Water leaked into insulated undercarriage

[Camper144]

Hello everyone. I pull an Aspen Trail 2790 BHS which has an insulated undercarriage. The last few times I filled it, just about the time when it was almost full water came out from all over underneath. Then we noticed water inside. I found the vent tube was off and just lying on the floor behind an access panel. The water was coming out the vent hose then making its way down through the hole in the floor where the hoses go to the fresh water tank. Because it’s all enclosed I’m worried about mold or mildew down there. Should I be? Any thoughts or suggestions?

[wahoonc]

I would consider opening up the belly and letting it thoroughly dry out. If there are any signs of mold, spray with a mild bleach/vinegar solution. Replace any damaged insulation. Do you have the plastic "fabric" insulation or the more rigid coroplast?

Aaron

[Camper144]

It is the rigid kind. It does not really come off easy. Some sort of rivet holds it on. I would basically have to wreck it I think to get under there.

[Pricejh]

You can drill out the rivets. They are aluminum pop rivets. Use a 1/8 inch drill to drill it out. Then a punch and hammer to remove them from the frame. Peal off the tape and you will have acc SS to the bottom of the trailer.

Remove the insulation, let everything dry out, replace the insulation, lift the Coroplst back into position put a pop rivet in the existing holes and then seal the joints with Gorilla tape.

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by Camper144

It is the rigid kind. It does not really come off easy. Some sort of rivet holds it on. I would basically have to wreck it I think to get under there.

Good news is that the coroplast is easier to deal with then the plastic fabric.

Rivets are easy to get out, you can either drill them out or shear them off with a cold chisel. I would consider replacing them with a self tapping screw with a washer. You WILL be going back in to the belly sooner or later for some sort of repair. If you need to cut the coroplast, cut down the sides towards the rear and across, so you have a "hinge" on the front side, then repair with Gorilla Tape or Zip Tape.

Aaron