As soon as I saw you were going to the shelter to visit the animals I knew you were a good guy. My dogs name is Jaxx. He loves to use our motorhome. I try to park a little off level to create some kind of pitch for water to run off. Until the leak is fixed cover the problem section with a tarp
+64maxpower ahh i heard the baby cat love sent love cats @6:31 is there a video with TOP CAT +Nomadic Fanatic ROOF LEAK JUST GET A SEAL GLUE ITS CHEAP AND SEAL IT LOVE TO JACKS wow big CAT
Please know that I really appreciate you sharing your experience on this subject, I recently finished college and sold my home of 14 years due to inability to find employment or even fair-employment..... I also sold my 22ft Jayco Jayflight and Suburban---because I realized that when I was away from my "debtor's prison" (with hot tub) I really didn't wanna go back to the suburbs.... I'm starting my life over, redefining success for myself this time and somewhere between building a tiny home on wheels or purchasing another RV..... and starting a web design business.....maybe.... attempting to run a mini-homestead possibly in the future.Blah Blah Blah..... THANK YOU again for your inspiration! and I can't wait to share your videos with my friends and family.
as to the bucket problem could you put a cord around the bucket and tie that to something to prevent it being moved by your cat or perhaps putting a heavy weight inside the bucket like brick or several that would keep the bucket upright despite the cat pushing or pulling on the bucket ?
I just found your videos recently and love them. My wife and I are returning to full-time life soon, your videos along with others are great inspiration, please keep them coming and stay safe!
Hi Eric and jax! I just subscribed I really like watching all the places you visit! I really feel I'm on the road along side of you two it fun !! Keep trucking 👍😎
My hubby fixed our pop up camper roof from leaking by using elastic roof coating. Just roll it on with a roller, can find the coating at most hardware stores like Lowes. It fills in the holes, its made for metal roofs like on single wide trailers. Works great on camper roofs.
Tar the tar out of it! Sounds crazy but it works! We made a mound around ours and it fixed it. Then we just do our yearly upkeep. We have a 32 foot 1983 holiday rambler. It has a carpeted roof which keeps it well insulated and we thought of putting an angle roof on it to help insulate from burning heat and getting too cold. We may also carpet the walls. We carpeted the entire floors. We did learn alot on 'how to's" in the slabs and from other RVers. It's an experience. Like gardening in an RV and Cooking without energy except from the sun. We were both laid off when we did all our traveling in the RV cross country.
Hi, I'm a subscriber & just watched this vid. Thank you for being an animal lover & spending time w/them. Jax is just adorable. I appreciate your tips on the RV mobile as well as sharing your humble beginnings. Keep on rollin.👍🏽😍
"Holy crap, every single puzzle piece is in place right now".... Luke 11:10 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
You hit the nail on the head about the leak. How do i know? I just recently had 2 leaks in my house roof after another horrendous flooding here in the Houston area. The repairer told me of 2 spots that were a little low that held rain water. So, If your roof holds water in spots, its going to leak at that spot or south (down) from it no matter what condition or how old your roof is. Lesson learned. You got it before I did though (darn it).
I wouldn't listen to the folks who are suggesting you try and fix the roof yourself. Leaks are really hard to fix on the flat roofs and who will you go to if it doesn't stop and you have put out all that money and time doing it yourself. At least if you have a pro do it, you can go back to them if it doesn't work.
Eric, Go to home depot and look for a can called Plasti Coat, it comes in 5 gal cans and you will need to get up on the roof of the rv and spread it on every seam, even if your roof leaks, after treatment it wont, use an old paint brush, and apply it heavy, this will be good for about 5 years, then grab a can of stuff called tenex, put it in a old oil can with a trigger and go around each window along any surfice that falling water can land on that will work for 5 years also, if the roof sags where the ac is you can pull the ac off the roof and marry 2 cross beams on both sides of the hole and then replace the ac unit, it is work but you can do it, and save your Motorhome, and some money. I use to build TravelAire Motorhomes and Six Pac Campers, trust me this is not new but pulling your roof off is a very complicated task that is not worth it believe me. Good Luck
I don't know if you've addressed the roof issues or not but I just went through the same stuff, I removed my AC unit completely, It was heavy but using boards to support my weight and its weight I was able to do it alone. a standard vent will fit in the hole, what you refer to as a skylight I think. even if some water ponds up there, a well sealed vent will stop it from coming in. I also sealed my roof with Gaco rubber roof, its supposed to be impervious to standing water.. Id get it fixed asap, that water will screw up the wood in your RV pretty fast.
