My New Home

It turns out that the man wants to stay on the island and enjoy his new business for a few years.  Given the beauty of the setting and his ability to set his own schedule it's hard to find fault with that - but it's too stationary for me right now and I have a new plan.  With Les's help I'm the proud new owner of a 1986 Escaper motorhome.

During the 80s and early 90s Toyota provided a truck base that RV companies could purchase and build a motorhome on. It really was a niche market as these vehicles are small (most fall between 18 and 23 feet) and the smaller engines don't have the power that comes with a giant RV.  My little 4-cylinder engine didn't race over the mountain passes while driving from Seattle to Eastern Washington but neither did she overheat or even raise a fuss.  My 6' 3" brother couldn't stand up perfectly straight in the interior and when he climbed in the cab it looked a bit like an adult trying to drive a child's toy car but it fits me well and hey, there has to be some advantage to not being tall.

The previous owners took excellent care of her but she still needs some attention.  After 30 years things wear down and dry out, but it isn't anything that a little work and a few tubes of sealant won't fix.

 


I've been spending the last week pulling off old sealant and wiping down seams to prepare for resealing.  She's had a couple leaks and those areas will get extra attention along with new sealant down all the seams on the body.  The roof looks pretty good so I'll spray all those seams with a flexible sealing spray just for some extra protection.  For those holes in the body I think the best solution is EternaBond tape which apparently will last through the next apocalypse according to the many people that have shelled out the $50 each roll costs.

I have to say that one of the coolest things about 'Rigadoon is the amazing condition of her original upholstery.

 

Even the cab has it

:

I might use some blankets to protect the seats in the living space, but then again, maybe not.  When the overhead cab is made into a bed the only place with visible fabric is the two dinette seats. Perhaps I'll just enjoy it.

I know that many people get these older rigs and promptly redo everything but I plan to live with it all for a while.  The dark carpet is already getting old so I'll start by using throw rugs to brighten the interior without ripping apart my new dwelling.  Once the exterior has been resealed and possibly brightened with a few cans of Rustoleum I'll consider doing something with the snazzy wood veneer and vinyl interior but for now she's reasonably healthy and ready to roll.