When Dale, who is a big, strapping Minnesotan, stepped out of Blue, the wood holding the steps failed on one side. Fortunately, Dale wasn't hurt!! (and thankfully, it wasn't my Mom or Dad!). I had noticed the step felt mushy, so we had taken off the carpet and tighted the step bolts after inserted heavy washers last year. I didn't realize at the time the wood was rotting!
So, another project, and although I asked Dale if they do that type of repair, Steve and I elected to fix it ourselves (yeah, right).Dale's next fix was to install a fan over the refrigerator exhaust, to hopefully keep the refer from blowing out at highway speeds, and also help the refer stay cool. Since the fan is on a thermostat, we will need to install a switch to keep the batteries from draining.
Here is Steve installing the switch. I came up with the idea of using a PVC cap to slide the lighted switch into, to protect the wires and keep from drilling holes. I will have to remember to turn it on and off, though!
We went to Home Depot to look for metal pieces to repair/reinforce the rotten wood on the rear side of the step. I'm quite surprised that the forward edge wasn't rotten, just the rear edge. The best fix would be having the step area completely rebuilt, but, like the upper cab area, I can't see spending the mega bucks (6K for the cab) to rebuild a 19 year old coach. Much as I love Blue, I've drawn that line.We purchased a 1x4" piece of red oak to replace the broken piece, and will surround the new piece top and bottom with metal straps. We are also reinforcing the front edge, just to be safe. The biggest problem is reaching solid wood with the drill/driver, as there is a storage bin on the rear side that creates limited space. So, even though it's close to 100 degrees out, we set to work. Much grumbling (and a little blood) later, I stepped on the step, and it STILL felt mushy!! So, we took the steps off again, and Steve reinforced the edge with heavy plumbing strapping, which is screwed upward about 8".
After much grunting and groaning, we got the step back on, and now it's nice and solid. I refinished the step with new self stick tiles.
A couple of other things I did were to install a push bar on the screen door (inside edge) and a "storm door" polycarbonate piece on the lower edge of the screen door (outside) to cut the breeze, but still get the light. The plastic is held in place with mirror holders (stole the idea from another Lazy Dazer), and can be removed easily for air when it's warm. I've also extended the hardware cloth above the handles to keep "some BAD dog" from trying to unlock the door and ruining the screen. You can just see it behind the curtain.
My next project is to lay under the coach and coat the wood with waterproofing. I went out to paint the underside wood and Steve made a joke about "Michaelangelo" and painting above my head. At least I remembered my safety glasses. I had already scraped off as much of the old undercoating as possible on both sides of Blue. The older coaches had plywood boxes built into the framework for storage and batteries, etc., I believe the new ones use fiberglass or plastic. I'll tell you, it's a lot of fun painting above ones head in a very cramped space. Too bad I couldn't borrow an oil change pit to do the work!OH!!! And the one thing I forgot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The other night it rained, and guess who forgot to close ALL 3 VENTS!!! So, the comforter, memory foam mattress, etc., were all hanging in the garage to dry. Now it's Monday night, and Blue is tucked back into his storage space, all ready to go to the BALLOON FIESTA next month!!
