shandamac

Hi all, This forum has become an amazing rv renovation resource for me. I continue to read past posts and learn something new practically every day. Congratulations on being very cool!!! I went to our little town's only fabric store yesterday to buy foam to start building the backers for Sadie's dinette bench seats. I was so dissapointed. The thickest stuff they had was precut outdoor furniture cushion foam, everything else was quilt batting. So now the search begins for foam; nice sturdy stuff that I can cut, shape, glue to a board, then cover with fabric. Any input on a good foam source will be greatly appreciated. On the happy side, Sadie no longer leaks. A day or so after rebutylizing the back 3 windows and the bathroom skylight, we had a storm come through...a real toad strangler. After it passed, I went out to check for damage. Dry as a Bone!!!!!!! Yeehaw!!!!! (For all you first timers, resealing your windows is not as daunting as it sounds. Make sure you have plenty of butyl tape before you get started, and take your time. Read back through the month's posts for "how to" details. These guys know their stuff.) The inside is almost done. I sewed up the curtains lastnight and will install them tonight. Almost finished with the carpeting...letting the blisters heal for a day or two....(FYI, boning shears may cut through carpet...and bone, but they'll sure leave blisters if you've got a lot of cuttin' to do). Since I didn't take out the bench bases or cabinets, I just measured sections and drew out the basic plan on the carpet in washable marker. I knew I could fudge a little cause of the shag. I didn't staple, just used shallow screws in key spots. My feelings are, "the more permanant you make something, the more apt you are to have to change it later". My 2 fav mottos are.. "Nothing is set in stone" and "Never say Never". In retrospect, if I HAD taken out the cabinets and the bench bases, I would not have had as much cutting to do, and I my hands would be in much better shape right now. The backsplash for the stove is a polyurethaned puzzle my daughters bought and put together for my birthday. (They knew I would love the colors.) The puzzle has been my inspiration for the interior. I just need a few more items for the house; a brass clock, a coffee maker, a small something over the sink, and a privacy curtain for the cab. I'm still looking for the perfect fabric for the overhead mattress. Now that I know she won't leak, I can drive her to the carwash for a good scrubbing Hope you all have the most wonderful weekend. Thanks for "being there". shanda ps. The green sparkly fabric was just to tease my husband.....since he had suggested taking Sadie and a buddy to a golfing tournament next weekend.

Hi Peggy, Just bought my first motorhome too. Yours looks to be in great shape! Congratulations!!!! Looking forward to hearing about your travels! Wishing you a safe and happy Summer!!!! Shanda

Psychedelic Man! Canned La Toy must be some gooooooood stuff!!!!

DM, Per your sage advice, I am on the lookout for a 1 ton axle to fit Sadie. I have some connections in auto salvage, and will be putting them on the prowl too. Glad to hear the 6 lug will fit the new tires the previous owner put on her. I'm cheap, but safety is first and foremost. With all the detailed info this forum provides, I'm feeling more confident that we'll be able to fix Sadie up proper like, and enjoy her a long, long time. shanda

Except for guys in kilts. I've really been having fun with Sadie's update. Early in our marriage, my husband said (in regards to house decorating and landscaping in general), "I don't care what you do, as long as you're the one doing it." In my mind, that's free reign. The beaded fringe and sequined bohemian boudoir drapes will be easily removed if he and his buddies decide to take her fishin'.

DA, So glad you weren't seriously injured. I can only imagine that it was an horrific thing to go through. I'm taking your warning to heart. I'm a new owner of an 81 rader, and I am also concerned about it's 5 lug duals, even though the previous owner said that they'd had the rear axle changed out from a 3/4 to 1 ton in 2001. It's still got those 5 lugs. Wishing you and your rader a speedy recovery. ShandaMac

JotS, Episode 4 might be titled, "Prickly Pears Aint Got Nuthin' on Ol' Sadie", and might be more of a tutorial on the wrong way to go about scoochin' around on a plywood with fiberglass residue sub floor wearing shorts while you pull stubborn carpet staples and paint cabinets. (I think I'll have shards of glass working their way out of my shins for months to come.) The paneling under the back sliding windows was pretty bad, so I did just rip that off, sprayed some expanda foam insulation stuff and put new paneling over that. The seat backs will cover that area. (I was impressed at how the foam sturdied up the area under the window. I made sure I only used a little, and kept it from expanding too near the window opening.) Over the very back window there is just a small bit of damage. That I can patch and a piece of trim will cover. (If I didn't already have 10 other projects in the works, I might have just gutted her and started over....and, I still might do that eventually, but for now, I can only give her a little tenderness and a loving home. shanda

