'75 Ambassador Extreme Reno Starts Now

[bedfords]

I am taking the time to document my progress/struggles/success of our newly required 75 Ambassador 29’ center bath. The journey to this point I am sure has many stories but I can only account for the most resent ones.

In short trailer:
abandoned
Owners where contacted no reply
Adopted by bedfords from original rescuer

Current condition
See photos
Door was left open to the wild
Temporary occupants left pounds of …well you know mark that it is up to one ton of leftovers
Frig is shot may look into replacing the refrigerant coil/compressor
Cabinets in great shape
Carpet removed
Rear separation
Rear floor rot
Frame corrosion!!!!
Do I need to mention the smell!!!
Partial Zee awning canvas looks to be rotted at connection to trailer
No Range/Stove
A/C Heater Water heater unchecked
Running lights work
Axles shot
No radio
The Smell!!


Trailer is setting beside the house so I can walk out and work/dream/plan. The wife has not been inside yet. At this point that is a good thing. I have enlisted a neighbor to help with the frame rehab. Welding is part of his everyday job.

First task is to clean and remove back subfloor section.

I want to thank those that have helped get me this far and thank the rest of you for the help that I know will come my way in the future. I hope to repay if not to you directly then others.

Joe
Pictures to follow:

[bedfords]

It's Finally Home!
We are working on a name and gender. It might be prudent to wait till the clean up is done. I would hate for Stinky be the final name.

[FreshAir]

Your thread title suggested to me that perhaps a new season of 'Reno 911' was about to begin. I was pleased to discover that it wasn't the case. However, you be carefull when you begin in that toxic Ambassador that you will not need your local 911. We shall look forward to seeing and hearing of your progress. I am a little jealous because if I were younger.....well I ain't so have the fun I would have.
Neil.

[bedfords]

Friday I was able to get a good start on removing the back 4’ of sub-floor. I managed to get a little cleaning done. At this point it is somewhat slow going. I have this rule called the gag rule. If I gag at any point while working due to the conditions then I quit for the day. It is my opinion better to walk away than to get so overwhelmed that I want go back. Unfortunately I will a have several more opportunities to walk away. Notice the daylight coming between the floor and wall. I think I might just might have a separation problem.

[bedfords]

Happy Fathers Day to all those dads out there

Removed the back 4’ of sub-floor with the help of third kid!! He’s the one in the pictures with the hair.
Now concentrate on cleaning. Removing some cabinetry to allow for better cleaning. Drop the tanks.

I am thinking I will try a vinegar solution to help break down the smell.
I am hoping not have to replace all the floor or remove all the interior walls. The walls in the back that I loosened did’t have evidence of mice. That doesn’t mean it isn’t elsewhere or the smell isn’t in the insulation. As you can see I have a big job getting the frame back up to a safe solid base. So many unknowns I hope this doesn’t turn into a lifetime project. Time will tell

I threw in one that shows the 110 volt ground. I hope the PO didn't try hooking it up. The thing that gets me is someone used an AL rivet to connect the wire nut to the frame. Again another example of dissimilar metals.

[Aerowood]

I'll be ready to lend you a hand when you need it

[bedfords]

So things were going fast until lately. I have all walls out except between bath and kitchen. The joke was I had just enough time to sneak out and take three screw out at a time. Well it doesn't take much to get most everything out. The problem is it takes much longer to put it back.

Now I am stumped at buckling down and shoveling out the previous occupants leavings. It will take strapping on the hazardous waste protection garments and get in there to do it. I am telling myself it needs to breath. Maybe the cleaning ferries will come and take care of it for me?

I will post pics later.

[Aerowood]

I sprayed mine down with bleach diluted with water in a garden sprayer before I started cleaning mine. A respirator is a must.

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by bedfords

Maybe the cleaning ferries will come and take care of it for me?

Maybe if you remove the windows, and block the door open, and tow it real fast in a slalom, the "stuff" will remove itself...

[centennialman]

Where are you in Littleton? I am in Centennial and would love to come over and see the trailer.

[monocoque]

Cool, the birth of a new '75 ambassador rebuild thread! I've got the same trailer and started a similar project in January. I know what you mean about cleaning. You don't want to know what I found both above and below the floor!

[bedfords]

I have taken most of the summer off. I could be accused of avoiding the problem. But two Sundays back I crawled under her and exposed both waste tanks. The rodent nests filled the cavity. All was good with my goggles/face-mask/jeans/long sleeve tee so I thought. The previous occupants brought in thousands of small needles that went right through the tee shirt. The needles are similar to fiberglass. I could fill them but couldn't see them. The wife using tweezers, pulled needles out for two nights. A week and a half later I still have the scabs to prove it but will live to craw under her again to finish the job.

[bedfords]

My son and I had the opportunity to meet my dad for a guys weekend in Angle Fire NM this past weekend. I just happen to make reservations at the same camp ground as the Denver Unit had assembled at. The pictures below are the views from our cabin. We were invited to look at everyones trailer. What a great bunch of people.

[bedfords]

Once again I mustered the courage to crawl under and let the pellets fall. I attached the tanks and successfully removed all the tanks. See pictures. I also scraped some of the frame in preparation of welding and painting.

There was evidence that the trailer is currently being occupied. Notice of eviction has been posted with the proper paperwork filed.

[bedfords]

I can hardly live with myself - throwing all these little guys out and it is so close to the holidays. But before you pass judgment I have been warning them all summer. Blame it on the economy.

[Wabbiteer]

Sir, you have my deepest sympathy; I too suffered as my AS also displayed dung-dunes in the duct work and vermindiums everywhere... I found the greatest hidden space to radiate odor is the freshwater tank basement; I hope you drop that ASAP and paint and seal the underside of flooring, spars and tank bay floor plywood areas... Beyond that, painting the undersides of galley shelves and countertop will inhibit more smells as will washing both sides of liners with the cleansers of you choice... Good luck to you.

[bedfords]

I finished dropping the pan and cleaning out the under cavity this weekend. The plan now is to have a friend come over with a smaller welder and material. It looks like all of the outriggers will need to be replace and some of the main rail. Then its time for Por-15 install new floor section in back and start putting things back together. If it where only that easy. Winter has set in 14" last week see pic. with another 11" this Monday. No complaints here the weekends have been nice enough to crawl under the trailer. Life is good.

[bedfords]

A custom made AS ornament my honey had made for me.

[Aerowood]

I,m going to try getting some more metal work done this weekend too, hope the weather holds.

[purman]

Hey Bedford, Not so much snow this side of the mountains, but I'm about to start ripping my rear end out too. At the end of the month.. Keep us posted.