It's time for the resurrection of our beloved motorhome! We would love to be able to drive our motorhome again, but it is lots that need to be addressed. We have now decided to invest and embark on the "FREEDOM 2.0" project. We hope you will join us on the "journey", and we are very grateful if you have any tips along the way!
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Why hasn't FREEDOM rolled?
On our last two campervan trips, we've driven borrowed campervans. During the "Beach Basket Challenge 2019" in Germany, we tested the Swift Tuscany 794eb and on the trip in Estonia we tested Inspire Camper 599. Many have asked why we have not driven our own motorhome, and one reason is that it has been interesting to test these new models. But there is also another reason ...
Time for FREEDOM 2.0
We have been driving our motorhome for many years, but due to our limited income, we have not been able to afford to fix it. More and more things have worn out and broken down, and we have finally reached a crossroads. What do we do now?
There are so many things that need to be replaced or fixed that we have considered selling the motorhome (but that's not easy in this condition either) and switching to a flatbed. But it is after all yet more expensive than fixing FREEDOM.
We have now concluded that it is worth to borrow money (even though we hate it) to fix up our beloved motorhome. We need to do this as cheaply (yet well) as possible, and we need your help with tips and advice! It's time for FREEDOM 2.0!
This needs to be fixed - to keep FREEDOM rolling
First of all, of course, we need to make sure that the motorhome is fit to drive. We've had the car for more than ten years, and some things need replacing. We have also had a strange fault with the clutch, which is a bit unpleasant. The clutch works fine most of the time, but suddenly and unexpectedly the pedal can drop to the floor, without being able to lift it up again. This happened a few times in Switzerland last summer. This needs to be addressed:
- New tyres
- cam belt replacement
- Service and oil change
- The leaf springs 'clonk'
- Something is wrong with the clutch
- Electrical faults that remain after the motorhome stopped working on the motorway en route to Kristinehamn
This needs fixing - inside
Freedom is still very homely and cosy inside, but a few things have worn out over the years. The windows are in poor condition, and we have still not repaired the window that broke down in Sardinia in 2015. The following needs to be fixed:
- A roof hatch cannot be closed properly
- A skylight is so scratched that you can't see out.
- A window is broken
- Several blackout curtains work poorly
- We want to replace the curtains on the side windows of the driver's seats with modern "cassettes".
- The upholstery of the furniture has cracked at the seams
- Several cable runs have come loose and are hanging "ugly"
- The footstep is broken (but we can live with that)
This needs fixing - exterior
One of the biggest challenges (costs) is that the wrapping we have done now, after more than a decade, is very worn, cracked and broken. To be honest, it looks really bad, and we would have to re-cover the whole car.
- The foil around the whole car will be changed (time for a new design!).
- New doors and lids
Can you help us with tips?
We need to find the best, smartest (and cheapest!) solutions, and we could really use your help with tips.
- Do you know of good, affordable places to order windows, blinds, hatches and other accessories for motorhomes?
- Is it best to buy accessories and equipment in Sweden, or is it smarter to order from Germany, for example?
- What should we consider when ordering new blackout curtains? Which brand? With or without frame? How do we know that what we order will fit our windows...?
Follow the "journey" from FREEDOM to FREEDOM 2.0
Hope you want to follow the "journey" to get FREEDOM! fit for the roads again. We are also so grateful for all the tips and cheers along the way!
You might also like:
Motorhome Stockholm 2022 - Day 1 at the Kista Fair.
With a camper in Malmö - tips on pitches and experiences
From motorhome and caravan accommodation to holiday cottages
Travelling by motorhome in Germany - all you need to know
A celebration of sustainable motorhome living
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Ajli says:
I can't help but look forward to participating in this project as a reader. I can't wait for FREEDOM.
28 July 2019 - 7:41
Helena says:
Glad you want to follow our project Ajli! ??
28 July 2019 - 10:17
Anna / boihusbil.se says:
How wonderful for you to get back your own second home. Guess it has been exciting to try other brands and models even though Freedom is your home. Good luck to you!
28 July 2019 - 8:17
Helena says:
It has been great fun to try different brands and we can do it again, but it will be nice to have our own motorhome too! ??
28 July 2019 - 10:18
Dessan says:
Oh how interesting it will be to follow you with the fix on the motorhome. Cheers from us???
28 July 2019 - 13:11
Sandra Lifsresor.se says:
Borrow the money, fix everything and then rent it out and get the money back. 😉
28 July 2019 - 8:49
Helena says:
Yes, we've talked about it a bit actually. Could be a good idea! ??
28 July 2019 - 10:19
Mr Nils-Åke Hansson says:
Use as much material as possible and do it yourself. I'm sure it will be fine.
28 July 2019 - 8:58
Helena says:
Thank you, we will do as much as possible ourselves! ?
28 July 2019 - 10:20
Travel Friday says:
Go, go, go! I agree with Sandra, I've heard several people rent out their motorhome when they don't use it. Passive income could cover part of the bill. Good luck!!! (And how scary with the clutch!)
