Chateau Traveler (Vintage) - Need Information - Please Help!

NewtotheParty wrote:
Ok, thanks for the responses. So the trailer clearly had a water leak.

Is this a non-starter? Very difficult for any of us to answer this question. We have no idea of the trailers age or price, we have not seen the damage, and we have no idea, what your capabilities are. Only you can answer this question. I will say, the damage, probably goes much deeper than what you can see.

With water damage my guess is a complete rehab is probably in order, is that what everyone else would recommend? Here again, it depends on the extent of the damage, where the damage is located, and your capabilities. Is the price of the trailer, low enough to offset the cost of repairs?

How do you track down/seal the leak? Water works like electricity, it goes to ground via the path of least resistance. Thus, if the trailer is sitting on a slope, a roof leak on one end of the trailer, could expose itself on the other end. Some common areas for leaks, are around any roof openings, around windows and doors, around running lights, seams where exterior walls meets the roof, under sinks, around toilets, and around the water pump.

K

We might be able to give better info, if we had pictures, age and price info.

The price has to be pretty low for a leaker, depends on the amount of assumed damage. I bought a leaker and restored the whole trailer. Took me about 6 months and the cost was about $4K. I replaced everything inside the shell and a lot of the framing (new windows, too).

The best way to judge how many and what size of leaks is to pressurize the interior using a squirrel cage blower or other high volume blower. You then walk around the RV and spray a mixture of water and soap on all the joints, windows, roof, etc.

A pinhole leak:

Ok, thanks for the responses. So the trailer clearly had a water leak. Is this a non-starter? With water damage my guess is a complete rehab is probably in order, is that what everyone else would recommend? How do you track down/seal the leak?

Thanks again!

K

Could it be a Thor Chateau travel trailer? There is some information, online, about that.

Even if, someone could figure out, exactly what it is that you are looking at, they really couldn't tell you much.

When looking at an older travel trailer, information on who, where, or how, it was built, is pretty much useless. Condition of a used TT, depends greatly on the owner, and how they maintained it.

When you go to look, bring a ladder, a good flashlight, a note pad, maybe a tarp or blanket (to lay on when you look under the TT), and a few common hand tools.

Inside -- Inspect inside every possible opening (doors, access panels, drawers, etc). Check everywhere you can, for water stains or signs of water damage. If possible, do a systems check (water pump, refrigerator, furnace, lights, airconditioner, etc) on everthing in the trailer. If you feel soft spots in the floor, there could be rotted wood under your feet.

Outside -- Do a similar check as inside. Inspect the roof for condition of caulking (you don't want to see any silicone) and signs of water leaks. Check caulking around doors and windows. Underneath, look for signs of leaking, rust (is anything rusted through?), broken or hanging wires. Do all the lights work?.

Ask about maintenance of wheel bearings. How much time and milage since being repacked or replaced?

How old are the tires?

How old is the battery?

Biggest concern besides all the appliances workingmis water leaks. With an old trailer who built it is really of little concern