Casita 13 construction question

[ChrisRI]

hi all,
just bought a Casita 13 yesterday. It's complete and in decent shape. BUT the interior was built on top of shag carpeting (WHY!!!!!!!!!!) which was moldy etc.

Today I gutted the camper to the shell. Sawzall was immensely helpful to cut the interior component fasteners. Then stripped all the carpeting and foam padding which was glued on. Sawzall with a scraper blade was fantastic for that. The interior and the insides of the components (vanity, closet, everything) will be lightly sandblasted to bare fiberglass this week (hopefully) and gelcoated inside.

Then I can reinstall the interior components I think there are eight total. They will be bonded to the shell.

Anyway here's my question - the main floor is OSB board rivetted down, and probably bonded to the fiberglass. It's rotted in placed and has to come out.

How is it attached and how is the camper shell attached to the steel frame?

Any advice to getting that up the easiest would be great!

[Jon in AZ]

Originally Posted by ChrisRI

hi all,
just bought a Casita 13 yesterday. It's complete and in decent shape. BUT the interior was built on top of shag carpeting (WHY!!!!!!!!!!) which was moldy etc.

Today I gutted the camper to the shell. Sawzall was immensely helpful to cut the interior component fasteners. Then stripped all the carpeting and foam padding which was glued on. Sawzall with a scraper blade was fantastic for that. The interior and the insides of the components (vanity, closet, everything) will be lightly sandblasted to bare fiberglass this week (hopefully) and gelcoated inside.

Then I can reinstall the interior components I think there are eight total. They will be bonded to the shell.

Anyway here's my question - the main floor is OSB board rivetted down, and probably bonded to the fiberglass. It's rotted in placed and has to come out.

How is it attached and how is the camper shell attached to the steel frame?

Any advice to getting that up the easiest would be great!

You didn't mention the year, but I'm going to guess it's from the 80's. Early Casitas were lined with blue or brown textured carpet (variegated color and multi-level). It's technically not shag (which is longer) but just as dated. I agree- good riddance.

I do question the decision to gelcoat the interior, though. Models with an exposed gelcoat interior (Burro, U-Haul, Eggcamper, Oliver, Happier Camper) all have separate inner and outer shells with an air gap (or sometimes insulation) in between. They are commonly referred to as "double hull" designs.

One way or another, every single hull manufacturer includes some kind of insulation on the inside of the shell. Casita traditionally used foam-backed carpet (switching from textured to a neutral, cut pile starting in the 90's). Scamp uses a layer of foil bubble wrap and marine headliner. Escape uses vinyl-covered closed cell foam. Boxier designs like Bigfoot use conventional rigid insulation with interior wall panels.

An uninsulated, single hull trailer is going to have issues with temperature control, condensation in cool weather, and sound deadening. In my opinion, you need to add some kind of insulation.

[ChrisRI]

great info! thanks! it is a 1989. the floor carpet is loop pile but all the sides were shag. the proevious owner removed the exposed areas - ceiling, exposed sides and painted it white. I will ask my blaster to take it ALL down. I have some leftover off white gelcoat with duratech which will seal the inside of the fiberglass. I can decide about insulating later. now I just want it sterile and clean. I even plan to blast and gelcoat the insides of the interior features like the vanity, bunks, everything. right now they painted black, white will make finding things much easier.

This unit also came with some cool stuff but dated, such as the voltage converter, 3-way fridge (which may or may not work), and propane suburban heater. I may buy a mini fridge and use ice when no power available, not sure yet (a real ice box lol!).

As to heat, when power available, in my teardrop I used an oil filled radiator which is silent! These new diesel truck heaters are pretty good for heat although now I have two fuels to carry.

Another feature I may build is a tiny bathroom (for her), and I can get tanks for under the rear bunk compartments.

Lots to consider.

OK back to the floor. I started using that sawzall scraper tool, and where the floor is soft (by the door) it was easy. but once it got less rotted harder. I will cut strips with the circular saw almost through, and that MIGHT do the trick.

I found two bolts up front through the floor and the frame underneath but there MUST be more. I just didnt see any sticking through, just those two.

next year I plant to get the shell off the frame so the frame can be blasted to bare metal and epoxy painted. Next year tho. But now is the time to find all fasteners so I dont build the floor over them, then the shell will never come off. Wish I knew how it was attached.

One big appeal of Casita is the shell also has foberglass floor, which makes things WAY easier. I plan to put down glass mat, then marine or mdo plywood, then glass over that, so it can never rot again.

