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Oct 7, 2015 19:27:41 GMT -8
Post by madrock2255 on Oct 7, 2015 19:27:41 GMT -8
Hello, I am new to this forum and to campers in general so please be patient. I recently purchased my first camper a 1968 aristocrat land commander and I have some work to do. I am preparing to restore it but before I get into it I'm trying to learn all I can so I don't run up into a wall too big to overcome. My question has to do with paneling. I am purchasing a oscillating tool per everyone's advice but I don't know how to handle where the wall and ceiling meet, see pic. How do I cut it out do I just use an oscillating tool to get as close as I can to the aluminum and then fit a new piece in or is the another/better way. I don't need to replace all the paneling. Just some. I will be replacing pieces of the frame if needed. Thank you so much Toby [img src=" i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r491/madrock2255/image.jpg1_zpsihinnhmi.jpg" src=" " alt=" "]
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Oct 7, 2015 22:53:42 GMT -8
Post by vikx on Oct 7, 2015 22:53:42 GMT -8
Toby, Welcome to VTT!
Take a breath; we are here to help...
Most of us take our trailers apart from the outside in, meaning, Lift the Skins. It is so much easier than trying to piece things inside.
Take a cruise around VTT to see what we've been up to. Lots of pictures and real life angst.
Hang in there.
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nccamper
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Oct 8, 2015 5:25:53 GMT -8
Post by nccamper on Oct 8, 2015 5:25:53 GMT -8
Welcome! vikx is offering good advice. Move slowly. On my (older) campers the walls end at the ceiling panels and the ceiling panel overlaps. Meaning the ceiling panel sits on the wall. I believe that's true on your (newer) camper. Here is the catch, on many camper (not all) you have to pull the skin off or loosen it to deal with where it connects below the floor. Basically the wall panel goes down to the floor and down the side a couple of inches. So at the bottom it's in layers: metal skin, framing, wall panel, floor of the camper. It makes sort of a layered support system. I think cutting one panel free and having it end at the floor isn't perfect but wouldn't be a problem. Cutting away several might cause strength issues. In this photo you see the frame wall of a 64 Shasta. I carefully cut the screws holding the framing to the camper (one panel at a time) to slide the new panel between the framing and the side of the floor. Then screwed the sandwiched layers back together. Does that make sense? I offer this as a way of saying you need to see how your 1968 aristocrat land commander is constructed before cutting away too many panels.
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Oct 8, 2015 11:17:17 GMT -8
Post by bigbill on Oct 8, 2015 11:17:17 GMT -8
Taking off the outside skins is a terrifying thought the first time you do it. But once you do a trailer from the outside in you will see how much easier and stronger it is. I don't take all the siding off at one time unless I am doing a complete rebuild from the frame up. I just open the area where I need to work.
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Oct 8, 2015 15:36:05 GMT -8
Post by madrock2255 on Oct 8, 2015 15:36:05 GMT -8
Thank you all for the advice I think I have a better understanding. Terrifying is an understatement. If I take the skins off to replace the wall panels do I need to remove the entire interior items ie. Fridge, heater etc or can those things stay in place. I think that is what scares me most, I would put models together when I was a kid and always had a ton of pieces left over. You know what I mean.I'm dang handy but crap this just got real, real fast.
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nccamper
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Oct 8, 2015 19:06:36 GMT -8
SusieQ likes this
Post by nccamper on Oct 8, 2015 19:06:36 GMT -8
"If I take the skins off to replace the wall panels do I need to remove the entire interior items ie. Fridge, heater etc or can those things stay in place?"
In many cases things stay where they are without too much disruption. But if you want to replace panels behind something like the stove, or main wardrobe cabinet, or the entire floor, things get more complicated.
If you post photos of what you hope to do, people here can offer advice. I've learned a lot from people here and I'm sure you will as well.
As members who know much more than me have said, work on one section at a time.
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mobiltec
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Oct 17, 2015 19:05:19 GMT -8
Post by mobiltec on Oct 17, 2015 19:05:19 GMT -8
Yes it depends on which parts of the paneling you wish to replace. But in most cases if you are replacing whole panels, they come in contact with the ceiling, front or rear of the trailer in which case there is welting or "gimp". The only way to keep that intact is to replace paneling from the outside. That's the way the trailers are put together. Trailers are not at all built like houses. Completely different animals. I have hundreds of videos showing all of this on You Tube if you are interested. Just visit my website and you will see what I mean The link is in my sig line.
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bpmcgee
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Post by bpmcgee on Oct 28, 2015 5:36:53 GMT -8
Madrock,
I was where you are 6 months ago. I listened to the advice of people here and decided to take the plunge and remove the skin from my trailer.
It's not as bad as it sounds! And, as everyone told me, it revealed hidden problems that were absolutely essential to address. Although it was scary it was totally the right thing to do.
I'd do it again, and I recommend you take their advice.
B
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windborn
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Oct 28, 2015 6:11:11 GMT -8
vikx likes this
Post by windborn on Oct 28, 2015 6:11:11 GMT -8
I was also where you're at, madrock, just a few months ago: terrified of taking the skins of. But now that I've begun I see why everyone says that's the best way to go. Not only does it allow you to keep the trailer's structural integrity in-tact, but I also couldn't imagine working with big sheets of plywood on the inside of these tiny trailers!
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