboard) over and chemically weld that all. Spray glue the contact paper like wall back on and done. Never leaks. But I'll note the issue 99% the time is front window and that gets addressed as well.

[@jvaubry]

The problem is not windows, it is using cellulose based materials such as wood, Luan, cardboard etc which contain mold spore that actively grow when they become wet. The solution is to use welded aluminum extrusions for the framework, and azdel for the face sheets. I have learned this from rebuilding my forest river cabover 3 times

[@herewegofans]

@@jvaubry that's why I only use resin now and aluminium like described. I've also fixed several and ones I still own still in woods no issues. Wood and all that other materials you mentioned are for cheap builders. Fiberglass is heavy but offset by aluminum so same same on weight. But nothing comes close to waterproofing or insulating quality. Added to strength that is superior to any other tie ins. Glad you got it fixed. Hardest part on these is facing the problem you know you need to address. You nailed that so much respect there.

[@jvaubry]

@herewegofans Thank you. Azdel is a composite sheet product that is impervious to water. The rv industry switched to azdel in place of Luan on the exterior under the fiberglass fascia in 2011. Azdel is much lighter than fiberglass and resin, though marine epoxy is used to bond the azdel to the aluminum frames

[@jvaubry]

Azdel comes in 4x8 sheets. So the typical wall construction is welded 1.5 in sq aluminum extrusions with 1.5 in thick foam insulation and azdel inner and outer face sheets. I had triangular gussets welded from 1 in sq aluminum extrusions to bolt between the front facing wall with window and cabover floor. Very strong and insulated and waterproof structure

[@jvaubry]

Rounded exterior between the two wall units was constructed of 2 in foam board profiles and sheet aluminum wrapped around the internal profiles and mechanically attached to the gussets. About $5000 cost for materials, expo you, welding and 2 months work

[@10MinutestoRouletteFortune]

so cool you guys can work together without killing each other. lol

[@DuetJustusFam]

lol mostly 😉

[@marcellealleyne6210]

I Have a ShastaTravelmaster Class C that has similar water damage to the overcab. Your video is extremely encouraging, you guys are awesome!!!. I am female, single and without construction knowledge. I would like to find someone that could handle the repairs for me. RV service companies charges are astronomical. Can you HELP? I am in Georgia. Keep up the Good Work, I look forward to more videos.

[@gileaton4324]

I see you adding boards but what supports the overcab structure?

[@antajd8245]

cool vid. couple questions here. at the 1:30 area of the vid where u pan across the passenger side of cab over...there appears to be rust. wont that continue to rust out? there is a product u can spray on metal to slow the rust down. it would be cool to see detailed work done around the window at cab over. if i push against my cab over window that area flexes in and out a bit. i know these windows are notorious for leaks. good job. pretty cool.

[@DuetJustusFam]

+ant ajd Thanks for the suggestions on the rust. Now that we look back, the rust you see in the video is most likely the steel screw going through the aluminum flooring. Not sure though. We also have some more details on the over cab window in future videos... Both the outside and the inside. We agree, the over cab areas are very poorly designed. Thanks for watching :) -Michael and Jenny

[@margueritecravatt280]

Where is the big reveal?????? What did look like when you finished.

[@ucantseeme33]

did you not put insulation under the board on the top cab above the front area, are you not worried about condensation?

[@DuetJustusFam]

There is insulation under and behind everything.

[@yonikeynan]

If i did just the first layer of framing, would it be secure?

[@vernonsteinkamp1088]

Not hearing much explaining of what you're actually doing, but a lot of really cool music though.

[@faithgrasso3602]

I bought same old rv with same water damage. I was scared till i saw your utube

[@DuetJustusFam]

Jump on in. You got this! 😎 👊🏼

[@adrianli2742]

Where in central Missouri? We are in Springfield MO and rebuilding the over cab of our toyota dolphin.

[@DuetJustusFam]

Dolphins are very highly sought after. Congrats on the rebuild. We are from Columbia.

[@RVerJerry]

Been there done that.

[@DuetJustusFam]

Wow! Just checked out your channel. That is a crazy steal you got on that RV! Nice work on the overcab!

[@aitch1975]

Just curious, Did you have to make repairs to the engine since the RV is very old.

[@DuetJustusFam]

Here is everything we had done to it... kzbin.info/www/bejne/oH7Fd4xoa5x_Y8k

[@benfroggg]

Loving the RV repair videos! Lots of great progress. I'm in the process of doing a complete rebuild on a Class C Toyota motorhome. You should check it out too!

[@DuetJustusFam]

Wow, that's amazing! it looks like you have your hands full! Best of luck :-)

[@benfroggg]

Thanks a lot! I do indeed have my hands full... and of course the budget has been blown away already. But that's how it goes, right?

[@briizcustoms9543]

I still don’t understand, you removed ALL of the previous cab wood? Does the new wood get attached to the frame?

[@jesicaarmstrong2871]

my 76 coachman has A lot of water damage..it's nearly winter now. I can't afford to do a rebuild right now.. should I re seal everything now or just wait till spring when I can do a rebuild..

[@DuetJustusFam]

What we did was seal the roof in October before winter set in. Then we bought a water proof/breathable cover off amazon for about $140. That lasted us through the winter. If I were you, I would just prevent any future leaking on the roof and then get a cover on it if you can. Even if it's a big tarp (just make sure not to trap moisture with it). Hope this helps! Best of luck! -Michael

[@sonyaellis4124]

Did this. I had a metal frame welded instead of using a wood frame. Talk about a lot of work.

[@jacqui0517]

Did you guys take the insulation off the walls before building on? If so, what was your secret to not damaging the aluminum?

[@DuetJustusFam]

We're not really sure what you are asking. We did take the insulation out of the walls, but only if there was water damage. Hope this answers your question...

[@jacqui0517]

The construction of the walls in my RV is: exterior aluminum, insulation (which is glued to the walls, and luan (which is glued to the insulation). I'm doing a lot of the same projects that youve recorded. But removing the insulation from the walls (and ceiling) proves to be pretty difficult. Didn't know if you had any tricks.

[@kimmytrving7840]

I like what you guys are doing with your rv I just got one also that needs work lol nice video check mine out thanks

[@DuetJustusFam]

+Kimmy T RVing 👍🏻

[@barclayej]

HaRVey Dent :)