Rear wall panel repair/rebuild

[AlaTex]

I will be working on the rear ABS panel on my 2000 Coleman Meas soon. In the fall of 2005 on last camping trip, after 5 hr. drive, noticed the rear ABS panel had mover rearward about an inch and a half on one corner. Thanks to duck tape I was able to complete week long trip and return home. I have a crack at the top of this ABS rear panel coming from a screw hole. I have already drilled a stop hole. I suspect the wood bracing in that area is rotten also. I anticipate removing spare tire, screws from top and bottom of ABS panel and removing panel to see what I will have to repair. Not sure of next steps.

In the past I have seen some photos of an opened up rear panel on a forum. However, I have not located it lately through search, using all to the key words I have come up with. Does anyone recall the link?

Would you replace the wood members with treated wood? I also plan on adding some additional bracing, keeping in mind the weight issue.

All advice would be helpful.

[Old Goat]

I gutted the whole inside of my 01 Niagara two years ago when I did a total interior remodel. The only panel I did not remove was the rear interior one. However I did cut a 13"X 16" hole in it with rounded corners to install a fold out trash bin that I designed and built. There isn't any wood behind the rear panel that I could see, only some styrafoam spacers that I removed and replaced with larger ones.. Maybe a piece at the top of the panel  like in the front above the storage trunk. I added extra bracing in the sides of the trailer in the form of uprite ribs that were notched on the outside edge to receive two longitudinal battens that were the lenght of the inside space and about 10" apart on center. After fitting, this assembly has to be installed piece by piece and glued and fastened. I used contracters adhesive on the outsides of the battens so that they would stick to the aluminum side panel. The upright ribs are fastened at the top to the aluminum channel with a flathead screw. The bottoms are notched and fastened to a piece of 1" x1 that is a backer for the bottom of the interior panel. It is fastened to the floor.. I used white clear spruce lumber with small knots. All lumber used is 3/4" thick. The battens  are 3/4" x 1-1/4" and were made by cutting pieces from a 2x4 to specs. on a table saw... Ribs are wide enough to fit flush to the inside of the outer skin and to the back side of the interior paneling...This makes a very strong, lite and durable framework and it stiffens the sides and stops the aluminum panel from oil canning. It is especially sturdy  in the area where the outside stove is attached to the side....Treated pine is not needed in this type of application...If I can be of further help, let me know......

[snielsen]

I will be working on the rear ABS panel on my 2000 Coleman Meas soon. In the fall of 2005 on last camping trip, after 5 hr. drive, noticed the rear ABS panel had mover rearward about an inch and a half on one corner. Thanks to duck tape I was able to complete week long trip and return home. I have a crack at the top of this ABS rear panel coming from a screw hole. I have already drilled a stop hole. I suspect the wood bracing in that area is rotten also. I anticipate removing spare tire, screws from top and bottom of ABS panel and removing panel to see what I will have to repair. Not sure of next steps.

In the past I have seen some photos of an opened up rear panel on a forum. However, I have not located it lately through search, using all to the key words I have come up with. Does anyone recall the link?

Would you replace the wood members with treated wood? I also plan on adding some additional bracing, keeping in mind the weight issue.

All advice would be helpful.

I have a 2001 Coleman Cheyenne.  It has a problem with the rear panel.  I found a large gap on the sides where the corner ABS is to go under/into the side panels.  Mine has a 1" gap at top, and narrows no gap at bottom.  I can push and pull the entire rear wall.

I have been looking for advice on how to proceed.  I came across your post and thought that you might have finished your repairs, and had some advice.

Thanks,
SNielsen
SNielsen3@nc.rr.com

[2popup]

I have a 2001 mesa that the rear abs panel came loose on the left side. I found that on the top corner just on the inner side was a 3/4" wood shim that was rotted above a wood corner support. I could pull the panel out just far enough to replace the shim and put a new screw in it, then applied a little clear caulk on the screw and down the seam.
I also removed the taillight cover and drilled a hole through the metal bracket  and abs. With a little carefull measuring I centered it through the inside metal support bracket for the small bed/couch. I then installed a carriage bolt to add a little more support.
Be careful not to overtighten the carriage bolt.
The carriage bolt was probably not necessary, but it added a little piece of mind.
I actullay forgot about the repair until I read your post. It has held up fine.

[austinado16]

The front wall of my '87 Starcraft Nova was pulling away due it water getting in at that roof lift.

I took the ABS nose panel off, dug out all the rotted wood and replaced it with a section cut out of a pressure treated 2x4 and then glued and screwed the whole corner back together using 3-1/2" galvanized screws.  I added extra screws along the top where a metal reinforcement brack was screwed down, and then more screws to the opposite corner.  It turned out much stronger than the original construction.

[austinado16]

Here's with the new piece of wood back in place.