Terrified and already running amok with my KIT Companion

RachelMarie
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1971 Kit Companion

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Terrified and already running amok with my KIT Companion Aug 3, 2020 19:30:12 GMT -8 via mobile

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Post by RachelMarie on Aug 3, 2020 19:30:12 GMT -8

Well, here is the 1971 Kit Companion travel trailer I fell in love with and bought in a COVID induced panic attack for 2k.

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In the seller's photos the lights were all working (I have since cut them all out)
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I honestly have no idea if the fridge or oven work and I am not sure how to test that at this o
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Ignoring the research I had done, I believed my brother who works in construction that the rusted bolts I saw were rusted from the outside. WRONG. Obvious signs of water damage. Then my Dad (also a construction worker) told us to just start demoing the interior. WRONG. I’ve come a long way and now am certain we need to remove the skins. I’m having a hard time breathing as this is waaaaaay more trouble than we expected. There are sections where the floor is soft, the walls are toast, and the roof beams are toast. I have no idea where to begin. I don’t want to do a full skin off rebuild, is rather tackle the front I already started. Here is where we are:

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I think we can keep most of this wall?
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This is the spot giving me all the panic. In addition to the framing and roof rot you can see, the floor by cabinets/wall is so soft I could push my foot through.
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The floor is also super soft underneath that outlet. Should I replace the floor all the way back to the front edge? Or just the section that is shot?
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And the opposite side, where the framing just crumbled in out hands
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UGGGGGG. I have access to all my dads tools but he is too busy to help much and has been wrong about what to do anyway. Any tips on how a total rube can start making some progress?? I’ve watched a lot of Mobiletec videos but not knowing where I personally should start, they’re just kind of making me more anxious.

I am going to start removing the rest of the windows, lights, etc and tomorrow we will remove the jrail and take the side skins and the front skin below the window off. Then, we will try to figure out if we start at the floor... or the framing?

Last Edit: Aug 4, 2020 9:29:56 GMT -8 by RachelMarie

vikx
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Terrified and already running amok with my KIT Companion Aug 4, 2020 10:09:15 GMT -8

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Post by vikx on Aug 4, 2020 10:09:15 GMT -8

I understand how you would be concerned. Unfortunately, it's hard to tell on the wall framing because the photo is only showing to floor level. Most walls are rotted below the floor. That's why they are repaired from the outside.

Float the roof and remove the skins to see what the lowest sills and skirts look like. I'm guessing some pretty nasty rot. The way the skin rippled in the before pix indicates body sag.

You will probably need to replace the entire floor. That means take the trailer down to the frame so that you can do repairs. It isn't rocket science, but you will need a pair of helping hands.

I'm sorry it ended up in being a bigger project than you thought. Most trailers are.

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RachelMarie
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1971 Kit Companion

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Terrified and already running amok with my KIT Companion Aug 4, 2020 13:12:40 GMT -8 via mobile

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Post by RachelMarie on Aug 4, 2020 13:12:40 GMT -8

Aug 4, 2020 10:09:15 GMT -8 vikx said:

I understand how you would be concerned. Unfortunately, it's hard to tell on the wall framing because the photo is only showing to floor level. Most walls are rotted below the floor. That's why they are repaired from the outside.

Float the roof and remove the skins to see what the lowest sills and skirts look like. I'm guessing some pretty nasty rot. The way the skin rippled in the before pix indicates body sag.

You will probably need to replace the entire floor. That means take the trailer down to the frame so that you can do repairs. It isn't rocket science, but you will need a pair of helping hands.

I'm sorry it ended up in being a bigger project than you thought. Most trailers are.

Thank you for you response! Would that require a full rewire as well then? I’m sort of expecting so, and we found an amazing garage in town to do any wiring and lp stuff to ensure it’s safe, but it’ll be some time before we have the budget for it.

We are getting some of the skin off tomorrow and I’ll post pics, but I know the sill is toast in places. I am assuming we can start with the floor, then walls, then ceiling? We have to do half at a time since it’s in a space where it’s agains a hedge... And if we do start with the floor do we need to bother removing the linoleum or should we just cut and remove all the layers?

Thanks again!