I am a happy camper to have purchased a 1999
Casita Spirit16'. I need advice on how to re-attach the white rubber molding around the door opening. It is loose on the upper right corner only. It does not seem that the molding would stretch to fit the opening anymore. I am afraid to try to pull it tight for fear of it ripping. And I don't know what adhesive I should use. Any suggestions?
The door looks to close pretty tight, seems to seal, and does not leak. I towed it home in the rain and it was not wet inside. I see no water damage anywhere around the door area. Don't want there to be. This FGRV is in almost perfect condition and I want to keep it that way. It has always been parked inside when not recreating and I will too. Right now nothing
leaks and none of the black window seals seem dried out like the door seal molding. Top hatch molding was replaced recently when Fantastic Fan was added.
I am attaching photos of the door latch plate too. It is worn in the center where the striker bar hits. The result is that the door does not latch as tight as it should. PO said he was going to screw a little plate of metal onto the existing latch plate - to make up for the metal that has worn off. Maybe I just need another latch entirely because I have another issue. I bought this
Casita to take my late brother's daughters camping and the 8 yr-old one is autistic. I need to be able to lock the door from the inside and it does not now. Before you call CPS, consider the alternatives: a) Logan wandering the campground alone at night, or b) me tying her in her bunk. Where can I get a door latch with a combination on the inside and where is the best kind of place to get this kind of work done near Indianapolis? Mt. Comfort RV is near but I bet they charge the big bucks to work on units they don't sell.
Speaking of bunks, one hinge on the upper side bunk is loose. (Yes, I have front and side bunks! Can sleep me and all 3 little girls without giving up the dinette.) As u raise and lower the side bunk only (see photo with blue tweed fabric,) one end of 1 hinge slips 1/8 in or so. It is the one that has a heavy metal
fall guard that flips up and chains to the wooden side supports. Should I worry about this?
While I have u on the line, I broke the thin
fiberglass door that the electric cord comes through as it exits the side of the trailer. It opens with a key and then there is a small hole that the cord comes through. It ripped from that hole to the bottom of the little door. (Yes, on my test camp the night after I brought it home, I pulled the cord out a little AFTER putting it in the little hole in the door.) A very jagged tear - see painful photo. A piece came all the way off. What is the best substance to try to glue that little trap door back together? I know it will be fragile but it will look better. Next time I will pull the cord ALL the way out before putting it in the hole. I just need a temporary fix because I intend to replace that trap door with a permanent exterior plug and a cord that detaches entirely. I don't bugs or vermin entering until then tho so I want a temporary solution other than the steel wool in the photo.
The only other problem I see is some slight cracking at the corners right above the belly band and on the front window shield (the only thing the prior owner did not wax and buff.) The 4 photos below are each of the 4 corners. I am including other photos in case any of you experienced FGRVers spot something else I need to pay attention to.
Hopefully some of u have advice. Explain things in layman's terms as much as possible please! My first trip with the girls is 3/23-26, so please tell me what is really important to do before then, and what can wait till after.
Thanks, Lynn