Sunline Saturn Model T-36 SS A

[Sandy2019]

Hello everyone we are Sandy and Javier from NJ, Andover, we just purchased our Sunline 1996 Saturn Model T-36 SS A a few weeks ago. We are still in the cleaning, fixing, repairing, and finding*out*how things works.
We got it stationary in a Camp ground, it has been there for around 20 years...
We are planing to remodel to newer look and fix some many licks that we saw..

We really would like to gut the the whole walls and ceiling and some parts of the floors... and thinking of replacing the wood paneling walls & ceiling for 1/4" sheetrock.. this way we can upgrade lighting, switches & outlets..
We have been reading about the weight could be an issue but this trailer won't be move at all.. also we removed the all beds, tables and sofa already.....and we bought (8 pack Aluminum Stack Jacks Trailer Camper Support Position Stabilizing RV Parts) to add more than what is there..

We will apreciate a anyone with any help

Thanks
Sandy & Javier

[JohnB]

Welcome Sandy & Javier!

Congrats on your new Sunny!

You may have one of our longest travel trailers on our forum at 37' 3". That is a big one. I can understand better now why it is not going to be towed much, if ever. The bathroom is really big. And the bunk bedroom in the back with it's own table and dinette is unique.

On your wallboard and ceiling board ideas, is the wall and ceiling board in good shape, structurally that is? Understand you may want to change the wall covering, but asking as it leads to my next thoughts.

When the camper is built, the wall and ceiling board is a structural part of the camper. They provide bracing to help not make the camper wiggle so badly so to speak. On the roof, the ceiling creates a structure to hold the rafters in place and to create a shim spacer on top of the wall studs.

Taking damaged wallboard or ceiling board out to exchange it with new wallboard is doable, just on the ceiling we need to talk a little on how to do that as the ceiling board goes over the top of the wall studs and is how it is fastened.

If you remove all the ceiling and wallboard and use 1/4" sheetrock, my thoughts are, that change could have high odds of a stability issue as time goes on within the camper itself. High winds could become an issue and overall stiffness of the camper.

If you want to do a make over of new looks, and the wall and ceiling board (the physical wood) is still in OK shape, then options can be, painting, use commercial vinyl wallpaper over what you have now or new pre papered wallboard/ceiling board.

The wallboard and ceiling board (both 1/8" thick) are glued and stapled to the wall studs and rafters creating the structural bracing. I have recently bought many sheets of both for my project campers I am rebuilding. In my case, I went to Elkhart IN (4.5 hrs from our place) where there are RV surplus places and you can buy the wallboard/ceiling board that is actually used in campers. There are at least 3 places I go to, each has it own colors and patterns. The cost is about the same between all 3. Most are between $12 to $14 for a 4 x 8 sheet. It is for sure a road trip, but may be doable.

Some lumber yards also have 1/8" paneling that is nice. The selection is limited or you can order it.

Also, recommend when you do your makeover, look into correcting all the sealants on the roof, siding and siding openings. A camper of that age living outside all its life, will need to be resealed to be water tight.

Hope this helps

John

[Sandy2019]

Hi John, we hope are you well with Covid- situation, sorry about we didnot amswer you back quick. But we have been working in our RV, and we follow some that your advices . We didnt go with sheetrock, we went with celling paneles and we realized the walls were in a good shape. We are sending a couple of pictures , of the renewal and thanks a lot again.

[JohnB]

Wow, just wow!!!!

That is a transformation! Very nice!

Thanks for sharing.

John

[Sunline Fan]

WOW! That looks completely different!