Are you still rebuilding your Dodge Beaver?

WOW!!!  Your rebuild pictures are crazy! I do appreciate you sharing. You have done a great job. 

Hi

    My lil' RV came to me in this condition, though I searched high and low- original condition, though I want to update her! NO leaks, which is fantastic...even the original fridge works! I'm the third owner and love the OLDer units. 

the layout looks like it is very similar as far as the floor plan of ours. i will post pictures as soon as i get a chance to take some.  right now we are checking all the appliances and getting options on weather to fix or replace. the range is a Coleman with the oven on top and 4 burners and is extirmely clean, but won't work. since we are new to this i'm getting a pro's opinion before ripping it out. on the whole, it is very clean and neat.  

since we're in idaho and the rv is from nevada, i have no idea if the roof leaks.  we'll have to put a sprinkler on top and sit inside and drink beer to test it.

randy in idaho 

this is randy in idaho.  did you have a wiring diagram for the rv or did you just 'wing' it since your rebuilding from the ground up.

r

Ahh Eternabond! It's the only stuff I recommend to seal edges and joints, and depending on the type you get, you can use it under Liquid Rubber. Eternabond is a micro sealant tape that is pressure activated and VERY tough! It isn't like the old butyl roll caulking/tape in that it isn't affected by temperature and doesn't break down. It is super stable and will last longer than your rig! Check it out here:http://www.eternabond.com

As far as removing old sealant I like to use acetone. It breaks up virtually all sealants, paints, varnishes, you name it! You'll still have to apply lots of elbow grease and maybe use a hammer and chisel for the really tough stuff. Sometimes it pays to just ditch the old part and rebuild with different materials. I had a continuous aluminum roof and they are notorious for pinhole leaks. Not only that, but mine wasn't fully supported by anything but the rafters and over the years it started to sag, hold water, and leak at the seams. When I saw how bad the roof was I traded for her, I knew that rebuilding her the same way would be a big mistake, so I used thicker rafters and better blocking (it had none!), and 3/8" plywood on the whole thing. Used Premium Kilz waterbased, Eternabond tape over that, and in a day or two I'll coat everything with Liquid Rubber. I should never have another leak! :)

The shelf that was in the cabover was kind of like a drawer/headboard, but nothing over head. 

Hope everything is running smoothly on your end, and look forward to the updates! 

I would love to see pictures of your rig when you get a chance. Ripping out dry rot can be a little scary, especially when your RV collapses implodes on itself lie ours did. Only a couple of choices there... cry or man up and rebuild. I chose the latter. :o)

Unless someone is a college fan or from Oregon they probably will not get the whole beaver and duck comment, but living in Oregon we get it. :o)