First of all, you all are amazing! I've so enjoyed reading all the past posts and have learned so, so much about all sorts of things "Toy" related. So, while I sit here at the office, unable to concentrate on anything other than the little motorhome sitting in my driveway back at the house, I thought I might upload a few pics of where my projects stand. While the weather's been cool and dry, I've been focusing on the inside. (Being realistic, I knew I didn't have the time to rip out all the paneling and wavy veneer, [so many projects, so little time], so there's a spot or two that I'll patch around the windows and hide under some molding.) I call the paint color "old world apricot", and used a quasi tedious, ragging technique. When the cushions, carpet and curtains are in, it should really come together. I didn't strip the cushions, just fabreezed them real good and covered them with pretty upholstry fabric. A carpet remnant at Lowe's caught my eye; a shade of dark beige. It's pretty close to the ceiling liner color. Anything that was covered in orange shag will now be covered in beige shag...Oh....and for now, I've decided to keep the beigy, hint o'mint, crushed velvet covering the cab seats and door panels. Whouda thunk it? After I finish sealing the windows, I'll focus on the new dining seat backrests. The originals were screwed in and beyond salvaging. The new ones may be detachable and washable. (Still mulling that one over.) Well, will get back to my real job. In Hope, shanda

Cute bug! That orange would go for big bucks here in Okla State cow poke country. I checked out window and roof deflectors at one of our local auto parts store. Because of their shape, the roof deflectors will be the way I go. Sadie needs 40'' plus, (they only had 36'') so will keep looking, but will definitely go this route. I'd like to be able to crack the window in a light shower on a sultry, summer afternoon. If anything, the deflectors should keep the rain from running a river over those top window seals.

Hey Allen, You got pictures?!?! I'm so glad to hear that the air deflectors work for you. I'm pretty sure that I'll have some luck taping deflectors to the smooth sides of the sunrader too. But first, (soon as I finish butylizin' windows, skylight, and vents), Sadie's gettin' a bath. shanda

Yost, I'll need to leave the axle alone until I can save up for a new one. The steepest terrain around here is through the Arbuckles and Ozarks. (Real mellow stuff for a motorhome to tackle.) So, if the previous owners did replace the '81 rader's rear axle in '01, and if I keep her light, and stay away from off roading (not many sandy beaches to pull out on here in central Oklahoma), then hopefully I can enjoy her until I can afford to put her in the shop. That's the plan. Have a great day!! shanda

JMH, I do believe you're right about the style of glazing. It's the closest thing I've seen that resembles the beading on Sadie. Thanks for the link. I will end up ordering it from them, I sure. I'm also rebutylizing all her windows and clearing out those weep holes. I haven't given up on the idea of attaching moonroof air/weather deflectors upside down over those two rear sliding windows. There's already a metal deflector or sorts bolted over the door (see picture) I believe the new moonroof deflectors are plexiglass and mount with industrial strength 2 sided tape and include a sticky rubber weather stripping. I think they might work on the smooth fiberglass of a Sunrader. Thanks again for your help. Have a great day! shanda

Keith, Mike, Thank you, thank you. Sadie will be getting the axle upgrade. The search begins. With much appreciation, Shanda

Hi Diane!! Nice to meet you!!! I'm really looking forward to being a motorhome owner, and especially a "Toy" owner. I had no idea what was in store. Got to googlin' the Sunrader and ended up joining this forum. It's like an explosion of info!!!!! I'm trying to read up on all the past posts, and study them like in school. (There's so much to learn.) And you're right, everyone's been major helpful, even though I know they've answered the same questions over and over. I really do appreciate the advice, and It's good feeling to know that I'm not alone in my obsession. Have the most beautiful of weekends!!! Shanda

I totally don't doubt that, and they're not your everyday kinda staples either. They're flippin' long! You'd think the carpet layer thought he was huntin' gophers.

Well, I feel pretty darn special now that I own one. (Even in her current disheveled state, Sadie feels pretty special too.)

Wow!!! That's wild!! I don't even wanna know how many people were hurt before they figured out the rear axle thing! One of the first things the lady who sold me Sadie told me was that "something happened" as they were turning a corner in Spokane, back in 2001, and the back axle broke". She didn't know much more, but she was darn glad they'd been going slow. She said, the repair shop said it was probably due to the weight of the house and replaced the axle with the one ton. (When I look at the back wheel sets, I see 10 lugs for each side, Dual tires. I hear/read you all talking about 6 lugs. Should I think about saving up for a new rear axle and have 12 lugs per side? (If you've already answered this for someone else in another topic, just point me in the right direction.) Thanks, Teach! shandamac ps. This is a "before" picture of the wheels. I hope I can have them painted.