I would tarp it up real good until then.. water is evil when it gets into an RV.. hope ya get a good weekend soon- I got lucky and had a good stretch earlier in late march and I was able to get everything sealed.
I have been watching a lot of your vids. There great and thanks for making them. My wife kid and I are all going to be moving into an RV in January. And it's kind of scary. We're both students and our son is 4. We're going to live on a family's piece of land until we're done with school so we won't be nomadic. We hope it works well for us. By the way we live in Olympia! It's really cool to see someone doing this who is close to me. If you ever read this let me know and maybe we could get coffee or something. Thanks again, Joey
I rebuilt a 24 foot trailer from the floor up in winter in Wisconsin. With nothing but hand tools. I would take off your roof and replace the cieling joists with 2 by 4's taken from center of 3.5" to edges of 1.5" and redo the ceiling with whatever waterproofing you want. I've planned a 16 foot trailer that I will build in time to hit the road in. I worked on the road for four years and the trailer I bought had dry rot and the front tried to peel (think of a banana). I strapped it down until I had my 3 month hiatus and rebuilt it (it only too a couple of weeks to do). I was careful with taking off the skin so it was reusable. My trailer will have 1/4 oil stained latex paint instead of aluminum skin. You rig will be dry rotting evrey interval between wet times. Better to take care of it sooner than let it fall apart (or blown apart).
Aww, sounds like you're all washed up in this one. I lived in my RV back in 1999-2000 down in Vancouver,WA at the Good Sam park near the Kentucky Fried Chicken on Hwy 99 and 78th Street in Hazel Dell! Of course I had a job working a 12 hour, 6 days a week, every other weekend off (3 day weekend 😀)!! So, I lived in the RV parked at the campground, and on my weekends off I unplugged and went "camping" usually to Cougar,WA around the APE CAVES area. I loved it! Wish I could do it again... working toward the dream now! 😍 God bless you, and keep trucking!
My wife and I both subscribed your channel (separately) recently and decided to watch from the beginning and we thank you very much for your videos :-) Thanks! It is quite entertaining and educational for non RV owner like us :-). It will help is greatly when we get RV in near future ;-)
Hi, I just discovered your channel. Fascinating that you live in an RV fulltime and great that you have your cat with you. I'm here in Europe living in an apartment. I dont know anything about RVs but it looks an interesting lifestyle. I don't get the impression there is much of a permanent RV scene over here. A question: do you use solar panels for electricity, eg on your roof? Will have to watch your other videos. Thanks & good luck!
First, I want you to know, I love your kitty. Second, I've been watching yours and a couple others' videos as I too am seriously considering changing to this lifestyle. I'm 55 years old and live on a small but fixed income. My reason is a little different in that I'm getting sick and tired of dealing with nasty landlords and paying someone else's mortgage. There's too many other reasons I won't bother to mention. I'm in Northern Cali at the moment but I'm getting ready to head back to Wenatchee, Washington where I hope, by the end of the summer, I'll have enough money to buy a used R.V.. So keep on making these videos.......I'm taking notes......and thanx!!
Eric, Put a band-aid on that roof asap. What I do is shovel the snow/sweep the water frequently during or right after storms. I thought about how stupid the flat roofs are the very first time I got up on mine. On a sunny day get a couple tubes of all-weather silicone caulking and go crazy anywhere you think it might be leaking into the roof. Caulking the top edge of the front overhead window is important as well. Thumbs up on the Rainier beer, I go 45 miles to Cheyenne, Wy just to get that stuff! Also, put a big stone in the bucket and the cat won't be able to tip it over.
10 лет назад
I'm sorry you're having a leak! Well winter is almost over...Right now to save money maybe you could temporarily seal around the ac with roof membrane. .. I hope you'll be able to get a quote for a cheap repair on your roof. I guess selling those mugs will come handy. We'll try to think of something! Good luck with your show!
I don't know if your RV's roof is like mine or not but I'll my two cents in. My roof is flat but has a little ridge (About 3/4 inch) built completely around all 4 edges. When it starts raining, water starts pooling. The A/C is the low point and water starts coming in through it. Before I got around to hacking part of that ridge away, I'd park when it rained with one end slightly higher. Never could figure out what the ridge was for.
they have this mobile home roof coating you can buy for your rv, it works great, its a white color and also buy some caulking to seal around your ac and vent on top
Good luck with the play, I hope that you connect with what you need to have a better RV dwelling experience going forward. Hope that you were able to rest up. As always, I look forward to your latest videos.