[Jon in AZ]

Originally Posted by ChrisRI

One big appeal of Casita is the shell also has foberglass floor, which makes things WAY easier. I plan to put down glass mat, then marine or mdo plywood, then glass over that, so it can never rot again.

Not sure exactly when they started, but Casita now fiberglasses in the wood floor much as you describe (as do Escape, Trillium, and a few others). The bad news is it can still rot. The good news is it doesn't happen as often, and as long as you own the trailer, you can prevent and fix the leaks that sometimes find their way inside the floor core.

It didn't occur to me you might put insulation over the gelcoat, but that would work.

I saved this photo in my "Ideas" folder as one way to incorporate a front toilet in a 13'er without giving up the open feeling of the front window and extra seating. I thought it was nicely executed. It's a Boler, hence the raised floor at the front. A Casita doesn't have that quirk.
Boler Front toilet.jpg Views: 14 Size: 14.0 KB ID: 154147" style="margin: 2px" />

[ChrisRI]

Just watched a video of a new Scamp 13 (with bathroom!), and it has shag carpet all over the walls and ceilings. I just dont understand how this can be good? Campers sit, they are not climate controlled most of the time, and mold really IS a thing! NICE camper tho!


https://youtu.be/SCi2VUfdrBQ

[Jon in AZ]

Late thought… Escape- based on Trillium- incorporates a feature that possibly reduces the likelihood of rot in a fully glassed-in floor. The wood doesn’t run all the way to the walls, leaving a channel all the way around with holes to drain. That way if there is an unexpected flood due to a broken pipe or other mishap, the water has a way to get out before it seeps into the core, and it’s easier to get it dried out quickly. Don’t know if it’s something you could incorporate in your rebuild. It’s usually called a “pontoon floor” if you want to search old threads.

[ChrisRI]

I posted another reply and it said needs moderator approval, and it's gone. anyway...

also can use coosa board which is rot proof (and costly!). but MDO which would be fine at 1/3 the cost!

but for today, just need to get that old OSB up. and down to the fiberglass shell. then powerwash everything at car wash.

then (hopefully) my blaster can get to it tomorrow or friday.

the big question is can I get the shell off the frame a couple inches then bolted back down so it can be removed next year to paint the frame... hmmmm

Originally Posted by Jon in AZ

Late thought… Escape- based on Trillium- incorporates a feature that possibly reduces the likelihood of rot in a fully glassed-in floor. The wood doesn’t run all the way to the walls, leaving a channel all the way around with holes to drain. That way if there is an unexpected flood due to a broken pipe or other mishap, the water has a way to get out before it seeps into the core, and it’s easier to get it dried out quickly. Don’t know if it’s something you could incorporate in your rebuild. It’s usually called a “pontoon floor” if you want to search old threads.

[Sunnyfalls]

Originally Posted by Jon in AZ

Late thought… Escape- based on Trillium- incorporates a feature that possibly reduces the likelihood of rot in a fully glassed-in floor. The wood doesn’t run all the way to the walls, leaving a channel all the way around with holes to drain. That way if there is an unexpected flood due to a broken pipe or other mishap, the water has a way to get out before it seeps into the core, and it’s easier to get it dried out quickly. Don’t know if it’s something you could incorporate in your rebuild. It’s usually called a “pontoon floor” if you want to search old threads.

Having water get into the floor of our 2023 Casita LD from a plumbing leak was a concern that I also had with the Casita trailer design as well. To lessen my concern, I drilled several 1" holes through the floor in those areas where the plumbing fittings could leak to allow the majority of the water to escape and to also hopefully quickly indicate that there was leak issue needing immediate remedy. I installed screened 1" stainless steel caps on the outside, underneath Casita floor fiberglass surface to keep out insects and such.

I also placed several RV Whisper water leak detectors in these areas too. And over time when accomplishing other associated Castia trailer modifications, I have replaced nearly all of the Casita OEM PEX-B and crimp fittings with PEX-A and ProPex expansion fittings which should never fail even if the plumbing were to freeze.

Photos and details of this Casita trailer modification and all of our other Casita trailer modifications may be found by Googling our below trailer name if interested.

Gayle & Bob
"Los Gatos Casita"

[ChrisRI]

Thanks guys! Interesting about Pex A vs B! Guess I always used B (and thought it was freeze proof). Agree on the stainless drain screens, I will try to find those and do same.

