Repair vs. sell

[tode]

I have an 06 195ck Antigua. Just this year it has developed 2 soft spots in the floor and 1 in the ceiling. The ceiling is from a sky light leak. Will need rubber removed and wood replaced. 1 spot in floor is from the front bunk leaking while camping if it rains hard enough in the right direction. The other spot is in the middle of the floor and I have not found the cause yet. Does any one here have knowledge of what these repairs would cost vs. selling and buying another unit. I was thinking of taking to a local dealer but they will want what's best for them. I'm looking for what's best for us. Thanks.

[marcarolle]

Guilty as charged... sorry

[Billbeat]

Somehow this thread got off topic ??

[marcarolle]

Well SLAVCO, you must think I'm crazy!!! I have no clue why I replied to your last post on latches VS knobs with a suggestion on combi-cam locks!!!! That's what sleeping 2 nights at home instead of camping does to me.

Anyway, let us know how your latches mod turn out. (the combi-cam Lock suggestion still holds though!!!)

-:)

[slavco]

marcarolle wrote:
SLAVCO,

I may be too late in replying to your last post about the locks... and maybe I'm repeating myself... but I invite you to consider the combi-cam locks
https://www.amazon.com/Combi-Cam-7850R-L-Combination-Chrome-Finish/dp/B000W7DBWA

They're a bit more expensive, but boy are they convenient! I replaced all on my 4 storage compartment doors. I use the same combination number for the 4 of them. No more keys needed to get these doors opened... One of my best mods!!

Thanks Marc! Those do look pretty good! I think I will order some as a couple of my existing locks are worn out and I need to fiddle with the key to get them open.

The locks I was referring to earlier are for the bunk beds. I still have the old screw in type which are a pain to deal with. I ordered some cargo latches this spring, just didn't get a chance to install them yet. I had a tough time finding these for a reasonable price. My local RV dealer wanted $460 for 4 of them! Insane! I even called Fastec and was told they no longer sell them. Finally, after some searching I found these - https://www.horsetraileraccessorystore.com/Keyed-Cam-Latch-System_p_262.html it cost me $180 for 4 including shipping and currency conversion. Canadian dollar was a bit higher when I ordered them 🙂

[marcarolle]

SLAVCO,

I may be too late in replying to your last post about the locks... and maybe I'm repeating myself... but I invite you to consider the combi-cam locks
https://www.amazon.com/Combi-Cam-7850R-L-Combination-Chrome-Finish/dp/B000W7DBWA

They're a bit more expensive, but boy are they convenient! I replaced all on my 4 storage compartment doors. I use the same combination number for the 4 of them. No more keys needed to get these doors opened... One of my best mods!!

[slavco]

marcarolle wrote:
Hey SLAVCO, please let me how your conversion from knobs to latchs goes. I had emailed StarCraft to inquire if it is ok to do it, and they replied that the walls where the knobs are located are not sturdy enough to do that replacement.

However, I suspect that by adding a metal plate to the wall, from inside the trailer, might help. I'm still toying with that idea. Keep me posted!

Cheers!

Will do. Adding a support plate on the inside is the only way to go. There's not much there holding the current screw-in latches. I think they are screwed into the aluminum frame which is flimsy. I will post some pictures when I'm done. First I need to get the locks keyed so they are all the same, the place I bought them from was supposed to do it but they didn't :M

[marcarolle]

Hey SLAVCO, please let me how your conversion from knobs to latchs goes. I had emailed StarCraft to inquire if it is ok to do it, and they replied that the walls where the knobs are located are not sturdy enough to do that replacement.

However, I suspect that by adding a metal plate to the wall, from inside the trailer, might help. I'm still toying with that idea. Keep me posted!

Cheers!

[slavco]

SLSAntigua wrote:

Thanks! I think my biggest fear or problem is whether or not I have to take the out the slide out and whether I get it back in or not. Going to start something this weekend so I will post some results and pictures.

Removing the slide would be a HUGE job, plus you'd need a forklift or some other machine to actually get it out and then back in. Not only is it heavy but big and awkward.

That said, I'm pretty certain you don't need to take it out. If yours is constructed the same way as mine (I assume they're identical), once you remove the front panels (under couch and dinette) you will have access to the floor all the way up to the wall. You should be able to slide any flooring under the steel frame and under the rollers without removing it. One good thing is, I found a couple of aluminum joists in that area. They're approx where the fridge is and one aligns with the bathroom door. Just be careful when cutting there as the grey tank is there too 🙂

Take some pictures if you can once the linoleum floor is gone. Good luck!

