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....

[ron_dittmer]

Spectramac wrote:



It's almost a dance floor... Shouldn't be too much longer.

You are almost there. Just a little more and you are ready for fast progress.

- Take off 100% of the decking
- Inspect the platform frame work
- Replace all framing in-question
- Install 100% new decking (water-proof plywood called marine plywood)
- Build exterior walls and roof
- Finish the exterior with the old siding and windows, and entry door
- All plumbing & wiring should be replaced (you don't want plumbing leaks and electrical fires after all this work)
- Finish the inside as desired with new or used cabinetry & appliances.

It will go real fast this way, compared to minimizing the impact of reconstruction. Yes it will cost a lot more, but still very affordable, and timely too.

[kidstimes5]

spectramac...did you ever think you'd have a fan club? Can't wait to see the finished product.

[MichaeleH]

Hi Spectra, I haven't posted in awhile but have checked everyday to see what is being posted and love it :C. I can see there are several of us on here that wished we lived close enough to come by and help you out. However living in Florida I can only wish you the best and I know that you are going to have a great RV and you and your family will enjoy this camper to the fullest.:) Michael

[Spectramac]

Tonight's update. I got the right side cabinets out.



Then a little floor clean up in the kitchen.



It's almost a dance floor... Shouldn't be too much longer.

[lwbfl]

Wow, I'm jealous. I've rebuilt a couple of old pop up campers, but nothing like that! I thought I had a deal with my Minnie Winnie for $1225. The replacement tires were more than that. I wish I could be your helper for this project as I seem to enjoy working on things as much has using them! I bet posting on here has helped to keep you going too huh?

[lzasitko]

deleted duplicate more forum errors 🙂

[lzasitko]

ron.dittmer wrote:
A cheap and dirty way to protect all the wood from water would be to use a thick wide roll of plastic house wrap. If any water gets in at the seams, it would stay between the exterior siding and the wood, running down the sides and out. They sell thick cheap 25' x 50' plastic in home improvement centers that would work great.

NO, NO, NO
Plastic never ever goes on the outside! Plastic always goes on the warm side of the insulation (interior), otherwise it traps moisture inside the wall.

Houses by code are not allowed to have plastic on outside, only on the inside of the wall under the drywall. All walls will sweat or have condensation of some sort when there is a temperature difference between inside and outside temps.

Tyvek housewrap is meant for the exterior and allows to breathe but will not allow moisture to go through so by all means wrap it in Tyvek on the outside.

[Spectramac]

I did the plastic on my camper overhead 2 years ago. I like the idea of a vapor barrier. 🙂

[ron_dittmer]

A cheap and dirty way to protect all the wood from water would be to use a thick wide roll of plastic house wrap. If any water gets in at the seams, it would stay between the exterior siding and the wood, running down the sides and out. They sell thick cheap 25' x 50' plastic in home improvement centers that would work great.

[65CrewCabPW]

For waterproofing underneath, I would suggest a moisture cured urethane paint. The stuff is tuff as it gets, will last a LONG time and is pretty much impermeable to water or even airborne moisture.

[bartandcathy]

where would one buy the stuff you would need to reno this? like the plastic outer skin for example?
Bart

[Dakzuki]

Fortunately Ron, here in Washington we don't really have rust issues. Our big problem is moisture.

I agree with using good ply where possible and make any carpet you put in removable. When I redid my old Bigfoot camper I made the floor boards removable so I could get underneath in the event of another plumbing leak. A bit different situation for a MH but removeable interior parts would be a good idea. All the interior monuments in my old camper can be unscrewed and removed.

You can also design in access to your pumps and things, and use good plumbing and wiring. You can really do some cool stuff in there.

This is also an opportunity to really do some good insulation. A little sweat equity here will pay big dividends.

[Spectramac]

I have just been working on it at nights and weekends so far. I did get burnt out last week looking at the whole rotten back half just sitting there. 😞

Oh yeah, it'll be nice having that clean floor to work with! I was already planning on putting new roll out flooring everywhere as a precaution. The factory only put it down the center from the kitchen to the bathroom.

As far as changes go, I'll be playing it by ear. We want to replace the dinette with a couch and then 'something' on the other side, maybe a bar or an entertainment center, or both. :B

[ron_dittmer]

Spectramac wrote:
Well, no more mister nice guy! I'm gonna make a mobile dance floor out of it!

Now you are going where I hoped you would.

Basically start fresh.

Reuse what you desire, but strip 100% of the platform to get the foundation right. Then spray the underbelly with a waterproofing coat of something appropriate.

Use this opportunity to replace as much old material as the flatform will allow. I know there is more weight involved, but I would consider adding a layer of waterproof 1/2" a-c plywood over the old floor, then lay a seamless roll of durable vinyl flooring to cover the entire platform in case there is a plumbing leak later in life. Once the RV is done, carpet over the flooring where carpet is desired.

Adjust the interior walls the 1/2" for the added layer of plywood.

It's a lot of work, but less than disecting and reusing. Increase your budget to $2000 so you can have a new RV on an old Dodge chassis. You don't want to do all that work, just to have a musty & creaking old RV. The bulk of the added expense will be new cabinetry, but I think well worth it. It's not like you have that many cabinets to buy like a house kitchen would have.

If you really wanted to go crazy, take off the platform and get the chassis redone.....taking care of frame rust & mechanical stuff. Then secure the platform better too. But that is going into a much deeper commitment, both time and money.

[Kamphiker]

eyeteeth wrote:
I don't know where you find the all the time to work on that. I'm lucky to get a day a week...

Or the energy.

I must be getting old, It's more than I would want to start. Although This the type of stuff I always find fun and rewarding. When I was a teenager, My Father built a 22' class A from blue prints (Larry Dell was the person who did them and you could purchase from advertisement in the back of Motorhome life around 1970). We bought a rolled Ford Econoline van, Cut off the box and welded frame extensions. Built the side walls from stick, purchased aluminum skin etc. I learned welding and using a blow torch and a lot of carpentery from my farther through that MH project. From a eyesore to a rose very rewarding!