Jerry, Lots of elderly Airstreams have rot (wet rot, not dry rot) in some areas of their floor. The cure is usually to caulk every single penetration in the shell. Seams, clearance lights, door, windows, roof vents, tv antenna, awning, etc. I would suggest caulking everything first with Vulkem, not silicone lube ( I have already made that mistake, you can avoid it). After you think everything possible is caulked, get someone to apply water with a garden hose starting down low, and slowly moving back and forth, and eventually up to the roof while you stay inside and watch for the water to appear. The rotted area, if not completely rotted through, can be repaired by cutting out and replacing a section with new plywood (the best but hardest way) or by applying epoxy resin or polyester resin over the rotted area to seal, strengthen, and essentially correct the rot. Marc Weimers wrote an interesting article in an old issue of the Vintage Advantage of how he repaired a rotted floor with a couple $$ worth of cheap polyester resin. An old retired boat builder named Jim Smith who subscribes to the list encouraged me to use penetrating epoxy resin to repair a rotted section. Jim's thinking was that the penetrating resin flows into and is absorbed by the rotted floor creating a substantial bond. Either will work fine and both have been used for years before I heard of the method. Joy Hansen just finished replacing several areas in his vintage Safari by cutting the bad area out and reinstalling new plywood. An excellent method but more difficult. Harvey Barlow WBCCI 1171, WDCU, VAC ----- Original Message ----- From: jerry catlin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > I am the very happy new owner of a 1968 Caravel 17' > and am excited to start the process of understanding > the electrical and plumbing systems. First things > first, I have a bit of dry rot under the front booth > near the front of the trailer, and I'm unsure where > the source of water penetration is. > > Any suggestions on how to pinpoint leaks and advice on > flooring (it's a little spongy, but not too bad). To unsubscribe or to change to a daily Digest, please go to http://www.airstream.net/vaclist/listoffice.html If replying back to this message, please delete all the unnecessary original text from your reply.
