Serious Problem w/Floor.....need help - Page 2

Janalee · 10-13-2007, 07:32 AM

I just remembered that in one of our previous Sunnies, we had a really horrendous amount of water come in while driving through a bad rainstorm--it came in the front where the lower panel of siding met the frame. We dried it out thoroughly (and the sofa cushions were soaked, carpet too) and then silicone caulked where the lower part of the siding and the frame met. Cured the problem. Afterwards we noticed cars in front of us driving through deeper water throwing up huge amount of water off their wheels--surmised this was what was happening to us only the trailer was there to catch it!! Might be your problem even if in the rear,it could come off your trailer wheels and up though an opening in the underbelly or around the wheel wells!!!

Woodstock · 10-13-2007, 12:47 PM

Janalee, I do feel that the problem is coming from below, however, I have only towed in the rain once and that was in the Fall of 2005. I wouldn't think that any water that may have been driven up into the undercarriage insulation 2 years ago would suddenly present itself now....but then.....who knows??? Also, the membrane where the damage is is very sound (well, it was until I took a razor to it this week) which leads me to think that the water may be coming from a defective connection on top of the grey water tank. But, I can't get there from here. I am hoping that the techinicians that will do the SealTech test can probe all of the potential cause areas.

David

rich2500 · 10-14-2007, 07:19 PM

please keep us posted David I'm curious to see what the outcome is.

**JohnB** · 10-14-2007, 07:22 PM

David

Thanks for the update. We too learn from you.

Hope all works out for you.

John

Woodstock · 11-12-2007, 08:12 AM

This has been a slow agonizing process. I took the coach to a dealer to have a SealTech test completed. The test revealed some "air" leaks in the two back corners & a couple of other places, but nothing substantial. It was not felt that any of the air leaks could or would have contributed to the damage. The storage comparment frame showed quite a bit of leakage. When I went to go over the trailer with the fellow that ran the test most of the stickies that had been placed where the air leaks caused bubbles to appear had fallen off. As a result another test was completed with much the same result and areas noted. The insurance claims adjuster firmly believes that the compartment door had been vandalized and the forced entry caused the seal around the frame to be broken causing a serious leak. He also felt that someone could have dumped some liquid in there as a "prank". Disheartening to me to think that someone would do such a thing, but the adjuster said he has seen it many times. We are in process of getting a quote on repairing the damaged floor...which has a lot more damage than I originally thought...close to 20 square feet. The storage compartment door and frame will also have to be replaced. The way things are going it will be snowing here before this is completed. Hopefully, the repairs will be well done restoring things as close to original condition as is possible. We would like to get another 3 years out of our coach, but at this point we may look to trade for a larger trailer once the damage is repaired to our satisfaction.

David

**JohnB** · 11-13-2007, 07:10 PM

David

WOW……

Pouring liquid in someone’s camper.

There are only a few things that make my blood boil and something like that is one of them.

Hope the best to you and please post us back pic’s on the rebuild process. While we cannot help you do the rebuild, we can learn from it and you will be helping fellow campers.

Good luck

John

Woodstock · 11-21-2007, 04:23 PM

I'm back with another question. Initially, I was told that the corner section of the floor could be replaced. This afternoon I was told that the floor could not be replaced because the sides are secured to the floor and too much of the trailer would be compromised to replace the 20+ square feet. Instead, the floor will be dried out, sanded, then a special "hardener" will be applied. Once that procedure is completed, a 1/4" thick covering of Luan will be added and new linoleum placed on top of the Luan. I have an uneasy feeling about this remedy. Can anyone offer some informed comment???

FWIW, this is a huge expense....much more than I originally speculated.

Al in PA · 11-21-2007, 05:40 PM

Whether you do the work yourself or you have it done by a dealership, I would want the existing subfloor sealed both on the inside and the outside of the TT. While it is common to use 1/4" Luan prior to installing new vinyl flooring, it will not do much to help the soft spots you are experiencing. I would add cross supports under the trailer between the factory framing to add support and I'd use 3/8" or 1/2" plywood in lieu of the 1/4" Luan. This will add some weight, but your TT isn't that heavy to start with and your TV should handle a little more weight with no problem.

RPierce · 11-25-2007, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woodstock

I'm back with another question. Initially, I was told that the corner section of the floor could be replaced. This afternoon I was told that the floor could not be replaced because the sides are secured to the floor and too much of the trailer would be compromised to replace the 20+ square feet. Instead, the floor will be dried out, sanded, then a special "hardener" will be applied. Once that procedure is completed, a 1/4" thick covering of Luan will be added and new linoleum placed on top of the Luan. I have an uneasy feeling about this remedy. Can anyone offer some informed comment???

FWIW, this is a huge expense....much more than I originally speculated.

Woodstock,
I am currently replacing part of the floor in my T2670, see my post http://www.sunlineclub.com/forums/ph...pic.php?t=1215 . My walls did not set on the floor as you will see in my picks.
To dry out your floor are they going to open the underbody and remove the insulation and replace that? If not the insulation will remain wet and your problem will not go away. My floor was beyond being able to use the hardener treatment so replacement was my only option. I could not believe the amount of water that was in the insulation when I took it out

Woodstock · 11-28-2007, 02:39 PM

Bob, thanks for your comment & sorry it took me so long to reply. Since my last post I have run into a snag and have had seek out another repair facility. Things are not going well at this point & I fear that this whole mess is not going to end well for me. I will know more by the beginning of next week.

