Community Forums

AriGold · 05-25-2020, 07:03 PM

Hi - new RV owner here. We recently picked up a 2003 four winds 30q for $9,000. Price was great but the unit has a ton of water damage. We are going to take out and reseal all windows as well as get a new roof. But we need to figure out how we address the rot and delamination.

We plan in renovating the entire RV so not worried about the damage that will be caused by demoing.

In areas that are accessible we are think about cutting out and replacing the luan/foam/luan with plywood.

In areas that are not accessible (behind shower and under sink/ fridge cabinets) we have a conundrum. Do we just leave it as is or do we rip that out as well and fix it right?

Also - we aren’t a big fan of the current shower and are contemplating ripping out the whole shower stall to access the rot and installing a new ceramic tile shower.

Any advice would be much appreciated. We got in real good at the $9k purchase price so I feel ok investing $5-6k into the RV to make everything beautiful.

grindstone01 · 05-25-2020, 07:10 PM

The big concern is what will the resale value be on a modified camper? I would opt for as many factory OEM panels and construction as possible.

AriGold · 05-25-2020, 07:13 PM

Can you buy sheets if the luan/foam/luan material or do you have to make yourself?

Solo_RV_Guy · 05-25-2020, 07:15 PM

Hi Ari-

Welcome to iRV2.

You've taken on a significant project - you'll gain perspective into why the previous owner sold rather than repair (esp a DIY). Good luck to you and let us know how the project progresses.

SLOweather · 05-25-2020, 07:17 PM

Quote:

In areas that are accessible we are think about cutting out and replacing the luan/foam/luan with plywood.

Weight the whole thing now, note the weights listed on the vehicle labels, and be careful not to exceed them. There are two reasons that RV manufacturers use the foam sandwich: weight, and insulation. By replacing the sandwich with plywood, you will increase weight, and decrease insulation.

AriGold · 05-25-2020, 07:31 PM

Thinking I may make a sandwich

1/4 underlayment
1/2 inch foam
1/4 underlayment
1/2 inch foam
1/4 inch underlayment.

This will have the structural integrity while also light.

grindstone01 · 05-25-2020, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AriGold

Can you buy sheets if the luan/foam/luan material or do you have to make yourself?

You can buy sheets direct from the factory. I had a Jayco trailer that I backed into a tree and I ordered a rear panel from the factory.

fhmac · 05-25-2020, 08:02 PM

When making your sandwich avoid lauan board and use Azdel its waterproof!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewifG3yXEeg

Sweetbriar · 05-26-2020, 07:55 AM

I recently did repair a water damage to a slide wall on my Hurricane 31D. Had the stove top vent fan leak. Did the work from the inside leaving the exterior fiberglass undisturbed. Not a technically difficult job but you'll need to think it thru before starting. Used a lot of epoxy gluing and sealing everything. Pics of the project -

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ygn3H4Af1MHVW3YAA

The hard part you will have to face is how to hold the material, interior or exterior luan/fiberglass, in place against the aluminum framing while the glue dries. For my slide it was easy as the slide wasn't all that long and I was able to clamp 10'x2"x4" to the exterior slide. If the damage is extensive I would consider potentially taking the coach down to studs and reskinning those areas that need attention. Once you start digging you'll find the damage to be potentially twice the area you thought was going to need repair along with areas you thought was OK but will be wet. My repairs were made in January after I found the delamination bubble in August. Sealed the vent to prevent further water ingress and six months later the luan was still damp.

A 30Q is a pretty basic coach so in effect you have a blank sheet of canvas to paint a picture on. If you do gut out the interior watch the weight of any new cabinets, shower enclosure or even new flooring. Coach weight gain can quickly and quietly sneak up on you particularly once you start rework cabinetry.

PandS · 05-26-2020, 08:00 AM

I think you are wildly optimistic about the cost to do these really extensive repairs.
Good luck! - Paul

AriGold · 05-27-2020, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweetbriar

I recently did repair a water damage to a slide wall on my Hurricane 31D. Had the stove top vent fan leak. Did the work from the inside leaving the exterior fiberglass undisturbed. Not a technically difficult job but you'll need to think it thru before starting. Used a lot of epoxy gluing and sealing everything. Pics of the project -

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ygn3H4Af1MHVW3YAA

The hard part you will have to face is how to hold the material, interior or exterior luan/fiberglass, in place against the aluminum framing while the glue dries. For my slide it was easy as the slide wasn't all that long and I was able to clamp 10'x2"x4" to the exterior slide. If the damage is extensive I would consider potentially taking the coach down to studs and reskinning those areas that need attention. Once you start digging you'll find the damage to be potentially twice the area you thought was going to need repair along with areas you thought was OK but will be wet. My repairs were made in January after I found the delamination bubble in August. Sealed the vent to prevent further water ingress and six months later the luan was still damp.

A 30Q is a pretty basic coach so in effect you have a blank sheet of canvas to paint a picture on. If you do gut out the interior watch the weight of any new cabinets, shower enclosure or even new flooring. Coach weight gain can quickly and quietly sneak up on you particularly once you start rework cabinetry.

Any chance you would be open to a phone conversation? Shoot me a private message if that would be OK.

ga traveler · 05-28-2020, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLOweather

Weight the whole thing now, note the weights listed on the vehicle labels, and be careful not to exceed them. There are two reasons that RV manufacturers use the foam sandwich: weight, and insulation. By replacing the sandwich with plywood, you will increase weight, and decrease insulation.

This is the best answer you will get! I had a customer who used plywood and then fiberglassed over it. He wound up with no carrying capacity. Redwood plywood might be light enough but would be expensive.

**Spdracr39** · 05-28-2020, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PandS

I think you are wildly optimistic about the cost to do these really extensive repairs.
Good luck! - Paul

My calculator started running at New Roof ......

Hindsight is of course 20/20 but a really nice 2003 model camper can be had for 13k or less on a regular basis.

TCollins · 05-28-2020, 03:10 PM

Around northeast Indiana and southern Michigan there are a number of rv surplus stores/warehouses that sell to the public. They will have stacks of every imaginable part that is in an rv including the wall panels. Many of the campgrounds in the area have lists and maps to their locations. It would be quite a haul for you but if you got an inventory together you could make a road trip.

Here is a link to one of the largest. They do sell smaller items on-line. Be ready for sticker shock

https://bontragers.com/