I switched my Colemans over to Dometics, yup, had to get the pricey pans, but the low
profile of the Dometic and the heat strips made it worth it; looks much better.
__________________
1983 310 Turbo Diesel Mo/Ho "Bess" 211,100 miles
Full timing since 1994
Well, believe it or not, I'm making some progress on "restoring" my hurricane-battered trailer. Over spring break I cleaned up about 40% of the interior (about 2 gallons of Tilex needed for the mildewed walls!), took out piles of corroded aluminum brackets and things, and worked for hours removing caked mud from every conceivable surface. My library was converted into a layer of papier-mache that coated the door side--yuck!
The most amazing thing: I actually got the Dometic refer and the gas range working again! The refer had been ripped from the wall and was partially tipped over against the sink when I first arrived. The interior was filled with black mud, but the corrosion on the sealed heat exchange pipes was minimal. After a thorough cleaning (especially of the propane burner), repositioning, re-plumbing, and leveling the unit fired right up and was frigid in about 8 hours.
The range took an astonishing amount of cleaning. All of the valves had to be cleaned, re-greased and resealed. I had to use a toothpick on the burner holes--several hours of work. But the range (sans pilot--I'll need an orifice reamer) now fires up, so I have a place to fry up breakfast and make coffee!
Business is starting to return to the Bolivar Peninsula and the lumberyards are now open and have a good stock of plywood. I had some cut to cover the top of what used to be the gaucho and laid a Coleman air mattress on top--makes a pretty good bed!
I'm not sure yet how to approach the 110V electrical system, but for now an extension cord running to a genny runs a fan and a TV/VCR I bought at Goodwill for $15. I use gas lanterns and candles for lights, and folding camping tables and chairs for furniture. I'm going to get a Sunpentown portable A/C to keep the trailer bearable while I work this summer to clean out the middle and the bathroom.
I'd have pictures, but I lost my camera on the beach. The windows (those that survived) are muddied up inside, have no curtains or blinds, and hardly pass light. Several need new screens. The door lock is ruined; I close the door with a barn hasp on the outside and a bungee cord when I'm inside. There is no running water (I ordered a new pump, but the tank may be full of mud). The tires are all flat. She'll never roll again, but she'll make a great aluminum tent!
I'll rustle up some pix as soon as I can. I haven't decided what to do with the shell yet, but it is towable if the tires are resealed. I may sell it, or I may use it as a storage shed (sniff).
There was no insurance--unaffordable. I just drew the short straw.
My username is the atomic mass of aluminum (I teach chemistry).
DO NOT use it as a shed unless you're prepared to pull all of the inside skins, drop the belly pan AND replace the floor. You will have black mold in there if you don't already and that stuff will screw up your lungs - possibly permanently. You might get $300-$500 for the aluminum, and of course you'll already know about the value of the door, windows, latches, etc.
I commend your can do attitude. I hope you'll enjoy your new unit for a long time!
Paula
__________________
Today is a gift. That's why they call it "the present"
That will teach me to post before I read the last post. OK if you're cleaning up the appliances that thoroughly you'll do the skins and the insulation and the floor too.
You might want to call a flood restoration company like Serv-pro and buy some mold remover - or go with good old Clorox which works very well.
What a huge job you have. Be very very careful... wear a respirator!
Paula
__________________
Today is a gift. That's why they call it "the present"
Although the dreaded black mold was a major concern at first, I'm not worried about it now. The trailer floor was coated with a layer of salty mud which seems to have protected it from molding, as I can find none there. I also fished out some tufts of the wall insulation with a long wire and it too looks free of black mold.
What is/was growing on the inside walls and ceiling of my trailer is the gray mildew that most people have seen in their bathrooms (it's the one that grows on the bathtub grout).
Black mold is at its worst on wet drywall, which of course is not used in Airstreams. I don't think it thrives where the flooding was caused by salt water--at least, not like it does after immersion in fresh water. Nevertheless, about 20 years ago I almost lost my health (and nearly a lung) to a fungus infection, so I'm VERY cautious about working in moldy environments.
Tilex uses sodium hypochlorite, the active ingredient in Clorox, and is very effective for getting rid of mold.
Incidentally, I noticed that I have gotten carried away writing about this restoration even though I originally posted it in the '68 Safari section! The trailer being "restored" is a '72 Ambassador International. Any administrators reading this might want to remove this entire thread to the appropriate section. Thanks!
Quick Links
Linear Mode