Also, there will be no carpeting (other than maybe a rug that can be removed and cleaned). I will use no-glue Armstrong linoleum which can be removed easy for cleaning.

May as well maye this a progress thread, I have half the lower floor removed and all the upper. The Sawzall with scraper blade is again indispensible. And to think as of Monday, I never knew such a thing existed!

Hopefully I can find out how the shell is attached to frame. I will loosten and lift it a bit and then put in stainless bolts that can be removed next year for the frame blasting and painting.

[ChrisRI]

Got shell off frame. There were lots of rivets and screws. I took out what I found, and jacked it looking for places the floor was bending down, and removed that fastener. After enough of that it busted free. Then I drilled through in 3 places, 2 in front (where bolts were previously) and one center over axle, and bolted through the frame with 5/16 gr 5 bolts.

[Bob & Jackie C]

Originally Posted by ChrisRI

hi all,
just bought a Casita 13 yesterday. It's complete and in decent shape. BUT the interior was built on top of shag carpeting (WHY!!!!!!!!!!) which was moldy etc.

Today I gutted the camper to the shell. Sawzall was immensely helpful to cut the interior component fasteners. Then stripped all the carpeting and foam padding which was glued on. Sawzall with a scraper blade was fantastic for that. The interior and the insides of the components (vanity, closet, everything) will be lightly sandblasted to bare fiberglass this week (hopefully) and gelcoated inside.

Then I can reinstall the interior components I think there are eight total. They will be bonded to the shell.

Anyway here's my question - the main floor is OSB board rivetted down, and probably bonded to the fiberglass. It's rotted in placed and has to come out.

How is it attached and how is the camper shell attached to the steel frame?

Any advice to getting that up the easiest would be great!

Contact Scamp

[ChrisRI]

Originally Posted by Bob & Jackie C

Contact Scamp

If you read my post #10, it is removed.

Also, it's a Casita not a Scamp...

Hopefully this thread will help others in future who are trying to separate a casita 13 from the frame underneath.

[Bob & Jackie C]

Originally Posted by Bob & Jackie C

Contact Scamp

Oops, I meant Casita but I see you have got it going pretty good. Best of luck.

[ChrisRI]

Originally Posted by Bob & Jackie C

Oops, I meant Casita but I see you have got it going pretty good. Best of luck.

Thanks! hopefully I have it going the right direction anyway. If it wasn't for this form I would not know that the internal components add to the strength of the walls for example. Also interesting conversation about carpeting and insulation issues. This has been very helpful to come in here and read a lot of the posts and then ask a few questions. I really want to make this FG travel trailer nice for us.

[computerspook]

Why did shag carpet ever exist ;-)

[Sunnyfalls]

Originally Posted by computerspook

Why did shag carpet ever exist ;-)

For same reason LSD, black lights and water beds existed...

Gayle & Bob
"Los Gatos Casita"

[Jon in AZ]

I admit I a bit confused. I am old enough to remember shag carpet, but it was never used by Casita. They started out in the 80's using a blue or brown sculpted carpet, very 80's. Here's what the brown looked like on a 1986 16'er:


This is 70's vintage shag carpet:


Since around 1990, Casita used a beige cut pile carpet.

[Sunnyfalls]

Sounds like a previous owner had a love Casita... Folks would put shag carpet into their love vans back then too. Seem to recall florescent green, orange and purple were popular colors. The English are fond of using the term shag too...good times...

Gayle & Bob
"Los Gatos Casita"

[Jon in AZ]

Originally Posted by Sunnyfalls

Sounds like a previous owner had a love Casita... Folks would put shag carpet into their love vans back then too. Seem to recall florescent green, orange and purple were popular colors. The English are fond of using the term shag too...good times...

Gayle & Bob
"Los Gatos Casita"

That's possible, but shag had already gone out of fashion and mostly out of production by the time the first Casita was built in the early 80's. The love vans were a 70's thing. Of course a few people missed the memo...

[Sunnyfalls]

Originally Posted by Jon in AZ

That's possible, but shag had already gone out of fashion and mostly out of production by the time the first Casita was built in the early 80's. The love vans were a 70's thing. Of course a few people missed the memo...

True enough, but there are undoubtedly folks who wanted to maintain that lifestyle longer... I see that one can still get psychedelic shag even today:

https://www.wayfair.com/rugs/pdp/wrought-studio-poarch-shag-hand-loomed-performance-solid-color-rug-w006116564.html?piid=269802436

Gayle & Bob
"Los Gatos Casita"