Trillium 4500- wet ensolite and removing upper shelf

[Nanph]

It was a fun day! Our '76 Trillium has been sitting, wrapped since we bought it last fall. I knew that there had been some leaking and today was the start of our adventure.

I took the dinette windows out first and found some damp- one spot in-particular. I will be reframing all windows eventually, but in the meantime the ensolite below the leak is wet and I want it to dry completely. I have gently separated the ensolite from the FG for some air space. Is this what others have done? Will it dry this way?

I would also like to remove the upper shelf which would allow me to remove the wood frames more easily and then paint the interior. We'd be reinstalling the shelving. I see some rivets and screws but it doesn't seem to want to budge and I'm worried about damaging it. Does anyone have some tricks or suggestions?

[John in Michigan]

Our Trillium 4500 has upper shelves on all four sides. They are secured to the wood window frames and to the sides of the cabinets.

We have experience with wet ensolite in three different campers. Ensolite is closed cell. It doesn't absorb water. Thus it dries out quickly. Mold does not seem to grow on the back side, though it does grow on the textured, colored cabin-side surface.

[Nanph]

Thanks for your help John. Have you ever tried to remove and reinstall the upper shelves on one of these? I notice rivets and things get a little wobbly as I unscrew. I don't want to damage anything unnecessarily, but want a clean slate when I paint.

When your ensolite was wet, did you have to peel it all back? I can't imagine it drying out when stuck to the wall.

[John in Michigan]

I have never tried to remove the upper shelves. Where they are riveted to cabinets, the rivets would have to be drilled out. Oops, just checked. The front and rear shelves are also riveted to the roof. Have to drill out the rivets from the roof.

I have peeled back the ensolite a bit along the edges, but only to the extent that it easily separates from the fiberglass. Forcibly peeling back the ensolite, the backing tends to tear.

[Nanph]

Good to know! I will have to weigh up my options and move forward carefully. Thanks for sharing your wisdom!

[motorcarmike]

I just removed my rear upper cabinet last night. the rear shelf was screwed with 3 screws over the rear window and the front ledge rests on the top of the window frames. you will need to rill out the 3 rivets on each side of the side shelf supports.
They then will pull in towards the centre from the riveted end. the end of the side shelf connecting to the rear cabinet is hooked in a little bracket so dont try and pry it out.

[Nanph]

initely sa