New Sunny Owner, Old Sunny

[songsailor]

My wife and I just bought a 1983 T2260. We love it and are excited about the project we just got ourselves. We're finding it a little hard to determine just how big a project it is. So far we know that we need to repair water damage in the front and rear ends, we may need to repair some ceiling panels, the refrigerator does not seem to kick on.

What I'm worried about right now though is the toilet. I experimented with the pump today, it kicked right on and put water to the sink. Unfortunately, the back of the toilet started spewing water. I can't physically get my head back there to assess if the fitting back there is loose, or needs to be replaced. It is old enough that I'm leaning towards replacement.

Does anyone know what model this toilet is and/or what an appropriate replacement model would be? Also, does anyone have any experience with composting toilets as an alternative to blackwater tanks?

I have some pictures, but I can't seem to figure out how to post them. I'll work on that and hopefully add them to this thread.

We are excited to know we are not the only ones out there working on a Sunline right now and grateful for any insight you all can offer.

Miles

 

[apackof2]

Bump

 

[ggrvguy]

Miles, I'm guessing you have an Thetford Aqua Magic III or IV toilet. Lift up the seat cover and look for a tag. Usually a valve on the backside is what causes the leak. They are easily repairable. Just 2 floor bolts to remove the toilet and a couple screws holding the water valve in. When we first got our 1990 Camper, the wife said the first thing we're replacing is that toilet. It wasn't very expensive to buy a completely new, clean, never been used before, toilet.
Gary G

 

[songsailor]

So it is an aqua magic 4. We ordered a new valve and we'll see if I can't get it working once that arrives. At some point I think a composting toilet might be a good addition, but I'm surprised at how expensive they are.

Thanks for the insight!

 

[JohnGB]

Hi Miles,

You have several topics in your post, some times it makes it easier if you break the topic up into separate posts. You didn't do anything wrong per say, just mentioning it for the future.

The water damage is an entire topic it and in itself. We have a lot we can offer on this,, how to inspect the damage to see how big it is, how to take the camper apart and in what sequence and how to repair it. If you have basic wood working skills, the basic wood tools, a good amount of time and the will/want to do this, you can rebuild the entire camper if needed.

We happen to have several new folks who have joined this year in similar situations, meaning they just bought an older Sunny and are needing to repair water damage in it. To help get you going, see this thread. Rather them me retyping it all, there are answers in that thread with links to other rebuilds. This is a good place to start you research. https://www.sunlineclub.com/forums/f71/from-optimism-to-reality-19759.html#post152848

Once you get through all that, then ask away any and all questions here in your post we can help you when the time comes with specific info on your camper.

To post pics, this is a first thing to help you with. Pics are almost a must for us to see what you are up against and so you can see what others have done. Plus it really helps explain what your need is as the RV lingo is unique to itself.

There are 3 ways to add pics.

1. Upload pics to a specific post attaching them at the end of the post.

2. Linking them in from a public viewable web photo hosting service you have.

See here for 1 and 2 https://www.sunlineclub.com/forums/f105/forums-101-posting-accounts-basics-11235.html#post86041

3. You can upload pics to the forum in your own personal photo album. Then link them to anywhere in the text of a post. See here on how to create an album. https://www.sunlineclub.com/forums/f105/forums-101-posting-accounts-basics-11235-2.html#post87945

If you still get stuck, let us know.

Next, the fridge. You stated the fridge does not seem to kick on. Not sure if you still have the original fridge from 1983 or a prior owner changed it out. Again here pics come in handy, the make and model of the fridge too.

Here is basic info not knowing what it is you have. Amusing it is an RV type fridge, (an absorption fridge) these work different then home compressor type fridge that actual do kick on and off. There is no motor, fan or compressor in the RV fridge. In fact it does not even pump cold air into it. It actually absorbs out all the heat and leaves you with cold. I know that sounds odd, but that is the way they work.

First off, the camper and more important the fridge, "must be" level before you start it. So level out the camper front to back and left to right. There is a chemical solution that gets heated in the pipes on the back of the fridge, and that chemical goes from a liquid to a gas and then naturally circulates though the piping. If the fridge is not level, the liquid can get burnt as it is not flowing and long term damage can come if left run off level long enough.

