Free with Purchase

The next day after washing the camper, we dug in to find out what repairs were needed. Fast-forward two weeks, and I am finally getting to sit down and update you on what all was discovered... *sigh*... 

What we thought we knew:

• The roof paneling was sagging and damp to the touch -- patch the leaking roof.
• The interior was very dirty and need of repair -- fix the cosmetic issues and clean up.
• The tires are dry-rotted and need replaced -- buy new tires.
• Miscellaneous other small tasks.

What we quickly found out:

• We were the proud new owners of a camper "shell"... complete with 452 lbs. (exact weight from a trip to the local waste center) of rotten, previously-a-camper bits of wood, insulation and other organic matter.
• We had a small green lake on top of the roof; collecting water instead of shedding it.
• The bathroom walls and attached closet were the only things holding up the camper's roof and walls.
• The previous owners must have owned stock in the Silicone Caulk industry by the copious amounts surrounding every window, door, and even parts of the roof.
• Funny enough though... the caulking only reached 80% up the sides--must have been as far as the owners could reach from the ground, and was deemed "good 'nuff".

• As a bonus, we received, free-with-purchase:
• (1) mouse nest complete with (1) mummified corpse and (1) freshly dead one.
• All the sweet aromas and stains of the above said mice living (and dying) in the yellow 3" shag carpet under the bed.
• About 10 lbs. of live carpenter ants in their various life cycles (winged ants, larvae, eggs) who had made a home of the wood structures and styrofoam insulation.

I can honestly say, that numerous times over the last two weeks I've wanted to badly to rip off the shell and build a new camper on the frame--anything to save me the nightmare and headache of having to rebuild this one bit-by-bit. And for anyone who knows me, that is saying a lot! But alas, my wife would play no part in entertaining such thoughts... she was already attached to this camper.

*sigh*

Here are some highlights of the tear-down. I plan to add the full gallery of photos to an online account soon. Stay tuned for information and where to view them at.

-Sam

Tearing up the bed platform. It was a patchwork of random boards and bits. Apparently whatever they had on hand.

The nastiest part of the tear down. The mouse nest is near the water heater along with all sorts of funk in that shagg carpet. Yuck!

Kitchen wall cabinet, stove, vent hood and other items removed.  This is when we began to see the ceiling rot and uncovered the previously paneled over top window on the side. How lazy do you have to be to panel over a window in a camper?!

Demo completed as far as taking everything down and out that was covering the bones of the camper.

This was a common site as we took down wall paneling, ceiling panels, and even floor boards!