Flooded Palomino Columbus advice please

[Robert E Trump]

I have the opportunity to acquire a late model palomino Columbus 388fk. Water reached the top of the pass through storage. I have not seen the unit in person yet but with the elevated front kitchen and elevated rear bedroom, water should have gotten no higher than the top of furion fireplace in lower mid living area...I know that the inverter, self leveling display, and fuse panel will likely need replacement among other elements. My biggest worry is the floor and walls. I assume the walls are bonded which may help. Anybody with this particular unit or experience with flooded units have any thoughts?

 

[Oaklevel]

Just my opinion I would stay away from a trailer that has been flooded....... If you are talking river water who knows what as in it............ The walls and floor will most likely need replacing to the flooded line ...... Anything fake wood cabinets etc. will likely fall apart...

If you plan on totally gutting it to use as a storage trailer maybe........ Other wise plan on gutting it and starting over...... You might be able to save some things that were above the water line. The walls sit on the floors.

It will always likely have a salvage title as well. True I have not had experience with a flooded trailer ( They are usually scrapped) but I have helped with flooded houses.

 

[Robert E Trump]

What are the chances the floor may survive? Unlikely? I don't mind a project and working on it myself but not interested in major surgery... thanks

 

[Aussieguy]

you can expect a lot of major stuff...

especially if it is salt water or muddy water that has not been correctly rinsed
is there a underbelly and has it been removed... for cleaning and rinsing of all the wiring

find out exactly what they did ..... and when did they do..... any remedial work

expect surface peeling and expansion of any fiberboard (cupboards)
what material is the floor? ......... OSB it can/will absorb water especially at cut outs and holes

I wouldn't touch a flooded RV

 

[Oaklevel]

What are the chances the floor may survive? Unlikely? I don't mind a project and working on it myself but not interested in major surgery... thanks

Not likely. this will be above just major surgery........... The flooring will not likely survive the carpet / linoleum will need removal as well as the underbelly / insulation....................... my bet is the floor will need at least some replacing and flood waters often carry toxic chemicals............. How long has it stayed wet and has someone properly dried it out................

Most RV repair places would not touch it........... When taking it apart you would need proper PPE to protect yourself............. This is a big job the can be a health risk as well.

 

[Reverse_snowbird]

Give it a pass.
It's unlikely that the floor will survive. Even a brief flood will have soaked the insulation under the floor.

Welcome to the forum!

 

[Bob K4TAX]

I'd run away from that faster than the speed of sound.

This unit will likely be quickley infested with dangerous mold. Most flood water contains toxic waste, sewerage, and other chemicals from vehicles and buildings.

Even if it was free for the taking, I would not want it on my property and would not work on the unit. If one attempts to do so, they should be using full PPE 100% of the time with proper decontamination upon exit of the unit.

Bob

 

[D W]

How long was it submerged? If 24 hours or more, then it's suited only for salvage. It was probably written off by the insurance company.

 

[Robert E Trump]

Here is a picture of the unit and Floorplan. The only living area that was submerged is highlighted in green. Kitchen, bed and bath are elevated. Unit is probably worth 70k in good shape. If I can get it for 10k and put under 20k in it and have a clean/reliable rig then it might be worth it... mold is not an issue for me. I do crawlspace encapsulations...the insulation in the floor and walls is closed cell Styrofoam and there is no carpet. Basically looking at inverter, leveling electronics, lower cabinets in living area. Maybe some flooring.. once belly is removed, it will reveal more I'm sure. ..

 

[Larry-NC]

Not as easy as you think

Okay, Robert. Here's the issue. The way trailers are constructed is:

1. Start with a frame with springs, axles, and wheels.
2. Fasten flooring to the frame. Flooring is often plywood, could be OSB or other wood substance or a sandwich of two thin plywood layers with a thick layer of styrofoam between. In your case, there would be flooring at three levels. All of it is ~8' sheets laid sideways so all seams are transverse to the direction of motion.
3. Glue down sheet linoleum covering all the plywood.
4. Staple down carpeting in the specified parts, all the way to the edges of the plywood.
5. NOW, at this point, install the studded walls (pine or aluminum) directly upon the carpet or linoleum or both.
6. THEN, install cabinets and fixed furniture (beds, dinettes, couch, etc.) directly atop the carpet or linoleum.