RPierce · 11-29-2007, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woodstock

Bob, thanks for your comment & sorry it took me so long to reply. Since my last post I have run into a snag and have had seek out another repair facility. Things are not going well at this point & I fear that this whole mess is not going to end well for me. I will know more by the beginning of next week.

Sorry to hear that you are having more problems and had to find another repair facility. Actually it might work out to your benefit to have a second opinion on the repairs.
Hope all works out well and your coach is ready for the 08 camping season.

Woodstock · 12-03-2007, 02:28 PM

Hi All,

Well, after a month of getting a run around from the first RV repair shop and a completely ridiculous and inappropriate solution to this serious problem, my trailer is in the hands of another shop that will do the repair the way I had envisioned it necessary. It will involve replacement of approximately 1/3 of the floor at the rear of the trailer. It is a major and costly repair, however, the shop owner feels that he can bring the trailer back to its original glory. We discussed the replacement of the linoleum and decided that some kind of wood flooring would be more appropriate as it will not compromise the floor that is not damaged with a linoleum overlay. We plan to get some flooring that will approximate the look of the cabinetry. Also, the shop owner encouraged me to come down to take pics of the repair as it progresses. I intend to do that and will do a post here so that all can see how it goes. The repair process should begin in 2-3 weeks and will probably take the better part of a month. I am bolstered with cautious optimism.

kanyonkitty · 12-03-2007, 04:45 PM

Woodstock,

I am so glad to hear that you have found a dealer that appears to be honest and knows what the heck needs to be done and will do it. The fact that he is encouraging you to come by during the repair process and take photos is very encouraging. It might be a costly reapir, but you'll end up saving the life of your Sunline and hopefully have many many wonderful years of use from it. I'l be watching for the progress photos.

Kitty

**JohnB** · 12-04-2007, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kanyonkitty

Woodstock,

I'l be watching for the progress photos.

Kitty

Me Two.

Good luck and gald you found the begining of a resolution. Let us know how it goes.

John

**Sunline Fan** · 12-04-2007, 09:25 PM

"Me Three"

Jon

Poppy & Nana · 12-22-2007, 04:37 PM

Hey Woodstock - ya online?

How about an update on your floor issue and the work being performed by the "new" repair shop!

Hope you get a real nice Christmas present and that is to have everything done to your satisfaction!

Keep us posted....we are all anxious to hear how you made out!

Woodstock · 12-22-2007, 06:24 PM

Yup…I am online, LOL!!

The insurance company approved the repair on Thursday and work is scheduled to begin the 2nd week in January. I have had several conversations with the owner of the repair shop and he will be doing the work as I had hoped that it would be done…..complete removal of all of the damaged sub-flooring and linoleum. The sub-floor will then be replaced with high quality plywood and re-bolted to the frame. A third of the floor needs to be replaced, however, we decided not to lay down new linoleum and to put a maple laminate floor down over the replaced area & leave the balance of linoleum intact. We will probably use DuPont Premium Elite maple flooring. I spoke at length with the fellow that does the floor repairs and learned a lot from that meeting. With each conversation that I have with this shop I gain confidence that they will do a top shelf job. FWIW, the first shop was not going to remove the damaged flooring (mentioned in post above). Instead they were going to “dry out the floor then sand and apply a hardener” after which they would replace all of the linoleum over a ¼” Luan sheet. Their estimate was over $7k!!! Current estimate doing it the correct way is less than $4k. Of course, things can and probably will change once the damaged floor is removed and the full extent of damage revealed, but the insurance company has already acknowledged that possibility and will continue to work with me. I am very pleased with my insurance carrier. The first repair shop is the stereotypical RV dealership that we all hear about and dread….completely untrustworthy….look you straight in the eye and lie….I will never cross their threshold again.

I will post the pics of the repair as it progresses…..this should be quite a learning experience for us all.

David

Poppy & Nana · 12-22-2007, 07:27 PM

Glad to hear things are progressing to your satisfaction!

Try to keep us updated.....we are all in your corner hoping things go the way you want them to!

Woodstock · 01-23-2008, 02:21 PM

Hi everyone,

As Winter rolls on, the work on my T2299 has begun & I am very pleased to report that once the linoleum floor was cut out, the underlying damage was no where near as bad as was initially thought. The rotten sub floor has been removed and amounted to a 2 X 4 foot section. There is no evidence of any damage to any of the struts other than water stains. It was also determined that the water did, in fact, enter through the storage door and not from above. The trailer is indoors continuing to dry out and waiting for the wood laminate flooring to arrive (will take 3-4 weeks - special order) I have several pics of this phase & if Jon can give me a hand we can post them.

Hope all is well with everyone,

David

**Sunline Fan** · 01-23-2008, 07:16 PM

Here's the pics:

Jon