rear end body sag

[cosmic]

My Dad and I did the whole rig in one day. we had to even go to the hardware store 3 or 4 times to get the right wood and screws and such. and were able to have it all back together by dinner time.
If you have someone who can help you it will make fitting the new wood so much more easier. I can say that its as solid as the day it came off the production line.
and yes the wood goes above the floor by a little and you screw the walls to the floor of the rig with long screws.
I would say to you UK. Don't over estimate the job it was not that bad. take extra caution when taking it apart, this way it all goes back together nice. So you will never be able to tell it was ever apart.

[M & J]

Or, a bunch of us could pile in Stripe's Holiday Rambler, drive over and lend you a hand......

[Froggy1936]

Well UK looks like you are getting an idea of whats necc. After reading your last post seems you have lost connection all the way across the rear and on both sides part of the way forward  . I would change position of inside jacking to go all the way accross the veh about 3 ft forward of the rear wall And use 2 jacks (2 ton ea would be plenty) Do all 3 walls at the same time to approch level as close as possible . Slightly lifting the frame and setting on jack stands will make it more stable and you can get the base as level as possible (checking level from interior floor should be close enough)  On mine there was styerfoam from the bottom up to the wood strip that attached to the floor Yes the strip was 1x3 Remember the object is to keep the Gross Wt as low as possible . The wood strip was glued into place on both sides (i used liquid nails) I also predrilled the screw holes to make sure that the floor was solid and that alignment was correct between wall and floor ( the floor should be approx 1 in thick) You cannot jack up the body by the edge anywhere .The only thing to be carefull of is when you start lifting ceiling is that the walls are also going up Ceiling to wall attachement is a wood strip that both are screwed to and the outer trim is also screwed to All interior fittings cabinets /benches etc will have to be removed as they are attached to floor and wall After jacks are in place to keep everything from falling further . I admire people who accomplish major surgery in 1 day But it took me 4 days to do just 5 ft on 1 side (though my work day is only 8 hrs at most) A helper is very helpfull .Cosmic finding wood from above the floor to the bottom is from someones previous repair  As that is what i did on the other side when i first got my Winnie These outfits were never intended to still be in use 20 to 40 yrs later. Water ingress is the cause of all failures to cabin (or Fire) See gallery & Projects for Repairs Frank Good Luck

[UK-Winnie]

Thanks guys, all noted - I just hope the bleedin' roof don't come off  :)rotflmao

Steve

[Froggy1936]

It would be like a OPEN HOUSE event !!! :)rotflmao :)rotflmao :)rotflmao  Frank

[Stripe]

LOL!!


And I like Mikes idea.. 

[UK-Winnie]

So do I, but you know gas (petrol) is about £1.30/litre here.

Quick calc. = $8.19 per US gallon

On the plus side - it's not such a big place.

[Missy-Mae]

Hi I just paid £1.35 per litre at Tesco out East here in Essex
Good luck
Les

[cosmic]

''Cosmic finding wood from above the floor to the bottom is from someones previous repair''
Frank. there was some foam in there as well (85% wood is my guess). I just replaced it all with wood. Because mine was so rotten from the window seals leaking it just fell right out. On the foam I had to make a steel hook and reach up and inside and pull it down with the hook. there were also some pieces of square sheet metal that was glued in to hold foam and wood together.  Had it not been so rotten like you see in my pics, I would not have been able to finish the whole thing in one day. even the screws were rusted out. It didn't take much to break them off. I really think that my dad and I were the first to open that wall.  i?? if not she is good and solid now
lets hope that between the few of us to open that can of worms (the walls ). Uk winnie has a good understanding what he is up against. For me and my dad it was a hard day but now that its done I say it was not that bad of a job. My dad said his muscles aced for a few days but he was 69 last year, so I tried to do most of the grunt work so to say.