[mabynack]

Billbeat wrote:
I had a similar dilemma a few years back with my 2008 Coyote hybrid. I noticed a soft spot in the floor in the spring . I took up the vinyl flooring and the whole front of the trailer was rotted out. A quote from a dealer was about $4000.00. Way over my budget so I took on the repairs myself. Stressful , but I'm a little bit handy , got alot of advice from friends and online and it cost me about $150. Big job but I did it.
In a nutshell , if you think you can do the repair yourself it's worth it. To pay some one else , expensive but depending on your financial situation still may be less than buying a new trailer cus your not gonna get much for your water damaged one.

I found a 6 inch square soft spot in the floor of my travel trailer and figured I would tackle the repair myself. When I pealed back the vinyl flooring I realized that I needed to replace a section that was 4 x 4 feet. It was a lot more work than I had planned on and took me two weekends to finish. It wasn't all that expensive - just time consuming.

My problem was caused by a leaking water line, not a roof leak. It involved replacing the flooring under the kitchen cabinets.

[SLSAntigua]

SLSAntigua wrote:

slavco wrote:

SLSAntigua wrote:

How deep did you have to go in the floor? Did you use a circular saw or jigsaw? Have a 2006 Antigua 215SSO and the floor is soft in front of slide but want to avoid removing the slide if possible. Walked on it accidentally yesterday and something cracked.

Someone on here mentioned to claim it on insurance but if they total it, do I have to do that or can I still repair and try to salvage it, especially if they are not going to give me much for it?

I must say that I really love the RV and with a daughter starting college this year and another one in 2 years, I cannot afford a replacement.


I have a 2003 Travelstar 21SSO which is pretty much identical to your Antigua. I just did a floor replacement earlier this summer. It was all rotted out from the front to about the entry door. It was a lot of work! Biggest problem I found was with the lack of support from underneath. It all sits on the steel frame rails with nothing supporting it in the middle. I ended up welding in a couple of support braces. Here's some pictures if you want to check it out...
https://www.amazon.ca/clouddrive/share/cPde9sOUgMTRjtedL7J4xoHRpWO5viBhj4DPBDSdZAr?v=grid&ref_=cd_ph_share_link_copy


If that is the case, I'm screwed! I'm in no way that handy. That is a hell of a job. Nice work though!! Going to try the Boat Floor Epoxy route and see it at least delays the execution.


Hey SLS,

If you have tools and can think outside the box, it's not that difficult. My biggest constraint was time. If I had more time I would have done more, including redoing the entire front bunk bed. As you can see in the picture, I only did the bottom portion which was completely rotted out. It's good now, solid and dry, it just doesn't look pretty [emoticon]

That said, I bought this trailer knowing it would need work, the seller was VERY flexible on the price which helped. Everything inside works great so my only real investment was the floor and 4 new tires.

If you have questions or need advice, feel free to reach out, happy to help [emoticon]

Thanks! I think my biggest fear or problem is whether or not I have to take the out the slide out and whether I get it back in or not. Going to start something this weekend so I will post some results and pictures.

[slavco]

SLSAntigua wrote:

slavco wrote:

SLSAntigua wrote:
How deep did you have to go in the floor? Did you use a circular saw or jigsaw? Have a 2006 Antigua 215SSO and the floor is soft in front of slide but want to avoid removing the slide if possible. Walked on it accidentally yesterday and something cracked.

Someone on here mentioned to claim it on insurance but if they total it, do I have to do that or can I still repair and try to salvage it, especially if they are not going to give me much for it?

I must say that I really love the RV and with a daughter starting college this year and another one in 2 years, I cannot afford a replacement.

I have a 2003 Travelstar 21SSO which is pretty much identical to your Antigua. I just did a floor replacement earlier this summer. It was all rotted out from the front to about the entry door. It was a lot of work! Biggest problem I found was with the lack of support from underneath. It all sits on the steel frame rails with nothing supporting it in the middle. I ended up welding in a couple of support braces. Here's some pictures if you want to check it out...
https://www.amazon.ca/clouddrive/share/cPde9sOUgMTRjtedL7J4xoHRpWO5viBhj4DPBDSdZAr?v=grid&ref_=cd_ph_share_link_copy

If that is the case, I'm screwed! I'm in no way that handy. That is a hell of a job. Nice work though!! Going to try the Boat Floor Epoxy route and see it at least delays the execution.

Hey SLS,

If you have tools and can think outside the box, it's not that difficult. My biggest constraint was time. If I had more time I would have done more, including redoing the entire front bunk bed. As you can see in the picture, I only did the bottom portion which was completely rotted out. It's good now, solid and dry, it just doesn't look pretty 🙂

That said, I bought this trailer knowing it would need work, the seller was VERY flexible on the price which helped. Everything inside works great so my only real investment was the floor and 4 new tires.