I have been watching your vids and I like your personality, I am 55 and soon to be 56, a little late to be starting over, worked both wars, Iraq and Afghanistan, no money no honey is my life story, Fooled again. Time to get back to the states and start all over again, will not be fun, but I hope I can keep a positive attitude like you have, great vids.
I hAve fixed the same issue before it's not hard just unscrew the AC cut out the bad sections of wood, then build in with 1x2s or 2x4s then flap the roofing material in the hole if that makes sense, it's not hard I used a video on RUclips to help me fix mine hardest part was seaming the new roofing material to the old... Good luck buddy
Dude! The perfect conditions for collecting water!!! Make the best out of the worst situations!! We would drill a hole in the roof with the circular bit that its used to make the holes for the locks on doors, then put a sink or tub drain with a reducer, and a hose from the reducer to a 5 gal. bucket through the hole in its lid. Then add something heavy on top of the lid, so Jax does not tip it over again, and foam spray seal the roof to prevent leaks around the opening! 😃 (use the spray foam that says "flexible") -Mike ✌😃👍
thats what i was thinking free drinking water......but for jack put an live power cord on the floor so when he turn the water over jack wont know what hit em.
Carl M.W. That is so sick.Its'not clean enough to drink...maybe grey water. Anyone who would even joke about zotting a cat is just plain sick. No Huggs,silky
It is nice to see this vid. At some point in the future, hopefully soon, I will buy an R-Pod, or an Airstream and sort of downgrade, one of the things I am looking is exactly that, a curved roof trailer. Great early video.
Hi Eric, just my opinion but I don't think the water is coming from the pond and migrating all the way down to your skylight. It looks like the leak is coming directly from your skylight. I would personally remove the cover that goes over the skylight and seal the skylight surround with Dicor lap sealant. There should be sealant already there but probably bad. Don't use regular caulking. You will find Dicor at rv stores. I don't think the big box stores carry it. There is also the metal support near the skylight that could leak. It looks like the previous roof job tried to put the new roof up to the cover. That cover is supposed sit off the roof with a gap. Again just my opinion. I learned long time ago to fix my own work on my rv otherwise I don't think I could afford all the shop repairs.
OK Eric, I have an idea for the leak... I am going to recommend for now that you go to an automotive repair store (Advance, Auto Zone, Etc.) and check out the cost of some "rubberized undercoating spray." Get a few cans and spray that on areas where you think there may be a leak. It is the absolute best alternative for right now- assuming you can get somewhere and get the rv dry to apply it- such as a car wash or something. If you know where the leak is generally speaking, then you can put on a light layer, let it set, and then repeat two more times and that will help you hold off the monster until you can get a better situation to work with. As long as you stay off the roof and use your ladder properly, that should help. Wishing you luck and best results no matter what you chose or end up working with. You may look into the cost of having a body shop shoot the top with Line-X also. (The same stuff they use for bedliners in pick up trucks). Any rubberized spray would almost surely eliminate the leak issues and preserve the value of your rv... Thanks again for another great video and the best of luck to you! Good luck with the end of semester grades too.
I've actually been dealing with something similar with a leak near my ac for the past two weeks. I ripped my antenna out and covered the hole hoping that that is where most of the water is soaking into the ceiling insulation at. It is stressful and not the best living environment with a 5 gallon to catch water. But I'm hoping it's fixed enough to last me until my next RV in a year or two.
Thanks for sharing your stories, Eric. You are right on when you describe us sitting here watching you and wondering if we could do the same thing. The freedom appears to be so sweet and maybe one day I'll make my move. Keep up the videos and good luck with that damn leak! (ps- I'm from the Everett area so I totally get what you're saying about the rain. Don't give up on the PNW, we're about to enter the season where it shines in all its beauty!)
I guess that's why sometimes people say, "Be careful what you wish for!" I've had similar things happen to me. Sometimes going through these things is horrible - but still, when you look back, everything worked out perfectly. Proud of you, good for you! :D
interesting story , its funny how when it rains . its pours , . one thing goes bad then the other things start to follow , good thing about it though ,it all works it self out in the end . good luck with the leak ..
