I have sent this to Victor Benz as a PM but since I don't know if he is around perhaps someone else could help or give me their input.
"Victor, my name is Lise (Lalise) and I own a 1983
Fiberstream. Last year my trailer was hit by a semi on the side and it sheared the edge of the water heater. Long story but I didn’t pursue it since the heater was old and very difficult to
light so I had planned to replace it anyway.
I bought a new one that turned out to be larger than the original so I have to enlarge the opening but I don’t see a problem there since I already removed the heater that was not working and I bought electric blankets and a Mr Heater if it gets too cold for the blankets or don’t have electricity.
After I removed the water heater I noticed the wood floor was rotten through and you could see the ground underneath. I decided that I would have to remove and replace it. I also removed the
battery from the aluminum box, the
battery is really heavy and difficult to remove to unhook the wires for safety so I decided to purchase a black box to store the
battery in. Why did you have a vent in your battery box to the outside of the trailer both on the side and the floor of the trailer and why did you have this particular box not the black ones available everywhere? Should I add more venting to my box? I was planning to either remove the aluminum box and use it to store accessories for the sewer line.
I looked at the pictures in your album and was impressed at the extent and details you displayed. I cannot dream of emulating your work because I don’t have your skill, tools or knowledge. However I am not afraid to try something new and learn. My drawbacks are a bad knee ready for a replacement; time constraint (I want to have it done so that I can go to Bandon); weather (pacific NW) rain, rain, rain and lets not forget, unanticipated problems i.e. I was only replacing the water heater.
I have removed the water tank, pump, and the alternator box and I also dismantled the frame for the benches and plan to use the parts for templates. It will not look as good as your finished product but I am hoping that it will be solid and functional as I use the area as a king size bed when I am not alone or a twin bed with both mattresses stacked on the fwd side with mini benches when alone.
Right now I am working at removing the 2 pieces of plywood at the fwd end of the trailer, not an easy task with a bad knee, and will subsequently replace them and
fiberglass over them, I will lay up either linoleum or try Allure over some aluminum covered insulation, the stuff they use to insulate home water heater with of perhaps instead lay some sheets of styrofoam. What type of
fiberglass did you use, I purchased some 1.5 oz mat. Did you do 1 layer or more?
I liked how you framed the floor around the tank and battery box with
fiberglass wrapped pieces of wood to anchor them solid.
Did you make the luggage door or did you buy it?
Thank you for posting all the pictures and I hope you can help with some of my questions or other insights."