fieldsoldier
AR/TX dreamin of 'Bama
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Joined: 09/18/2008
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i desperately need to reseal my roof. i also have a few ceiling joists i have to replace...should i replace these BEFORE sealing the roof or should i reseal the roof first or does it really matter?
also, has anyone ever had to replace ceiling joists on here? if so, what is the best way to go about it? BTW the trailer is a '77 Terry 24'.
thanks in advance for all the help you can provide...
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bldrbuck
Boulder, Colorado
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Joined: 02/11/2001
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From what I have seem at RV repair shops they peel back the roof, fix the joists and put the roof back on. So I would say do that and then seal.
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mikhen
oley, pa
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Joined: 05/29/2006
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I had to rebuild the trusses on our last TT. I did mine a bit different, because it was early winter when we got ours. I covered it with a tarp, Then ripped the inside apart. Removed just about the whole, kitchen/living area right up to the rubber roof. I then rebuilt, from the inside. In spring, when we knew the could get it inside right away, we took it to the dealer and the repaired the rubber roof. Never had a problem since.
As far as what it was like to replace trusses, I removed a solid 1 from the TT, used it as a pattern, and made my own. I replaced 5 of them this way. The hardest part was finding the right thickness roof panel. I believe it was 15/32" or something strange like that. Remember, the duct work and all the wiring will be running through the trusses, so you will have to plan on that. I pieced mine back in as I went along.
2002 Avalanche 2500
2006 Fleetwood Terry 300BH
Equal-i-zer
Tekonsha P3
Beer
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fieldsoldier
AR/TX dreamin of 'Bama
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thanks so much for the replies! i was hoping i could do it without ripping the roof off, i just don't really feel comfortable doing that. what is involved in doing that anyhow?
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greenrvgreen
open road
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Joined: 09/05/2007
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Soldier--
There are some really good posts here that will show you step-by-step how to replace a roof and/or chase down and fix rot, with PLENTY of pics. I'm sorry I can't direct you to the links--I'm just too lazy--but if you do a forum search you should be able to find them.
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Gdetrailer
PA
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Joined: 01/05/2007
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fieldsoldier, you have three options.
One, remove roof, if aluminun makes for an easier time but still difficult.
Two, demo the inside, this is by far the most difficult way to go about this. Very destructive to the inside, if inside is needing scrapped then its a no brainer.
Three, leave alone and live with it, easiest of all three but guarranteed to limit the useful life of the trailer.
One and Two can be done but you are going to spend a considerable amount of time on this. My first rebuild was #2 option, getting to all of the rotted trusses were a challange.
My second rebuild is a combo of both #1 and #2, much easier!
You can take a look at my current TT, it is almost done but was usable for this camping season. This TT was by far as bad as it can get other than the floor only had three small spots for repair. The roof and front wall is all new material, the side walls had lots of rot, had to cripple in the repairs.
1984 KOMFORT
In addition you can view a document I have been writing that may be helpful to you MY RV HINTS AND TIPS
Keep us posted on your progress!
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wileecoyote
Tennessee, USA
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Joined: 09/02/2008
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Wow GDE. That is some project you completed there! I have documented some complex projects for other forums so I know how much work goes into the publication, let alone actually completing the project. Great work and so nice of you to share.
My grandparents had an older TT and the roof never needed replaced as long as you painted it with a new coat of aluminum sealing paint every other year. I am not sure of the brand but I think it was similar in style to your Komfort model. They used it back in the late 70s so you can tell how old it was. I remember helping my grandfather remodel it in the 90s to get it road-ready again. We resealed the roof, replaced all the rusted aluminum siding screws with rubber sealed screws, sanded and painted any exterior rust spots, and cleaned the inside from top to bottom. It amazed me that we were able to get it on the road and use it for several years without any trouble. Eventually the trailer was parked on an old wooded lot and left to rot, which was really sad because we had many fine memories in that trailer, and I wish that I had known enough to rebuild it like you did with the Komfort model.
Sometimes newer is not better, and if you have the time and patience to rebuild a classic you can end up with a gem. Good luck on your roof repair soldier. Share photos with us when you get into it.
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fieldsoldier
AR/TX dreamin of 'Bama
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thank you so much GDE! it really gives me confidence to see your rebuild. if it's alright with you, i'd like to use some of your ideas...and i might ask you for advice from time to time as long as you're ok with it.
my only issue right now is i'm kind of on a time pinch. see, i jumped into full-time RV life a little too fast. i gave up my old house (end of lease) so i could get this RV and start work on it. right now (for the next few weeks) i have a place i can stay while i work on it, after that it HAS to be able to be lived in. i'm not worried about interior work, i can do that a little at the time, but the outside shell has to be sealed and repaired...
so, here's my idea. i work 4 days on, 4 days off...if i bought all the materials (might need some advice/help in this department GDE) would it be feasible to get it completed in 4 days? i'm a pretty fast worker and the weather is good enough to work 24 hrs if i have to.
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mikhen
oley, pa
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Joined: 05/29/2006
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I'm gonna look and see if I have any pictures of my 1st TT. I have step by step photos of the demo done from the inside, leaving the rubber roof and aluminum sidewalls intact.
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Gdetrailer
PA
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Joined: 01/05/2007
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fieldsoldier, you (and anyone else) are more than welcome to use anything in my documents. Folks like you (and anyone else) are the reason as to why I started to document my work.
I am not sure that you will be able to complete the work within 4 days, the problem is that you can't know exactly just how much more water damage is present until you start opening things up. In my rebuild link the Komfort only showed minor damage around the edges of the ceiling.
Since you are on a tight schedule, you most likely will need to work from the inside only. This is going to present a big challenge. All of the cabinets are set in place before the roof or siding are put on. The cabinets are screwed in place from the outside. Most times the cabinets will lose the battle when removing.
Being a 77 you most likely have an aluminum roof, this type of roof may have seams running accross the roof where the builder joined the pieces. you will need to clean all the caulking from these seams and recaulk. Some folks will recommend eterna bond tape, I have not used this but I understand that it works wonders. You don't want to use this anywhere that you may need to remove.
Chances are that you also have leaks on all the trim at the top of the sides, this trim hides the roof edge seams. there will be a plastic insert in the center of the trim, remove this insert, under the insert you will find the screws. This trim has a layer of butyl rubber caulking under it, you will have to carefully pry the trim from the trailer. Once the trim is off then remove all traces of the old caulk. You can get new butyl rubber caulk at your local RV dealer or mobile home dealer. It is in a flat ribbon. My method of using self stick weather stripping is an unconventional idea, so far it is working for me but use at your own risk.
I would suggest removing the skylites and vents and replacing the caulk under them also.
Doing the above should take care of your roof leaks, chances are that this putty was never replaced. If you have time, you need to consider doing the same with the doors and windows.
The corner trim strips are also a major water leak area, these will need the same treatment. Just be aware that you will find rot in most if not all corners, these you may be able to repair by prying carefully the siding back some.
If you get stumped you can always post your question, I and many others will be glad to try to help.
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