[VAC] 54 Tradewind update

[Tryke@xxxxxxx]

Well here we go again....I spent the last two days removing the road side 
bed,the fresh water tank for the hand pump,and the throne room. We had a 
couple of days rain. This worked out great ,because now I know about leaks 
that need to be delt with. The rear window leaks pretty bad around the frame 
work,so I will assume the water is getting in higher up . Probablly the 
seams(bummer). Can the seams sealed from the outside?  I hope so.     Anyhoo 
the entire floor across the back is shot. I can put holes in it with my 
finger in some places.    To remove the curbside bed ,I had to remove the aux 
water tank. It looks to be added after the bed was installed,because I had to 
remove some framework from around the tank that was attatched to the bed 
frame. I had to remove the tank to remove the remaining bed frame. To remove 
the tank I also had to remove the outside fill fixture(U'm a rechromin' that 
baby) The floor under the bed and tank.....weelll...I can't put my finger 
through it , but it's shot. The throne room is next to the bed. I lifted the 
carpet and knew the throne room would have to come out.(major bummer) So far 
I have been able to remove everything with out breaking any thing. I want to 
reuse as much of the original wood and trim as possible. So I'm takin' it 
slow. I used a putty spatula to remove the wood mouldings and panels. Some of 
the wood has rot near the bottoms .but in places that are or can be coverd 
with new trim. After removing the wood panels and frame work,I was presented 
with a large riveted together aluminum and stainless steel bathroom stall. 
This unit is essentially one piece. Next I removed all the aluminum trim in 
the throne room. Some of the trim is too deteriorated to reuse so I will have 
to hit Home Depot and make do. I removed the throne.(old porceline type with 
turn valve like some puplic restrooms use) I broke the flapper valve under 
the throne.{{{>:o(> Now I will have to fix it or find a sutable replacement. 
The wood on the sink was so rotten that I pulled most of the trim and 
fixtures off with no tools. The little round sink needs refinishing. The 
faucet is garbage. The formica top is warped but in one piece. I will use it 
for a pattern for the new top. I removed all towel holders ,tissue 
holders,and the medicine cabinet. The medicine cabinet is junk. Too much rust 
falling apart. Now I was ready to remove the throne room 
stall.....ha,ha,ha.The stall is built AROUND the black water tank 
NO,NO,NO....I'm in Airstream hell....NOOOOOO........Next episode our happless 
hero returns in..... "The  Great Pooptank Fiasco"  Trike      54 rotten to 
th' core Tradewind