If it's not obvious by now, replacing the floor panels is similar to trying to jack up a flimsy house without the floor to put a new foundation beneath it.

 

[Robert E Trump]

Really doesn't sound bad. Yet...more concerned with electronics and extent needing replacement. I feel comfortable attacking floor if it needs to go..

 

[5picker]

There is absolutely no way we can give any credible advice on what is/might be damaged without us seeing it, opened up.

You are getting a lot of advice about a submerged unit that may/may not pertain to this rig. Since it has split levels, the entire floor may not be damaged but the way the walls are installed at the factory, that lower level floor is going to be tough to replace/repair because the entire sidewalls/cabinets sit on the floor(s).

With that said, you seem to understand there will likely be considerable damage to (electronics/converter/level-up/wire connections/junction boxes/insulation/etc) so if you are up to that challenge and can mitigate the health risks, then have a go of it.

You will also need to go through the hubs/brakes/axles and repair/replace any items there. As bad as the frames rust from the factory under normal circumstances (with the little protection applied by the frame manufacturer) you are likely going to have a rust bucket frame as well.

I assume you will get a Salvaged/R-Title and full disclosure will need to be made if you ever sell.

Keep us posted as to what you do. It simply would not be worth it to me unless I were looking for a cheap unit for a hunting camp but not something I'd be towing up and down the highway.

 

[Oaklevel]

Good Luck with what you decide to do .............


Keep in mind there is a basement/ storage area probably under the bedroom and maybe other areas that will have some type of flooring needing replacement as well..... Not just the center section

 

[Aussieguy]

lots of wiring that has been submerged
that's why insurance companies don't want to fix them
they are not selling it cheap cause it is a easy fix


and as Larry said.... the FLOOR holds up all the walls
if you had to replace the floor ... you have to detach all the walls and builtin furniture

and you can't open the belly for inspection until you buy it!

Buy it only if you can afford to loose the purchase price
and Pay at most .........the amount you could get back by selling it in pieces

and only if you plan on doing all the work yourself.

I would look for a trailer with easier repairs such as minor traffic collisions

 

[Robert E Trump]

Thanks all for responding! Will update tomorrow. I did find out that insurance company is selling with a clear title somehow..

 

[Superglenn1966]

Are you sure its been flooded? Reason I ask is I have seen some videos on Youtube where a couple of people bought supposedly flooded RV's with Salvage titles but they were not flooded. The ones I am referring to had been vandalized and the underlayment had been cut to rob the electronics etc. Those made good hunting trailers etc.

If you havent been able to actually take a look it might be a good idea to do so before you pull the trigger on purchasing. Seems like you may already have your mind made up.

Good luck

Glenn

 

[GolfingDave]

Kind of reminds me of the posts where the OP is buying a camper two big for his truck and everyone says don't do it and the OP is determined to buy.

If it is a camper you were actually interested in because of the floor plan........

Saw this today, "Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn."

I would just say, be sure to take your time and put all your possible costs down on a spreadsheet and let it percolate for a bit. I doubt if the camper disappears over night.

 

[Robert E Trump]

I'm used to homes with severe rot, termite damage, and structural issues. What I'm not keen on is how much RV electrical typically is shot when submerged...I know all campers are cheaply built. Some cheaper than others... The Jayco Pinnacle I purchased new 2 years ago seems to be solid and I've learned that the Forrest River Columbus is similar construction.

 

[VagabondLove]

If it’s free, I might try it out. Otherwise….mold? Rot? I wouldn’t do it. But I do not know your situation. Why not find another one if you love the floor plan? Why not find another better floor plan if you love the price?

 

[D W]

Thanks all for responding! Will update tomorrow. I did find out that insurance company is selling with a clear title somehow..

Most likely being sold with a SALVAGE/JUNK title with full disclosure and that their is no warranty expressed or implied, and no guaranty of merchantability.

As the old saying goes: CAVEAT EMPTOR.