laknox wrote:
Nice job, Outlaw. As far as the FW tank goes, you should have a main drain for it, and that should suck out any "junk" if you fill it full. From then, you can sanitize it.
Lyle
Thanks!
Unless I missed it, the only known drain is a 1/2" tube. I did not pull any covers or cut any of the sheathing that didn't require it though. Are you saying their may be a larger drain on the tank itself?
thirtydaZe wrote:
Yeah man, you kicked that things butt. That before and after is amazing. I love watching threads like this.
Thanks!
It was a lot of scrubbing but turned out A LOT better than I was expecting. The first couple times we went to look at it I thought there was going to be stains and rings where the 'barnacles' were or just stuff that wouldn't come off. Bleach/water mix and dish scrubbing sponge has doing 98% of the work. I did try a pressure washer but it still required me to clean up after it with the sponge to get the remaining filth.
SabreCanuck wrote:
Biggest things to check are:
1) SAFETY (new tires, fire ext., fire alarm, CO2 detector)?
2) Water leaks? The entire outside should be sealed from the inside in one way or another. Nice thing about good cleaning is it is an inspection at the same time. If there are any joints/seams that are not sealed then seal them. Water doesn't necessarily run downhill in an RV. Case in point, I searched high/low for the leak on our 'project' to finally discover that the previous owner appeared to have put a jack through the floor right behind the tires. Every time towed through the rain it would have flooded the floor. I was looking for leaking wall/roof.
3) Does everything work? On electric and Propane? Test and if not then figure it out. Yep, you can do it.
4) Back up plan for necessities? If it's chilly out, take an electric heater with just in case furnace doesn't work. Take a water bottle with in case you have plumbing issues
I'm nowhere near a guru but GOOGLE IS YOUR FRIEND. If you run across something, I can guarantee someone else has as well. Learn to search on Google and you can pretend to be a guru too. :)
I'm actually excited for you... Fun times!! LOL
Have fun!
1.A) New tires- DONE! Just put 5 new ones on a couple weeks ago.
1.B) Fire ext DONE! One came with camper but who knows if still good. I bought a foam ext.
1.C) Need to test/replace fire alarm. PO had it in a cabinet.
1.D) Need to test CO detector (not sure if it has a test button). Next to furnace at floor level.
2.A) Water leaks- CHECK! Oh yeah that water leaks. lol. It was parked outside over the winter and we've had quite a bit of rain. I've done multiple checks on the floors, pushing on the walls and in cabinets. Everything appears to be solid.
2.B) Part of water leaks check, I do need to get on the roof and check all the seals. I know from the rear ladder I was able to see the caulk/putty was getting brittle on one of the vents.
2.C) Response. Dang! That is messed up. I couldn't have sold something like that without stating that.. Some peoples kids! I assume you were able to fix or just replaced the camper?
3.A) In progress. I was able to pickup some plugs last night and test all the water receptacles work. Hot side and cold side appeared to have solid and even pressure. No leaks out the bottom :). I was also reading the water heater manual last night to figure out if it was gas/electric. I'm hoping to test at least the electric side tonight.
3.B) I'm not sure if there is anything in the propane tanks AND the furnace is still disconnected until I can reseal. Stove/oven are gas- pending furnace
Refrigerator- I've heard it kick in but haven't actually done any checks yet with all the other work getting done. Microwave- working
4.A) Because we weren't sure about propane tanks or furnace functionality, we did plan on having small electric heater on stand-by. The way we looked at it is- We've camped in a tent in a Wisconsin September while raining. Just being in the camper will be like a 4star hotel in comparison. :)
4.B) Not sure which direction you were going with water bottle but i did say we could use a pitcher if needed for flushing at least. We would likely already have bottled water/beverages for the stay otherwise.
4.C) Ha. I've been googling for sure. Almost too much info out there. Was also playing youtube videos while reading the manuals. Only problem with some of the info is it's too generic and with our year/model it's hard to get specifics. We got really lucky that the PO kept all the paperwork and I mean all of it! We have them for everything from the 13" tv/vcr combo to the camper dealer brochure.
Thanks!
It a definite learning curve but so far has been a good experience. Very different from the custom computer stuff I normally do!
Pure Diesel wrote:
Good job on the restoration.
Do not use the spray and foam, by itself, to fill the holes. Mice will still chew thru it. Go buy some "stainless steel" scouring pads and put them in the holes with the foam. The mice then can't chew thru. Mice and rats will chew thru PEX type piping, because they can actually smell the water thru the pipes. If you have any exposed PEX cover it up so they can't get to it. Also, PEX piping can't be exposed to any sunlight for more than 30 days.
Thanks!
I will be sure to get some steel scouring pads too. I wouldn't have thought to do that. Chewing through the pex it what made us replace a couple runs already. I don't think there is much I can do to stop that other than some of the "tricks" people do with the dryer sheets, peppermint oil...etc Where they did chew through I would never have been able to see, I'm not even sure I can access it to try preventing in the future.
I did not know that about pex, coincidentally it will not be in any sunlight. The run is under the camper and will be covered up. That should take the UV concern away at least.
Chiefcpo wrote:
The clear is not pex but luck to you the correct clamps were used (pex is a band the is squeezed and made of brass like material, the pex clamps will hold for a while but can and will loosen on the CTS piping as it is a tad smaller.
Great looking job
Thanks! I'm going to cross my fingers for now that it will not happen :). I used what is shown because it was the tools and supplies I had. When I went to the hardware store, they only had <5' pieces or 75/100' rolls of the "white" tubing.
Pure Diesel wrote:
Chiefcpo wrote:
The clear is not pex but luck to you the correct clamps were used (pex is a band the is squeezed and made of brass like material, the pex clamps will hold for a while but can and will loosen on the CTS piping as it is a tad smaller.
Great looking job
http://www.pexinfo.com/
Yes, the clear is a form of PEX. That looks like it is from "Wirsbo/Aquapex" brand.
I've been installing it for almost 20 years, as a licensed plumbing contractor. There are different manufactures with different types, but still a "Cross link method" type of material. Some are put together with collars and barbed fittings and some with a crimping method.
Thanks for the additional info. It sounds like I should be OK with the method I used? To chiefcpo's point, I'm going to remain fingers crossed :)
Sport45 wrote:
outlaw85 wrote:
SHHH!!!! lol. Yes that was my first concern as well, "What is down there?". I was thinking of renting a camera to feed down and look OR if we just go with DO NOT USE. If there is anything, were talking a tank drop I'm assuming.
I don't know what it cost to rent one, but if it's much more than $50 you might consider buying instead. A pretty good one only cost $100. Sounds like it would of come in handy on this job.
BTW, Job well done!
Inspection camera at Home Depot
Thanks for bringing this back up! I did do a quick google search (see what I did there SabreCanuck? :D). Found they have some really cheap (<$30) USB endoscopes for computers or smartphones. I know what's in my cart!
This post would've been this morning if work wouldn't have blocked it and my home computer having issues saving the post. Stupid thing worked from my phone though. Wth
