2001 Lance 1121 Rot Repair
Update 05/02/2020: This is a topic I posted in 2014 detailing the replacement of the two rear skirts on a 2001 Lance 1121, which is an all-wood frame camper. After the skirt replacement, I then cov...
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Spent last weekend putting the skin on the two new panels. It went pretty well, although it was a learning experience. I did the passenger side first, mainly because there's only one compartment opening to mess with. I was really cautious about cutting this first panel, as I didn't want to make any mistakes that couldn't be fixed.
I made a paper template first just to play with a material that was disposable. I transferred the outline of the template on to the filon, initially intending to cut it a little large with a jigsaw, then trim the edges with a panel trimming bit in a router. I ended up just cutting the front edge with the jigsaw, though. I drilled a hole close to the edge of the compartment opening, then used the panel bit in my roto-zip to cut the compartment opening out. I realized when looking at my roto-zip that it would take the larger shank of the router bits, so I used it instead. Being smaller and lighter, it was easier to use for this.
The new filon is whiter than the old stuff, but I didn't really expect it to match. I'm not sure if the old filon was ever that bright.
I used 1" staples around all the edges, and some adhesive on the luan side of the filon panel. The trim will cover all of the staples.
The area that hangs down next to the bumper turned out pretty nice.
After getting the hang of using the panel trimming bit on the passenger side, I didn't bother making a template for the driver side. I clamped the panel in place, traced the contour of the front edge onto the backside of the filon panel, then cut it a little large with a jigsaw. The top edge on this side isn't a straight cut as you can see, so I had to make that cut as well. Before stapling the panel in place, I put some foam in the compartments to keep all the sawdust from getting into places I couldn't clean out.
The compartment doors back in place. Upper door is outside shower.
The seams on both sides will be covered with some plastic trim like this, but I can't reuse the old trim since the seams are now longer than they were before. I need to locate a source for some. When it's used on a car, it's called "body side molding". Finding it in white or cream is going to be an added challenge. I'll check with some of the RV dealers locally.
I need to coat the edges of the filon with spar urethane, and then put the edge trim back on the rear corners so I can then put the jacks back on. Then I can raise the camper up a little and finish trimming and caulking this up.
There may not be anything worthy of another update to this topic, but if there is I'll post it. Caulk isn't very exciting. :W
:):)
I made a paper template first just to play with a material that was disposable. I transferred the outline of the template on to the filon, initially intending to cut it a little large with a jigsaw, then trim the edges with a panel trimming bit in a router. I ended up just cutting the front edge with the jigsaw, though. I drilled a hole close to the edge of the compartment opening, then used the panel bit in my roto-zip to cut the compartment opening out. I realized when looking at my roto-zip that it would take the larger shank of the router bits, so I used it instead. Being smaller and lighter, it was easier to use for this.
The new filon is whiter than the old stuff, but I didn't really expect it to match. I'm not sure if the old filon was ever that bright.
I used 1" staples around all the edges, and some adhesive on the luan side of the filon panel. The trim will cover all of the staples.
The area that hangs down next to the bumper turned out pretty nice.
After getting the hang of using the panel trimming bit on the passenger side, I didn't bother making a template for the driver side. I clamped the panel in place, traced the contour of the front edge onto the backside of the filon panel, then cut it a little large with a jigsaw. The top edge on this side isn't a straight cut as you can see, so I had to make that cut as well. Before stapling the panel in place, I put some foam in the compartments to keep all the sawdust from getting into places I couldn't clean out.
The compartment doors back in place. Upper door is outside shower.
The seams on both sides will be covered with some plastic trim like this, but I can't reuse the old trim since the seams are now longer than they were before. I need to locate a source for some. When it's used on a car, it's called "body side molding". Finding it in white or cream is going to be an added challenge. I'll check with some of the RV dealers locally.
I need to coat the edges of the filon with spar urethane, and then put the edge trim back on the rear corners so I can then put the jacks back on. Then I can raise the camper up a little and finish trimming and caulking this up.
There may not be anything worthy of another update to this topic, but if there is I'll post it. Caulk isn't very exciting. :W
:):)
