Les and Lora 2011 290RLT

[lesmadding]

Hello everyone ! We just got home with our (new to us)2011 Montana 290RLT. I have JUST retired and we plan on traveling in the near future. We were looking for a used, but much newer RV for obvious reasons than a 2011, but this one has been extremely well cared for, used very little and kept inside its entire life when not used. Not to mention the dollar savings... However, there are many things we would like to upgrade inside and out. Does anybody know of an RV upgrade specialty company ? I want to Trick out this old girl. The wife and I went to a local RV show last weekend and were not impressed with anything we saw, including the the new Montanas. We feel the older units are built much better. Don't get me wrong I'd like a brand new one but wouldn't want to pay north of 100K for one. Asking for opinions here. Am I wrong for thinking I can make this one "LIKE NEW" but better for less than half the cost of new? My mindset it like the Car shows you see on TV where they RESTORE them. Surely there is someone out there that does this. I haven't had much luck finding anything on the Internet. Looking forward to y'all responses.

[DutchmenSport]

First off, welcome to the forums and congrats on your new camper. It sound like you found a good one.

Doing a quick internet search, there are several companies out there that do RV restoration. But, I'm sure their prices are not cheap either.

If you are looking for cheap, you probably won't find it. RV's are never "cheap". I think this is the biggest myth that non-owners have about RV's and the biggest shock when they do become owners.

You may be able to find bargain prices on parts for "this or that" on an RV and you can always replace items in an RV with non-RV items, and some items in RV's are household items with just the RV label slapped on them.

Unless you are willing to pay an outlandish fortune for someone else to do such a restoration, this is the type of project that many folks take on themselves. But, sometimes, it takes them years to complete a restoration, and the expense to do so is never a cheap endeavor. Plus, you need the space to put the RV out of the elements while you are doing the work, you need the time to do it, you need the willingness to try even if you are not that mechanically inclined, you need the tools to do it, and you need the financing to make it possible. It will consume your time, effort, energy, and pocket book. Unfortunately, REAL life is not fake like reality television shows and things just don't happen magically in an hour.

Your best avenue of approach is to reconcile to the fact you've purchased a slightly older camper, but not so old it's falling apart or anything. It sounds like the camper is in great shape, sound, and well taken care of.

The first thing you can do is give it a good bath, inside and out. And use some polish on the interior, wax on the floors, a carpet shampooer on the carpets, and some upholstery cleaner on the upholstery fabrics. Just a good bath with some "polish" will brighten and bring back to life a dull interior "like magic".

On the outside, a good bath and a good wax job will do wonders.

The things you REALLY need to do that are critical to the life of any camper is to inspect the roof and make sure the seams and caulking are not cracking. If there are cracks in the caulking, then the very, very first thing you need to do is wash the roof of the camper and then re-caulk those cracks with Dicor Lap Sealant you can purchase on-line or from any RV dealership.

The second thing you should do immediately is inspect the tires, replace them if they are dry-rotted (cracks on the side walls of the tires) ... and get the bearings re-packed.

Then make a "priority" list of all the things you'd like to upgrade, fix, change, add, remove, or swap out in the camper. Then, starting with the highest priority item, start chizzling away. You might also prioritize each item by the over all cost of the project. Sometimes, costly projects may be #1 on your list, but the finances are not there to do it. Simply move to #2 and keep working your way through the list.

I doubt these are the answers you are looking for, but the reality is, campers do not equal cheap. Nor are they a financial investment for the future. Campers are always a loose-loose proposition financially. It does not matter how much one upgrades an RV, adds accessories, or upgrades items, it does not increase the resale value of the camper. Those type of changes only make it more enticing for a potential buyer.

But the bottom line is, for those of us who are passionate about our RV's and the RV lifestyle, the passion far outweighs the cost. The joy, the ability to travel, and journey of life is what makes RV ownership so meaningful, regardless of the loosing costs involved.