28 July 2019 - 8:58
Helena says:
Thank you very much! Yeah, renting it out might be a good idea, once we get it ready! And yes, the clutch thing has been unpleasant indeed.
28 July 2019 - 10:21
Ama de casa says:
Wow... Not much that needs to be fixed, but I think it feels good that you are not abandoning your faithful servant 🙂 .
However, I can't offer any advice or tips, my experience with motorhomes is... what can I say? Somewhat limited? 😉
But I can help with happy cheering 🙂 .
28 July 2019 - 9:15
Helena says:
We thank you for the cheers! ??
28 July 2019 - 10:24
Lena - good for the soul says:
Nice when you have made such a decision you have been thinking about for a while. It will surely be very happy when it gets some TLC (tender, love and care) 🙂.
Hug Lena
28 July 2019 - 9:22
Helena says:
Yes, it is good to have made the decision! ??
28 July 2019 - 10:24
Vackralillavardag says:
Yes it is not cheap with a motorhome, we ourselves had the first three items on your list to fix this summer and thus we came so late with the car this year. We also have some thoughts about selling, but more because we may have thought of getting a villa and then do not know if we have time for the car. You probably need to use it too if you have one.
28 July 2019 - 9:23
Helena says:
Really, everything is expensive! And of course you want to use it. We have used ours very little now, but when we fix it there will be more! Have you decided to sell? You got a nice summer trip anyway!
28 July 2019 - 10:27
Mr Stefan says:
Hi, regarding the clutch pedal sticking to the bottom, the same thing happened to a friend, and it was the clutch master cylinder that they had to change.
It will be fun to follow your update.
28 July 2019 - 9:39
Helena says:
Thank you for writing Stefan! Good to hear! We will take this with us to the workshop! ?
28 July 2019 - 10:28
Across the board says:
It was quite a project, but it will be great when the Freedom hits the roads again. Good luck!
28 July 2019 - 10:05
Helena says:
Yes there is a lot that needs to be fixed... Thank you! ?
28 July 2019 - 10:29
Ditte says:
Unfortunately, I can't give you any advice at all. But I can cheer you on and wish you all the best with this new project.
28 July 2019 - 11:46
Helena says:
Thank you so much Ditte!!!
28 July 2019 - 19:59
Knut Night and Day says:
Go! How nice that you have decided to fix her up for the future. That's what you should do with all soulful creatures and it's always done with beloved boats. And we have discovered that motorhomes also have a soul. We feel it in our M/F Solsken which has become our home and our castle and our friend. We will do the same with her, maintaining and repairing her all the time.
It will be exciting and very interesting to follow your project. Unfortunately, I don't have any tips, but I'm sure you will get great tips from others that will be interesting to read about.
28 July 2019 - 11:48
Helena says:
Ah, what a nice comment!!! Yes, but of course you have a special relationship with your motorhome! 🙂 We will return with reports!!!
28 July 2019 - 20:00
Kenneth Risberg says:
Hi there, sounds like a total renovation. Some are simple measures while some are a bit more complicated.
- New tyres, order via Tyres online, will be cheaper and there are many who are happy to fit them, a list of companies can be found on their website. Bought new Michelin tyres at a very good price with fitting.
- To change the timing belt, request a quote from a few workshops and change the water pump at the same time.
- The leaf springs "clunk", simple, may be the plastic bushings that are worn or need lubrication. Have had to do it on mine.
- Something is wrong with the clutch, almost certainly the "slave cylinder". then the gearbox needs to be dismantled and the slave cylinder replaced. Nothing unusual, have had to do it on mine.
- Electrical faults, more complicated, but they concern the car part and a car repair shop (Fiat) should be able to fix them.
You can probably fix the rest of the things yourself when you have found suitable parts, I think a lot of the interior can be organised easily.
Otherwise you can buy mine, it is for sale and in great condition 🙂 .
Good luck and I will follow your progress!
28 July 2019 - 12:05
Helena says:
Hi Kenneth! And thank you very much for a lot of good tips!!!! We will of course take this with us and check it out!!!! (I read your comments point by point to Peter in the car today and we have discussed everything :)). Hope it feels right now to sell and that you find the right buyer!
28 July 2019 - 20:02
Tia says:
Ouch what a job you have in front of you, but at the same time fun to get everything fixed and get out on the roads again with Freedom. Maybe even ready for elmia?
However, we would not rent out the HB after seeing how people treat the rental HB? The question is whether insurance covers all the wear and tear that it gives. Of course, we will follow the journey to 2.0 and will provide tips and advice along the way if the knowledge is available... Good luck!
28 July 2019 - 14:23
Helena says:
Yes, it will be a lot of work ... We have been reluctant, but now it feels right! No, it will probably not be ready for Elmia, but hopefully by then we will have had time to fix some of the most important points (i.e. what is linked to the actual driving). Thanks for your comment about rentals! We'll keep that in mind, but at the same time need the income ...
