Topic: 1st part of remodeling motorhome (Read 5544 times)

PatrioticStabilist · « **Reply #30 on:** October 28, 2009, 04:14:50 PM »

I'm not sure what you mean Ernie. Are you talking the kind you have to glue together? I saw hardwood that was narrower and just beautiful that clicked together, but I don't think any of it would have looked good with the wood color in the RV or would have looked overwhelmed by the same kind or color.

I think the issue is turning it sideways, will just try continuing longways.

I had to play catchup, I've let everything else go the last couple of weeks. We just returned from our heated pool swim rehab session we go to twice a week. It's so relaxing.

My cab carpet came, have to look it over and see how its going to fit and see if I have to order more for the slope from the body of the motorhome to the cab.

Ok, got to clean my chicken house and then out to wash on the roof of the motorhome and let it dry for a couple of days. Then peel off old sealant and tape and clean with laquer thinner. Hope to get back on flooring, but maybe not till tomorrow.

PatrioticStabilist · « **Reply #31 on:** October 28, 2009, 07:52:37 PM »

The roof is scrubbed down. I moved the motorhome back by the garage so if the sun comes out tomorrow it will dry it. Sounds like rain for the next few days.

I think I see where the leaks are coming from. There are 2 spots in the front and I think the 4 inches or so of carpet getting wet by the bedroom wall is pretty simple. The middle louver of the passenger side window back there is gaping about 1/2 an inch. I pushed it but it won't close, I didn't even notice it till I was standing above it. Hummm, not sure how to fix that.

And yes I got the chicken house cleaned. I put in fresh straw about every 2 weeks. Couple years back I raised 3 dozen chickens, dressed out most, shared about 6 with the neighbors dog!!

Kept the rest for several years for eggs. I just have 5 pullets right now, not old enough for eggs yet. I LOVE fresh eggs, may get some more later. Also got 2 cukes from the garden and the green beans will be ready to pick in a few more days, some tomatoes now as big as cherry tomatoes, hope a freeze doesn't get them. Other plants are coming along. Sadly have to dust for pests, I hate to but they are munching way to much of the plants.

But not motorhome related. The cab carpet came today, haven't looked it over yet, but think it will look very clean and bright. Don't care much for the cowling cover that came with it though.

PatrioticStabilist · « **Reply #32 on:** October 29, 2009, 12:47:07 PM »

Rain today and tomorrow. Don't know if I can do anything between showers or not. Drat!

PatrioticStabilist · « **Reply #33 on:** October 29, 2009, 09:17:22 PM »

All I did today was redo one of the drapery panels that goes in the cabover. One pair of the curtains had the lining torn. I removed it, practically had to deconstruct the curtain to redo it. Had no sewing foot that would fit around the plastic hooks, so not the best of jobs but its ok. The hooks are really odd. If I had bought new would have had to put in new rods. I have one more panel to reline and all the curtains have been rehemmed, washed, and now ready to put up.

I'm hoping to finish the other one tonight, or most of it.

Tomorrow rain again so they say, we are really gettin' it tonight.

PatrioticStabilist · « **Reply #34 on:** October 30, 2009, 05:51:15 PM »

Ok, I took the flooring up and started over. I had to cut it off on the threshhold of the bathroom, will have to have a divider or whatever those pieces are called to continue it in there. No way to make it continuous, but probably for the best. If it gets water as a separte piece I can replace it.

I have some of the quarterround cut but its not in, is just laying in place. Unlike a professional I will also have to use the fill material to fill some of the voids around the edge. Going to put some next to the tub to try and prevent water from getting on the edge.

Off to Home Depot for more flooring. I had 2 boxes and used it all, likely 2 or 3 more will finish it.

PatrioticStabilist · « **Reply #35 on:** October 30, 2009, 05:53:12 PM »

That's just a shadow in the middle of the flooring, its not discolored or distorted. Might be from the mirror leaning up in there. I want to start getting some of my doors back up soon as I can.