[UK-Winnie]

Hi Les - I saw some juice locally at £1.28 yesterday - that's Devon vs Essex - the vanity of small differences LOL

Guys I am stoked up ready for this now - I'll get my mate Bryan to come over and give me some help and one way or another we'll do something with it.  I reckon even if it doesn't go completely back to true level at least she'll be solid.  I actually don't like dealing with wood - give me some steel and my MIG any day rather than wood, but wood it is so that's where we're at.

Can I say again thanks for all your help in educating me about what is going on and ideas for dealing with it.  I comfort myself with the thought that this is a problem which should respond to logic.  Just as long as the logical conclusion does not end up as: "Damn you gravity - you win again" (Zapp Brannigan).

[TerryH]

Zapp Brannigan).

Phyyric analogy?

T

[Oz]

Do we have a 1977-80 Winnebago service manual on the site some where?

I also see an earlier coach manual.

We do have both, but not for th Class C chassis.  The Winnebago coach service manual covers Class A, but the windows, vents, thermopanel, interior.. a lot of it applies to the Class C as well. 

[UK-Winnie]

Just one last question (I doubt) - is there a right/wrong way to remove the external trim strip ?

[Stripe]

The strips should just be channels with plastic in them, such as in this example:

The BLUE DOT is the channel molding.  The RED DOT is the removable plastic insert that covers THE GREEN DOT channel where all the screws that hold the molding in place are hidden.

Pull out the RED marked bit, from the BLUE marked bit, to get to the screws hidden along the GREEN marked bit.  And thus you will have removed the moulding..


Now if you're wondering how to remove JUST the plastic strips that hide the screws, that's easy.  Remember that green and brown Cardigan you ruined last year by pulling on that loose bit of yarn??  It's kinda like that.  Find an end, there is usually a cap or something screwed into the RV at the ends of the moulding, remove it and then pull the plastic. Be careful though, the plastic could be brittle and you may end up having to buy a roll of it to replace the stuff that cracks and breaks..


Here is what that trim looks like w/out the plastic insert.

[UK-Winnie]

Thanks, that's a ridiculously clear explanation !

Mine is like that but the plastic strip is much narrower, and it looks and feels very brittle. 

[Stripe]

Yeah, not surprised, age and the environment takes its toll on the plastics.  On the plus side the plastic strips are easy to find and relatively inexpensive to replace.
Be lucky that the PO of your RV didn't remove it and fill those tracks with silicone caulking.  I've seen that twice so far and wow, not very good jobs either..

[Froggy1936]

On mine the insert is thin aluminum it slid out easily (you can see i painted it red ) Before reinstalling  It was orange Seems the color schems from the 70,s were Chartruse,Orange& Yellow All shades of Green and dark brown .  The aluminum trim molding was screwed on and stapled 1 in staples  THe 6 in long 3/8 square head (driver) screws were still in pretty good shape but i replaced them all with Phillips head and added some  Carry On   Frank

[UK-Winnie]

I had a go this afternoon and there is good news, in fact I think it's very good news, but also some unexplained mysteries. 

I took photos which I will upload with a full report in the morning as I am now being badgered to do other stuff (it's 8.30 p.m. here).

[Oz]

Well, we're very glad you "had to go" this afternoon.  It is very good news.  Staying regular is very important to getting the most out of your RV enjoyment!

  :)rotflmao

[joanfenn]

You would not believe the picture I have in my mind right now.  OUT OUT I say.

[legomybago]

Unexplained mysterys? Thats never good when you have to go!!

[M & J]

Hmmmmmm. I dunt know what to believe here.

[Froggy1936]

Ohh The suspense , Did the go fix the sag or was the 8:30 the answer? Tune in tomorrow for the suspensful conclusion of Problems across the pond, Or does level really matter ? Frank

[M & J]

Is it sorted? The agony.

[TerryH]

"Rear end body sag"
and
"I had a go this afternoon and there is good news"

I may be getting up there in age, but OUCH!!!!!