Fixing water damage on the old Dodge (pics)

[Spectramac]

I got started on my summer project the last couple days. I found this thing on Craig's list for $100 and drove it home. It's a 78 Dodge Monaco 23' with a 440. Here's what it looked like when I brought it home.





Ok, time to dive in!











Oh man, I can't believe the huge bag of rusty screws I have already! It's actually not as rotten as I was thinking it was going to be. Just in the corners, where the screws need to be. Still so much to remove....

[Spectramac]

Yeah, and if it snows before the cold snap (like it usually does) the ground is insulated. I didn't see any ground frost this time around.

[rjstractor]

Here in the Pacific NW we really don't have much of a "freeze line". He's up in Monroe where it's a little colder than where I live, but days where the temperature doesn't get above freezing are rare. This year we had a good cold snap, but I know the ground doesn't freeze more than just a few inches deep.

[badgerman]

I think that the freeze line is deeper than 12" inches. I live in St. Louis and freeze line is about 30", but anyway the footing looks great for the first one.
Can't wait to see more camper pics. I am so addicted to this post.

[Spectramac]

I agree more bolt in the concrete would be better. This first one was kind of a learning experience for me. Best way to figure out what not to do is to just dive in with both feet, post your results here, then do the next one better! :B

[PapPappy]

How far down can you screw that bracket? I'd want it just about flush with the top of the pier....would worry about the bold holding any lateral loads? I know that they are there to try and adjust to get the place level, but.....

Oh, any pictures make us happy!!

[Spectramac]

That one's dug down around 6 inches, so I have a little frost protection. Looks like the frost line average around here is 5", but I've found a couple places around the state that mention digging down to 12, so I'll make the others deeper.

[TomW2]

Unfortunately, sitting on top of the ground will subject your footings to frost heave.

[Spectramac]

Between the wind and rain I haven't felt like uncovering my new floor yet, so I got started on my carport. I couldn't decide how to attach the legs, I thought about pier blocks, but once I dug into the ground and found a bazillion rocks I decided to do something more 'custom'. I figured I'd have an easier time making something that will contour to my rocky ground and be flat on top.





I know it's not RV pics, but it's all I got at the moment. 😉

[woodworker414]

Been there done that, the last camper I had was a large TC, bought it off the internet, drove 250 miles to get it, it was raining when we got there, the windows were open water all over the countertop, but not one of the cabinets or storage areas outside smelt moldy. The previous owner had damage the curbside below the window, who ever repaired it, left large gaps in the caulk, and this thing was taking on a lot of water, I pull the side off and rebuilt it, when finished no more leaks.I was able to find a piece of siding the had the same profile as the orginial siding at a local dealer, he said that it had been on the shelf for years, he was glad to get rid of it.
Good luck on the project. Happy traveling.
Bill

[CISCO8325]

42656

[PapPappy]

Holy Cr*p! Have you noticed that you have only had 42,655 viewing of this thread??
We keep telling you it's popular!! Of course, you've got a long way to go, to get to what that "Old Feller" dog story has (555,772 viewings and 13,626 postings)...still, this is one of the ones that people keep coming back to check out!!

Keep it going!!

[PapPappy]

Spectramac wrote:
I'm still around, just waiting for the right day to dive back into it.

I got a snow shed given to me. It's in pieces, but I got a lot of it. It'll make a 12x28 footer. Might be nice to put the RV under if I can make the walls high enough to clear the AC unit. I'm going to try and figure out where to set it up Saturday. If I get anywhere I'll take some more pics. 🙂

I would think that you can make it any height you want (within reason, of course:R....and cover it with a tarp, like the one you had over the RV most of the winter.

Like everyone else, I'm waiting....drooling...for more of the adventures of Malcolm!! Keep those pictures coming!!:)

[Kamphiker]

tboss wrote:
Snow did somebody say snow is that that white stuff Yes thats rite snow I vaguley remember it since we moved to sunny Fl. hehehehehe just had to did a little So lets see what is the uniform for tomorrow shorts and a tee shirt and oh yea a 12 pack cooled in a cooler. Sorry guys just could not resist...

And don't forget the Coppertone!

Can't wait for this project to get back on a roll. This is as good a The old days with Bob Villa in this old house. I love hard work, I can sit and watch it for hours.

[tboss]

Snow did somebody say snow is that that white stuff Yes thats rite snow I vaguley remember it since we moved to sunny Fl. hehehehehe just had to did a little So lets see what is the uniform for tomorrow shorts and a tee shirt and oh yea a 12 pack cooled in a cooler. Sorry guys just could not resist...

[bsinmich]

I've been watching this for a while. We are ready for a real warm spell here also. Hope you can get back to it soon.