Sunrader Possible Water Damage

[Esther and John]

Hi everyone, this is my first time posting here, and first time looking to own a Toyota motorhome. My wife and I are currently looking at a 1989 Toyota Sunrader 21' with the V6 engine, and after inspecting the camper, noticed the areas inside the overhead compartments have had some water or moisture coming in over the years. The camper roof has two cross support beams that are held in place by carriage bolts, and the bolts go through the camper shell so I am guessing water has been coming in through the holes for the bolts. I have some pictures from inside the overhead compartments. The first one shows water stains on the wall panel near the camper ceiling. You can also kind of see on the top right of the picture a rusty metal bracket with a bolt coming through; that is one of the carriage bolts that goes through the camper shell and where I think water and moisture has been coming in over time. The second picture is of the bottom cloth liner in the overhead compartment that shows some moldiness, which again I think shows there has been moister in the space. The last picture is one of the windows where some water stains are showing up as well on the wall panel. I didn't find water stains on any other parts of the wall panels or ceiling. I'm mainly wondering if this is evidence of serious water damage, or is it something that most people could live with, especially considering this is a 33 year old motorhome? Does anyone know what is behind the wall panels? Is there plywood or anything else that would have water damage and needs to be checked? Thank you for taking time to read my post.

-John 

[linda s]

It really doesn't look too bad. Seal the bolt with some waterproof caulk. Clean up the mold with one of the many available mold treatments, I use Oxyclean but I don't know if that's available where you are. Peroxide will work. The windows are going to need to be removed and resealed with butyl tape. Like this

Amazon.com: LLPT Butyl Seal Putty Tape White 1 Inch x 33 Feet for Leak Proof RV Repair Window Glass Boat Sealing Roof Pipe Patching(WST233) : Industrial & Scientific

I always use white because the Sunrader is white. 

Then paint the walls with some semi-gloss paint in a color you like to hide the stains. 

Ask if the current owner has ever changed the head gasket. There was a recall a long time ago but lots of motorhomes never got done. 

Above all have a mechanic look at it and check that all the appliances work, they are very expensive. Hope it all works out

Linda S

[Scott iv]

I use Kilz primer on mold and mildew to contain odor and prevent leak through. 

[Esther and John]

Thank you for the info. That is definitely helpful in deciding what is acceptable when looking at these older RVs.