Help! Wall Dry Rot. I need some help explaining how to fix!

[JustaGirLinThaW]

Hello fellow RV'ers. I am new to this forum and would like to apoligize if I'm not in the right place for such a question. I'm kind of freaking out and having a melt down that I will explain in a second.

I just purchased a used 2005 Fleetwood Pioneer 34' Toy Hauler by a private seller a few days ago after careful consideration...now I'm afraid my fears I tried hard to stay clear from ended up happening anyways.

I'm in desperate need of help ASAP with no idea where to start or who to turn to. I'm not to sure with what I'm dealing with although I've learned a lot while researching RVs and what to look for.
I am so stressed out with what I'm going to explain happened, so any ideas or input to help calm me and get me on my way to fixing the issue at hand is appreciated.

I decided to buy a toy hauler and I want to convert the "garage" area into a livingroom area. All looked good until it got hauled to my property and I noticed the front wall of the bedroom nook area is dry rotted considering my elbow went through it. I couldn't see it until my hand went through the thin wall boards and the wood framing inside is even turning to black powder. Nails are rusted. I'm also concerned the other walls may be ruined and the bed frame feels like I'm going to fall right through it but could also just be old ware and tear. The frame takes up the entire bedroom nook and no clue how I'm going to do this on my own. I'm at a complete halt and incredibly disappointed in myself for purchasing this trailer. I did a ton of research for months and turned down near 15 other RVs with this exact damage and some worse, so I'm just really upset I didn't see this before hand. I also live in Washington state and the rainy cold weather is nearing. I'm very concerned.

I'm freaking out for several reasons. First off, I used my backpay from social security to purchase this and they expect me to move in to this trailer as my one and only residence immediately but obviously I can't with this issue.

Second off, I have refactory epilepsy (aka 3 seizure disorders, they are all medication resistant so uncontrolled seizures are nearly everyday) and I also have heart issues due to seizures. I can't do kuch with these disabilities so it's just another added stress. It's probably going to be impossible that I fix this on my own. I honestly don't know with my health, if doing this task by myself with the possibility of finding even more damage, if it's even a good idea for me to begin replacing the wall or if I should hire someone. I don't have much money left and figured I would slap some paint on the walls and a few dings here or there but not this. I'm over whelmed to say the least and this entire situation has me freaking out hence, triggering seizures. I honestly don't know if I can deal or even manage with doing this myself given the darn seizures under stress.

I don't know anyone who can help me and nearly all my money went to this lemon of a toy hauler trailer. Can someone please help me with what I need to do, such as step by step process and what I need? I need to know where I should even start I guess. I have a huge hole in my wall with dry rotted wood just falling out, I'm afraid to take the wall off without ruining the ceiling that's been braced so looks like it was fixed at one point and I also need to know exactly what materials I need and what steps do I take to start including best way to remove the wall and all inside...do I use luan...plywood...vinyl? What wood I need for framing inside? Any other materials I need to add up with my estimates? Im also going to put better insulation in at least that wall. It's going to be hard and awkward because the wall goes down below the bedframe. How much would labor run me roughly? I tried so hard to find a good trailer in my price range and turned down a lot that I looked at before this one. The issue is the guy replaced and fixed many things so it looked good besides small things I can fix. I decided to purchase and now I'm stuck, scared and stressed out. It was unseen damage I didn't notice and exactly what I was afraid of. I was so worried about this and it actually happened.

Any help will be appreciated very much. I can take photos of the damage, willing to speak over the phone or whatever it takes to fully understand what needs to happen. This situation has made me ill from stressing about repairing, money, whos going to do it for me and of course getting done by next month when I need to be moved in. I'm literally making myself sick with worry and its ridiculous.
Thank you for any input!!

[TenOC]

1. You will not be able to sell it for much with a hole in the wall. I would not buy it if it was "free".

2. Assuming you do NOT plan to travel in the RV, use it as a frame and cover the hole/walls with thin (luan) plywood or T111 outdoor siding.