Ian · « **Reply #36 on:** October 30, 2009, 06:24:17 PM »

WOW! Carolyn, that is a lot of work you have taken on and it looks like you are doing it up to a fine standard. Well done, not just for starting it but also for keeping on. When it is all done you will have such personal pride from the many hours of blood, sweat and probably tears

workingtorv · « **Reply #37 on:** October 30, 2009, 07:15:58 PM »

You are doing a great job and I am actually getting winded just reading your posts...AND I am a much younger person than you are. You are very inspiring..

PatrioticStabilist · « **Reply #38 on:** October 30, 2009, 07:38:50 PM »

I bought silicone to put around the edge of the bathtub to keep water out. I did the same in our kitchen when I put down the laminate. Especially in front of the dishwasher and sink, its been down about 4 years with no issues.

While at Home Depot, I looked at some new flooring I've seen people talk about. It's called Allure and is fiberglass. It is supposed to be waterproof I believe, and they have a variety of designs and colors, I think it would have gone in much easier. But to late now, so on with this.

The one thing I need is hubbies miter saw for my quarterround. But its to heavy for me to lift. That makes me have to cut my mitered corners with a skillsaw or jigsaw, so not as good. I suppose there is a box and saw out there somewhere I could use, but where??

I can say one thing, I certainly appreciate how much work that the guys do putting this stuff in mobiles. They earn every dollar and then some.

PatrioticStabilist · « **Reply #39 on:** October 31, 2009, 09:28:46 AM »

I miscut my last piece so quit last night, its time when you start doing that. I forgot to match the crosswise stripe, but I can reuse it, it goes around the furnace. Then the next full piece needs a hole cut to accomodate a seat belt bolt. I have it marked. Had my routine nightly call from hubby between 9 and 10 so quit for the night anyway. Not sure what I can get done today have other things to do. Also its 45 out and I would like to do some roof sealing today, but its supposed to get 75 so likely won't do any of that till at least noon.

The caulk I used to fill voids where I can't put trim, no it's not perfect, wish it was, is supposed to be tan, but its way to light. This particular laminate has none to match it for filling imperfections. Hubby suggested I use paintable caulk and take a piece of the flooring and get some paint blended to match it. Since it has different colors it won't be an exact match but it has to be better then this light tan color.

PatrioticStabilist · « **Reply #40 on:** October 31, 2009, 08:47:58 PM »

Ok, made progress today, but down in my back tonight. Those flooring boxes are heavy and its murder working in those small spaces.

But its coming along. The strip across the front will be the joint where the carpet will meet the laminate, I moved it back 2 inches as there is a metal strip there and then it curves. I'm hoping the carpet will come up that far, if not we will order it and just staple it around the board that slopes down, its separate.

I got brave and Sue Anne and I took it to Home Depot and Walmart today, did great. Now I'm glad I started out with a smaller one. She is so excited, she wants to go somewhere, I told her soon, maybe the next month.

PatrioticStabilist · « **Reply #41 on:** October 31, 2009, 08:51:24 PM »

I also have to buy new registers, those are in really bad shape. Thought about painting them but they are wrecked so no.

I'm almost to the point of having to repair the floor, will stop before that and work on the roof, need to seal and redo tape up there.

PatrioticStabilist · « **Reply #42 on:** October 31, 2009, 10:44:38 PM »

Like to never found a site for registers that size 3 X 10, hubby found it and we ordered 4 in an ivory color. I think that will look good. They were only $9 each also.

PatrioticStabilist · « **Reply #43 on:** November 02, 2009, 06:23:34 PM »

Hubby unrolled the awning, it needs cleaned but looks like its good too. Had him leave it out so I clean it good tomorrow, also it was wet. Another item not needing fixed!

He said he is concerned about the transmission, seems like that is a weak point with all of the gas ones and this one certainly is old.

I saw in about 2003 or 5, not sure which it had a torqueconverter R & R on it. The second owner was a lady and she was meticulous with records and servicing. I have all her records. She owned it for about 8 years. The last owner only had it for about 3 but put about 40k miles on it in that time.

PatrioticStabilist · « **Reply #44 on:** November 03, 2009, 01:03:14 PM »

Hubby has been out fiddling with the motorhome. Has my scaffold up for me to work on the front of the roof.

He said the transmission appears fine and is happy with the engine and the way it runs so far. He wants to clean the battery terminals good.

