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order of RV repair

Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2016 7:08 pm
by sblancha
Beginning repair of our 1972 Smokey camper (by Midas). The camper does not appear to be currently leaking anywhere, but does have old water damage inside. We will have to replace floor/under floor, back wall, side walls in the back, and ceiling in the back.

My question(s) are:
1. Should we reseal the roof and outside of windows/lights/doors BEFORE doing the inside or after?
2. Is it realistic to think we can replace studs and braces without taking off the skin? (We've been told that we will HAVE to take off the outer skin....something I'd rather not do!)

Re: order of RV repair

Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2017 9:40 am
by techman
I have worked on my old camper without removing the outer shell. But my wood framing was rotted beyond belief. In some areas where the shell was still attached well, I added 2x2 boards in parallel with the old wood to add strength and attached the new wood to the old where I could.

I cut out the old rotted wood framing where I could first and then put in the parallel boards.

If you have extensive damage though you may want to consider removing the outer skin and rebuilding properly.

Re: order of RV repair

Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2017 6:58 pm
by sblancha
Sounds exactly like what we're up against, and about what we've decided to do as well. Lot harder than I'd thought, because you can't always get to the staples or screws that hold in the original boards, so removal of old wood is a little difficult (unless its so rotten it falls apart). We've decided to start with the floor and work up, and seal the outside upon completion.

Re: order of RV repair

Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2017 10:25 am
by techman
I would suggest getting a large carport tent that you can drive the camper into while you work. In this way you can remove the outer shell as needed. You can get the large carport tents for about 100 to 150 bucks. Not a bad price to protect your camper from the elements I think.