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After getting the 1986 bookmobile home (the transmission cooked), I have begun what should be a fun and enjoyable 3-5 year project. I have removed all the shelving and cabinetry and torn out the carpeting. Starting from here, where would you begin? I want to end up with a nice self-contained home on wheels. If you could re-design anything at all on a Barth, what would it be? What floor plan would be most practical? Having been a bookmobile, this has no holding tanks or plumbing. Where should I begin? I am not in a big hurry- I like projects. I want your opinions based on your experience. Thanks, Neal  | ||
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I thought I resized the pic. I tried the barth photo bucket upload, but the pics never showed up. Sorry. Neal | |||
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 2/16Captain Doom  |
Windows and your camera's software should have provisions to resize. Rusty  "StaRV II"'94 28' Breakaway: MilSpec AMG 6.5L TD 230HP Nelson and Chester, not-spoiled Golden Retrievers Sometimes I think we're alone in the universe, and sometimes I think we're not. In either case the idea is quite staggering. - Arthur C. Clarke It was a woman who drove me to drink, and I've been searching thirty years to find her and thank her - W. C. Fields | |||
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Glassnose Aficionado 2/09 |
The folks who go to the GTG in Indiana say that Elkart is loaded with surplus stores for RV parts. You could probably pick up whatever you need a lot cheaper there than a mail-order house. A big advantage you have is flexibility in sizes, since you'll be building the coach around what you get. Good luck and keep us up on your progress. 79 Barth Classic | |||
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Official Barth Junkie  |
Wow, talk about a blank slate! You could go retro 70's with wood paneling and shag carpet (groovy, man) Maybe the 80's... disco and mirrors? 90's? sterile white interiors with oak trim? So many choices! Maybe the Vegas look of the high end coaches... recessed lighting, chrome and glass, granite counters? I'd go with rustic knotty pine and a woodstove with a sun deck on top! (Don't need no tanks... get a shed, dig a hole...)   9708-M0037-37MM-01 "98" Monarch 37 Spartan MM, 6 spd Allison Cummins 8.3 325+ hp | |||
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2/16 |
I have a dinette in my motorhome (1975 Barth), it is uncomfortable but I can't remove it because my fresh water tank is underneath. Except for this I think I have a very practical floor plan but every one has different likes and needs. Mary Don't mess with us old folks, we don't get old by being stupid! 1968 Barth trailer, 1975 Barth Motorhome and 1985 Barth Motorhome | |||
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5/10 |
https://www.barthmobile.com/eve...1087061/m/7523996277 This is a link to our former coach, a 1989 25ft. The PO custom ordered it with a floorplan from 1978 (his favorite Barth). It is open qnd spacious, both couches make a bed. Disadvantage: no permanent bed. Fresh water tank is under the closet in the rear left corner. How about an incinerator toilet? 1999 Bluebird Custom 33' 8.3 Cummins diesel pusher Former owner 1989 Barth Regal 25' | |||
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Let function dictate form. Do you want a best "tailgating rig", or a great "tour every National Park rig", or something you will park at the lake and visit on weekends. How many people will be sleeping in this, 0 to 8? And while you have the floor out, consider building a hatch to give you access to the top fuel line attachment area of the fuel tank. You will want something that will seal the floor securely. Having the wastewater tank on the driver side seems more typical. Get a really good driver seat! Happy Motoring, Matt 1987 Barth 27' P32 Chassis Former State Police Command Post Chevrolet 454 Weiand Manifold, Crane Cam, Gibson Exhaust | |||
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3/19 |
So is Bontrager's, just across the state line (in the bottom of the mitten). | |||
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3/11 |
On our recce trip to Elkhart we found the prices higher than what is available in marine and RV companies, and the best deals were no online. Pick your bath location first , center, rear, driver side or curb side. Then put the black tank under the toilet. The gray water should be between the kitchen and bath to minimize plumbing runs. our water heater is under the sink - bad idea because if you need to service it it is a full day job. Put it under a closet with removable floors or a bottom drawer that can be removed for access. Then strip the entire interior and start by locating the windows and fill everything else with good insulation and PVC tubes for your wiring. Then checkout the forums here and see what some of the members have accmp,ished. Most are great and not bank breakers. Best wishes, 1993 32' Regency Wide Body, 4 speed Allison Trans, Front Entry door, Diamond Plate aluminum roof & 1981 Euro 22' w Chevy 350 engine and TH 400 tranny | |||
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Yikes! Priced outside of my budget. Pretty cool, nonetheless. Neal | |||
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Very helpful. Thank you. I have three kids, but could get by with sleeping for 3 or 4. I would love to drive it into the sunset and then some. Alaska maybe? Neal
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Good ideas. Thanks. I will be looking for some windows right away. I will be reading the forum posts as I go. Neal
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A few questions here. I made some progress after work today- I borrowed two Optima blue tops from my 1963 Superior school bus and installed them in the Barth as coach batteries. I am pretty sure I can fit a third in the tray along with the chassis battery. I will install a 100 watt solar panel to charge them when not connected to shore power or running the generator or the engine. I also plugged the shore power in and checked everything- A/C cold, heat warm, lights bright, converter converting, etc. Questions are as follows- 1- What activates the electric fuel pump on the Onan 6.5 KW genny? 2- When plugged into shore power, is there anything charging the coach batteries? 3- Should there be some kind of electric water pump between the engine and the rearward heater? Thanks for your very helpful help with this project! Neal  | |||
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