First Day of Demolition

 With all of the trash out, we were able to start demolition. Because the plan is to use every existing divider wall or built in (cabinets, etc) as a template for new material, this isn't the fun Hulk Smash! that you see in all those DIY shows.

Firstly, there were A LOT of screws. Seriously. Even though we only got a quarter of a way through, we must have taken out at least 900 of the things.

Secondly, 1960s design mixed with a previous owner's lack of DIY knowledge meant a bunch of WTF moments. 

We discovered that the water tank and lines were still full, even though we were promised they were drained. This gives the utter squicks, as who wants to bet there were lies told about the black tank being empty?

The oven was very securely installed. That alone took 2 hours to get unhooked and free, as the access to many of the screws was in 1" clearance zones and the screws were often rusted solidly into place.

 Buy penetrating spray, folks. Not WD40, but the real good stuff. If your RV or camper van (or bus) is anything over 10 years old, chances are things are rusted in place.

But enough complaining. 8 hours of work, one quarter of the way done with emptying the chassis....

Zero Day

 We moved UltraVan 201 from her winter parking space into her temporary home as we do the repairs. Turns out we were lucky that we drove her back from Georgia during the winter months. The previous owner had neglected basic maintenance so badly that us moving the 500 or so yards yesterday caused the engine to vapor lock and made the entire RV a giant 3000 pound brick.

Of course this happens as we're feet from parking, while blocking a shared driveway. And the neighbor came home. 

Tractors and brute force to the rescue! With a spare tire on the forklift attachment, some pushing (on the bumper only, NOT THE BODY) and careful steering, we got her backed up enough to park, chock the tires and grab a beer to celebrate.

We took 2 before videos and put them on UltraVan 201 for posterity.

And here we go....