Taffy_C
Explorer
Joined 22 years ago
User Profile
User Widgets
All Activity
Re: Water Damage - Is it worth restoring?
JBarca wrote: Hi Daniel, I have acquired a somewhat extreme retirement hobby, I restore old wet campers. Get them cheap, and make a project out of it. I'm very selective about they ones I want to do, as I'm not wanting to get into 100% restoring. I can build one from the ground up easier when they are totally gone. A camper that old, been outside untouched for the last 6 years, there are leaks in places you cannot see yet, beyond the rear wall issue. There are ways and tools to inspect the camper more to find them, but in your case, you may not want to even go there. Everything in that vintage camper is rebuildable, cost and time aside. Your first issue, you do not have the ability to do the work yourself. To hire this work out it not cost practical. You will easily overrun the $15K you paid for it 18 years ago and that is without the parts. I found this link at the Jayco site, is this your 22U, a 2003? https://www.jayco.com/tools/archive/2003-kiwi-too-htt/ I am currently restoring a 21 footer, aluminum sided, different floor plan, but it had been leaking in the back corner for several years before I acquired it cheap. The water goes down inside the walls, stops at the waterproof membrane on the bottom and starts taking out the floor. And that was only the back wall leaks. As of today, I have 658 work hours into it and I will be a little over $5,500 in parts by the time I am done. I am about 90% done now. The only way this can may any kind of practical sense to do is, you do the work yourself and you enjoy doing it. Hope this helps John John - didn't see your reply from a few days ago until just now. Thanks for those great insights - and yes that is the 22U I have. Yeah - I just don't have the chops or the time to do it myself - I wish I did! It must be tremendously satisfying to do the kind of restoration you do as a hobby! Thanks again. Daniel.1.1KViews0likes0CommentsWater Damage - Is it worth restoring?
Hi There, Trailer has been in continuous outdoor storage 250 miles away for 6 years. I drove up yesterday to do some repairs prior to transporting to my current location. I found that there is water damage - the roof seal has opened up pretty badly in the rear corner, and to a lesser extent across the back. There is visible bulging in the roof in those sections. Down the side (outside) there is a dry lichen-like growth - looks like where the water flowed down the inside. The fiberglass is also bulging slightly away from the frame there. Inside there is visible damage directly underneath the location of the broken roof seal that extends across to the center line. Quite likely there is mold in there. This is an 18 y/o trailer that I paid $15K for back then. Other than this, everything seems to be in good shape. But I think this is going to be a very costly repair job, and I can't be sure there aren't other areas of damage as well. Just looking for opinions - is it time for a new trailer? Is this worth spending more money on? Its not something I can do myself. Link to photos: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/qgdukjismwpem9m/AADTygxczmnDN4635Tqbfy6sa?dl=0 Appreciate thoughts. Daniel.9.1KViews0likes19CommentsCleaning Fresh water tank and water heater
Hi There. Its a while since I've sanitized my freshwater tank and water heater (been in storage for a while) and can't remember exactly the procedure. I remember that I used to dilute bleach with water and add to the water tank and then open the valve into the water heater. But I don't remember the right ratio of bleach to water or how long to leave it for. Appreciate help. Thanks,6.4KViews0likes20CommentsProblems with 7 Pin Connector
Hi There, Having issues with the 7 Pin trailer connection between my trailer and TV. I can't seem to get all contacts connecting at once - I I jiggle the connection slightly I can get brakes connected but I lose one or more light connections and vice-versa. I've tried using a very find grade wet/dry sandpaper to clean the contacts but that only brought minor improvements. I'm thinking that maybe the connections are too sloppy and maybe I need to replace the trailer connector plug. The trailer is 18 years old. I'd welcome any suggestions on this - not sure how difficult it is to replace the connector too. Also, because I have a hensley hitch that added a few inches to the trailer length, I don't have any room to lose length on the electrical cable (which I figure might happen when I replace the connector plug). If anything I need to make it longer. Any help much appreciated, Daniel.5.1KViews0likes19Comments
Groups
Bucket List Trips
Bucketlist destinations you just can't miss. Which spots stick with you?Jan 18, 202513,487 Posts Travel Trailer Group
Prefer to camp in a travel trailer? You're not alone.Jan 13, 202544,029 Posts