So sorry to hear about the loses you had to go through to create a lifestyle that was a dream of the both of you. I can't say I've been completely in your shoes, but I know a little heartache and definitely hitting rock bottom. Your videos have inspired us of the opposite ;p and Keep the vids coming!
ppl dont realize the amount of rain at coastal NW areas. the A/C units are heavy, better off of roof if possible. off hand, some type of stiff sturdy yet light material, braced across side to side, that can push up down the middle line of ceiling, w adjustment function like shim/wedge. prop. materials will take some poking around. i have used two, 4x4 posts, board plate on ends, longer than present height, drive in at angle, pref where can walk around. abs pipe 3in similar lighter more temporary. "like an underhoist stand"
Brother I complete relate to the long dream of living on the road. I have a mini van that is set up with a bed in the back and some storage. It isnt what you have but it will work. I have no income other then when I leave Florida Ill have a few bucks...enough to get me north about 1000 miles. After that I will use Craigslist to find day gigs for essentials. I also have an assortment of survival skills that will help in feeding myself. Oh and I have a metal detector...who knows...I can find some money or something worth money to help. Safe travels to you and if I get to the NW maybe we will meet up. Cheers
Addicted to your videos, and your cute cat. Never thought anything of the RV lifestyle until I stumbled on your vids. Now I'm seriously considering it. Great job!
I hope the other viewers ideas helped with your leeking problem. Im seriously thinking about living the nomadic life here in australia, traveling the country and working when i can also doing some gold prospecting. Ive found your site full of great and usefull information thanks heaps.
Your cat looked like he's a lover boy. A good snuggle buddy! Hang in there..... hope you get that leak fixed real soon and it doesn't cost you much money! ✌
I understand you on the relationship. I'm at that point and just trying to hold out as long as possible. On SS so try to save all I can each month until I can get my RV to go. At the age where starting over isn't an option so RVing looks like the best way for me too. Thanks
You are sure right about modern RV roofs. I'm looking at a 1996 Tioga and it has a bowed/arched roof. The only thing that scares me is the gas mileage(10mpg) but I guess that's unavoidable unless I get a small camper van but they are just too small for full time living.
YOU HAVE COME A LONG WAY~ AN RV TRAVEL SHOW SHOULD START A SERIES WITH YOUR TRAVELS, I THINK IT WOULD BE VERY SUCCESSFUL, MORE POWER TO YOU MY FRIEND!!
yea smart tip- my lesharo has a curved fiberglass roof but that has even leaked in the past but its not sagged in to pool water so its not so complex like your situation. bummer
Most RV's are still being built with flat roofs. It's the maintenance that counts. They HAVE to be maintained or they will eventually leak. I have a rubber roof, which means I have to put on a fresh coat of Dicor on every year. the AC should never make the roof drop. If that's happening, then there's a leak that has caused the roof structure to break down. I'm sorry. I know how very stressful this is! I had to make the decision to have my entire overhead cab rebuilt a couple of years ago. Windows also have to be maintained. They have to be taken out & resealed after 7 years, the rubber butyl breaks down. So that's one of my projects for the future. RV's can be maintenance, but the upside is, they are a much cheaper dwelling.
I have watch several of your video, I begin to like your life style. I am curious; What kinda job did you do before? What education level? Why didn't you look for another job? What do you do to make money to survive RV life?
So I am currently going through a similar situation that you went through with your ex and your lease situation. I was at a friends house the other night and I noticed they had an rv in the back of their house. We talked about me possibly renting it til I got a new place.Yesterday a couple of my friends in OR started suggesting that I move out there. So my natural thought process was to offer to purchase the RV and make that my new home, then use it to make the move to OR.. So I have been researching this for an entire day (many more days to come) and I made my way to your channel.. I have been watching your videos for almost 2 hrs and I am pretty freaking inspired.. I will probably seek some of your sage advise as I move forward!
Is that a rubber roof?......Maybe in the Spring/early Summer, when its not so wet or hot, you could remove the AC unit and take a look at the structure, between the inner and outer layers, to see the condition of the rafters?...I wood guess they are wood maybe? If it was sagging, and the structure wasn't completely rotted, you could shore up/push the rafters up and Gusset it, with some 3/4" pw, both glued and screwed in.....And if that does it, reinstall the AC Unit, and caulk and seal it up with some quality silicone type product......I know I have seen some newer product out there, that is a professionally sprayed on RV roof material, that is like a HD thick, bed liner product, that has been on RUclips videos, that people with older RV's are getting done Professionally at RV dealers/service centers....Just a though.....Tim
Look at 3M sealer plus the 3M primer for it. The right primer is very important, if the product needs it.. Your damage isnt very difficult to fix. It`s a 4 hour job.
