The one area I was avoiding like the plague..........

[Tina]

....turns out to be the least damaged area of all.

I finally decided to tackle the main cab over window by removing the leftover paneling wood, having avoided it all this time because I just knew I was going to find major damage to the frame.  Well.....it looks just fine!  There is no damage around that window except for one little area in the lower right corner that falls into place with the right corner of the cab over that suffered water damage..  I can clean that up with no problem. Everywhere else that wood is perfectly dry and solid.

I was so surprised to see this, and relieved as well.

The gap between the frame and foam at the bottom is just large enough that I can fit those wood trim pieces I took off all around the camper on corners and such.  It's 1/2 x 3/4" and in perfect strong condition.  So I'll use that with lots of glue and get some support there.  Thank goodness I didn't throw all the trim into the fire pit. I kept everything that wasn't moldy and rotted...just in case. 

So, I'm kind of feeling pretty good today compared to yesterday when I found that nasty corner I have to deal with on the outside.

Does this look pretty good to you folks too?  I know a resealing will have to be done, but at least I don't have to rebuild a frame.  YEY!

[Tina]

Thank you everyone for your thumbs up and words of advice. It is greatly appreciated!
And fear not, the causes of the main leaks up front were already identified and the fixing in process. :)
I decided to remove the board beneath the frame that is sitting on top of the insulation. Both ends were in sorry shape, and it was not great near that window either. While I was at it, I took the old foam insulation piece off too, it was yukky looking and cut crookedly at the bottom. I will make a new one that is cut straight so everything will fit better. I don't want the moldy stuff around or any rot if I can help it. My Dad is going to cut a new board for me, this board is cut at an angle to accommodate the curve of the cab over front, and my table saw seems to be missing the guide bar. How does one lose a key component of a table saw???
Hope to be back at it tomorrow morning for a little while.
Thanks again everybody. Your encouragement is helping greatly to keep me on a positive road with this. I am still having fun with it. :)

[Russ Johnson]

HA HA, you are way more dedicated to saving stuff than I am. I just backed the pickup up to the door of the MMP and pitched everything. It is all in the burn pile just waiting for a good rainstorm or snow this winter and it will all become just a bad memory. I do still have the option of digging through that mess, but the odds of that happening are about on par with me winning the lottery--none because I never waste the money to buy a ticket. You are doing great, Tina, keep up with your wonderful posts. They do keep me motivated and moving forward. 

[Lakota Wolf]

You dont see that to often,,, The RV Gods have blessed you with good fortune. As previously mentioned,, support weak areas and confirm all the exterior leaks have been sealed.. Im am utterly amazed at your accomplishments thus far in a project of this size and in the time frame that you have done so much. Awesome job, Your doing great,, keep up the good attitude and  I enjoy keeping pace with your repairs..

[Terry H]

Clean it up, seal the wood you do not remove, add support as required, but please, do not overlook the first requirement- the leak originated on the outside. Until you deal with it everything you do is superfluous to the actual cause/problem.

I don't envy you for all the work you've done so far! Keep it up - you are doing great.

[Ken and Cindy Haney]

Looks good to me

[Rich Thomas]

I covered a place like that with fiberglass resin before but the wood around the rot was dry and stable. I put it on liberally and let it dry; the wood soaked it in pretty good then I went back with the fiberglass and resin to cover it all up. It worked in my case but it's not as far as i know a normal way to fix things so it is just a suggestion to consider. good luck with it.