28 July 2019 - 20:03
Annar Aas says:
Check with the Motorhome Club, which has experience in everything from self-build, renovation and importing cheap spare parts.
28 July 2019 - 14:56
Helena says:
Thank you very much! Great idea, we will do that!!!
28 July 2019 - 20:04
Henny says:
There was no small amount of wear and tear and malfunctioning! I am a bit shocked. My Pössl is from 2010. Is that what's in store for me in the future? Now I will at least sit down and read through all your posts from Estonia. It gives more to see the pictures a and read the texts on a computer and not in a phone as it is while I am on the move. Really looking forward to it. Good luck with Freedom ?
28 July 2019 - 15:23
Helena says:
Yes, there are a lot of things that do not work ... I do not even think that I have included everything on the list ... The best thing is of course to fix as something happens, so that you do not end up in the same situation as us!!!! Funny that you want to read about Estonia 🙂 Super nice country to travel in!
28 July 2019 - 20:05
Matts Torebring says:
Yes, it was a long and, above all, costly list. If I were in your situation, I would write what no one else writes, I would negotiate with all the dealers you can find. If you go to a workshop that charges between 1200 and 1600 per hour, you won't get much for your money. I think the cheapest thing is to exchange it for what you want.
28 July 2019 - 17:18
Helena says:
Yes, it's huge and costly... Just replacing it sounds easy, but we don't think we'll get much for it in this condition actually. We've tried to do the maths, and we don't think we have that option. Negotiating is of course a good tip! 🙂
28 July 2019 - 20:07
Åsa says:
We have an old motorhome from 2003, bought a few years ago - used but in good condition. We had no previous experience with a motorhome and we are not "car people", i.e. we know nothing about the engine and other things. When something weird happens, we raise the bonnet and have a look, then we look at each other and laugh because we never know what we are looking for. Then we put the bonnet down and drive on. We drive almost exclusively during the summer, yes, and then an occasional short spring or autumn trip over the weekend. There is always something to fix, first year the generator, second year the sunroof, blackout curtain, timing belt, leak in the water system so the whole kitchen area had to be dismantled for them to access... third year new rear view camera, new tyres. During the summer trip we had to buy two new tyres to replace the new tyres because apparently we bought too poor quality (cheap) and the balance was affected. And so on...
No, motorhome ownership is certainly not a cheap pleasure. We have discussed the cost versus the value of our experiences and when we are in a bad mood we think about selling the car, but only for a short while. Because, as some have written, we have developed an emotional relationship with our car and find it very difficult to imagine life without it or even with ANOTHER motorhome.
We are not handy, and leave it to the craftsmen for all actions. I have no tips at all but want to congratulate you on the decision to update your car and hope you will feel it is worth the cost. Will follow with interest, good luck!
28 July 2019 - 18:06
Helena says:
Thank you for writing and telling us Åsa!!! It really is a lot to fix after many years ... Great to hear that you still think it's worth it! We do too! Nothing is better than motorhome life and we enjoy our Freedom very much 🙂 ...
28 July 2019 - 20:08
Mr Jonas Borg says:
Hey, hey, hey, hey.
There is a motorhome scrap yard in Sjöbo Skåne that has a lot of stuff.
Like roof windows, side windows and many other parts that can fit your car.
autodemontering.se/husvagn . And they probably send the parts to
Stockholm. I have found many nice things there for my caravans/motorhomes.
Regards Jonas
28 July 2019 - 18:27
Helena says:
Hi Jonas! Thank you so much for the great tip!!! We will check this out!
28 July 2019 - 20:08
Birgitta Strand says:
Do you have oil in the clutch cup?
28 July 2019 - 19:07
Helena says:
Hi Birgitta! Thanks for the tips!!! I have asked Peter and he says that yes, he has ...
28 July 2019 - 20:09
BP says:
Can only give you many cheers and wish you all the luck in the world with this project. Do not envy you.
Or wait: I would probably compile all the "quotes" you get for parts/work. Then I would have someone "value" the Freedom as is. Compare all costs with what you can sell Freedom for. If there is a difference of say 50,000 SEK, I would definitely go for a flatbed.
28 July 2019 - 22:06
Maria /Magnolia Magis says:
Good luck!!! The husband bought a lot of spare parts from abroad, a lot on ebay and it has worked great. It's probably the only thing we can recommend now. Keep your fingers crossed that everything is fixed quickly, smoothly and cheaply! Hugs
31 July 2019 - 8:24
Reiselinda says:
How nice that you have made a decision, but you seem to have a huge job ahead of you to get it fixed. We have just changed the cam belt, but before it was time, I checked around and learned that some people take the opportunity to change in Germany / Europe when they are travelling as it is cheaper. For example, in Flensburg there should be a workshop that is used to Scandinavians. We chose to do the job in Uppsala, but it might be worth considering.
04 August 2019 - 10:54
Anonymous says:
Replace the pressure plate and lamella.
The coupling end therefore gets stuck.
the pedal at the bottom.
You always change all parts at the same time.
02 September 2019 - 5:48