Compass Rose Rebuild

[Shadow Catcher]

I was going to title this as 'Mushroom Factor' as this is what it was. The mushroom factor is when you go to screw in a light bulb and you realize the socket is lose, and it is no longer attached to the plaster which has come lose from the lath and by the time you are done you have replaced the whole celling (It is and old house thing).
I have been fighting leaks (caulk is designed to fail) and finally took it to some one who could pressurize and leak test. It Did. Long story short it has been stripped down to the frame which is aluminum. There were problems from manufacture, the frame was not a heavy enough gauge too much frame flex and we found one of the axle hangers too weak, cracked and ready to fail.

[MtnDon]

Best of luck with the refurbish / rebuild.

[2bits]

Live and learn! I hope you find some new tricks along the way!

[saywhatthat]

Sorry you have so much trouble with the manufacture, At least it will be done right this time

[tony.latham]

OUCH.

There were problems from manufacture...

And what company was that? Consumers need to know.

Cheap caulk is marketed to make money. A good polyurethane sealant shouldn't fail.

Tony

[ae6black]

I thought you made an awesome trailer. Some things I've learned while on this teardrop adventure: 1)you're never done building or remodeling, 2) Some of my best times were making my td. 3) You made it yourself. Every time you use your unit, and the rain doesn't drip on your head, you've got vindication for not buying someone else's problems. I don't care who the manufacturer is there is not as much heart and soul in a for sale unit as there is in one you made yourself. Face it something that we sleep in that bounces down the road as often as we take our units is going fail sooner or later. There's something soul satisfying about retiring to your own handmade creation after a great night sitting around the campfire with friends. Hope you really enjoy the rebuild. I've always thought the compass rose was a classy unit.

Art

[S. Heisley]

So sorry to learn that you've had new problems with the Compass Rose. However, it seems you have found someone who can help rebuild so it can again be water-free and comfortable. Best Wishes!

[bdosborn]

Bummer! Well, trying to make lemonade out of lemons, now's the time to route any new wiring in the walls you might have noticed a need for. Hopefully the Compass Rose will last many more years after this.

Bruce

[saywhatthat]

Did the builder of your trailer start a new building outfit if so what the name

[Shadow Catcher]

The builder made a grand total of seven tears and we owned the first one and the last. The rebuild is being done by Mobile RV Repair in Toledo and I have to say it is good to have some one with OCD working for you.
Wiring is being redone, they found one circuit not connected to anything and shorting out, and quite frankly it was a rats nest, wires too long/short (not my work) things awkwardly done and no longer working because the connectors were not crimped properly...
Wheels have been moved forward to where they should have been to begin with.

Bruce There was no real need for additional outlets etc. there are four duplex 120Ac outlets in the cabin and three 12VDC, four duplex 120AC external and two 12VDC external. One thing Eye4Design did right.

[Shadow Catcher]

Stopped by today to pick up wheels to have new tires mounted. The sides are on, windows and doors back on and work being done in the galley.

[twisted lines]

I need a new builder

It looked great before, and its coming around quick

[Shadow Catcher]

One of the things I has specified that I wanted was that stainless steel screws be used. There was a problem with galvanic action and a number of them failed at some point. There is still the potential, SS into aluminum, but less so. I could have bought a new trailer for what this is going to cost but it will probably now outlast me.

[Shadow Catcher]

Compass Rose should be complete next week. In reality this kind comes under it is almost teardrop number three. lessons learned and lots of subtle and not so subtle changes. Every thing works!
New and brighter lights have been added. particularly in the Galley, ceiling is now white, it was brown, The external GFCI outled was moved up and is no longer sicking out inside...

[bdosborn]

Just in time for camping season. Looks great!

Bruce