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NevaLee · 05-23-2021, 04:35 PM

I have a 2015 Itasca Spirit. The bottom screws have flown the coop! We tried to add new screws but there is nothing for them to catch on. Apparently the board is rotting in there. Any suggestions on how to fix it? Novice repairman here.

Roy-c · 05-23-2021, 05:41 PM

If the inner boards are rotting there has to be water intrusion. I am afraid there isn't going to be a quick fix. You need to track down any water leaks and fix those, then either disassemble the wall from either inside or outside ( whichever is easier ) and replace any rotted components. There could also be issues with the floor in that area. ( I would probably opt to remove the inner wall )
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Good luck with your repairs.

Ron Dittmer · 05-29-2021, 09:38 PM

As Roy mentioned, there is no quick fix.

I would remove the back wall and address the problem holistically.

Many motorhomes are constructed such that the walls do not rest on the floor. They are mounted to the side of it with screws or bolts. If this is your case, you really want to fix it right.

Ljwt330 · 05-30-2021, 11:11 AM

All good advice, above.

My neighbor just dealt with a similar situation with his class C Navion. The back wall on his is 1" solid plywood and functions not only as the back wall, but as a shear panel for the framing of the coach. In his case, the spare tire mount is bolted to the back panel, and the bolts were never caulked or sealed. Water found its way through and soaked/softened the bottom of the wood panel. He removed some of the interior covering to expose the area and thoroughly dried it out. Fortunately for him, it was not exposed to moisture for too long a period because the integrity of the plywood was intact.

Your post makes it sound like the problem is more extensive, but it's not really clear. Is it the inside wall that is loose or the outside fiberglass wall? Are the screws out all the way across the coach or just in one area? Regardless, you have had water intrusion and you need to find out from where the water came and how far it has damaged the coach, including the floor, as mentioned.

I suggest you plan ahead on how you will cover up your repair before you dig in. Matching the interior wall covering may not be possible.

Good luck, and keep us updated.

00 Buckshot · 05-30-2021, 11:51 AM

I am not sure there is any wood behind those screws. If it is anything like a 5th wheel the screws just attach the cap to the sidewall in most cases. There may be some of these screws that make contact with the frame but not all of them. I used banana peel pop rivets on those that were stripped out on my 5th wheel.

You need to verify what I am saying in your case to make sure you don't have a water leak with rotten wood and hopefully it has just been stripped out.

Good luck.

DadJokeDad · 05-30-2021, 12:08 PM

I had a similar problem on our old travel trailer. We were on vacation with it when it happened. I saw the wood was rotted, and that at some point water had come in from a bad window seal that had since been repaired. I went to Home Depot and got L brackets as the wood on the walls was still good. Repaired it with those, but replaced the rotted wood when we got back home, before we sold it.

NevaLee · 05-31-2021, 04:45 AM

Thanks so much for the help. The problem area is below the storage bin door. We think it is from accidentally leaving the bin door open. The screws on the.side if this wall are still in tact. There is a L bar the width of the storage area whick seems to attach the interior wall which is attached to the exterior walli hope this makes the problem more clear. The floor does not seem to have damage.

NevaLee · 05-31-2021, 04:47 AM

I am thinking I may need a professional.��

NevaLee · 05-31-2021, 04:51 AM

Both are loose below the storage bin door. We know we left the bin door open on a rainy night. We will look for other possible water intrusion.

Ron Dittmer · 05-31-2021, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NevaLee

We will look for other possible water intrusion.

Water often finds it way in through one or more of the lights, either the main tail lights or the upper marker lights. Be sure to inspect all of them around your entire rig. If water is getting in through a back light, it may also be leaking through a front light and you just did not yet discover it.

THenne1713 · 06-01-2021, 08:36 PM

A typical COMMON RV wall/ panel is 1-inch FOAM sandwiched between two layers of 1/8" Lauan Plywood, with papered paneling inside and 1/16" FILON Fiberglass glued to the Lauan for rigidity. 1"X1" SOLID WOOD (CEDAR/ Treated Pine) usually frames windows, hatches, etc. for screw anchors; some BRANDS/ Later models use 1-inch steel or aluminum square tubing to frame some parts/ devices; (some/ many, but not all MFR) (Newer) use a rot resistant/ mildew resistant product called AZDEL to replace the Lauan. Often it is pretty easy to replace sections of 1x1 wood around openings for new screw anchors. HOPE this helps?