Re: [A/S] '69 Safari black water tank and rear bath floor renovation

["Mr. Joy H. Hansen" <joytbrew@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Thanks Harvey,

You provided much more information than I thought possible as it relates
specifically to my project.

You didn't mention if the main frame rail or the "U" strip welded under the
frame rail to hold the tank was deterioriated.  The left "U" rail on my unit
is mostly gone and there's considerable damage to the frame rail.  The right
side shows little damage.

From your description of the damage, I assume that I'll find a broken toilet
collar and the leakage of chemicals, etc. is responsible for the massive
corrosion.  Hope I have some luck with unscrewing the locking ring.  I
assume it's under a hard rubber gasket or part of the gasket - sure seems
like a messy aspect of this job.

The rear edge of the plywood floor in my unit does not have any support.
Glad to know that it's only the floor and not shrinkage of the plastic
panels.  I started removal of the panels by drilling out the pop rivets.  I
immediately discovered that the toilet had to be removed to get to the
proper rivets.  It took an hour to take one of the hold down nuts for the
toilet and a minute for the other.  Being in a blind recess made it
impossible for me to see what was going on and more difficult to work with
the bolts.  Fortunately, the penetrating oil and upward pressure on the
toilet locked the hold down bolt enough to remove the nut.

Most of the rubber gaskets around doors, windows, and hatches are
deteriorated on my unit.  Likewise, the plastic strip hindges on the storage
doors are all broken and needing replacement.  If  you have a similar
restoration situation, have you found a source for these item?

I was told by an Airstream RV park repairman that the propane heaters in
vintage trailers are not safe to use.  If you have the same information,
have you located a suitable replacement?

I'll have some pictures taken as I progress  through this restoration.  My
digital camera isn't a great one, but it gets the job done most of the time.

I would appreciate any additional restoration information you gain with your
projects.

                                              Regards,  Joy