Dolphina

One final note; the factory styrofoam "clamshell" covers are available for $17 - $25 online. You can also get just the tank if your heater is still good. I am installing a new unit (Amazon/Johnson's Surplus). Thanks for all the input.

Update: I felt under the tank and found water so I pulled the whole unit out today. There was scale on the bottom of the tank so, it may be a leak in the tank wall. I also uncovered rotted wood directly below the drain plug and continuing back along the floor next to the outside wall. So now I have another question, (as the first is now moot) Who of you has replaced your floor or parts of it? Again, thanks so much for all the replies, its greatly appreciated!

Thanks so much for your input Corbin, you really cleared up the whole process and pointed out some good issues I hadnt considered.

FYI all, I contacted Dow Chemical and they advised against using it and restated what is on the can: "...may combust if exposed to flame or tempertures above 280 degrees". Not sure which way I'll go now, but pretty sure the tank doesnt reach 280 degs.

Hi all, I pulled the cardboard and insulation off my Atwood 6gal hot water heater looking for a leak and now need to re-insulate. I am thinking of using "Great stuff" low expansion spray foam for recovering the tank instead of rolled insulation. I was going to lay in cardboard underneath and start by spraying it there then working my way up, and taping cardboard over the outside of the finished job. Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated.

Tressa, I've been on the road in my 92' Dolphin since August and I love it so far. Haven't had to start working on the road yet but I'm considering it. The toy is small, but living in it really makes you re-evaluate what you really need in your life. Enjoy your travels and maybe I'll see you out there someplace! Susan

Wow! Looks great!

Hi all. I've been on the road for a month now and all at once my toilet (Thetford Galaxy) wont flush, the water is not coming in when I step on the pedal. I am getting water to the sinks on both city and holding tank and on battery and shorepower. Anyone know what might be the problem (before I pull it out)? Thanks! Sue UPDATE: Well, at the risk of exposing myself as a newbie, and a not-too-bright one at that, here's what happened: I pulled in at a friend's house after 8 hours on the road and wanted to add water to my waste tanks so I just hooked up to my friend's garden hose (I know, bad idea). Toilet immediately didn't work.....hmmm? Pulled the toilet today and flushed a FROG carcass out of the water line. Good news is that the toilet works fine, bad news is I've emptied the Clorox shelf at WalMart. PS: I've also decided to go ahead and upgrade to a high rise toilet while I've got the old one out, my knees just aren't what they used to be. Thanks again, Linda!

I just checked out the photos on your blog...outstanding, thanks so much!!! I'll be leaving for the Oregon Trail (Independence, Mo to Oregon City, OR) on August 1st. Deffinitely going thru Yellowstone now! Happy trails! Sue

Hi! I'm in Corning, NY (heart of the beautiful Finger Lakes!) and would be up for something in the northeast. I'm getting ready to load up and go on the road long-term in my '92 Dolphin but no date set to leave yet. Let us know if you put something together or just want to have a "drive-to" get together! Sue

Hello all, I thought I'd jump back in the discussion and let you know what I ended up doing. I had the same problem trying to get the drain disconnected - no room. So, I took out my Dremel and made an access port an the front side of the pan near the drain connection, big enough to get my hand in to disconnect the drain. After I got the pan out I saw that I have an 8"x8" hole in the floor just to the left of the connection that has a piece of tarp glued over it I could have removed and worked up through. I think this was someone else's earlier fix. Unfortunately I found that the back of the spot I cut out had a reinforcing piece of hard plastic about 1/4" thick on it. With that gone I try not to step to close to that edge of the pan, not a big problem. So, I took out the pan and bought a fiberglas repair kit at Wally world and made my first stab at fiberglas repair. It wasn't bad but I'm glad I didn't have much to do. I had some minor cracks around the screw holes and one up the side near the drain. By the way, when I tried to unscrew the drain it crumbled so I ended up having to replace it. Not a big deal, just bought another one at my local RV shop and installed it. I did the fiberglas repair from the back side and then reinforced the screw holes and replaced the bottom edge that had broken off earlier. After that I sanded the entire thing with 200 then 400 grit paper and painted with Krylon paint for plastic - works great!! I've used it a few times so far and it still looks good. I replaced the access panel by using FRP molding around the edge to slide the panel into. Thanks! Sue

Great work!! Keep it up and keep posting. Sue

John, Thanks for the links, and for your other very detailed post. I'm much more comfortable with the project now. Sue

The pan has some pieces broken off around the bottom edge, but not bad and no leaks-so far. I was more afraid of what might happen, I need to get it off to get to the wall behind it and it looks quite brittle. I haven't done any fiberglass work but I'll deffinitely check into building one from scratch - especially if the removal doesn't go well. Thanks so much for the help, everyone at this site is so helpful...and wise! Sue