Hey from the South

[gwidman]

Hello to all. I am a relatively new Airstreamer. My first foray into this great community started with a 1970 31' sovereign. I owned it for just one year and had great plans for a major restoration. During that time I ran onto a 1984 Excella 34' which I bought. The wife said one or the other so the sovereign hit the road. The excella went through Hurricane Katrina and was flooded. (4' of water inside for over a month) Surprisingly it is in very good shape for all it has been through. We have stripped the inside and are finally down to the cabinet frames and bare floor. I was in fear of dry rot and my fears were confirmed. There is rot along the back wall, by the door and in the bathroom area. The rest of the floor flexes as you walk on it so I am assuming that there is probably much more there than meets the eye. My plan is to replace the entire floor. So out come all of the cabinets, bathroom and fixtures until I reach an empty shell. Has anyone done a renovation as extensive as this on an excella 34'? Ay suggestions on replacing the floor without removing the body. Looking forward to sharing as I go along.

[Chuck]

Hey from the North...and welcome to the forums!

sounds like quite a project you have on your hands. I don't recall any stories here of complete floor replacement on a 34 footer, but I know there are some with 31's...should be the same process. Use the search feature on the forum, and you'll find plenty of threads to keep you busy. The floor can be replaced with the shell on, or off...personal preference, depending on gumption, tools, storage space, etc...but people have done it both ways.

good luck!

[Foiled Again]

The bad part is all the work, the good part is having a custom "better than new" Airstream when you're done.

I'm not a restorer, and my heart goes out to all the folks who lost their possessions during Katrina and the 4 hurricanes in Florida. I agree with the prior poster - use the Search function and keep us posted.... folks just love to kibbitz and many will offer great advice and practical suggestions. Are you doing "frame on" or "frame off"?

Search for the "full monte" !

Paula Ford

[Jim & Susan]

Gwidman, welcome from just up the road. Lots of nice folks here to help you out. Here's a couple of us that have Full Monty (Monte) threads going on right now.

Uwe: http://www.airforums.com/forum...ler-11687.html

A-Merry-Can: http://www.airforums.com/forum...ent-17197.html

NorCal Bambi:
http://www.airforums.com/forum...mbi-17925.html

My Own: http://www.airforums.com/forum...nte-15132.html

Also, look up members JCFerguson and Ankornuta. Can't find thier links right now.

Jim

[overlander63]

I hate to add to the stuff you are going to have to rip out, but if you haven't taken out the walls yet, you will have to. The insulation between the walls will have to be replaced before you can put anything back in it. There is also insulation under thge floor, inside the belly pan, that will have to be removed as well.
I really, and I mean really, hate to suggest it, but you may want to search for another, non-flood coach.

[acrane]

Hi from Mississippi,

We have a soft spot in our living area. My husband said he was going to cut the center our, leaving about 1" around the walls, cabinets, etc and attach the new floor to it.

Previous poster is right though, you will have water in your wall insulation, etc.

Good luck to you and your family.

Katrina hurt all of us a lot.

Alice