The fridge normally can take over night to cool down. Putting an open plastic cup of water in the freezer or better, a thermometer in the fridge can tell you if it is working after about 8 hours of running the temp should drop from where it stated. And after long enough, the water will freeze if it is working. On the back of the fridge are pipes that should be getting warm. If they are cold as ambient temps, then something is not working. Also if you see yellow residue on the bottom of the fridge in the back, that can point to a failed cooling unit. If you see that, take pics and post and do not run the fridge as it can over heat can create a fire hazard.

Getting the fridge to work can be a post on its own. The above would get you started and then create a post and tell us the make and model and are you trying to run it on gas or electric? Assuming your fridge even has the electric element option. We can then get into more trouble shooting.

Gary has you going on the toilet.

Hope this helps

John

 

[songsailor]

The work progresses

Today was mainly a day devoted to working on the roof. I'd like to get it cleaned and then paint and seal it. I have some aluminum paint from Dicor and several tubes of self leveling sealer.
This morning:
https://www.sunlineclub.com/forums/members/12086-albums814-picture6579.html

This afternoon:
https://www.sunlineclub.com/forums/members/12086-albums814-picture6578.html

https://www.sunlineclub.com/forums/members/12086-albums814-picture6577.html

Thank you John for clueing me into the photo album option here in the forum. Tomorrow morning I'll work on more accurately leveling the trailer and seeing if the refrigerator will start. In the meantime, here is the model information. I think it is original to the trailer. There is no circuitry or mother board.

https://www.sunlineclub.com/forums/members/12086-albums814-picture6580.html

This evening I worked a little on the toilet as the valve part arrived midday. Unfortunately one of the screw heads was rusted out completely and I'll need to drill it out. That will have to wait for another day.

Thank you again to every one for your help. It's been a grand adventure so far and we haven't even slept in it yet.

Best,
Miles

 

[songsailor]

Thank you all for your insights on the toilet and refrigerator issues. We now have both up and running.
Best,
Miles

 

[JohnGB]

Hi Miles,

Glad the toilet and the fridge are up and running.

Here is a tip on the pics to have them view in your post verses a link to go look at each one. For less clicking to get to the pic, you can make it view right in your post.

This is one way, there are others but since you already figure out how to get to your photo album (the hard part), here is how you make it view in your post.

*Find the pic in your album. Copy the picture address link to your PC scrape buffer. (right click on the picture, the select "copy image address") The URL will end in a "jpeg".

*Scroll to the exact place in your replay you want the picture to show.

*In the advanced reply to thread mode, (not the quick reply) look for the mountain postage stamp icon. (4th icon from the right) Click it where you want the pic to show.

That postage stamp Icon will bring up an address box. Paste the URL of the pic in that box and press OK. The software will create the IMG commands to make the pic address view.

Like this. Here is the link like you have it for the fridge model plate. The link ends in "html"
https://www.sunlineclub.com/forums/m...cture6580.html

Here is the pic viewing. The picture URL ends in ".jpeg" in the postage stamp icon.

You are making good progress! And nice looking family.

John

 

[songsailor]

Thanks John, I just tried this approach, for some reason I have to manually change the .html to .jpeg, but once I did that, it worked fine. Jill and I are enjoying working on the camper and the kids simply can't wait until it is ready for the first overnight.

Thanks again,
Miles

 

[JerryJ-SUN]

Off topic just a weeny bit.

With respect to water damage my son has a 28 foot Terry and he had water damage so we tore out a lot of damaged flooring and a couple of cupboards. Then we found the source.

We looked at the filler tube where we would insert the fresh water hose. Right from factory the filler tube was installed up side down. PLUS they never installed a hose clamp to secure hose to filler tube. He had a secondary leak by his toilet as well, it turned out to be excessive toilet paper in the down pipe. We blamed all the girls (because they weren't around to defend themselves ) This could be an issue for any brand or any size trailer.
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On my 13 ft 85 Sunny I had water damage in the front wall. Removed the entire inner wall and front window. Replaced any damaged wood in the framing, re-caulked the front window added some insulation. NOTE the framing is thinner than household framing so the insulation had to be thinned out (that was only a personal choice).

I actually lucked out to find close-to-the-same paneling at Home Depot

My biggest advice is to take your time doing any of these jobs