removing interior skins

[Debnw]

Hi, we have recently purchased a 72 Safari, have discovered that it needs alot more than a good cleaning. After removing all interior we decided to look behide a panel and discovered that mice have turned the insulation into a hotel! Thankfully all have moved out! So, decided all interior skins have to be removed and insulaton replaced, having a difficult time removing top panels, and the ones behind the door. Does the door trim piece have to be removed? Also, we cannot get the top panels to release from the top center trim piece.
Also discovered rotten floor boards at front and back of camper from water damage. Have been told that it is best to remove the whole camper from base, to replace all boards and that makes it easier to repair anything needed under the floor. Any ideas or suggestions?? Would gladly except any advice or WORDS OF WISDOMS!!!

[Eric H]

Hello there,
the best advice is to start digging on the forum! You are certainly opening a can of worms so it's important to know what you're getting into. It will take a long while to do it right. A frame off is certainly the easiest way (after you get the shell off) to work on it and get it back to (or beyond) what it was, but it's an undertaking. My personal words of wisdom are to take it one step at a time, do a little something as often as possible and not get discouraged when you see the mess that 40 years has made! It will all look better soon. Not sure why the top panels are not coming off. There are a lot of rivets that like to hide, also you may want to try a bigger drill bit (knowing that you may need a slightly larger rivet later).
Here's my 74 safari that I found had major rust on the frame. We ended up doing a frame off.
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f421...ybe-85368.html

Good luck!

[Debnw]

Thanks Eric H. Looks like we will be spending alot of time looking through the forum.

[Minno]

Hi Debnw,

Assuming that your Safari is built the same as our Sovereign, then to get the center ceiling panel out, you need to drill out a bunch of rivets that hold it up around the vents and a/c (if you have a roof a/c). Even then, it needs a bit coaxing to get it to release. We pulled it down in the center at one of the vents. Once it starting bending down in the middle, it pretty much fell out of the channels that held the sides up. Once the center ceiling panel is down, you do need to drill out the rivets that hold the trim pieces in place, as those rivets also hold the top of the side walls in place behind the trim pieces.

You will need to remove the door trim on the inside as well. It will pry out of the door frame. The trim is shaped like a "T", and is held in place into the door frame with spring clips that hold the bottom part of the "T" in the frame. Gentle prying with a small pry bar or stiff putty knife will coax it to come out. I think I used a painter's tool to start, and then a small pry bar.

Since you also have a '72, you may find some useful info on our thread:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f185...urb-50967.html

Good luck!

Chris

[Debnw]

Chris,
Thanks... that was perfect instructions...we're totally gutted and the front and back floor sections cut out.

In 2 weeks (yea gotta get a lil vacation in...in a tent) I'll be pulling the rest of the floor and pulling off the top. THe back of the trailer needs a couple of cross menbers. Plus we are loooking at new grey/black tanks.
When we get back to the interior.... I see that a lot of yall are repalcing the pink insulation with the foil stuff. I got a question....is that the thin fiol bubble wrap? and would you put it against the shell. THOUGHTS???
Bruce

[HiHoAgRV]

Originally Posted by Debnw

Chris,
Thanks... that was perfect instructions...we're totally gutted and the front and back floor sections cut out.

In 2 weeks (yea gotta get a lil vacation in...in a tent) I'll be pulling the rest of the floor and pulling off the top. THe back of the trailer needs a couple of cross menbers. Plus we are loooking at new grey/black tanks.
When we get back to the interior.... I see that a lot of yall are repalcing the pink insulation with the foil stuff. I got a question....is that the thin fiol bubble wrap? and would you put it against the shell. THOUGHTS???
Bruce

Hello Bruce.
I used the 'bubble foil' in my '63, one layer against the shell, another sandwiched behind the interior wall. So far, so good.

[Minno]

We used fiberglass insulation again. Cheap, easy, and works fine in our opinion. We've kept her cool in the summer working in her (in 90+ degrees and full sun), and warm in the fall and spring running the furnace. And that's without the center ceiling installed or insulated yet.

Chris