Interior Pictures - 1969 GT

[Cogen]

Hi,
Sorry this took so long... I can't believe the amount of mold in the trailer. I started to dabble in throwing away the contents, there's alot of stuff left to go... I picked up the trailer this past spring and have done nothing. I'm trying to save money and I'm picking up tools to start the rebuilding process.

Any ideas on why the mold is on all the seams? I can't wait to start the rebuilding process!

Thanks,
Cogen

[willyd]

What a job you have. I am sure the Airstream will look great when you are done.

[Cogen]

Thanks Willy,

Family and friends are giving me good ideas on the rebuild. We'll see...


Cogen

[cameront120]

Are you doing anything to keep the damp out of the trailer?

[Cogen]

No, this is my first camper and I know nothing about winterizing. When I picked up the Globetrotter it was sitting for 6 years with the windows open! Once I strip everything out of it and bleach the interior, then I will leave a heater inside of it. Or if anyone has any tips I will gladly listen.
Thanks,
Cogen

[76sovereign]

Congrats on your purchase.
Anything you have a question about can be answered here at the forum.
This IS the best place to start! We have learned so much from the forum and the wonderful participants of this site.

Good luck and keep us up to date on your progress.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Cogen

Hi,
Sorry this took so long... I can't believe the amount of mold in the trailer. I started to dabble in throwing away the contents, there's alot of stuff left to go... I picked up the trailer this past spring and have done nothing. I'm trying to save money and I'm picking up tools to start the rebuilding process.

Any ideas on why the mold is on all the seams? I can't wait to start the rebuilding process!

Thanks,
Cogen

The mold on the seams suggests considerable mold within the walls.

The only safe way to make sure the mold becomeshistory, is to completely gut the trailer, and with the frame supported so that it cannot drop, remove all the interior sheet metal and headliners.

You will then see the "complete" problem.

I would hazaed a guess that the mold is also in the fiberglass insulation.

After complete gutting, there are several ways to remove the mold, from everything.

Andy

[Cogen]

I saw it coming... Love the challenge! I will try to take pictures along the way. I like the way the other members have done it in the past.

Cogen

[Lothlorian]

I noticed the mildew and dirt on your roof. Turst me on this one. Mr. Clean Magic erasers will clean that up to what it looked like coming out of the factory.

Mine looked the same and now it looks like a new trailer inside.

Lothlorian

[Distantdrummer]

Originally Posted by Lothlorian

I noticed the mildew and dirt on your roof. Turst me on this one. Mr. Clean Magic erasers will clean that up to what it looked like coming out of the factory.
Mine looked the same and now it looks like a new trailer inside.
Lothlorian

Brian,I think you meant ceiling not roof.
I am amazed at the high praise for the Magic Erasers all over the web. I have not found them to be any more effective than a rag with some good cleaner.
It still takes so much elbow grease and the erasers seem to deteriorate rather quickly in my experience anyway.
Did you dip the erasers in vodka or everclear or something first??
Wonder what is suppose to be in them anyway?

[Lothlorian]

The eraser does need elbow grease but they get those spots that soap, water and cleaner can't get off. I like them. I should go to work for Mr. Clean. ha Ha.
I guess my elbow strength comes from drinking Sam Adams.

Brian

[uwe]

You can clean the interior all you want, the mold will still be inside the walls and in places you can't get to. It is unhealthy, in my opinion.

[tphan]

I second Uwe's, and Andy's, opinion on the mold issue. It is nothing to fool with- mold is a toxin that can, and will, screw with your immune system if left in the trailer ceiling and wall cavities. Andy's advice here is a must- completely gut those spaces, seal the exterior completely, and re-insulate with something else.

[ts8501]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

The mold on the seams suggests considerable mold within the walls.

The only safe way to make sure the mold becomeshistory, is to completely gut the trailer, and with the frame supported so that it cannot drop, remove all the interior sheet metal and headliners.

You will then see the "complete" problem.

I would hazaed a guess that the mold is also in the fiberglass insulation.

After complete gutting, there are several ways to remove the mold, from everything.

Andy

I certainly agree with this and what others have written regarding getting rid of the mold. I am just curious and wondering what caused all this moisture to begin with. The windows being open for so long suggest someone was trying to dry out the interior. This seems to go beyond leaks in the skin. Anyone ever seen this much mold before, and know what the cause was?

[BWH-Utah]

I also agree with Uwe and Andy, what you see may just be the start.
But, hay lets slow down a bit on gutting the patient as a first step.

1) I would suggest a phased approach, drill out some rivets, peal back one of the easier ceiling panels and take a look. Then move forward from there.
2) Not all mold produces mycotoxins, the bad players. But, all mold produces spores which an increasing number of people seem to be developing allergic reactions to.
Mold - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mold health issues - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
have some good info.
Good luck
BWH

[jerrypeterma]

BWH has a real good point. mold needs moisture, warmth and darkness to grow and if you change any one of the conditions it will die.
clean the surface and look behind some easy panels first, and gut last.
might work
take care and good luck
jerry

[Cogen]

Which is the easiest panel to start on?

ts8501,
The trailer was owned by a woman who passed away 7 or so years ago. The person who inherited the trailer didn't know how to winterize and had no interest in camping so it sat in the yard year after year with the windows open.
I rescued the trailer last spring with the intention of doing a full monty. I have thousands of layouts in my head and haven't picked one yet. I like the trailer called "Edison".

I started to collect the tools I may need to attack the project. Hand tools to a plazma cutter! I don't however have the financial backing to buy stock to begin this adventure.

Thanks for the all the replies everyone...

Cogen

[BWH-Utah]

From your pictures I would start by removing the panel that television antenna crank goes through. It looks like there is mold around the round cover plate and along the curb side of that panel.

I would then go for opening up one of the long seams along the
central ceiling panel. This should open up by just drilling out a few rivets.
Good luck
BWH

[tphan]

Wear a respirator with the proper filter for this job! Good luck.