I'm a complete and total newbie. Never owned a TH before, infact have never owned an RV before until a week ago. I've always wanted a TH to drag with me to motorcycle race weekends so I wouldn't have to pay for the hotel room etc.I stumbled across a deal to good to pass up last week so I jumped on it.2002 Haulmark Elite II race trailer with factory "Escape Package"Trailer is in overall good shape. Had a bunch of creative add ons from the previous owner that I have removed to return it closer to its original build that will work best for my needs. All that being said I do have some questions that I need help with.1. The battery isn't holding a charge. What do you all reccomend as a replacement for the existing house battery?2. Two of the windows are leaking some. I found a video on youtube showing how to repair that with Butyl tape and silicone. The leak resulted in some bad paneling. The plan is to pull the paneling and replace it. I stopped at an RV shop and they recommended some stuff similar to what was in it, basically luan with a type of wallpaper on it. I want something more water/moisture resistant. Any reccomendations?3. It looks like my existing paneling was attached with staples and glue. Is that the correct way to re-install?4. The existing 50amp service entrance is kind of flimsy when plugging in, is there a way to stiffen that up w/o having to tear all the cabinets out of the front of the trailer to get to it?I'm sure I'll have more questions the farther i get into the clean up and restoration process. Thanks for any help you can provide.

1. Make sure you do not have a phantom draw pulling down your battery. Get a full charge on it while disconnected, let it sit for 24 hours and check the voltage. If the battery holds a charge, you may have something connected like an inverter all the time pulling it down. 2. FRP used on kitchen walls works well in damp locations. 3. I prefer screws into the vertical ribs. 4. You will have to post pictures of the existing setup so we can suggest improvements.

1. A pair of 6 volt golf cart batteries. 6 volt recharges faster than 12V.2. You could roll Varathane lacquer on the back of the wall board.3. Use wire brads and wood glue to secure the wall board. Counter sink the brads and cover/hide the hole with puddy stick of similar color.4. Maybe spray expanding foam insulation into wall cavity. 5. Inspect the roof for leaks.

Bedlam wrote:1. Make sure you do not have a phantom draw pulling down your battery. Get a full charge on it while disconnected, let it sit for 24 hours and check the voltage. If the battery holds a charge, you may have something connected like an inverter all the time pulling it down. 2. FRP used on kitchen walls works well in damp locations. 3. I prefer screws into the vertical ribs. 4. You will have to post pictures of the existing setup so we can suggest improvements.After letting it sit on the plug for 2 days, the battery charge indicator shows it dead as soon as the plug is pulled. I'll have it tested when I pull it. I'd guess a bad cell.FRP? What's that?Didn't think about a pic, but will post one shortly.

BIKERK9 wrote:1. A pair of 6 volt golf cart batteries. 6 volt recharges faster than 12V.2. You could roll Varathane lacquer on the back of the wall board.3. Use wire brads and wood glue to secure the wall board. Counter sink the brads and cover/hide the hole with puddy stick of similar color.4. Maybe spray expanding foam insulation into wall cavity. 5. Inspect the roof for leaks.The roof isn't showing any signs of leakage. All the paneling is dry and solid there. It has a one piece aluminum roof, which from what I gather is the best option?

Here is link to FRP:http://m.homedepot.com/p/Unbranded-4-ft-x-8-ft-White-090-FRP-Wall-Board-MFTF12IXA480009600/100389836

Toy Hauler newbie | Good Sam Community

ACDNate
Explorer
Sep 09, 2014
Revivathread.

Have been using the camper here and there. Found a couple more issues that needed correction. The grey water tank valve wasn't working and a pipe upstream was loose.

The shower fixture was dribbling a bit. I went and bought a new fixture to swap out. Boy that was interesting. In this particular camper the fixture is about 6" higher than the kitchen cabinet behind it so the water goes through cabinet, turns 90 to vertical, then another 90 to the opening in the shower wall. I scratched my head a while then called a pro. Mobile service came out and had to pull the wall out from under the cabinet. Just enough room to reach the threads.

The A/C unit controls were kind of mangy looking and the vents were cracked up on both sides. Luckily Dometic sells a whole new panel for under $50. Swapped it out and cleaned the coils while I was at it. A/C working noticeably better since the clean.

Fridge works but not terribly well. I'll be replacing it before too long.
mikakuja
Explorer
May 18, 2014
Nice work, looks great!!! I have to pull the front of my 05 Desert Fox apart to repair water damage as well....
ACDNate
Explorer
May 14, 2014
thebudman wrote:
Great job- one thing however- the ramp looks a little too slick to load horses safely. You might consider putting some grit-based material to keep them from slipping when you load/unload them.

It has a few strips of grip tape but I will definitely be adding more. The "tile" is slick as snot.
thebudman
Explorer
May 14, 2014
Great job- one thing however- the ramp looks a little too slick to load horses safely. You might consider putting some grit-based material to keep them from slipping when you load/unload them.
ACDNate
Explorer
May 14, 2014
dougford wrote:
Dude you are doing a great job!! Keep it up!!

Thanks! Now if I could just find time to finish it up. Too many irons in the fire...
dougford
Explorer
May 14, 2014
Dude you are doing a great job!! Keep it up!!
ACDNate
Explorer
May 05, 2014
Ah ok that makes sense.
Bedlam
Moderator
May 05, 2014
When attaching edge trim between walls or ceiling in a different plane, attach the trim to only one wall to allow for the trailer to flex. It will float over the other plane when it moves instead of bind and pull out the fasteners.
ACDNate
Explorer
May 04, 2014
Bedlam wrote:
Attach the trim to only one side to allow it move when the trailer flexes.

Um? What?
Bedlam
Moderator
May 04, 2014
Attach the trim to only one side to allow it move when the trailer flexes.

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