Floor Damage from leak around rear storage bumper

[Kay4477]

I️ recently purchased a 27 ft 1974 AS. After pulling out a bed that was constructed by previous owners I️ found extensive water damage. I’ve established that the water is coming in at the seam between the floor and wall. As you can see in the pictures I️ could slide a screwdriver right through. It’s also wide open along the sides of the storage box as well. Any suggestions on how to tackle the leak problem as well as replacing this section of floor?

[Kay4477]

I️ apologize for the symbols. My phone replaced “I️” for “A ?”

[Kay4477]

[Belegedhel]

Looks like classic rear end rot common to trailers of this age. You might be able to patch it or to replace the last entire piece of subfloor--depends on how extensive the rot is. The frame underneath is likely disintegrating as well. The first thing I would do is check the entire perimeter of the trailer for rot to determine how much floor needs to be repaired/replaced. The next thing would be to drop the rear most section of belly pan to see what the frame looks like back there.

Regardless of the fix, the deck of the bumper trunk is the real villain here--it funnels water right into the end-grain of the subfloor back there. You will want to get that interface sealed up as part of the fix.

Good luck!

[Lumatic]

Stand on the back bumper and bounce. If you the bumper moves more than a fraction independent of the coach you have "rear end separation" In the rear of the coach inside the wall is an angle iron which attaches the rear wall to the frame. Good chance it is rusted out. AS uses a "semimonocoque" design where the body of the trailer, the floor and the frame form a structural unit.Good chance the rear section of the floor needs to replaced, and maybe some work on the frame. Not an easy, fast or cheap job. unless you are up for it might be a good time to cut your losses.

[J. Morgan]

Typical 70s rot.

Mine was much the same, additionally the frame on mine was rotten where the black tank was leaking on the frame.

The worst part of the repair was removing the old bath fixtures, my son and I replaced the last four feet of frame and the last sheet of plywood. It took maybe two or three days.

You will find the rear curved piece of c-channel rotten too. I had to reconstruct mine.

[J. Morgan]

FWIW, my trailer was worse..... or at least as bad. Persevere!

[dbj216]

Hello from Colorado: It is a rare original 70s trailer that doesn't have this problem. Many of them have been repaired, but many more have not.

I am a new owner of a 75 Overlander. It has a classic case of rear end separation which I knew when I purchased it. I've taken the bath and holding tanks out and have developed my repair plan, which I read about here on these Forums. Here is a photo of the floor and missing rear body support (due to rust out) of my trailer. Tisk, tisk, tisk.

Note: Airstream cut a lot of clearance holes in the last 8" of plywood subfloor for valves, vents and the like.

Your trailer can be repaired, either by you or a good repair shop. The repair cost is significant, but important. New England has several good repair shops if you want to farm the job out to someone.

And "while you're at it" I can think of several other improvement projects for your trailer.

David

PS: J Morgan: What a neat photo of a sleeping dog in an all wood Airstream interior. Makes me want to take a nap.

[J. Morgan]

Originally Posted by dbj216

PS: J Morgan: What a neat photo of a sleeping dog in an all wood Airstream interior. Makes me want to take a nap.

We love staying in that cabin, probably more than we should. It was worth every minute of construction time, and worth every dollar spent. It is way too cool.