Help with Prowler

[fjackson]

Hello,

We are fixing up a 1977 Prowler and it has a leak in the left hand front corner and all the walls around there are soft. Before we rip the alluminum off the outside can someone please tell me if there is just plywood underneath? We are completely new at this and dont know if there is a special wood thats lighter that we need to replace it with. Please help! (sorry if its a dumb question)

Thank you!

[ahicks]

In most all areas of that trailer, there is no plywood behind the alum. The type of construction is referred to as "stick built". It consists of interior paneling fastened to a mostly 2"x2" frame on the inside. Between the 2"x2" you'll find fiberglass insulation. On the outside, you have your alum. skin. That's it for the most part. The roof/ceiling is built the same way.

Working with this type construction is simple, but tedious work. With care almost all alum. and hardware can be used over again so though these are generally labor intensive projects, from a materials stand point, they're pretty economical. Just remove the staples and screws as you go and replace the rotten wood using the same technique it was assembled with. Take your time and it'll turn out like new.

[fjackson]

Thank you so much! Let me just see if I understand it...In the front corner some of the alluminum is peeling back and you can see the rotten wood underneath. Is that the paneling that we can see then? From what you said and looking at it, it seems like taking the alluminum off is the hardest part. We do have to remove the windows and all the hatches right?

Does anyone know where we can get an owners manual? I have serched tons online and cant find anything.

[ahicks]

I think you have it. Windows, doors, compartments, hatches and corner moldings will need to be removed on the sides you're working on as a rule. Don't try to cut corners here or it'll cost you bent siding. Once all the "stuff" has been removed from the wall, starting at the bottom, remove all the staples from the siding. Once those are out there's nothing holding the alum. panel and you can remove it. Repeat the process for the next panel up until the side has been stripped. As mentioned, nothing hard, just time consuming....