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Topic: Exterior storage bin compartment water damage rebuild (Read 283 times) previous topic - next topic
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Exterior storage bin compartment water damage rebuild
Hi All,
I was looking for some advice or knowledge on the exterior storage compartments on a 99' LD RB.
We had some water intrusion on one compartment (passenger side front) that resulted in some wet
pieces of the 1"x2" type framing board and the plywood floor board in one corner. I was looking to see if I can replace these
wooden pieces easily; couldn't find anyone on here documenting such a fix (some talking about something similar though).
It looks to me like these compartments have some kind of plastic exterior shell with those 1"x2" framing pieces on the inside
and a plywood floor placed over the plastic floor. I read on here on another post that the plywood floor is to give more stability
to the compartment and to disperse the weight of heavier objects.
If anyone can point me to a spot online or a spot on here where someone has taken on this job and shows how these compartments are put together I'd greatly appreciate it. I'd also love to hear about what materials might be needed to accomplish this fix, especially in terms of sealants. Also if you guys have any suggestions on improvements, since I'll be doing the job anyway maybe someone who has done it has some cool changes to make to it.
Thanks all, really appreciate this forum and the wealth of wisdom,
John
1999 26.5 Rear Bath
Re: Exterior storage bin compartment water damage rebuild
Reply #1 –
I think this is going to have to come from owners of older models like yours. On our 2003 RB LD (and I assume all later models) the lower outside storage compartments are fiberglass bins strapped under the floor. We have only one compartment on our RB that is above floor level (under the living room passenger side sofa). Leakage there would end up on what is the LD floor, which is particle board relatively impervious to water damage compared to plain wood or plywood.

I'd want to check for actual damage from the leak you describe before getting into rebuilding. Poking relevant wood components with a sharp device of some sort, like an awl, is a way to do this. Solid intact wood will be hard to penetrate. Rotted wood will be soft and easily penetrated. Water intrusion that dries quickly and isn't repeated might not lead to actual rot or other damage. And of course in either case you need to also determine and address how water got in.

Also, you might want to contact Lazy Daze about the feasibility of fitting the fiberglass bins on later models to your LD. They seem to be a single molding with an opening where the door is. I've not examined mine closely but they seem to just be strapped under the floor, likely with some sort of seal where they join the lower fiberglass side wall of the coach.
Terry
2003 26.5'RB
Gardnerville, NV
Re: Exterior storage bin compartment water damage rebuild
Reply #2 –
Hi,
I have a 97 RB that does not have any plastic type of exterior bins. All wood. I agree with the previous answer, check for bad wood and see if it can be replaced via splicing. LD does not skimp on material or glue or screws to hold stuff together. If no bad wood, find the leak and plug it. Any good quality polyurethane sealant will work. NO silicone. Make sure your storage compartment is dry. I do a yearly exterior check of our rig for cracks, breaks, etc. It is still holding together quite well. Good Luck.
1997 RB
 
Re: Exterior storage bin compartment water damage rebuild
Reply #3 –
Thanks to both of you,
The water got in from an errant sprinkler that was spraying at the side of the LD when it would come on. The weatherstripping gasket was not on well and allowed water in to the compartment. The damage is pretty bad in the lower front corner of the compartment, soft rotten wood, but doesn't extend too far past that corner. The wood framing of the box and the plywood floor in that corner are what is damaged, but the compartment seems to only be framed with wood, with a plywood floor, but around it it seems to be encased in liked fiberglass or plastic panels. I may be wrong but it seems like some kind of transitional design in between the fully wood built ones previous to our year, and the fully fiberglass box that the later models have. I'm going to call LazyDaze to ask about fitting that fiberglass box in, may be a good idea. Or maybe they can shed light on how those compartments were constructed that year. If anyone sees this who has a 99' I would love to hear your input.
Thanks Terry, Chuck and Carla!
 John
1999 26.5 Rear Bath