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04-19-2011, 08:05 PM
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#1
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Sioux Falls
, South Dakota
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,164
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What and where to look
If we decide on an Airstream for our FT RV, it will be a used one. I've noticed some concerns on various forums about floors rotting on some Airstreams, and that concerns me. Where are the trouble spots with the larger (30-34 foot) rigs from around 2000?
__________________
David Lininger, kb0zke
AIR 54240
Heartland mpg 181 (sold)
1993 Foretravel U300 (sold)
2022 Grand Design Reflection 315RLTS
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04-19-2011, 08:52 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
1986 31' Sovereign
Miami
, Florida
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,137
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Fundamentally, all RV's leak. It is the result of dragging your vacation "home" hither and yon over different surfaces at different temperatures.
As Airstreams tend to last longer (lots longer, actually), sooner or later everyone gets to deal with water damage.
On my '86 (almost a 1990), the area immedaitely adjecent to the door was rotted -- water came up through the step enclosure. The front 2 feet of the floor was also rotted -- leaks under the front window...
Look around on Craigslist, Check the Airforums classifieds. Do NOT buy a unit sight unseen unless a member of this forum has looked at it for you.
Take an awl, or simple ice pick and poke around through the carpet, or the edges of the floor wherever you can reach. Look for discolorations.
Don't let it be deal stopper -- just a negotiating point unless it is widespread.
My '31 has big fresh, grey and black tanks, lots of closets and follows my Titan like a happy puppy. We live in it 6 months of every year and like it lots.
mike
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04-20-2011, 10:09 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
1988 25' Excella
1987 32' Excella
Knoxville
, Tennessee
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,095
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trouble spots would include vista windows, if it has them. around the water heater and rear storage door. front door. check under the sofa at the front. check under the matt in the storage areas. under water heater. take a little hammer and tap where you can reach. musty smell needs to be checked out. small repairs to the floor are relatively minor to cut out the damaged and patch in some new plywood. large areas of damage are a lot bigger repair. lots of times the leaked water travels down inside the walls and into the channel that holds the subfloor.
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07-25-2011, 06:29 AM
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#4
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4 Rivet Member
2008 25' Safari FB SE
Medina
, Ohio
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 332
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Never noticed this musty smell under the bathroom sink...
Hi, I've had my trailer for about 3 weeks now. We camped in it on the way home from WA to OH and then again for 3 days last week. I never before noticed a musty smell under the bathroom sink. Now I do and I'm freaking!
I don't see any water - I will say that we kept the coach pretty cool with the A/C last week because we had our dogs with us. When we turned it off (really hot and humid outside), I think condensation formed on some walls (in the closet).
I'm not sure how to approach this - the floor is cork but when I opened the door under the sink compartment I see about 3" of carpet inside it. I plan to go into that compartment and clean it very well (I notice some ant traps and decon containers from PO) I'm tempted to throw a bucket of bleach in there (I know this is a mistake - I'm kidding).
Has anyone ever used those tubs of stuff you just leave open to attract moisture away from your good stuff?
I'm freaking in OHIO!
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07-25-2011, 06:44 AM
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#5
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Moderator
2006 19' International CCD
Olathe
, Kansas
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 4,224
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When you went from cold to hot you saw a natural effect of humidity. We were camping this weekend and has moisture form on the walls when we went from 72 to mid 80s with rain outside. I use the damp rid buckets (2) to keep the moisture down when I'm storing her and run the AC to keep it down during the day. At night with two adults and two labs breathing it (19 ft Bambi) can also raise the humidity up so I run the fantastic fan on low with the ac running and it drops it back down. If you could remove the carpet that would be your best bet. But clean and dry it with a fan if you can't get it out. Have fun!
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07-25-2011, 07:08 AM
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#6
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4 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
Weldon Spring
, Missouri
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 463
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Hi palmtreegirl, I recommend trying a dehumidifier. For years I resisted buying one, due to our storage space issues. But a couple of years ago, when confronted with having to spend a month in St. Louis (in the summer), I broke down and bought one anyway. Well let me tell you, now I won't "leave home without it" (summer OR winter).
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07-25-2011, 08:51 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2000 25' Safari
Davidson County
, NC Highlands County, FL
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,493
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fmrcaptevil
Hi palmtreegirl, I recommend trying a dehumidifier. For years I resisted buying one, due to our storage space issues. But a couple of years ago, when confronted with having to spend a month in St. Louis (in the summer), I broke down and bought one anyway. Well let me tell you, now I won't "leave home without it" (summer OR winter).
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Would you share what brand, size, etc.? Sound like something I might be interested in!
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07-26-2011, 06:04 AM
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#8
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4 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
Weldon Spring
, Missouri
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 463
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I bought the smallest Frigidaire (25 pints), from Best Buy.
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07-26-2011, 06:21 AM
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#9
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3 Rivet Member
1968 22' Safari
Salem
, Massachusetts
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 163
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just because it seems like this might be the place to ask... we got leaks... we know where most all come from: windows, roof vents & a curb side nose puncture wound... but I have a mystery leak... I found a damp floor on opposite side from puncture... there is water below puncture area so my question is... could they both be from same puncture?
unfortunately we have to wait for the rains to stop before we can fix obvious leaks... & can't fix puncture until next payday... ugh... water... can't live w/out it... don't want to live w/it
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07-26-2011, 06:32 AM
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#10
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Rivet Master
1982 34' Limited
Brunswick
, Georgia
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,084
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@palmtreegirl: when I bought my 34' i had some strange musty smells once the AS sat closed up. I fortunately have power where I store the AS and also use a dehumidifier. My dehumidifier has both an internal pump and a thermostat (it will maintain a specified humidity). I have found that these two options on the dehumidifier are great for "hands off" and storage operation.
The dehumidifier has really helped! (I got the idea from a friends sailboat)
__________________
1982 34' Limited
2000 Excursion V10 4x4
WBCCI #3321
TAC #GA-24
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07-26-2011, 07:45 AM
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#11
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4 Rivet Member
2008 25' Safari FB SE
Medina
, Ohio
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 332
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That's great advice - I'm going to look into one. Thanks!
Aluminomad - that's a shame about the water - I'm not experienced enough to give advice on that subject but I feel for you.....hope you get that worked out soon.
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07-26-2011, 07:53 AM
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#12
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4 Rivet Member
2008 25' Safari FB SE
Medina
, Ohio
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 332
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This runs on 12v and DC
Hey, I googled dehumidifiers - found this one:
Description & Advantages
What do you think of this? Too small? Cool that it runs on 12v + DC.....You might be able to rig it to drain into the holding tank or outside....might be an option - I'm going to see what they cost.
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07-26-2011, 08:34 AM
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#15
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Rivet Master
2000 25' Safari
Davidson County
, NC Highlands County, FL
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,493
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I bought a dehumidifier for my home from Sears a while back, which I do not recommend.
If the electrical power goes off, the de-humidifier does not reset and come back to the on position automatically. It turns off. So if we are away from home and there is a blip in the electric utility, it stays off until we notice. If we are on a trip, who knows how much moisture will build up!
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07-26-2011, 09:06 AM
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#16
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Rivet Master
1982 34' Limited
Brunswick
, Georgia
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,084
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I have the delonghi with the pump amd digital display. No complaints.
__________________
1982 34' Limited
2000 Excursion V10 4x4
WBCCI #3321
TAC #GA-24
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