Community Forums

Pabell90 · 06-08-2015, 10:27 PM

Recently purchased coach that had been setting in previous owners yard for years - 1990 safari Serengeti - 37' diesel pusher. Anticipated spending to make necessary restorations - plan to do work myself - started stripping roof this weekend, worst damage behind front ac unit but have decided to replace all plywood - having problem removing old fiberglass material where it attaches to round over on sides. Worked in flooring business for years but never seen anything stuck any better. Round overs seem to be made of a PVC type material. Wondering if roll overs are available and wanting thoughts on what type of material I should use for replacement roof - plan to replace all vents and ac units - any advice or recommendations would be appreciated - new to forum

JMonroe · 06-09-2015, 10:54 AM

We bought our first motorhome when this one was new. We lusted after the Safari but it was not in our budget.

I look forward to following your restoration project. Be sure to post a lot of photos along the way, photos are always popular.

Good luck finding the help and materials you need.

mel s · 06-09-2015, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pabell90

Recently purchased coach that had been setting in previous owners yard for years - 1990 safari Serengeti - 37' diesel pusher. Anticipated spending to make necessary restorations - plan to do work myself - started stripping roof this weekend, worst damage behind front ac unit but have decided to replace all plywood - having problem removing old fiberglass material where it attaches to round over on sides. Worked in flooring business for years but never seen anything stuck any better. Round overs seem to be made of a PVC type material. Wondering if roll overs are available and wanting thoughts on what type of material I should use for replacement roof - plan to replace all vents and ac units - any advice or recommendations would be appreciated - new to forum

Pabell90
Are you aware of these 2 Yahoo Safari groups?
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Safarifriends/info
and: https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/SafariCoaches/info
Both may be very helpful to you.
Mel
'96 Safari Sahara, 141k miles

Pabell90 · 06-13-2015, 07:51 PM

This is first shot after removing everything from top showing damage

Pabell90 · 06-13-2015, 07:55 PM

This is the worst area between kitchen fan and front a/c

Pabell90 · 06-13-2015, 08:14 PM

Ribs across coach appear to be made of 3/4 " plywood with approx every other one doubled - arched from approx. 2 " at edge to approx 4" in middle - all on 16" centers

Pabell90 · 06-13-2015, 08:19 PM

Another damaged spot where TV antenna was mounted

Pabell90 · 06-13-2015, 08:40 PM

25 years of botched attempts at sealing top - aluminum cover strips front and back buried under almost 3/4 " of every type RV sealer known to man - original butyl tape still as sticky as the day it was applied - what a mess

guardrail53 · 06-13-2015, 09:49 PM

Pabell90, I admire what you are doing, and I will follow along and learn a thing or two, if you don't mind? I have done some resto. projects, but nothing like this!

Thanks for posting this for the rest of us to learn!

Rail!

Pabell90 · 06-14-2015, 05:34 AM

Thanks guardrail, Can use all the encouragement I can get - I've got experience in carpentry work and was raised up in flooring business but never real worked on an RV - will be working mostly on weekends - excited to see how well aluminum framing in walls was constructed - this thing over all was very well constructed

guardrail53 · 06-14-2015, 05:50 AM

Pabell, what were you planning to go back with on the roof for a covering? The roof to me from the pic's looks to be in pretty good shape, other than the few bad spots? Are you going to do away with the radius on the side? And you mentioned the alum. wall studs, are you going to have to do the walls too? Just wondering? Did you go look at the "Total Rebuild" thread of Terrys? Lots of good info on there! Looking forward to your rebuild!
Rail!

Pabell90 · 06-14-2015, 09:14 PM

Guardrail,
Just kinda winging it on top, no set plans but it's looking like I'll reuse fiberglass round over - made from very good material - area where old fiberglass roof material was bonded I plan to saw off - flat area on round over approx. 3" wider on top than side - round over should still set over plywood about 3" - considering applying 3/16 luan over 3/8 AC plywood to bring deck height even with fiberglass both front, sides and rear

Lot of reason roof failed I think was due to decking stapled to ribs - as I mentioned earlier ribs were constructed from 3/4" plywood standing on its edge- you know how well staples hold shot in end of plywood - I may apply a solid strip of something on top of ribs to help eliminate this problem and screws rather than staples.

Was hoping for some recommendations on roofing material from someone on here - my thoughts are something in 1 pc ether rubber or vinyl - have looked at Dicor kits which includes adhesives and sealer

Walls seam to be in great shape - May only need to replace some of luan on ceiling in living area -want really know till I get her opened up a little more.

Picture worth 1000 words - I'll try to post one with most updates - hope not posting to much info just trying to paint you a picture

guardrail53 · 06-15-2015, 02:07 AM

Pabell, I think re-using the round overs is a good idea too! If it was me, I would do the EPDM rubber roof, just for the ease of the installation. Dicor, as you mentioned, has all the stuff you will need for that. Fiberglass is the roof of choice, but would be expensive! Go check out the "Total Rebuild" thread on the vintage section, lots of very smart guys following that thread, and can give you the answers you will need! Rail!