Our bumper was shipped last Thursday so should be here today or tomorrow, he is getting ready to start removing the old one.

So work continues.

PatrioticStabilist · « **Reply #45 on:** November 03, 2009, 01:58:12 PM »

Ok, now the real work begins. I'm working on the roof on the front end and hubby is working on the back.

He removed the bumper and found the parts I thought were missing were there, they were just pushed back under another panel. He said he can flatten and bondo the flat panel and fix it on the left side and with a heat gun likely reshape the plastic corner. Looks like some painting will be in order.

Should we replace the "sweep" in the back?

He is getting his portapower out to see if he can straighten that corner, bet he can. It needs to come out about 3 inches.

I inquired with the bumper people about getting a new door gasket, we decided it needed one.

Ok, back to work

PatrioticStabilist · « **Reply #46 on:** November 03, 2009, 03:02:28 PM »

Almost straight

PatrioticStabilist · « **Reply #47 on:** November 03, 2009, 03:03:20 PM »

Picture didn't attach

PatrioticStabilist · « **Reply #48 on:** November 03, 2009, 04:19:59 PM »

Ok, front roof seam sealed. Tomorrow on top to finish cleaning around vent and tape or caulk or something around it, havent decided yet. Going to tape down in the front and put 2 rows of tape over the piece from the front vent to the AC unit, that piece looks well bonded but we want to play it safe. I'm going to wash around the front vent and clean the seal and everything before putting the cover vent back over it.

Look what we found growing in dirt in the front between the 2 covers. Lichen or moss. That can't be good. Taking all that off and cleaning it got rid of a lot of that musty odor. We are going to do that on all of the vent covers.

Also ordering a new back ladder, hubby said they bent it too and he wants a new one.

PatrioticStabilist · « **Reply #49 on:** November 03, 2009, 04:22:33 PM »

Hubby had a roller he used to put formica on with contact cement and rolled the tape down really good.

Ok, tomorrow is another day! Out for dinner!

Sportsdad · « **Reply #50 on:** November 04, 2009, 08:30:31 AM »

Looking good!

PatrioticStabilist · « **Reply #51 on:** November 04, 2009, 02:50:28 PM »

Ok, hubby has his bumper straightened out. Bumper to be delivered tomorrow. But he had to cut the bottom piece to straighten it so he is going to weld a plate to create the back bottom again, has to add a couple inches back underneath. He is rigging me some kind of jack deal he has an idea for to make it easy to level. Going to have some crank deal on each outside hitch and just adjusts those till its level and they will be removeable. He said then I don't have to get underneath it, not sure what he has in mind. Knowing him it will work well. He thinks at one time there was storage behind that one panel, not sure but will be again. We are going to try salvage yards to see if we can find a replacement door. He got the plastic corner reshaped and says he can straighten the small piece by it.

I got the roof sealed in front. We think the leak may have been where one of the screws was for the cover over the vent cover, it was rusty. I plugged the holes with proflex then covered the whole area around it with eternabond just in case we missed something. The roof looks so good elsewhere, can't imagine it being anywhere else.

I washed and cleaned the vent, screen, etc and oiled the gears and hinge. Tom has to buy screws to put the cover vent back on with. I'm taking the back one off to clean good and cleaning the other, resealing around the vent covers.

PatrioticStabilist · « **Reply #52 on:** November 04, 2009, 02:55:36 PM »

I see a wrinkle I need to roll down better, its ready for the vent to be placed.

Well, drat, hubby doesn't like the way the ladder is attached so he decided to go inside and remove the back beds and beef up the bracing under the back. I said why? He said because I don't like it like that. I should have known, oh well, when he is done it will be in very good condition.

He mumbled something this morning about I will never use the motorhome. I said well honey if you think its to old for me why don't I just go buy a new one or a newer one, that would work fine for me. Is that what you want me to do??

I doubt I hear anymore about that. He is so easy, just say spend money, quiets him right down

Gotta love that man!

PatrioticStabilist · « **Reply #53 on:** November 04, 2009, 03:23:24 PM »

We think he found the underbed leak. We were feeling around fittings and one was wet on the water pump. He wants to reseal all that also.

