Isaac-1
Well-known member
What you really need to ask yourself is what will you have when you are done, and would you be better off starting with something with better bones, or even doing something completely different.
Hi and welcome to the forum.Is there a thread about this that you are aware of is so we will know what an overhaul looks like?
Because I am not going to blow smoke up her butt and congratulate her on a fabulous investment. Old RVs are all money pits. But beginners look at how great the interior looks but have no idea how much time and money they will have to sink into it just to get it to the point of being a functional RV.Seiler Bird,. I am a new member and need to ask you a question. Why do you have a negative attitude, the op is asking for help and you give nothing but negative talk. George
The correct way to repair it is to start on the outside and carefully remove the aluminum siding. The bottom layer will have staples underneath but then it will all come off in order. The metal was the last thing to go on at the factory and once it's off you'll be able to see the rot and you'll have access to the sill plates and rim joists which will need replacing. You can do it from the inside, and many people do, but I'd say its more work. If it was easier that way then the factory would assemble it that way.
He just turned 28 this month. He is not very skillful but able to pitch in. I actually rescued him from an abandoned trailer with no electricity and with a huge hole in the side of it. This is a step up for him. He really likes and enjoys being it more than he does inside with us, as disgusting as it is.As the Father of a special needs son(now an adult), I can sympathize with you wanting a place for your son, that he can consider ‘his own’. Does your son really like the TT?
Sure, it may not ‘make financial sense’ to re build it, but if this gives your son some joy, and comfort, and if he is able to pitch in on some of the labor, that’s a plus all around.
Input on repairing delaminationIn all the years I have been here I have never seen anyone even come close to finishing their project.
Fixing delamination is not the same thing as a total rebuild.
This was a very helpful post I am just not dealing with filon but aluminum. I think I get it and my husband is going to read through all these posts and suggestions. Thank you!
We are not rebuilding the whole thing, but did plan to gut most of it because I thought that may be necessary. Now that I read the post Mark shared, I think we can go a similar route by just replacing the really bad sections. It really looks like only two wall areas need new framing, luan or plywood and that is the area behind the kitchen cabinets and the entire back wall because I don't even know what the heck is going on there. I guess we will know more when we get in there.Fixing delamination is not the same thing as a total rebuild.
I know that. Someone posted a link to this thread to show me an example of someone completing rebuild job. I don't understand why it was linked to because it has nothing to do with this thread.We are not rebuilding the whole thing, but did plan to gut most of it because I thought that may be necessary. Now that I read the post Mark shared, I think we can go a similar route by just replacing the really bad sections. It really looks like only two wall areas need new framing, luan or plywood and that is the area behind the kitchen cabinets and the entire back wall because I don't even know what the heck is going on there. I guess we will know more when we get in there.
Or and I am not sure this will work, but what might be easier is to remove the bottom portion of the walls that are in good shape, just to access any damage to the floor that needs to be cut out and replace in sections like with breadboard and chair rail.
Plans for the roof are to remove the AC and cover with some kinda of metal (my husband knows what this is, get rid of the vents the same way, except for the bathroom vent and replace with a fan. We can caulk and tarp for the winter and replace the roof next summer with the big rubber piece or something suitable.
Once we are done, there will be a single piece of cabinetry for the kitchen. The rest of the storage will be in the form of open shelves that are easy to remove and or cheap Ikea bookshelves. Because remember, this is not ever going to be a travel trailer again, it's traveling days are over.
Anyhoo, I have attached a picture of a similar concept kitchen that I have in mind built with 2x4s and some plywood. He will have a microwave and air fryer for cooking, all electric. There will be no propane anything in this camper. Some of the lights will be replaced with battery operated LEDs.
Those are just some of the ideas so far to make this cost effective.
I also may have forgotten to mention that is paying $500 per month for rent, a portion of that is going to reimburse us for all of our expenses, the other to cover the increase in electric and water being that he is hooked up to ours.
I think I will make separate posts for wall, floor, wiring, plumbing, etc. so that future newcomers will be able to find it easily and not dig through this one. I think that is what is recommended anyway.
Only only Only you can decide what this will be worth to you.
Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM
But it does have something to do with this thread! You might have said scrap the other project that was linked just as fast as this one!I know that. Someone posted a link to this thread to show me an example of someone completing rebuild job. I don't understand why it was linked to because it has nothing to do with this thread.
I think your comment to "gut" the unit may have caused some people to think you wanted to do more than you have now explained. To me "gut" means remove everything inside to the studs and rebuild.
FYI the air conditioner should be sitting in a hole that is the exact correct size for a vent. Remember AC is an option so it's designed that way. If you want to remove the AC a cheap vent will fit perfectly in the hole left behind.
The tires need to be replaced no matter how good they look. RV tires are judged by age and at 7 years they need to be changed. That is a 40 years and i would bet anything the roof will be need a major overhaul. But it is your money so knock yourself out.
You are right Joel. I have been parked for four years on my tires and I would not trust them to move this RV for more than a few feet. The tires look worse every year.Tom, is sounds like they don't plan on moving it. If so, they not only don't need new tires, they might just as well remove the tires, and put it up on blocks
Joel