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dbj216 · 01-19-2018, 07:43 PM

I find reassembly takes much longer than disassembly. I would add more time to the reassembly phase.

David

Jeremy9107 · 01-19-2018, 11:15 PM

David. Certainly not an expert but am 2 months ahead of you on restoration project. Much more aggressive endeavor granted but can advise to read restoration threads and other pertinent threads as what you are doing has been done many times and the information within will guide you along the way no doubt. Your disassembly estimates are close to what it took us (had 2 people working pretty aggressively 8-10 hours daily). Agree with dbj216 that your reassembly will take longer though. It's the unexpected that will hang you up. Beware the stuff you will find under that floor and the condition that could prompt other projects.

2002sheds · 01-20-2018, 07:45 AM

Hi Jeremy,
Thanks for your post. I have been scouring the forums and getting fantastic advice. The main thing I couldn't figure out was timing per step -- especially since posts might be days apart...so I am very grateful for your perspective and the perspective of others that are chiming in

I agree completely that it will be the unexpected that throws the schedule off. I am hoping to start early enough to allow at least some time to deal with those delays, but if this goes like some of the other projects I have tackled, I will still be tightening something down 3 minutes before we leave

Thanks,
David

Minno · 01-20-2018, 08:02 AM

Oops, Ambassadors are longer than I realized.
Time lines always get messed up by unexpected things.
And, then there's those dreaded words by the other half: "you know, while were at it, we should..." My husband shudders when he hears that! (the other one is "I've been thinking...")
While your inner skins are out, a good scrub with them laying flat does wonders. Make sure you rinse very well, dry well, and then you can store them rolled up and secured with that plastic carpet stretch securer stuff (don't know name). Ours sat for a year that way in the garage.

Kay

2002sheds · 01-20-2018, 12:19 PM

Hi Kay,
Great tip! I had no idea that the skins are that thin...!

Thanks,
David

2002sheds · 01-22-2018, 11:22 AM

Hi All,
Reality is sinking in a bit further today. It has been raining here, and a quick look inside the AS is showing that my wishful thinking is giving way to the realization that there are likely many more leaks than I thought/hoped for. In addition to the plywood in the back of the coach (bath area) being pretty much gone, I should have mentioned the area near the entry door under the windows, which is also rotten to the point of plywood simply falling away.
I am certain that I will find several more points of entry for water. I am reading everything I can in the "windows and doors" section that I can in anticipation of attempting to seal as many leaks as possible before removing/replacing the floor, since a new floor won't last long if there are leaks...
Question: I view the two topics to be related, but there are different forum topic "headers". Is is considered good practice on AirForums to keep this thread going and post my questions here as I handle this other task, or should I post over in "Windows and Doors" for just those questions, or ask that this thread be moved to General Repair or some other area???? Obviously (and probably not the least bit surprisingly to those of you with experience), the scope of this repair/restoration is already becoming much larger than I initially thought, even if the goal is to keep the list as short as practical.
Color me confused...

Thanks,
David

2002sheds · 01-25-2018, 09:06 PM

Hi All,
Well, I may have read/talked myself into a circle... I am certain that the wall/ceiling skins should be pulled because there were definitely critters in there. The floor, on the other hand, is definitely damaged in the rear bath and near the front door under the bank of windows -- at least of one of which leaks. The rest I am unsure of, and may be okay.
In the interest of time, I am now considering the following path:

1. Pull out the fixtures and walls and any other barrier to the interior skins.
2. Remove the Pergo that is currently on the floor.
3. Remove the interior skins.
4. Inspect for leaks in the ceiling/walls/windows.
5. Remove just the damaged parts of the subfloor if the total damaged area is
small.
6. Patch leaks.
7. Reassemble

How many of you have pulled up the subfloor and have found no trace of invaders? If the answer is zero, I am definitely adding pulling the entire floor to the list...

I am almost done with the remodel that is keeping me from starting the real work on the AS. All of this info is really helping me get ready and (hopefully) move quickly and decisively when I finally tear into it.

Thanks,
David

2002sheds · 01-26-2018, 02:30 PM

Hi All,
Well, I already went out of order... I removed the Pergo this morning after seeing wet areas in different parts of the trailer. Here are a few pics (below)...the galvanized metal box that the tank sits in is clearly visible in one of the pictures. I was surprised that most of the floor looked like the other pics, though...

tx70amb · 01-26-2018, 05:42 PM

David, I also own a 70 Ambassador that was very similar to yours when I purchased it. I was able to replace the back 4' of the floor along with the door area and front two corners with the shell on. Pre cutting the marine grade plywood replacement with the use of patterns was a key to installing new subfloor All smells were removed when pulling pink insulation from floor and bathroom area. Could not have restored without all the great advice from some of the "old timers" who were actively posting about 8 years ago. Perhaps that was a time period when more of the 60 and 70 trailers were being restored. It took me two years to finish 90% of the rehab and I kept the original look. It sure sounds like you have the potential to do the same. I am glad I did not put myself under any time limits which would have taken some of the joy away. John

dbj216 · 01-26-2018, 07:33 PM

Hi 02sheds: My Overlander didn't have any critters under the subfloor. I don't smell any dead ones in the trailer. My Limited and my Trade Wind did have mice infestations. A good cleaning starts from the bottom.

