Rotted out under-tub Caribou 8
Just a heads-up to those with Outfitter Caribou units with wooden tub: there is some kind of very cheap furniture veneer under the entire tub glued to the floor XPS foam and aluminum beams. This has a...
Forum Discussion
silversand,
Thanks and you know I'll help you all I can and/or any decision you and Dunes decide upon. You take good care of your things and some do not so your heads up really means a lot and I hope some are reading and heeding.
I'd written a reply on CW rv.net forum portal but the site went down before I could send it. Still down! Came in thru Woodalls.
I sure don't envy you fixing your Outfitter because it's not a little project and you have plenty to fix. Usually with as much rot as you have now described, there is likely a lot of wet or rot beginning in many areas of the floor and walls due to trapped water or moisture. Water flows, wicks, and moisture goes right thru wood etc from one compartment to another. The filon exterior sure doesn't help as no moisture can escape thru it. Unfortunately, you don't have much choice as taking a huge hit selling it won't sit well either. Filled with foam, the closed areas do not ventilate or evaporate at all and if fiberglass insulation, it holds water and moisture in the wool and either way, rot will occur. Some of the areas are a nightmare to get into but how else will you know?
FWIW, I have had great luck using Thompsons Waterseal (the petroleum based not the water based) on wood items (plywood and pine etc) I've used it on and some have been unpainted and out in the rain, snow, sun, etc for over 20 years and none have soaked up water or rotted yet. If you can get the TC truely dried out, I wonder if coating any once soaked area with the Thompsons would prevent any rot or further rotting in the non-rotted must be replaced areas. Only TC we owned over the last 49 years that had rot occur was our Fleetwood Caribou 11'11" big TC we bought new. 6 years later, my wife opened the rear door to go in and the door litterally fell off with only the bottom hinge still attached. rear framing was total rot and we'd not seen any evidence of leaks but it sure was and took a real bath when trading for our first new Lance TC.
One thing to remember is that you can't glue a surface that has been coated with TRhompsons as it doesn't adhere hardly at all if any. If you do use the Thompsons, let it dry thoroughly before sealing/covering the area and the petroleum smell goes away quickly.
Thanks and you know I'll help you all I can and/or any decision you and Dunes decide upon. You take good care of your things and some do not so your heads up really means a lot and I hope some are reading and heeding.
I'd written a reply on CW rv.net forum portal but the site went down before I could send it. Still down! Came in thru Woodalls.
I sure don't envy you fixing your Outfitter because it's not a little project and you have plenty to fix. Usually with as much rot as you have now described, there is likely a lot of wet or rot beginning in many areas of the floor and walls due to trapped water or moisture. Water flows, wicks, and moisture goes right thru wood etc from one compartment to another. The filon exterior sure doesn't help as no moisture can escape thru it. Unfortunately, you don't have much choice as taking a huge hit selling it won't sit well either. Filled with foam, the closed areas do not ventilate or evaporate at all and if fiberglass insulation, it holds water and moisture in the wool and either way, rot will occur. Some of the areas are a nightmare to get into but how else will you know?
FWIW, I have had great luck using Thompsons Waterseal (the petroleum based not the water based) on wood items (plywood and pine etc) I've used it on and some have been unpainted and out in the rain, snow, sun, etc for over 20 years and none have soaked up water or rotted yet. If you can get the TC truely dried out, I wonder if coating any once soaked area with the Thompsons would prevent any rot or further rotting in the non-rotted must be replaced areas. Only TC we owned over the last 49 years that had rot occur was our Fleetwood Caribou 11'11" big TC we bought new. 6 years later, my wife opened the rear door to go in and the door litterally fell off with only the bottom hinge still attached. rear framing was total rot and we'd not seen any evidence of leaks but it sure was and took a real bath when trading for our first new Lance TC.
One thing to remember is that you can't glue a surface that has been coated with TRhompsons as it doesn't adhere hardly at all if any. If you do use the Thompsons, let it dry thoroughly before sealing/covering the area and the petroleum smell goes away quickly.
