1999 coachman 085sd

bzgenius wrote:

SidecarFlip wrote:
What always amazes me is 'how good they look on the outside and how hosed they are on the inside'.

I always maintain that any used camper, when the owner wasn't taking care of the seals and caulking, will be rotting under the skin.... and that includes letting the camper sit outside year around.

Why I believe in a blower door test or take it to CW and have them pressure test it and check it for leaks.... at least ever 2 years and go over the caulk and seals every year, better yet every 6 months.

It's a job but I bet it will be nice when finished.

I'd loose the fiberglass bats and replace that stuff (which retains moisture) with foam sheets. Might as well while you have it tore apart.

Thumbs up to you...

I have been contemplating the foam and will probably go that route. I am amazed at just how little holds up the cab over, I want to beef it up but really cant think of a way to do it. If all goes well with our trip out west this summer and family enjoys the camper and wish/willing to do it again, I will build one from scratch over the winter.

Foam will be somewhat a PITA because it's cut and fit but a quick trip to Lowes, Home Depot or a local lumber yard will get a couple sheets pretty cheap. I'd use the pink underlayment closed cell foam, it cuts easily (with a table saw or hand saw or even a serrated kitchen knife) and you can get it in the thickness you need, from 1/2" all the way to 3" thick.

Don't think I'd want to 'build my own'. You are better off buying a used one and doing a refurb.

Next time you go in search of one, disregard the how the outside looks (so long as it's fairly straight and not dinged up, and, look inside carefully. Open doors on cabinets and look hard at where the floor joins the walls and behind any enclosed spaces in the cab over. Thats where you'll see the traces of water intrusion, in the corners that are hidden from view. Also look under the bedding.

I use an infrared hand held thermometer and I 'shoot' the corners of the cab over. rotting wood and mold in the insulation causes heat and the IR thermometer will indicate that.

I'd say most owners are lax in seal maintenance so an older unit will have traces of water intrusion. Seal maintenance is everything, especially in the cab over because that is where the water is pounding on the skin when driving in the rain, which is unavoidable.

My hat is off to you. I'm not a woodworker and don't claim to be. I work with metal. Now a stainless camper would be nice for me...but a bit too heavy to haul around.:B