Lots of rotten floor

[tvanwave]

Originally Posted by HiHoAgRV

"While I'm Here"...
I'm adding a panel to prevent body separation. A few of the forum members have had issues with newer well-traveled units and the front body panels splitting. This isn't an issue on the older trailers since there was a metal verticle panel on the frame that was rivited to body.

This insert is riveted to the outer skin and bolted to the frame.

I have a 91 34' but not the front end floor problems...yet. Is it worth the required extra work adding the panels if there is no other reason to open the front up?

[HiHoAgRV]

Originally Posted by tvanwave

I have a 91 34' but not the front end floor problems...yet. Is it worth the required extra work adding the panels if there is no other reason to open the front up?

Hummm....that's a tough one.
If i was going to tow a few times a year, to local spots, I'd probably just monitor it. We trave a pretty good bit (8,100 miles last year) and seldom stay for more that a couple of nights in the same spot. Based on that and the fact that its not really hard to add the plate...I'd add it.

[tvanwave]

Originally Posted by HiHoAgRV

Hummm....that's a tough one.
If i was going to tow a few times a year, to local spots, I'd probably just monitor it. We trave a pretty good bit (8,100 miles last year) and seldom stay for more that a couple of nights in the same spot. Based on that and the fact that its not really hard to add the plate...I'd add it.

OK - once I fix the rear floor I'll move forward!

[ddstech]

Maybe we should start a rotten floor club. . .I'm just saying, I don't think we would have any trouble finding members.

[HiHoAgRV]

Originally Posted by mattkroff

Maybe we should start a rotten floor club. . .I'm just saying, I don't think we would have any trouble finding members.

The only non-members are the Airstream owners who are in denial...

[LawChick]

Yikes! Found floor rot between bed frame and curbside storage unit - not a lot, but some! Figured we would when we noticed attempts to add additional sealants around seam under awning and around storage door. Oh, well. Another fix to do - but won't be too bad when the weather is good.

[HiHoAgRV]

Lawchick,
make sure you find the leak(s)...
Mine was leaking in multiple spots...they all converged in the "C" channel and flowed to 1 of 4 spots...a nice notch in the channel where it transitions from straight wall sections to the curves, in all 4 corners...

When I pulled the lower interior panels and observed during a rain event, it became very clear what was happening.

[Lance M]

I'm a card carrying member!

[goransons]

Welcome to the club, don't forget with club membership you get rusted outriggers free!

[tvanwave]

Originally Posted by HiHoAgRV

Lawchick,
make sure you find the leak(s)...
Mine was leaking in multiple spots...they all converged in the "C" channel and flowed to 1 of 4 spots...a nice notch in the channel where it transitions from straight wall sections to the curves, in all 4 corners...

When I pulled the lower interior panels and observed during a rain event, it became very clear what was happening.

Working on my re-do. It looks like there are weep holes in the c-chanel. Would tha be right? My chanel is all wet and I'm guessing the beltline is the source because most h20 is on top of c not inside c except where bolt penetrates. New club memeber here - does it come with box of band aides and asprin?

[HiHoAgRV]

Originally Posted by tvanwave

Working on my re-do. .. New club memeber here - does it come with box of band aides and asprin?

nope, no band aides or asprin...just a case of inflamed sinuses and a garbage can full of stinkin fiberglass insulation and bio-degradeable mass....

we DO need a secret hand shake or mark that ID's us as a member of the OSB ROT club...lemme work on it...how about a scratch and sniff badge? we ALL know what that smells like...

[ddstech]

Each member receives a roll of caution tape and stickers indicating where cross members are located so guests know where it is safe to step in your trailer.

I cut up my rotten floor into pieces that will fit in the garbage can last night. I will be sitting in the front yard on Tuesday when the trash collector comes. I'm thinking streamers and fireworks.

[LawChick]

I just hope the next one we buy has already had an owner who is a member of our club and did the floor replacement. This mess will probably prevent us from being able to go to the Sarasota WBCCI event - unless we just throw something over it and move up to the front with our mattress. There's just enough room! Hmmmmmm. Tempting. I could put some temporary shims in the channels to keep them from squishing out of shape???

[Chillpoints]

Has anyone see this before. It looks like my first adventure in our '92 Excella 29' will be a bit more of a project than I thought. The PO said there was a soft spot in the floor in the back, so they put a piece of plywood between the beds to distribute the weight. Yes over the carpet. You know how well that worked. If the price had not be so good, I would not have taken it. How do you argue with inheritance. Unfortunately it looks like the toilet water saver spray head was leaking a bit as well. No my question is how to take out the bathroom walls. I guess I need to pull the whole sink, cabinet. I do not see where the medicine cabinet attaches to the wall. I see 4 pop rivets but one of them is absolutely not reachable due to the adjacent cabinet. Does anyone have suggestions. I am trying to save everything so I can put it back. It would be much easier if I could just rip it out.

I am thankful to all who have posted pictures and details of previous work for those of us who are just getting our membership card to learn from.

[HiHoAgRV]

Yuck...that brings back 'smell memories'.

I was lucky and didn't need to remove the wall on my '91 but after a complete floor replacement on my '63...it seems to be possible to completely dissassemble one with very little damage.

Just start taking apart what you have to. Drill out the rivets and search for hidden screws...and keep us posted on the results!

[Mr & Mrs S]

Chillpoints,

Seems like the early 90ish model Excellas seem to be prone to leaks in the same area. Your on the right track, or right thread I should say. I went through the same thing last year. It gets better. Good luck to you!

[Chillpoints]

Thanks for the support. Just think of the knowledge we are all gaining by doing this ourselves..... Not to mention the ultimate satisfaction of a job well done. Ok so there is a bit of frustration along the way. So I took a few quick pics of my medicine cabinet this morning. Sorry they are blurry and sideways , I had not had coffee yet. I have indicated the 4 pop rivets and the trouble getting to them. My best guess is to use a dremmel tool to grind off the top. I am not sure then how to ever get another one in the hole. Any and all thoughts and suggestions welcomed. It looks like ti need to take this off to be able to get the bathroom wall our. If anyone has pictures or threads about removing a bathroom I would love to find that. I am making the list of things needed for this repair. I think for now I won't show it to the Mrs. all she sees are $$$. I tend to be the visionary and see the open road and the great trips we will have.

Think the 3rd picture looks like a problem? I liked the thought of what was rotting the floor in the back better than this leak. I keep telling my self it was the fresh water that was leaking.....

[Wabbiteer]

What does/did a thorough inspection of the removed toilet reveal? I saw a plastic fatigue crack in a hideen place on the one I threw away...

[william Haym]

Sorry you have so much work to do!!!
I had a water leak that satuated part of the bedroom carpet behind washroom
wall in front of drivers side bed area.
It wasn't the toilet hose but was the water valve in the toilet.
I just replaced the toilet.

Perhaps the apparatus door wasn't closed right ,or the seal is defective causing the floor to rot out.
You might want to replace your sewer vent gaskets the're probably cracked
allowing water to come in the trailer. This was a problem point on most airstream trailers.

[Alumaholic]

I am no longer an active member. At least I don't think I am.
Just give me few years.

Walk lightly, and try to step on the cross members.
Don't hang anything on the rear bumper.
We are all here for you.