Breathing new live into my 2000 Dutch Star

[DHudson]

So something that has been disgusting to me since I bought this coach is the layout in the wet bay. Or more specifically, the sewer attachments laying on top of the fresh water hose. That hose being in the same bay just isn't right. I know I can store the hose in another bay, and that is what is going to happen. So I am cleaning up the wet bay area. I removed the plastic tray today, and found water damage under it that went about 1/2 way under the water heater. It barely got to the water tank, so I am ok there. Newmar in their great wisdom used OSB in the floor on top of 1/16 plywood glued to 1/2" foam insulation. I literally peeled up majority of this mess. OSB was mush. It's about the most worthless product you could use when there is a chance of water exposure.
Any way , I got all of that cleared out and the area squared up. Cut a piece if plywood to fit and worked about an hour getting into the area. Finally got it in. It needs a little minor trimming, but is close. I have it raised up with a fan blowing under it to finish drying everything out good before I permanently install it. Once that is down, I am going to spray on bed liner on the whole area. Then fit my new pan in and start relocating things.

 

[DHudson]

Just happen to come across this pic today of my house. Jan 10 2021. About a month before the big freeze.

 

[DHudson]

Tarp has been on the roof of the coach since April 25th.
Has rained every single week end since. Held off today, but sure looked like rain. Supposed to rain tomorrow and next 2 weeks.
Maybe I should start building a ARC.

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

You, sir, are a first-rate craftsman! Absolutely great work. You will have a show-piece coach that will also work well. Congrats.

The only question I have for you is “What do you do in your spare time? Hobbies, etc.?”

TJ

 

[DHudson]

You, sir, are a first-rate craftsman! Absolutely great work. You will have a show-piece coach that will also work well. Congrats.

The only question I have for you is “What do you do in your spare time? Hobbies, etc.?”

TJ

Thank you.
I own a NAPA store so I work from 7:30 to 6pm M-F. Work through lunch usually.
I am painting a 64 Mustang for a friend.
I am building a '69 Camaro for myself. I need to devote more time to that one.
I got a '78 Suzuki GS100E I am rebuilding. Haven't done much to that one in a while.
Oh, and rebuilding the U.S.S. Dutch Star.

 

[DHudson]

Before the rain came, I got the new floor fitted and installed. Chaulked the edges, and once that dried, coated the area with bed liner. That stuff REALLY stinks. Started to fit the new pan in, but the rains came and had to quit.

 

["EZ"]

Thank you.
I own a NAPA store so I work from 7:30 to 6pm M-F. Work through lunch usually.
I am painting a 64 Mustang for a friend.
I am building a '69 Camaro for myself. I need to devote more time to that one.
I got a '78 Suzuki GS100E I am rebuilding. Haven't done much to that one in a while.
Oh, and rebuilding the U.S.S. Dutch Star.

Man you sound like me. Way too many projects.

 

[DHudson]

Rain held off long enough this weekend to let me get all but finished on my wet bay.
Only like 1 more shut off valve and the drain hatch.
I am pretty happy how it turned out.

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

Very nice! You do beautiful work. My only suggestion is that unless you really use the hand-shower, you might consider replacing it with a more functional valve. Here’s what we did.

The short hose is connected to the black-tank rinse fitting, using a pair of quick-disconnects.

TJ

 

[DHudson]

I have routed my supply line so that all I have to do is turn a valve to direct water where ever I want. They all have anti back flow valves on them also.

 

[DHudson]

So April 1, 2021, I stated
"If your planning on being near Corsicana Texas the next month, be prepared to encounter major floods.
I started tearing my roof off my coach today."

Well, I've been able to work on my roof about 5 days (weekends only) since then. It has rained forever here. I mowed 3 weeks ago. Grass about 8" to 12" now, rained 4 days last week. Still to wet to mow. My land holds water, no where to drain...flat.

ANYWAY, I worked on the roof this weekend. Got all the old plywood removed. New super dupper, premium, platinum, gold, high dollar, $38.00 per sheet, 3/8" plywood cut to fit and ready to screw down.
IF you wonder why my roof started to leak, the membrane was fine. Newmar in all their wisdom, failed to support the heaviest things on the roof properly, the AC units. The front ac seal failed and allow water to leak in. WHY did it fail? There was no support on the plywood between the rafters where the ac unit sits.. They relied on 3/8" plywood to support the weight and movement.

 

[DHudson]

I fabricated some cross braces out of 1" square tubing and installed under the AC side frame area.
I wish I dould do this all the way down the roof, but the cost is too prohibitive for me. The strange thing id, the vent fans and skylights have supports. Go figure.

 

[DHudson]

No just screw it all down.

 

[DHudson]

Only rained 4 1/2" today.

 

[Orrin]

Only rained 4 1/2" today.

I very much appreciate what you have done with your coach. Just finished reading the whole thread.