Well, we got several photos from RVs For Less updating us on the progress they are making on repairing our fifth wheel frame. They've got the whole crew involved. The following is sort of a step-by-step photo account of the process.
After removing the blue painter's tape that we put on to protect the area where we previously removed a couple of pieces of painted trim ....
they removed our front compartment doors. The top compartment is all storage, and the bottom one houses our generator and hydraulic pump for our slideouts, landing gear and disc brakes. That's also where our single house battery was before we converted to AGMs, added capacity, and moved them into the main "basement" compartment.
Then they removed all of the trim and screws holding up the lower front fiberglass or "skin", and then removed the "skin" completely.
Next, they cut the sealant on the sides of the front cap, cut through our spray-on seamless roof (which we will have to have repaired later), and disconnected the wiring to the front running lights at the top of the cap.
Then they peeled the front cap off exposing the insulation between the cap and the bedroom closet.
They peeled away the insulation exposing the puzzle of wood that is our closet and front bedroom cabinets.
It looks like we may have had a little leak on one side, but we're quite sure that was from way back in the beginning of our journey long before we had the roof seams re-sealed and eventually having the Flex Armor seamless roof put on. But all in all it looks pretty darn good for a twelve year old unit.
They secured the cap and placed it on a small trailer to keep it protected.
With that part done, they started work on the inside to expose the beams to be replaced. That meant dismantling the closet and front cabinets and taking up the floor.
They moved the mattress to the living room and used the bed platform as a staging area for the mirrored closet and cabinet doors.
They took apart the framework so there was nothing left in the front section.
Then they removed the carpet and flooring to expose the two beams underneath that need to be replaced.
And that's the progress so far. They then wrapped everything in a huge tarp and our rig will await the next stage of the process.
Crossing our fingers that the beam replacement goes well, and that everything goes back together properly.
Stay tuned for more updates as we get them.
Bob and I are thinking about you guys. We are sending positive energy your way. Thanks for keeping us posted.
Posted by: Kim Himes | Wednesday, June 07, 2017 at 10:32 AM
Howard and Linda, thank you for the update. Wayne and I were just speaking of you this morning, and wondering how it is going. Hopefully you are finding some level of refreshment in the midst of this trial. You sure teach us all a lot. Thank you for being willing to share the ups and the downs. -Wayne and Deanna Curtis
Posted by: Deanna Curtis | Wednesday, June 07, 2017 at 10:35 AM
Has to be hard seeing your home so exposed! Hope it all goes as planned and your back on the road soon.
Posted by: Jodee Gravel on the road in Depoe Bay, Oregon | Thursday, June 08, 2017 at 12:10 AM
Thank God that you didn't have a disaster on the road and lose everything, and that the insurance company has approved paying for the repairs. I still have fond memories of our meeting at Whitetail Ridge back in 2011. I guess it's not so different from a stix 'n brix. I have some rotting fascia boards around my roof that need to be replaced. Maybe I'll go for concrete this time Bless you and be well. :-)
Posted by: Timothy Fansler | Thursday, June 08, 2017 at 07:13 AM
That was absolutely fascinating.
Posted by: Tracy Perkins | Friday, June 09, 2017 at 04:15 PM