If you have questions or need advice, feel free to reach out, happy to help 🙂

[slavco]

marcarolle wrote:
Thanks SLAVCO. I will check again those spots. My slide-out has a canopy.

Funny how campers are different: one of the reason we (wife) fell in love with the 215SSO is because of all the storage available inside. And I must confess that for a trailer of that length (21.5 ft), it has 2 spacious outside storage compartments on the slide-out, in addition to the pass-through storage at the front of the trailer. The other feature we like is that all the cabinets inside are white. Since the windows are not very big, the white cabinets make the trailer a lot brighter.

Cheers and thanks for the tips.

Marc

Hey Marc,

I agree, the white cabinets would definitely brighten up the space. I've been toying with the idea of adding in a skylight in the front of the trailer to get more light in, that might be my next project 🙂

We had some crazy rain storms the past few days in Ontario, and I have been checking the camper regularly for any leaks. So far only a little bit of water trickled in through the range hood vent, so I need to look at that. Mind you, it was after a torrential downpour with 80-100km/h wind gusts.

I also bought the cargo latches to replace the screw-in knobs, so that's another project! Always something to do!

Slav

[marcarolle]

Thanks SLAVCO. I will check again those spots. My slide-out has a canopy.

Funny how campers are different: one of the reason we (wife) fell in love with the 215SSO is because of all the storage available inside. And I must confess that for a trailer of that length (21.5 ft), it has 2 spacious outside storage compartments on the slide-out, in addition to the pass-through storage at the front of the trailer. The other feature we like is that all the cabinets inside are white. Since the windows are not very big, the white cabinets make the trailer a lot brighter.

Cheers and thanks for the tips.

Marc

[SLSAntigua]

slavco wrote:

SLSAntigua wrote:
How deep did you have to go in the floor? Did you use a circular saw or jigsaw? Have a 2006 Antigua 215SSO and the floor is soft in front of slide but want to avoid removing the slide if possible. Walked on it accidentally yesterday and something cracked.

Someone on here mentioned to claim it on insurance but if they total it, do I have to do that or can I still repair and try to salvage it, especially if they are not going to give me much for it?

I must say that I really love the RV and with a daughter starting college this year and another one in 2 years, I cannot afford a replacement.

I have a 2003 Travelstar 21SSO which is pretty much identical to your Antigua. I just did a floor replacement earlier this summer. It was all rotted out from the front to about the entry door. It was a lot of work! Biggest problem I found was with the lack of support from underneath. It all sits on the steel frame rails with nothing supporting it in the middle. I ended up welding in a couple of support braces. Here's some pictures if you want to check it out...
https://www.amazon.ca/clouddrive/share/cPde9sOUgMTRjtedL7J4xoHRpWO5viBhj4DPBDSdZAr?v=grid&ref_=cd_ph_share_link_copy

If that is the case, I'm screwed! I'm in no way that handy. That is a hell of a job. Nice work though!! Going to try the Boat Floor Epoxy route and see it at least delays the execution.

[slavco]

marcarolle wrote:
We have the same problem with our 2004 Antigua 21SSO. Soft floor at the front, in between the 2 cabinets. My RV Tech reinforced it twice, while trying to figure out the spot where the water comes in. It is still soft, and cracking. However it holds up well because he reinforced the frame underneath with 2"X4"s.

We have come to the conclusion that the next and final work to be done on the floor will be to lay a thin sheet of plywood all over the current floor, and install new cushion floor on top of it. This will be done without removing all the cabinets, slide-out and furniture. Of course, before laying the plywood, we will install some sort of waterproofing membrane to protect the new floor.

By that time, the HTT's value will already be quite low. We would not be getting much anyway as a trade-in, and I would have to sell it a handyman project, as suggested by one of the posters above.

We are likely to be the last owners of our HTT. We really like our Antigua.

I would check underneath the front section, in mine the membrane separated from the aluminum frame right under the front storage compartment. Water could enter there easily. Also, check your slide seal, especially at the top. When my slide is closed, I get a little bit of water seeping in, it will stay on top of the slide roof and drip down onto the floor by the wall. Overtime this water will make its way to the lowest point and since it has no way to evaporate it will rot rot rot until you fall through the floor.

I understand your attachment to the Antigua, we both have identical layout and the trailer has an amazing amount of room when the slide opens. My only complaint is, it could have a little bit more usable storage.