tinkie
Member
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2019
- Posts
- 12
I put this topic originally in the wrong section, sorry to the mods, wasn't sure about a double post.
Hello y'all!
I'm facing a Summer project after a gray water leak into my underbelly went undetected for some time. This 5th wheel is laid out so the interior floor is the roof of bays which run throughout under the living area, then the bay floors are plywood covered below the trailer with insulation and then the membrane.
By the time I got to the leak the damage had been done. I will need to replace several areas along the outside wooden 1x3" framing on each long side, as well as several lengths of 2x2 which run about 12' length of the trailer (iffy/rotten). That framing wood is screwed into from up above through the bay floors. I've seen no bolts into the metal I-beams of the chassis to hold said wood though I know the interior subfloor up front is held with carriage bolts in the crow's nest.
I can unscrew the sides, the wheel well covers and side trim in order to peel back for access to the furthest edge wooden side framing, but what is my best bet to support and lift the bay floor plywood in order to get the new lumber in place?
Was thinking to place staggered jacks down the length of board I want to replace, with thick plywood up top to spread weight load around, then either claw hammer out the most rotten wood, cut, saw, however to get the rest out. Not sure if the screws are under carpet in the bays but I might be able to drill out the worst of the rusted from underneath.
I'm being awfully optimistic with this project. The least of my worries is replacing pink insulation with a bubble foil type and putting corex up - my worry is how to wrangle this wood framing out and get back up top those steel I-beams. Sistering is an option for wood that's not got dry or wet rot, though all wood including new will be treated with anti-mold and fungals before buttoning up.
Any tips and advice are greatly welcome!