Advice for new TT owner

[Kurious_G]

I just purchased a 2005 Dutchmen 26B-DSL. Pretty decent shape(I think), but there are a few things that I will need to fix before my first trip. The most worrisome is that on both outer corners of the slideout, at the bottom, the wood is very soft and mushy. This is the wood under the slideout, but only at the outer most corners. Is this plywood(?) under the slideout easy to replace?

[BurbMan]

KG, should be a fun project! Also pay attention to JBarca's write up, if I recall, he did NOT have any roof leaks...his issue was that the side wall of the slide had no drip edge, and rainwater running down the slide wall was traveling around to the bottom and wicking up into the floor through abraded holes in the Darco underwrap.

There are many ways that these slides are built, both floor materials and how the bottoms are weatherproofed. I have some issues with mine and have been waiting for the "right time" to take it apart...hate to do it in the summer and hard to do it in the winter....

Based on your skill set, you'll find it's not hard to fix once you get it apart and see how it's put together.

[Kurious_G]

May2999, thanks for the tips. This trailer I purchased has only been moved twice, so I believe that most of it's life has been sitting with the slide-out out at a camp site. I am actually looking forward to working on it, brings back memories of helping my dad restore a burnt out slide-in camper.

[Kurious_G]

BurbMan, unfortunately I have no indoor area, but it would have been good to work together I am sure.

Beemer, when you start out thinking all you might be able to afford is a pop-up,and then you find the TT that I did for the money, having to do a little repair work in order to have a nicer camper is not a big deal to me. I don't think I have rotten floors throughout, but there is water damage in a couple corners. For sure I will find out the cause as well as make repairs.

I have been a carpenter, mechanic, and now an electrician. Doubt that I will run into anything I can't manage, but it is always helpful to hear the advice and experiences of others.

[May2999]

Kurious.G you will be happy to know that your floor *should be* 5/8" exterior grade tongue & groove plywood floor. This is what is listed as standard in the brochure for the 2005 model year. I myself purchased a 2005 31B this spring and have replace a portion of the floor exactly where you have noted as well and I can confirm that mine was plywood.

My damage was not too severe and appeared as a result of a seasonal parked camper that was not re-caulked frequently. --Definintely figure out where it was leaking as mentioned above. The bottom-horizontal outside trim piece of the slide unit tends to leak if not sealed well too.

(If you do a g00gle search for 2005 Dutchmen Brochure you will find a color .pdf from the Dutchmen website)

[BurbMan]

Kurious G, happy to help. Forgot to say welcome to the board and good luck with the new-to-you rig. As beemer mentioned, start on the roof...go over every seam and around every device like antennas, a/c, vents, etc. Many have used Eternabond Tape on seams and Dicor self leveling sealant on the roof. Most RV roofs are EDPM rubber, check to be sure yours is too...if not, check to be sure you use a compatible sealant.

Feel free to post and ask questions, if it's busted or rotted, someone here on the forum has fixed it.

Let me know if you have an indoor area to work on the trailer....if so, we might be able to work a deal where I bring up my tools and help you in exchange for letting me borrow the barn to fix mine....

[beemerphile1]

I hope you got a super cheap price on an RV with a rotten floor!

First thing is to fix the leak.

Floor is most likely OSB, not plywood. You should replace with plywood or pressure treated plywood.

[Kurious_G]

BurbMan wrote:
Forum member JBarca had the same issue with his Sunline back in 2009. Start with this thread, there are tons of pictures and links to other threads. Happy reading and good luck with the repair.

Burbman, the post you just referenced seems to be quite helpful. I don't believe the damage I have is extensive, but I definitely want to prevent further deterioration. I just towed this home yesterday, and have the remainder of the winter to get it ready for my first trip. Wife and I are looking forward to getting into camping again! Thanks to all for their comments!

[RoyB]

It is more likely OSB board which works real well with water protection. It still goes bad after a bit however and your 2005 Model probably has been subjected to water leaks for along time.

OSB has the small flakes of board pressed and glued together


My OFF-ROAD POPUP TRAILER uses this as flooring and does not have the under belly membrane. This is painted BLACK on the bottom . I have put my OFF-ROAD Trailer through alot of wet climate and back roads even crossed a couple of creeks here and there. The OSB does a great job. I did find the flooring mushy just inside the outside door area and had to replace a section of the floor there. It was constantly getting water under the door and the top of the OSB was not treated with paint...

Could be a pretty big project for you to get all the bad wood areas repaired. having a good working area like a garage makes it alot easier to make repairs...

Roy Ken

[BurbMan]

Forum member JBarca had the same issue with his Sunline back in 2009. Start with this thread, there are tons of pictures and links to other threads. Happy reading and good luck with the repair.

[Poppy___Nana]

It is most likely particle board - NOT plywood.....and usually soft mushy floors (even corners) are an indication of water damage....good luck with your repairs.