3. coat the roof with liquid rubber or build a shed over the RV. The shed will keep the RV cooler in the summer and reduce any future leaks.

4. I other words turn it into a hunting cabin or "man cave".

[jplante4]

Boy, I really hate to hear stories like this. A few hundred dollars spent on an inspection would have probably found this.

I offered a free inspection to a friend of mine that was buying a TT to live in while they built their house. He didn't take me up on the offer and is now ripping up a rotted floor.

I did an inspection of a 40' bunkhouse fiver at a CW last month for a family with 7 kids going on the road. The entire back wall was punky. Because it had room for all the kids, she really wanted to buy it anyway and have CW fix it. I recommended against it and found the exact same fiver for sale only 2 hours away from where she lived.

I know there are a few people here who believe inspections are a rip off and will be here shortly to say so. Any inspector worth his business cards would have found a dry rotted wall in a toy hauler. Inspections are especially important if this is your first RV and you're under some time constraint. A second set of eyes from someone not emotionally involved in the purchase.

[BarneyS]

I feel for you but think the above suggestions to sell it and move on are right on the money.

I am moving this to the correct forum for technical issues such as you have. This forum is restricted to DIY Improvements and Upgrades.
Good luck.

Moved to Tech Issues forum from DIY.
Barney

[westend]

Try to get an estimate from a local handyman. I've got to say, though, living in an RV is not going to be "move in and never lift a finger". There will be things that break or need continual maintenance so I'd suggest to figure on paying for things in the future.

[Lwiddis]

I agree with Bill. Sell and start over.

[DownTheAvenue]

I am so sorry you are facing this problem. The suggestions above to sell it for what you can and move on is the best. The problem you are experiencing was caused by water intrusion, or a roof leak if you will. That leak may still be ongoing. Repairs are always difficult and expensive, and in some cases, depending on the type of side walls (vacuum bonded), impossible to repair.

[SidecarFlip]

Not dry rot, it's wet rot from water intrusion from failed seals because the previous owner failed to maintain the seals (like probably 99% of owners do. They assume (wrongly) that seals (especially in the front and on the roof, never need maintaining.

Unless you are extremely proficient in wood working and have lots of time to repair it, I'd loose the unit ASAP. There are shops that do it, but it's very expensive and 'Git Rot' which is a marine product, won't help you, it's for small areas. You have structural rot which needs to be torn out and replaced and, if the wallboard inside was compromised, it's bad.

Dump it is my suggestion.

[kzspree320]

If it happens to be only one small area it is fixable. The problem is water leaking into the roof often ends up in many areas. Have you found the only problem area or one of many? That's what I recommend you try to determine before making any decision. If it's a widespread issue in many areas, it would probably cost way more to fix it than it's worth. If you determine it's a problem in one area, it can probably be fixed but I don't think anyone can tell you how without seeing it. Small areas of dry rot can be fixed with epoxy products designed to repair boat transoms that are wood. I have used "Git Rot" with success on about a 1 1/2 square foot piece of rotted flooring in a travel trailer I used to own. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ON GIT ROT

I hope this helps you. Sorry this happened.

[LarryJM]

Bill.Satellite wrote:
I would suggest that you sell it as quickly as possible and just write it off as a loss. Get some cash back in our pocket and settle down. You health is more important than your money.

Unfortunately, IMO this is probably the best and only feasible option under the conditions you are working with. This sort of damage is almost ALWAYS MUCH, MUCH, MUCH WORSE than first believed. Unless you have the time, and experience to make it a hobby DIY is not realistic and the cost of any sort of professional repair will exceed simply writing off your entire first purchase and buying one w/o these issues.

Larry

[azrving]

If you learned a lot and looked at many how did you manage to accept one that has a huge hole in the wall with wood falling out? Glue a piece of plywood over it and head out.

[Mandalay_Parr]

Maybe you can find a carpenter friend to help you.

[Bill_Satellite]

I would suggest that you sell it as quickly as possible and just write it off as a loss. Get some cash back in our pocket and settle down. You health is more important than your money.