Bunk End Replacement

[ecbrady]

While in the process of getting the PU ready for the first camping trip of the year(yahoo!!!) I fell upon, literally a repair issue that is required.  It seems that the plywood to the queen size bunk end  developed some rot over the winter, and needs to be replaced.  How big a job is it to replace the plywood?  I know its' not as simple as cutting a new piece and placing it on.  Is it something that someone with a little bit of  carpentry experience can do, or is it something I should suck up and pay to have done?

[angelsmom10]

I guess it may depend on the PU, we used to have an '85 Starcraft and DH was going to replace the plywood on the bunk ends and they were starting to splinter.  He as looked at it and said it looked like just cutting the wood and putting back on the rails.
 
You may also want to check with the mfg and see if they carry "service manuals" for you PU.  DH got one for $15 and replaced the side of the PU in the rear where the back and side meet as it had rotted and pulled away.  He swore by that manual.

[Tim5055]

For strength, you will probably have to replace a full section side to side.  If possible have any seam meet over a support beam so that the seam isn't hanging loose.

You can find plastic "H" channel which is made to slip over the ends of two sheets of plywood when you connect them.  I would probably use that where the seam is.

[ecbrady]

For strength, you will probably have to replace a full section side to side.  If possible have any seam meet over a support beam so that the seam isn't hanging loose.

You can find plastic "H" channel which is made to slip over the ends of two sheets of plywood when you connect them.  I would probably use that where the seam is.

Tim do you mean something similar to a bracket between the seams?

  The Jayco had a piece of thin, and I use the word thin, piece of luan stapled between the seams.  This area was the source of the rot.  What I was thinking of doing was after recutting the plywood to take a piece of 1/4 inch Birch, rip it to the proper length, gorilla glue it,and then secure them as well with some 1/2" drywall screws.  I was just totally amazed at the only thing keeping the seam together was this thin little strip.