nhchick
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Post by nhchick on May 6, 2018 7:22:09 GMT -8
So.....I took a ton of screws out, which were of course spaced about 2 inches apart and were packed full of paint. The entire front of the camper is rotted, as is the roof, which I had suspected. Someone replaced the entire bottom, back and sides of the camper at some point, so it looks pretty good.
The question I have is....whenever I see videos and tutorials online, they show the replacement of the rotted wood within the walls working from the inside out. I have absolutely no desire to remove the paneling and I thought the order of these old campers was to start from the outside and work your way in?
Can I replace the rotted wood by just removing the skin, doing what needs to be done and then put the skins back on?
Should I reinforce the front with additional pieces as long as they don't add a lot of weight?
Should I insulate while I'm at it? Which form of insulation is better?
Thank you!
Tina
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Post by vikx on May 6, 2018 19:51:39 GMT -8
Welcome Tina, The correct way to repair a trailer is by removing the skins. You are on the right track. If the panels are OK, you can probably save them or at least most of them. I'm surprised you actually saw videos telling you to repair from the inside. Facebook? You can reinforce as you like, yes. For thin walls, I use Reflectix bubble insulation. It's good stuff and easy to work with. I staple it in place. Take a look at Mobiltec's videos. A wealth of information there. cannedhamtrailers.com/And here is my book: vintagetrailerrepairmanual.weebly.com/We are here to help. Post some pix please. |
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charliemyers
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Post by charliemyers on May 7, 2018 4:58:13 GMT -8
Welcome to VTT Tina! I think that I responded to your post on Facebook last night. I'm surprised you actually saw videos telling you to repair from the inside. Facebook? Unfortunately Larry isn't the only person putting videos on YouTube and/or Facebook of their camper restorations. But admittedly I haven't seen anyone doing a full video series of the wrong way, but there's enough wrong content out there to mislead a beginner into thinking that it's just the way to do it. I know that it took well over a year before I was convinced that the "outside in" approach was the right way in addition to being the only way that's safe. I was just fortunate enough that I invested a LOT of time figuring out the "hows, whens, & whys" before getting started on one. |
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64bugg
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1964 Little Gem Bugg
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Post by 64bugg on Dec 29, 2018 9:47:03 GMT -8
I am very new to this and trying to do as much research as possible before doing any serious renovations on my camper. I too am trying to comprehend the best way to begin. Before i bought my '64 Little Gem Bugg, it was left out all winter and suffered structural damage during a hail storm and record snow fall. The inside was gutted except the bed. The paneling and interior frame was damaged, so it's mostly just exposed framing and 2x4s they used to support the roof. Other than the top roof panel the outside is in decent condition. My concern with going from the outside in is that once the skins are removed there isn't any real structure. Ive watched some of Mobiltec's videos, but haven't gotten through much of the 10 years. My initial thoughts were to rebuild the frame then take off the skin so I have a frame to reattach the skin to after it's been clean. What are your thoughts other than we hat was I thinking when I bought it. It's a Bugg is what I was thinking. Thanks.
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nccamper
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1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
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Post by nccamper on Dec 29, 2018 10:26:09 GMT -8
The inside was gutted except the bed...it's mostly just exposed framing and 2x4s You can't do the framing from inside. Too much of the sub-structure overlaps.
If you don't have the space to take it apart down to the frame and rebuild, I'd take the roof off and leave the side skin on. I'd repair the roof from front to rear (framing and new interior panels) then remove one side wall and repair it followed by the other side wall. Others may disagree.
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Post by forestercub65 on Mar 14, 2019 17:23:43 GMT -8
I am in the same boat. The inside of my trailer was previously gutted, not disassembled (Larry would not approve), but I have the skins in the outside. I am wondering how I should precede. Larry said I should proceed by looking for rotten wood, but once I take off the wrap and replace rotten wood, where do I go next? When do I put the cabinets in? When do I put the inside paneling then take the side skins off? When do I replace framing? Do I just need to watch a rebuild from start to finish? Probably the right move. Dazed and Confused is about right.
Jared
65 Forester Cub
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debranch
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Wee Camp
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71 Shasta Compact
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Post by debranch on Mar 14, 2019 17:51:28 GMT -8
I am in the same boat. The inside of my trailer was previously gutted, not disassembled (Larry would not approve), but I have the skins in the outside. I am wondering how I should precede. Larry said I should proceed by looking for rotten wood, but once I take off the wrap and replace rotten wood, where do I go next? When do I put the cabinets in? When do I put the inside paneling then take the side skins off? When do I replace framing? Do I just need to watch a rebuild from start to finish? Probably the right move. Dazed and Confused is about right. Jared 65 Forester Cub Jared welcome to the site... Here is my project, I have a long way to go but It will help you understand how to get started. My compact was not fixed properly when I bought it. I was extremely lucky that it did not fly apart on the highway during one of our trips last year. There is a wealth of knowledge you can find on this site. Start reading old threads there is lots of info here and if you cant find answer to a question ask, there are lots of helpful people here whos main goal is to help others repair their campers so that they are safe on the road. vintagetrailertalk.freeforums.net/threads/recent/10206 Debra |
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jeremiah
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Post by jeremiah on Mar 15, 2019 6:45:39 GMT -8
I am in the same boat. The inside of my trailer was previously gutted, not disassembled (Larry would not approve), but I have the skins in the outside. I am wondering how I should precede. Larry said I should proceed by looking for rotten wood, but once I take off the wrap and replace rotten wood, where do I go next? When do I put the cabinets in? When do I put the inside paneling then take the side skins off? When do I replace framing? Do I just need to watch a rebuild from start to finish? Probably the right move. Dazed and Confused is about right. Jared 65 Forester Cub if you are asking these questions, you are not ready to do anything. If you ask some, you will end up taking it right down to the frame and rebuilding. But IF you understand structural design, and understand what supports what, and what holds what together. Just take an hour of quiet time with your trailer. (Before you do anything). You will then understand what to do. If you do not understand what I have said, sell it and buy a different trailer ! |
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oakback
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Post by oakback on Mar 15, 2019 8:28:53 GMT -8
Things will make a lot more sense once you start disassembling things. It's pretty easy to see how it's put together. Take the first step, and you will gain a bunch of knowledge that pertains to the 2nd step. It seems more complicated than it is, when you're watching videos or looking at pictures.
Just pay attention to what you're doing, be very observant of what's holding things together, and take your time.
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