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Post by alyssawallflower on Oct 9, 2023 16:22:02 GMT -8
I have a vintage Mallard Goldeneye and it needs some serious work. I know I can’t gut the inside right away, but where should I start with this water damage. The entire ceiling is pooled with water and this kitchenette is toast. Should I rip the ceiling and insulation out then remove the windows and skins? Any advice and maybe a breakdown of where to start would be helpful!
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WhitneyK
Active Member
Posts: 492
Likes: 169
'67 Shasta Compact
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Post by WhitneyK on Oct 9, 2023 17:30:52 GMT -8
STOP!!! Put your tools down and step away from the trailer, slowly.
Actually, you need to do some research on this site before beginning on your project. Others will chime in that have more flowery words than I, but the trailers are built from the inside out. Forget what you've learned about house remodeling, it doesn't apply to trailers.
Ok, I'll let the other join in.
Oh, cute trailer by the way... Whitney
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Post by Teachndad on Oct 10, 2023 4:33:27 GMT -8
Hi Alyssa,
Whitney is correct. Begin by removing the windows and then the skins. Once done, this is your x ray into how badly rotted your trailer is and where the damage is. Then, you can see where to start. Then, at this point you can continue to ask how-to questions. You can break the entire rebuild into smaller sub projects. Otherwise it can seem daunting. Be ready for a long commitment of time and energy.
If you go at it from the inside (gutting), it's actually much harder and you will always miss the rot that is always present at the base of your walls. You see people do this on youtube and it's plain wrong.
On the outside, your trailer looks cute, clean and strong, but that is misleading. You will need to have a covering of some kind as we a move into the Fall season.
If you aren't sure how to remove the skins, research our forum and or ask.
Cheers,
Rod
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Post by vikx on Oct 10, 2023 11:54:34 GMT -8
Welcome.
Start by removing the skins and floating/removing the roof metal. Once bare, you can see what needs to be repaired.
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Post by Teachndad on Oct 14, 2023 6:10:25 GMT -8
Hi Alyssa, I found this in an older thread from 2016 asking how to start as I was researching for my own rebuild. This posted from Vikx. it comes from this thread. vintagetrailertalk.freeforums.net/thread/7790/where-start-rebuildHere'a a short version of what I do to: 1. Take all the windows and doors out; all the "fittings" as well. (water fill, electrical inlet, etc) 2. Remove J rail, awning rail, and all edge trims. There might be some around the wheel wells etc. 3. Pick nails and staples holding the front, rear and roof edges. 4. Straighten the edges on the front and rear metal and lift away from the siding. Do not skip straightening the edges before moving the metal! 5. Pick the nails/or staples attaching the siding to the trailer. Some trailers have staples at the windows and doors, take a close look. 6. Removing the bottom siding from one side. It should slip down out of the Pittsburg seam above. The upper metal is stapled on the lip. You will begin to see lotsa rotsa... 7. Once the skins are off, you can begin to repair the wheel wells, skirts and sills. Depending on how bad the floor is, you may have to take it down to the frame to do proper repairs. Sometimes, a floor (and the joists below) can be repaired without. If the floor edges are not too bad, you might get lucky and be able to do some piecemeal work. 8. Repairs go on from here. The roof can be rolled and removed or "floated" to the side for rafter repairs. If the ceiling panels need replacing, very difficult to make repairs with the roof on. The ceiling panels overlap the top of the wall edges. Watch some of Mobil's videos and take some planning time. We are all here to help.
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Post by alyssawallflower on Oct 16, 2023 13:53:10 GMT -8
Do I have to remove the staples first? Can I just pry the skins off around. There is going to be holes either way but trying to pry the staples out leave larger holes.
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Post by vikx on Oct 17, 2023 11:13:10 GMT -8
You have to remove the staples to keep the metal from ripping. I suspect you need a small, sharp pry tool (a small pick works too) as well as dikes to remove them. I use a pair of angle headed side cutters which work very well once the staple is loosened.
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ruderunner
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Post by ruderunner on Oct 27, 2023 2:56:49 GMT -8
Technique is key. Don't try to pry the staple from the skin, that will damage the skin.
Pry the skin and staple together. Use a gasket scraper with a fixed end(not the ones with a razor blade) and grind it to be almost as wide as the staples. Once the skins and staples are removed from the framework, the staples can be pulled or cut from the skins.
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