[lesmadding]

Thanks so much for the welcome and your response to my original post. I am extremely picky about the things I own and how I spend my dollars. I like nice things and take phenomenal care of the things I own and when looking for something only seek out the same. Definitely, the exception not the rule. Especially true with RV's. Most out there are not worth putting the money into. This one is a 9 out of 10 inside and out. As I mentioned earlier did not set out to purchase one this old. I am very capable of doing the things I would like to change and certainly not looking to take the "cheap" route at all. That is not me. I am fully aware of what I've gotten myself into and know that there are others out there with more knowledge than myself about RV updates and restorations. Although, I am retired and do have more time now would still be willing to find that person and pay them to get this done sooner than later so I can get to enjoying it. I am especially aware of the importance of the roof and tires. It will have 6 new tires (second spare) and the very best I can find. Researching that now. Additionally, fully understand that the money spent will not add any value. In my eyes the money I saved buying an older one has already benefitted my pocket book. If I spend twice what I
paid for it, I will have something I am COMPLETELY satisfied with and spent far less than a new one or one several years old.
Thanks again ! Very Best.

[DQDick]

Welcome to the forum! We've owned 3 Monty's and did work on all three. The thing you have to be careful of is what you're doing and how much weight you're adding, other than that, have at it.

[Mikendebbie]

Welcome to the forum Lesmadding from Drippin’…
From Mike in the greater Granger metroplex!

[mlh]

It sounds like you purchase things like I do. My motor home is a 2007 that had been in a garage since new and was like new. There is something you really need to look at. The tires. If they are over five years old or what we call China Bombs, standard ST tires you really need the replacement them. You are taking a big change of a blowout that could do thousands of dollars damage.
Lynwood

[432bartman]

Welcome aboard Les and Lora. I hope you get a lot of use and enjoyment out of your trailer.

[wed]

Affinity RV Group in Goshen

[hookseter]

Live in it a while, see what you want to change or upgrade. Do it yourself if your capable. You'll save money, and it will give you something to do.

[Otto02]

Originally Posted by lesmadding

Hello everyone ! We just got home with our (new to us)2011 Montana 290RLT. I have JUST retired and we plan on traveling in the near future. We were looking for a used, but much newer RV for obvious reasons than a 2011, but this one has been extremely well cared for, used very little and kept inside its entire life when not used. Not to mention the dollar savings... However, there are many things we would like to upgrade inside and out. Does anybody know of an RV upgrade specialty company ? I want to Trick out this old girl. The wife and I went to a local RV show last weekend and were not impressed with anything we saw, including the the new Montanas. We feel the older units are built much better. Don't get me wrong I'd like a brand new one but wouldn't want to pay north of 100K for one. Asking for opinions here. Am I wrong for thinking I can make this one "LIKE NEW" but better for less than half the cost of new? My mindset it like the Car shows you see on TV where they RESTORE them. Surely there is someone out there that does this. I haven't had much luck finding anything on the Internet. Looking forward to y'all responses.

Depends on what you want to upgrade. We have a 2016 and did axles and disc brakes which were well worth the cost. We removed carpet and installed water resident laminate flooring. Took out the old recliners and fold out couch and put powered ReCor recliners, again well worth the cost if you can run power. We have a pantry with one light but ran led lights to each shelf- led lights from Amazon. Battery cut off to save the batteries (we use a trickle solar charger while in storage).

Use your imagination, start with simple and inexpensive upgrades.

So Amazon is a great place to look.

Have fun.

Steve

[BB_TX]

Our 2007 Montana was as trouble free as we could have ever hoped for. Even more so. None of the complaints of newer ones. But far less of the fancy stuff also.

Coach Specialist of Texas in Mansfield, TX just south of DFW does repairs, renovations, and upgrades. Can’t speak for renovations and upgrades but they did a great repair job on mine when I almost completely ripped the rear cap off on a steel column.

https://www.coachspecialists.com/ser...v-renovations/