You have the floor covering is up. But one big job for you is to drop the belly pan aluminum. Jack up your Ambassador and make it absolutely safe to be under it. You will have to drop some of the propane lines. Drill out every rivet you see that holds up the belly pan. When you get it removed, pull out the pink insulation. Now you can see the subfloor, crossmember and frame rails. I only did the rear of my trailer from the bumper to the axles. And that's all I plan on doing this year.

The old stinky insulation is in the trash. I have repaired the rotted subfloor at the rear of the trailer and repaired the rear end separation. I cleaned and coated the floor, and painted the frame rails. Next is new insulation and new belly aluminum.

I understand your time constraints. I'm just describing what I did.

David

2002sheds · 01-26-2018, 10:15 PM

Hi John, David,
Thanks for the responses! John, when you replaced the bath floor, did you remove the banana wraps, remove all bath fixtures, jack up the end of the Ambassador and then slide new plywood in?
And David, if I jack up the Airstream in order to get at the belly skin are there certain jack points that will still allow me to remove the belly skin? and will I need to us Olympic rivets to re-attach, or can I use sheet metal screws?
I removed the Pergo today, and found less water damage than I feared. Still, I would feel better if I start with a clean (and as dry as possible) Airstream, so I think I am going to go the route of removing the belly skin and all of the insulation underneath. I will replace it with 2" rigid foam.

Thanks,
David

rugjenkins · 01-26-2018, 10:37 PM

The floors look really good except where the rot it is. I'd cut out the bad and patch.

Most insulation looks really good from the 2nd panel up. May I suggest removing only the bottom interior panels and replace the insulation only there unless it looks like critters when farther. The bottom panels will have to come anyway to repair the floor. The least you disassemble the quicker you rehab goes.

2002sheds · 01-26-2018, 11:26 PM

Hi Matt,
Thanks for the response. I will follow your and John's advice on the subfloor. Regarding the interior panels, I would love to go the route that you describe, but I know for a fact that the critters were in the ceiling because I had the distinct pleasure of hearing them as I walked through the AS just before it was towed to our home... I am just glad that they moved out! I will be patching every entrance I can find, that is for sure ...

Thanks,
David

mimiandrews · 01-27-2018, 06:17 AM

and will I need to us Olympic rivets to re-attach, or can I use sheet metal screws?

There is a special, large head, rivet for belly pan skins. VTS has them.

2002sheds · 01-27-2018, 06:35 AM

Hi Mimi,
Thanks for the tip! I am possibly going to change the layout at some point -- sooner, if the bath fixtures break as easily as I have read here :-) In that case, are sheet metal screws used/recommended?

Thanks,
David

dbj216 · 01-27-2018, 06:53 PM

Hi 02sheds: Here is a photo of the jackstands I use to support the trailer just behind the rear axle. Yes, you and remove the belly skins with the trailer supported on the frame rails behind the axle plate as shown in the photo. I just trimmed around the belly aluminum at the jackstands. Of course, the A frame jack at the front of the trailer is the third weight bearing point. I also add additional screw type jack stands just for a safety back up.

Belly pan rivets are "pop" rivets as installed at the factory. Belly pans are not "bucked" riveted. The large flange rivets are what the factory uses, and so do I. They are readily available, even at your hardware store. There are lots of rivet suppliers. Sheet metal screws are used in the trailer also. My bath fixtures had more 1/8" diameter rivets holding it together than screws. Most of the cabinets are screwed to the subfloor or interior walls.

I might add I used 4" of the rigid foam insulation. It depends on where the trailer will be used. 2" is fine for warmer climates. You lose a lot more heat and cold through the windows and walls than you do the subfloor.

David

2002sheds · 01-27-2018, 08:14 PM

Hi David,
Thanks! My path is becoming more clear...I will drop the belly pan, remove the insulation and install the 2" rigid foam, which should work in our climate...
I still hope to replace the rotten pieces of floor without removing the shell. I am quite apprehensive about removing the bath fixtures. I hope to reuse them, and I just know I will break them as they come out...

Thanks,
David

B Wilson · 01-28-2018, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2002sheds

Hi David,
Thanks! My path is becoming more clear...I will drop the belly pan, remove the insulation and install the 2" rigid foam, which should work in our climate...
I still hope to replace the rotten pieces of floor without removing the shell. I am quite apprehensive about removing the bath fixtures. I hope to reuse them, and I just know I will break them as they come out...

Thanks,
David

I just removed the fixtures from the bath of my 70 Overlander without damage. Take a deep breath and go slowly !

2002sheds · 01-28-2018, 06:44 PM

Hi B,
Thanks! Did you remove everything in the bath and the closet walls -- basically everything until the bed/s?
Any idea of around how many hours it took?

Thanks,
David

tx70amb · 01-28-2018, 09:33 PM

David, I did not use jack stands. After removal of old original floor the gap was large enough to persuade the new floor in. Yes the banana wraps and all bathroom parts were removed along with the interior bathroom wall skin, bottom half only. There was a cross member in the steel framework at just about 4' forward from back floor edge. I was able to use a splice from under the remaining original floor to the new floor which tied the two pieces together. I also added two new outriggers to each side of the original frame and replaced the metal support at the C channel in the lic. plate area. I can look for pics tomorrow as you can tell, many things will be done to correct the separation/sag issues and you want to do this only one time. i have not noted very many 70 amb owners so I want to help as much as I can