Why do I see this job expanding from sealing roof openings, to installing flooring and new front carpet. I know better then to let him get going!!

PatrioticStabilist · « **Reply #54 on:** November 04, 2009, 06:08:43 PM »

He took the watertank out and everything back there and pulled the carpet up that was under it. It's wet against the wall. I need to take pictures but we quit for the day. I think he is going to cut that piece of wood out and replace it too. He thinks cleaning that out will alleviate the rest of the odor. The flooring is staying in place, he said he won't mess it up.

I'm not finding places on the roof that are bad. I'm going to clean around all the vents and use KoolSeal around them just as a preventive measure. I am going to remove the back tape that runs across a seam like in the front and do it with eternabond to. We think the leaks are coming in the front from the two screws that were rusted and where the awning fastens, both corrected. Same in the back from the awning, connection on water pump and the window that doesn't close properly. He said a little arm in there is bent and is going to fix it. I ran water over the roof for a long time and felt nothing but that doesn't say its fixed, won't know till we get a good rain.

PatrioticStabilist · « **Reply #55 on:** November 04, 2009, 06:10:19 PM »

How the bumper area was straightened out.

He said its a metal box in there and he put a 3/8's plate in the front and the back to distribute the load and used a hydraulic jack to push it out. But first he had to cut the bottom corner of the box out before he could do it. He said he had to cut out the wrinkle in in the bottom. He has a piece of metal ordered to wield back in and fix it.

PatrioticStabilist · « **Reply #56 on:** November 05, 2009, 12:52:08 PM »

Ok, hubby took out the nasty flooring and going to remove the one piece of insulation where the water wicked up. I can't see removing the section of flooring but he is going too. Didn't realize the back was wood, he wants to beef it up more and make it more stable, also have somewhere to fasten the ladder too more securely.

I can tell you taking that out filthy carpet out is a big plus, DD and I both suffer from allergies. She has been desensitized but still gets monthly shots and takes pills daily so that would not have been good for either of us to sleep around. We would have likely sneezed constantly. We are going to get carpet from Home Depot and a similar padding and put back under the beds, it will make good insulation.

Also should see all the sand and dirt in the water holding tank, he is going to blow and clean it out thoroughly, we already put clorox in it. Honestly, I was not going to do all this, but I know it will be much better it being done.

carson · « **Reply #57 on:** November 05, 2009, 03:37:00 PM »

Hi Sue Anne, Carolyn and hubby.

I am in awe ! Your recent entries have been awesome. So much work in a short period of time.

Where does the energy come from... What vitamins are you taking?

Maybe Hubby wanted to come home to rest..What is the rest of the story?

All this in jest. Hope everything works out

carson in Florida.

PatrioticStabilist · « **Reply #58 on:** November 05, 2009, 07:42:32 PM »

Well Tom, or hubby doesn't work physically at work, so he enjoys doing stuff like this when home. We both enjoy remodeling and taking old and making it new again. We have remodeled many a house in our lives and likely will do a few more. Our house is always on the next list and somehow its still not all done.

Ok, we got the replacement bumper, its from a salvage yard so he will have to repaint it. But he set it up to see how it fits and he said he just needs to straighten the left side where it attaches just a bit.

He put a brace in the back wall, he said it is poorly braced for the ladder to attach to, also putting a piece toward the bottom to fasten to. There was never anything there! He is beefing up the back so you cant' push it in. Like he said for another $1000 they could make these motorhomes or travel trailers so much more durable.

I wasn't really wanting to take this all out, but its the best thing we did. I would say we are now rid of 90% of the odor in there. I bet the cab carpet coming out will take the rest of it out.

PatrioticStabilist · « **Reply #59 on:** November 05, 2009, 07:49:04 PM »

Actually he was going to come home and work on our daughters new bathroom. He has been working on it when he comes home. He put in a heated floor, has it tiled, the plumbing and electrical in. The furnace ductwork ran to it and and ceiling in. He was going to start putting the tub, etc in. Then he is building me a new walk in closet, (my closet has a heated floor too), and a half bath in the garage. We added on enough extra room for all this when we had the garage built on. When we will get that done I don't know

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Author Topic: 1st part of remodeling motorhome (Read 5544 times)