2005 29BHBP Problem

New to this forum, and to the Wildcat world...

I just purchased a 2005 29BHBP, and I just noticed some apparent rot inside the rear trunk area, at the bottom. Some loose camp wood rolling around in the trunk damaged the luan in the trunk. Upon investigation, I noticed some rotted wood inside near the bottom (near the latch plate). I opened it up and although not terribly bad, it is bad enough to need some attention.

Has anyone else found this problem? What was the best way to repair it and keep it from happening again. It seems like a bad design from the factory and I'm hoping to make it better than new.

I've already hd alluminum diamond plate sheets cut for the complete interior walls, but need to do the structure repair first.

Any help would be appreciated... Thanks

to the forum. I'm not the handyman type, but someone will surely chime in soon enough.

The rot comes mainly from the way they installed the latch. Rain pours in the opening. It's crazy when you start to look at it. Somebody on here shared this same problem that helped me do mine. The person went into great detail and posted all the pictures, before and after. I'll try to find it, but they will probaly chime in, since we "29BHBP" people are few. And also, WELCOME to a great WC forum.

Thanks... I actually just found the post from the other member that had the same issue. Although mine is not as extensive as his was, it is the same problem. It looks like I'll have to remove the entire trunk door and frame to repair it... Bummer...

Thanks for the "Welcomes" to the forum...

Hi More Cowbell,
to the forum. Good luck with the repairs... it will continue to get worse until you fix it.

Tater

jamesb wrote:The rot comes mainly from the way they installed the latch. Rain pours in the opening. It's crazy when you start to look at it. Somebody on here shared this same problem that helped me do mine. The person went into great detail and posted all the pictures, before and after. I'll try to find it, but they will probaly chime in, since we "29BHBP" people are few. And also, WELCOME to a great WC forum.

First of, welcome to the forum.
I think it was me who did the posting..... http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/album/180262704smXHmj?start=108
But I still have to take the repair photos.

Here is my original post:
http://www.wildcatcamperforum.com/t2280-29bhbp-problem

Thanks... Yeah, I'd love to see how it came out. Is it as bad as I'm imagining it is going to be?

I have the diamond plate all cut for the inside wall, but the 2X3 rebuild looks like it is going to be a pain. Did you have to take off the entire "garage" door and frame to get at it?

More Cowbell wrote:Thanks... Yeah, I'd love to see how it came out. Is it as bad as I'm imagining it is going to be?

I have the diamond plate all cut for the inside wall, but the 2X3 rebuild looks like it is going to be a pain. Did you have to take off the entire "garage" door and frame to get at it?

No, I didn't take out the garage door at all. I used one of those oscillating tools (http://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/oscillating-tools/variable-speed-multifunction-power-tool-67537.html) to cot the staples and the rotten wood which I replaced with a treated 2x4. I still haven't finished putting everything back together and have to buy some new panels (I might just buy some peg-boards for that). I wasn't too terrible bad, bad bad enough. Also check the corners left and right on the outside, I was able to see the plywood and when it rained and the water followed the contour of the sheet metal, the wood soaked up the water. I'll try to take some photos this weekend and post (hopefully) early next week. I found today (after all that heavy rain) that the left side (ladder side) is a little damp, not sure why though, can't see anything obvious and the roof caulking is fine.