Best Laid Plans - A Minor Setback

This started out as what I thought would be a simple project to reseal and water-proof the RV before heading out on our big adventure.  I noticed that the front end cap upper section had some "ripples" at the sides and was not sealed very good.  After consulting with a few folks and a night of research on the internet I concluded that the original material (resin laminated to luan plywood) was delaminating as a result of minor moisture intrusion at the seams over the years we've owned it.

I checked on availability of replacement materials and settled on 0.063" pre-painted aluminum sheeting.  Knowing that the advertised construction of the RV was aluminum tubing with walls bonded to it, I felt confident that the front walls would also be made this way and it would be a simple swap out and seal.

As my pal Homer Simpson would say "Doh!"  I couldn't have been more wrong.  As you can see in the pictures below, the water leakage had rotted portions of both corners.



The damage at the side posts and middle should not be too bad to replace.  The material is readily available 2x2 (actual 1.5 x 1.5) yellow pine.  I can get this in PT as well but I'm not sure how well it will glue or epoxy in to the existing interior paneling.  I will have to remove the bath tub and replace right front corner of the floor as it is rotted at least six inches in from the wall.

This whole episode has me a little bummed but it is what it is and I have plenty of time to make the repairs properly.  If we leave a little later, we will get back a little later from our trip - not much down side to that eh!

In true Florida hurricane survivor fashion, The front is covered with a tarp as an afternoon rain shower is not unlikely.  It's 94 F outside and too hot to work on it any more today - must be time to clean up and pick a little bluegrass.

Thanks for reading our blog.

Ron and Connie