Now It Starts... Rebuild of Audrey

[islandtrader]

Flipping the trailer completely over would be the way go. Being on the side is second best.

It took me 3 paper patterns to make it right. I did not find impossible, but it was a challenge to make it look good.

Everyone tackles this differently and I looked at a lot of posts and tried to do what works for me...but there are challenges ahead.

[islandtrader]

Well last few weeks around here have been dedicated to house maintenance and spring breakers, visiting. Now back to the real work

Couple more sections have been put on. I'm trying to make sure I mouse proof the sucker. However I know they can squeeze into a hole as little as a 1/4 inch.

Takes time...as I said b4 its easier on the side than on your back...but flipping is the way to go..

Oh yes you can never have enough clecos...just ordered 50 more.

[steinVT]

Making good progress. I'm jealous and still looking at snow out my window.

Couple of questions:
How thick is the insulation you attached to the floor?
How did you attach it?

Thanks,
Mark

[Aerowood]

If you just ordered 50 clecos then you are still 50 short.

[islandtrader]

Originally Posted by steinVT

Making good progress. I'm jealous and still looking at snow out my window.

Couple of questions:
How thick is the insulation you attached to the floor?
How did you attach it?

Thanks,
Mark

The insulation is 2"...and the back side has a thin plastic type sheet covering the foam board. I basically glued it on with a water base adhesive that was recommended to me, it comes in a tube like caulk. I would tell you the name but I don't have any tubes laying around.

[islandtrader]

Originally Posted by Aerowood

If you just ordered 50 clecos then you are still 50 short.

OH NO! Now you tell me....

[islandtrader]

I have had this tool for at least the last 30 years ...and when pulling a lot of pop rivets especially big or steel this is life saver.

Got all the flat pieces on and tomorrow I will start on the banana wraps.

[islandtrader]

The problem with having to many toys is you have to attend to each of there needs...and the airstream gets the short straw. Oh well now the boats water pump is replaced...and the Jeepster,s tranny is now been rebuild.

Working on the banana wraps. Not really difficult, just takes time. Each wrap has an extra strip on the out riggers to prevent creasing and rub thru. I’m making the wraps a separate so they can replaced easily when dented... also getting ready to cut holes for the on demand hot water heater...thinking ahead

[islandtrader]

Today I finally got the measurements for the holes on the hot water heater. Measured 6x LOL and only cut once. I thought it would be easier cutting the belly pan b4 I rivet in place. Since the holes are 4 1/2 inches I'm glad I did it.

Doing an on demand water heater, with the exhaust through the floor rather than out the side. One hole is intake and the other is the exhaust. Smaller hole is for a pressure relief tube.

I used 4 inch pvc to line the hole and to give it the direct outlet it needs. Will screen the bottom with some screen caps.

[islandtrader]

Don't let the title mislead you...only the belly pan is done..

Like I said in a previous post...if you can flip it completely over, you will save a lot of time and back aches. I put my pan together with approx. 20 sections. For me it was easier to do...plus all the banana wraps can be removed separately if need be.

Each out rigger has a sacrificial aluminum covering if the seams did not over lap.

The exposed wood floor under the steps got a aluminum covering and will get caulked to seal out any water intrusion.

Next step is to clean the shell and get it ready to be attached to the sub floor. Can't wait to start doing something different.

Oh yes my first measure 10x cut once mistake. Any how I just "stretched" the aluminum by adding a piece since I was out of that material. It's on the bottom so no one can see it.
A few years ago I would of fretted about this and maybe ordered more aluminum . But knowing you can't see it and its not structural it does not bother me one bit...haha

[DDickey]

It's looking great!

[islandtrader]

Before putting the shell back onto the frame I thought I would do some water testing and sealing. This way most of the crud is still on the ground and not on my brand new floor...LOL

What is interesting is that the end caps showed no sign of water intrusion and after a good soaking still were good. The only leaks so far are where they were before...did some blue pad die grinding to get the corrosion off and then sprayed the seams with leak seal...this stuff works great. It also comes in a clear formula, which might come in handy for quick repairs on the roof. I also have a quart of flex seal that someone gave me and will use this to coat everything that has a hole in it.

[islandtrader]

Finally got the shell back on...just in time for hurricane season. Putting the shell on is always a PIA. No matter how you plan it there is always a rivet or stray pieces of aluminum that hangs you up. It seems like you kick, push, shove and say bad things about somebody's mother. Then like some miracle you hear a loud noise and everything is solid. I do have to say when that shell is on the frame it is rock hard no jiggle...

A couple pictures showing the inside. I hard mounted the shell to the frame at four points. Now all the fun begins putting the 600 rivets in that I took out oh so long ago...

Off on a river cruise for the month of June so no more action til July.

[DDickey]

Congratulations! Shell on is a milestone for sure

[Bubba L]

You sure have come a long way. Glad the shell dropped back on without issue. I think that was my first initial big concern. But I found that there are a few concerns after the shell goes back on. I love challenges. All is looking great. Keep the progress going. Good luck, Bubba

[MsRivet]

Woo-hoo and a yiiipppeee ki-yay!!! Good job! We can't wait to get to this point on ours. That point will be a sigh of relief. One question . . .

Did you do anything special to the decking joints? What type of joint did you use?

[chrisetmike]

Congratulations, can't wait to see the rest!

[steinVT]

I can only imagine how good that feels. Going to be a long time until I am there. At least I don't usually have to worry about hurricanes, only snow.

Congrats, Mark

[islandtrader]

Originally Posted by MsRivet

Woo-hoo and a yiiipppeee ki-yay!!! Good job! We can't wait to get to this point on ours. That point will be a sigh of relief. One question . . .

Did you do anything special to the decking joints? What type of joint did you use?

Not sure I understand the question fully. All boards and edges were epoxy sealed and painted. The joints on the sub floor are just butted up to each other with a bead of silicone caulk to water proof them. The C channel has a moisture barrier between the channel and the floor. And the sub floor also has a barrier on it floor to frame...hope this helps.

[MsRivet]

Originally Posted by islandtrader

Not sure I understand the question fully. All boards and edges were epoxy sealed and painted. The joints on the sub floor are just butted up to each other with a bead of silicone caulk to water proof them. The C channel has a moisture barrier between the channel and the floor. And the sub floor also has a barrier on it floor to frame...hope this helps.

That answered my question. Thanks so much! Some, and that’s only a handful of people, have added wood cabinetry biscuits to the subfloor joints. Preventing vertical movement across the width of the long subfloor joints. Overkill? Probably. We are not far from adding the new decking subfloor onto the new frame. Just polling what others have done.

Enjoy that river cruise!