Thanks for the Sundrader history lesson. Does that mean the Sundrader is now sort of a "collector's item"....you know.....now that it's "out of print?" The RV Gutter site was informative too. My local glass place is supplying me with butyl tape to reseal the windows, and while each one is down, I'm going to give it a thorough cleaning and wash out all the grunge clogging the tracks and weep holes. Until a week ago, I'd never been in a motorhome, much less owned one, and now I can think of nothing else. I'm obsessed!

Those are some beautiful pics Allen. I've been reviewing this forum's past posts and I'm so inspired by all the wonderful pictures and ideas! Now when I'm booking gigs, I'll also be researching scenic points along route and marking off an extra day or two to "enjoy the moment". I'm glad to know that Walmart is an option for emergency stop overs. Cool. Thank God it's Friday!!!! shanda

Diesel Mike, Thanks very much. (Oddly enough I'd just finished reading your post to JotS which was major informative.) I'll be getting plenty of that butyl putty tape stuff and resealing all the windows and vent covers on little Sadie. I did see weep holes. (A good sign.) This afternoon, I called a local body shop that does window seal repairs. They said they'd give me a good deal, but I'd really hoped I could do most of the work myself. If butyl tape and some caulk can do the trick, then I'll try that first. Also, I found several places selling air/weather deflectors for sunroofs that mount with industrial strength tape, along with rubber weather stripping. I'm thinking it would work to deflect rain from running on my side windows too. (I'm attaching a picture of the deflector for a Subaru Baha that's running about $60. Unless someone knows something more appropriate. Wow! What a day! Started attempting to pull up/cut out carpet. In what motorhome builder's manual does it say, "Lay all the carpet. Attach it with at least 10,000 mini staples per square foot and a few nails for good measure, then install all cabinetry, appliances and seating bases, with flippin' Alan screws, 1 every inch or so"??????? deep breath........count to ten......... I know. I know. " 'Cheap' don't always mean 'easy'." shanda

The trick will be to find out who made the windows. On their website, www.hehr-international.com, Hehr has several types of window gaskets (aka beads). One looks an awful lot like the gasket on Sadie's sliding window. I called the customer help, and they're unable to link the type of bead or channel by the age and type of motor home. Do you know how to find out who made the Sunrader windows? I read somewhere (I think on this forum) that the company that fabricated the Sunrader is no longer in business.

This morning, after closer inspection, I noticed that both side sliding window gaskets are cupping on the outside in the same places that leaked on the inside in yesterday's rain storm, and there's about a 1/2" gap between the gasket and the center cross piece. Anyone have a minute to offer suggestions on where I can find new gasket material, or is this something I can pop out and replace myself??? I will continue researching rain deflectors to install over the windows. (Maybe newer models already have these.) I'll take all the advise I can get. shanda JotS - Leaking druids!!!!! How did you know!??!?!?!!!!

Thanks for all your encouragement. I am totally stoked about fixing up my little motorhome. This morning, I posted some "before" pics on the member's gallery. If I remember right, I think there are some of the inside. I hope you're able to see them. They may take a second or two to load properly, but most of them turned out pretty clear.....you can almost smell the dirt and dust...... I wiped a small part of the shell with weak mix of bleach water, but was concerned it might be damaging in the long run. Glad for the hint on the purple stuff. I'll pick up some tomorrow. I don't know the rules of remodeling, if there are any. I usually just jump in somewhere and see where that goes. So tonight, I started with priming the dark paneling (will eventually be a light tan), and ended up with tearing out the dining area seating. It rained a storm while I painted the upper cabinets and I noticed 2 rivers of water forming and rolling down the windows, near the back, on each side of the shell, right onto the windows. I kept painting. It stopped raining and the sky cleared. I painted myself over the stove and sink then to the right side window. It was as good a time as any to pull off some of that icky orange carpet that was being used as a window sill/head rest thing. I tugged at it. As it gave, the board it was stapled to shredded behind it, and the paneling that it was attached to disintigrated into mush. The seat vinyl gave way. Ewww! !Wet foam! and hints of black mold! Well now! I new the old girl had to be hiding something, and I'd just found out what it was. Those rivers of water had run right down, through the seal, behind that icky orange carpet....(and that wasn't the first time.) Stoically, I pulled off the carpet sill, the vinyl seat, the crumbly wooden cushion bases, and most of the frame they were sitting on. I could almost sense the little motorhome sighing in relief. The paneling under the rear window is fine. I'll cut new peices to fit below the side windows, and start measuring for a new frame and platforms for the seating area. (There was nothing to salvage of the old for a template.) Tomorrow, I'll use some sealant on all the windows and start looking for some kind of rain deflectors or gutter system for those side windows. It wouldn't hurt to have one over the door either. (Any ideas for this??) Just wearing white primer, little Sadie is looking much better. She's seems to be feeling better too. Wishing you a Wild and Wonderful Wednesday! Shanda