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Post by rogerthedodger on Jan 22, 2022 12:32:02 GMT -8
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Jan 23, 2022 20:01:39 GMT -8
Nice. Fireballs are good trailers.
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Jan 24, 2022 5:47:23 GMT -8
Your skin looks in excellent condition and that’s One giant toilet seat ;-)
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Post by vikx on Jan 24, 2022 11:29:59 GMT -8
Speaking of the toilet: that looks like a Thetford Aqua Magic. Get rid of it. They are particularly nasty in that there is no solid "tube" from the bowl to the floor flange. Debris splashes inside the toilet body and stays there. If you plan to keep an RV toilet, the replacement should have the tube to direct debris directly to the holding tank.
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Post by rogerthedodger on Jan 26, 2022 7:03:49 GMT -8
Yes, it is a thetford aqua magic, and I plan on ditching it. It is nasty. Yuck. Any recommendations?
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Post by rogerthedodger on Jan 26, 2022 7:12:40 GMT -8
The worst areas of wood rot are the street side, below kitchen and front windows, and curb side at the entry door, eyebrow area. Also, they installed an a/c in the vent hole, and now I have some roof sag due to the weight. My work is cut out, so now the fun begins. I will try to remember pics as I go, and lots of advice accepted. Roger
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Jan 26, 2022 12:03:01 GMT -8
I keep trying to tell people that these trailers are not built for the weight of an AC on top of the roof. Also even if you beef up the roof you also have to beef up the walls and put gussets in the top corners to help prevent sway. Just not a good idea. I have a video series on the right way to install an AC unit in a small travel trailer. And it's not on the roof. There are many other options available.
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Post by vikx on Jan 26, 2022 16:15:17 GMT -8
Thetford makes a Bravura line of toilets and maybe more. You can look at them in person at some RV shops or Camping World. Also, some of the ceramic bowl toilets are better. Make SURE you can get parts before you purchase any RV toilet.
Honestly, if your holding tank isn't in pristine condition, I'd go with a porta potti. The mid sized ones are easy to dump, bigger ones are a pain. The waste flushes down the toilet. Keep in mind 5 gallons is 40 pounds!
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Post by rogerthedodger on Jan 27, 2022 8:00:57 GMT -8
Mobiltec, since I will be opening up the skins, what ways do you suggest I shore up the walls. Removal of the a/c at this point is probably not an option.
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Jan 27, 2022 15:16:06 GMT -8
You can't really do that. Just remove the AC unit and put a normal vent up there or a Fantastic Fan or something. You would have to completely re-engineer and design a new set of walls and roof to do it right. I show how to build in a conventional window unit. Another popular idea is to use a floor model that rolls around and vents exhaust out the window or a port in your camper. Because they are portable you can use one of these anywhere. The way I teach is to remove all of the skins to begin with and start replacing rotted wood. I can't really explain it all to you in one post here. I teach a class on line for this stuff and also have a website with hundreds of how-to videos. www.cannedhamtrailers.comBut the first thing you do is remove the skins. You may start by just lifting up the bottom skins first just to take a peek. The two photos below show how to do this.
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Post by rogerthedodger on Jan 27, 2022 17:09:47 GMT -8
I did that on the lowliner, and replaced a lot of rot. I am going to do the same on this fireball. I thought their might be a way to reinforce the walls to handle the weight, while the walls are open.. actually, there is a storage compartment at the rear, and one at the front, both at floor level, that would handle a window style a/c. I would have to wire 115 vac but that is a piece of cake for me, and the panel already has room for extra breakers. Biggest problem, I am not able to go on the roof and lift a 100 pound unit, and get it on the ground. Guess I will ponder it for awhile.
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Jan 28, 2022 9:00:02 GMT -8
A come along would take care of that problem for you. I have a winch up in the rafters of my shop that works nicely. I can lift the fiberglass shell off of my Blazer with it.
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Post by vikx on Jan 28, 2022 12:18:54 GMT -8
Check to see if the A/C works. If it does, someone will buy it. If not, push it off the roof in a crash...off to the dump.
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Post by Teachndad on Jan 29, 2022 7:13:30 GMT -8
Hi Friends,
Vikx beat me too it. That was going to be my suggestion. The other thought is that if the unit doesn't work, then, can you take it apart while up there until it's in smaller pieces and then toss those over the side a piece at at time.
Also, you probably know this, but better safe than sorry. Don't walk on the roof. I mainly say that for newbies.
Going for an in the closet AC unit is a good idea. Do a lot of research first to make sure that you have enough air flow coming in and how you will get the air to the unit as well as venting the warmer exhaust air. Some have used a "box" window A/C unit and others have used a unit like a mobile unit that can be used inside a bedroom. Vent should be high as possible so you don't just cool your feet. That's what happens when people put the A/C unit under the bed. That's what Larry says.
Cheers,
Rod
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Post by vikx on Jan 29, 2022 13:01:21 GMT -8
Almost all A/C units are one piece. You can remove the cover but everything is mounted to the base... the A/C is loosened by 4 bolts inside the plenum (inside trim piece)
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