Assessing water damage in wooden camper
Hi all, brand new 1966 Travel Queen waiting for full assessment. Jacks on order and plan is to get it off the truck once they arrive, but shipping time means it won't happen this weekend. I've read...
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Well, that is a huge relief!
I guess my main concern is future tie downs, which you've convinced me should not be done using the built in jacks,even though (or especially because) that's exactly how this camper was anchored to its 66 Dodge when we met it. However, because you don't seem to have posted that far into your rebuild (unless I missed it), I'm not clear where the tie downs are going to end up yet. :)
The most unnerving thing about this discovery is how it has impacted the horizontal wing plywood, exterior to the 2x4 that supports the pipes that recieve the jacks. The jtrim had very few solid anchor points on that edge. Never does the water damage reach that 2x4 but it comes within an inch. And this bit is really just serious water damage, not rot, but still, if that 2x4 is going to be part of the tie down system I worry about the horizontal wing plywood pulling away from it. Today it is still firmly attached, no give, but there is no longer 4 inches of solid plywood to the outside of it. Hope I'm describing that clearly.
Maybe what I'll do is brush out all the soft wood as you suggest and re-evaluate once I see what's left. I like the idea of reshaping it with epoxy to make it whole again.
It is good to hear that a patch is possible in this area, thank you for taking the time to look it over! If I can keep from tearing into that wing that's a huge win. :)
Any hints to the eventual tie down solution?
And yes, she does seem to be in great shape. We were very lucky! Sometimes though, I envy the permission that "less than great" shape gives for modifications like you've been able to make to Lil Queeny, she's going to offer the best of both worlds!
I guess my main concern is future tie downs, which you've convinced me should not be done using the built in jacks,even though (or especially because) that's exactly how this camper was anchored to its 66 Dodge when we met it. However, because you don't seem to have posted that far into your rebuild (unless I missed it), I'm not clear where the tie downs are going to end up yet. :)
The most unnerving thing about this discovery is how it has impacted the horizontal wing plywood, exterior to the 2x4 that supports the pipes that recieve the jacks. The jtrim had very few solid anchor points on that edge. Never does the water damage reach that 2x4 but it comes within an inch. And this bit is really just serious water damage, not rot, but still, if that 2x4 is going to be part of the tie down system I worry about the horizontal wing plywood pulling away from it. Today it is still firmly attached, no give, but there is no longer 4 inches of solid plywood to the outside of it. Hope I'm describing that clearly.
Maybe what I'll do is brush out all the soft wood as you suggest and re-evaluate once I see what's left. I like the idea of reshaping it with epoxy to make it whole again.
It is good to hear that a patch is possible in this area, thank you for taking the time to look it over! If I can keep from tearing into that wing that's a huge win. :)
Any hints to the eventual tie down solution?
And yes, she does seem to be in great shape. We were very lucky! Sometimes though, I envy the permission that "less than great" shape gives for modifications like you've been able to make to Lil Queeny, she's going to offer the best of both worlds!
