Forum Discussion

Littlest_Birds's avatar
Littlest_Birds
Explorer
Sep 04, 2015

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 many places in this forum to run from water damage, so now that thorough investigations are postponed, maybe folks can help satisfy my curiosity around how much damage might lurk behind this pretty birch paneling.

Please note that the camper smells wonderful! No hint of dampness, mold, mildew or rodent. None of the wood in the corners, floors or elsewhere has any give to it at all.

However, there are some surface water stains under the aluminum windows and bleeding out from the front vent and there are a few dark spots up front and worst of all there is one dry mildew stained area behind the bench cushions in the dining area.

The back passenger side (where the mildew stain is) did not leak on the rainy drive home and may be a result of this successfully (??) repaired hole in the roof.

Here is the inside under that hole:


The only other dark areas are in the front, where I did find water after the trip, but the the front vent was flapping in the breeze the whole way:






And are these dark nail holes just age, or nightmare mold squeezing in from between the skin and frame?


There is really nothing that would have convinced us not to bring this rig home, but now its time to face reality. Two questions for the forum:

1) On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being, pull the skin immediately and start over) how much damage do these water stains suggest we might find?

2) How best to begin the investigation without diving into a complete tear down.

All insights welcome!
Truck Campers
  • jimh406's avatar
    jimh406
    Explorer III
    Sep 04, 2015
    If the wood isn't soft, I'd leave it like it is. Well, after checking to make sure all caulking and possible leak points are taken care of. For a number, I'd have to know if it is soft.
  • RV_daytrader's avatar
    RV_daytrader
    Explorer
    Sep 04, 2015
    Knock on the stained ares with your knuckle, and then on the good areas...if the sound is the same it is just cosmetic imo...if the good areas have a sharp rap sound and the stained spots make a thud sound, then the stained spots are damaged bad...again imo.
  • trailgranny50's avatar
    trailgranny50
    Explorer
    Sep 04, 2015
    When we got our old camper there were some inside water marks, mostly under the window. Checked framing, no rot. Sweating windows and condensation in cold weather and propane heat maybe. Only place that was rotted was one ceiling panel from the bunk escape hatch forward. Stuck my hand thru it one night. Ripped that off praying all the time for it to be surface issue only. ....it was. Wood framing not even stained, no mold, no rot. We got lucky. Installed thick residential insulation as the stuff left in there was a joke, bought a new piece of paneling and naked it up there and all is well. Not everyone is so lucky. It also had no mold, mildew, or musty odor. It came from the dry climate in Colorado high desert.
  • Dave_Pete's avatar
    Dave_Pete
    Explorer II
    Sep 04, 2015
    Littlest Birds - the above responses are very good. You'll find more to fix the deeper you go.

    But, that said, let's compare some of yours to mine. I'm now 1.5 years into restoring mine. The economy of this job is still hanging around that "great" level compared to buying a newer camper, but look what I'm getting. Even so, it's been a long time and lots of work and time!

    Your's appears in better condition by both description and pictures than did mine or many parts of mine. I ended up replacing every bit of exterior plywood surface on my camper except the original roof/sidewall assembly, which I restored.

    Your damage looks very cosmetic. Have fun "fixing up" those cool areas inside and make the exterior presentable (seal the water intrusions). If structural issues appear, make an evaluation and just beef up the area in a way that keeps it on the road.

    You'll get lots of enjoyment out of use of this baby, especially if you enjoy curious onlooker's questions and conversations where ever you go.

    But if you want to camp and you want to deep fix and/or restore, you should get another inexpensive camper to use while you fix this one. :)

    If you want help in deciding? Click here Structure & New Wood
  • downtheroad's avatar
    downtheroad
    Explorer
    Sep 04, 2015
    I admire your gumption...You are braver than I am and I enjoy a good "project."

    You might be 'this' guy before it is all said and done. Good luck with it.

  • Bonesquatch's avatar
    Bonesquatch
    Explorer
    Sep 04, 2015
    It's like an iceberg. You see 5% while the other 95% is subsurface. I bought a pop up several years ago that had some water damage below a window and by the rear door. I figured it was just from them being left open at some point. Besides the camper was a steal...turned out the majority of the roof was shot along with the sides and floor. Both rear jacks literally fell off and I had to do emergency repairs on a trip just to keep the thing from falling apart before I got home. I got a couple of good years use out of it but then invested in a better unit and gave the old one to a handy fixer upper guy as a project. Good luck!
  • Kayteg1's avatar
    Kayteg1
    Explorer II
    Sep 04, 2015
    The truth it that you will never know for sure till you start taking it apart.
    I bought camper with some damages, but aluminium frame, what gave me good base.
    Or at least what I tough so at the time.
    Once I pull the siding here and there, the aluminium frame is very sketchy while lot of wood framing was hanging on siding.
    Good luck and start with getting few cases of your favorite beverages.
    You are going to need it.
  • Artum_Snowbird's avatar
    Artum_Snowbird
    Explorer
    Sep 04, 2015
    You have two options... one, do your best to renew caulking and stop any further leaks and enjoy it as it is

    two, truly decide if you want to restore an antique, and totally rebuild with new framing and hours of work. There is so much hidden damage that once you start, you will keep finding more and more.

About Travel Trailer Group

44,025 PostsLatest Activity: Feb 18, 2025