1976 Chevrolet Rockwood motorhome

[Michael]

hello all. I just purchased this motorhome. It’s in pretty amazing shape for its age. I am excited about this new project. I am going to start with a good cleaning of the inside and out. I am going to do run some sea foam through the engine and fuel system, followed by a full tune up and possible brake replacement on the front. I am interested in any information you all may have on this particular task that I have undertaken. I look forward to chatting with you all about this. 

[Rich Thomas]

Yep, all those cabinets and partitions as well as the fridge surrounds and even the bathroom walls are an integral part of the overall structure to keep your roof up and your walls straight strong and true.   

[Michael]

Well. Another successful tear apart day. So glad I decided to pull the walls and ceiling out. Water damage in strange places. Now that some of the stuff is out of there. I can see what needs to be corrected. See what is wet/damaged and ready for replacement. The roof was being held up by the refrigerator surround. A cheap press wood frame was all that was holding the roof up. Knocked that down and the roof sagged more. Thus the 2x4. 

[Michael]

[Michael]

That is a great idea I looked into it a little bit further and it sounds like it’ll be very strong once it’s all set up. Got it keep the windows closed for an out of body or out of this world experience

[Rich Thomas]

Think of a book, the pages would be the roof truss the front and back covers would be the ply wood. glue the ply to the truss then nail or screw it as well. it will be very strong when the glue sets up.

[Daniel Long]

If I remember that resin, you want to have the windows open! The fumes let you know it's the good stuff!

[Michael]

Thanks for the input guys. I found that resin for the wood, great idea. I’ll order some to stop any further rotting. I think I am going to sister the two bys that are already there and in need of repair. But I am going to look into the ply wood thought some more. My next work day for my camper will be Wednesday. I am going to finish removing the paneling and insulation. Once that’s done I’m going to get the roof raised back up. Cut the wood, resin seal it and repair in some fashion or another. Rich, I’m going to look up what your talking about because I’m having a hard time visualizing it right now. Daniel, I will be dealing with foam insulation and using spray insulation for the cracks. 

[Daniel Long]

Yeah, what Rich said! Heck, that even saves you from trying to come up with the entire piece if you just have to reinforce the existing parts. I'd say a lot of good epoxy resin or even Liquid Nails for the still solid areas to help the screws would work, too! The thing about this kind of work is that it don't need to be pretty, just right! If I had my ceiling all open I'd seriously be installing the best insulation product in there to help make that camper snug and keep the summer heat out! Foam is going to get you the most R factor per inch at about 5. There are other products that are reflective (Insultarp is one, it's a bubble wrap with foil on the outside) but you may use that with foam to get the results. I've used TUFF-R foam board and then sealed up edges with can foam.

[Rich Thomas]

Hi Michael, something I have done before is something like you mentioned but used 3/4 ply wood. cut to the profile of the truss then glue and screw on from both sides like sandwiching the the truss. I have done this in a house! NOT an RV but it should work out the same way. There is a resin product out there that was developed for wooden boats to repair rotted wood transoms you just brushed it into the rot and it hardened in the wood and made it very strong. I don't recall the name but I have done similar with fiberglass resin, minus the fiberglass with good results. Hope this is of some use. The advantage of sandwiching with ply is the strength of it with out the bulk and not having to rip out the good material and damaging the roof sheeting. Again good luck

[Michael]

Midwest rain. Got her all tarped up for now. Going to finish taking Walls out this week. Finish removing all the old ceiling and insulation. Then to get the walls and roof to meet again. Seal from the inside. Then seal the outside. Plans have to be flexible with a project. Keep the ideas and information coming. Happy to have input and people follow this journey. This is my very first camper. My family and I will be using this in the spring/summer. I am aiming to be done in a few months and I want to keep some of the old school charm with new school techniques.