You`re just not experienced, to pull vent roofs and air conditions out and seal them again. Take your time and clean the old stuff very good. before put the new sealer on. Than you don`t have problems for a decade, or longer. The surface has to be clean.
Until you get the roof fixed, try putting a weight in the bucket (something metal, or a small brick), to keep Jax from tipping it over. At the cage-free cat shelter I volunteer at, there's a wall pipe that leaks...we have 2 dumbell weights at the bottom of the bucket, because some of the cats (especially McGee and Stripes) like to try drinking out of it and end up tipping it over. And as I'm thinking about getting into RV living in the next 5 years or so, I guess I need to leash train Zinny... she bolts for the door, and last time she got out went missing for 5 months! :/
Nomadic Fanatic I'm not brilliant, another person was the one who weighted the bucket. I just dump out the water every time I clean (the drip is getting faster, the 5 gallon bucket needs to be emptied 3 times a week now!). I went to the hardware store today and saw about getting supplies to make a fold-up little catio type thing. I'll use hardware cloth and boards with hinges (for the folding up thing). Then I can pack it up and take it off the grass for my dad to mow the lawn, or store away for the winter :)
Nice way to live, wish I can do something like this, but I live on a small island, and there re no RVs here...lol...Maybe, someday, I'll be able to move stateside again and live the life of an RVer.
that's weird, my first camper was a toyota/dolphin camper that came from washington state to tenn., i loved it, self-contained, but we stopped using it after 3 years & it had leaks; i was constantlycaulking roof/windows, tarp, but anyways, it was fun while we use it/no air-conditioning, but i wouldn't have traded it for anything-i will most probably get another camper in the future, most useful is flex-seal.....lol....think your doing ok though!!
Any cat fan is a friend of mine. Beautiful cat, Eric. I've got one myself -- a rescue kitty. My companion. Here's my question: I'm 62, I've lived in the same beautiful apartment for 11 years now. The landlord -- my best friend who I knew my entire life -- passed away, and the family wants the house sold, meaning I have to leave here. The places I can afford won;t take cats. I refuse to give this cat up for adoption. No way. I'm on a fixed income, and considering seriously an RV. Any thoughts?
Loved the visit to the animal shelter. When I can get and RV, I'm thinking about getting a Teardrop trailer, truck camper, or an Airstream, cause I like the looks of them. Though, before I do that I need to learn how to drive and get a truck.
Nomadic Fanatic I like the tear drop, but I think I like the Scamp more, though I'm not sure which model I'll go with. I guess it depends on what my tow vehicle will be.
Big decision there, my friend. Something I've learned, pretty much every time I've taken the cheap route, I've ended up spending more in the long run than I would've if I'd just spent a little more to begin with for a more thorough job. I hope that made sense..
Sad to hear the roof ended up being the worst case scenario I mentioned on your roof issue video. Sad that the previous owner tried to cover it up with a resurfacing without fixing the deep rooted damage. Not to add more scare to it all, but from what I've seen (depending on circumstances) $1,000 to $5,800 on a Class C RV to have the roof replaced. Some places even said $100 per running foot of roof (Not counting material charges). I wish you the best in that situation. Hopefully it's a lot cheaper than what I've come across.
Nomadic Fanatic I doubt it is WORST case. I almost wonder if you could find a roofing company in your area, and see if they can fabricate a peaked tin roof for you.
I don't know what to do in a house or apartment. I have been on the road so long that I feel lost in a house. I know that is how I felt when I first hit the road, but I got used to it. After 7 years on the road. I barely remember what life was like before trucking.
Are you still doing this? In Olympia? I am trying to get a Chevy Cargo van since I already lived in a 16 foot 1980 RV that leaked like crazy. Never want to do that again.
Dang man, sorry my thoughts were right about the leaking ac, but... it's not a lost cause and not terribly expensive to repair yourself, just time consuming. Most campers/rv's have particle board roofs, I'd suggest replacing with a stronger plywood at least around the AC unit. Here is the video that shows you how to do it yourself. RV Roof Repair
As soon as I saw you were going to the shelter to visit the animals I knew you were a good guy.
My dogs name is Jaxx. He loves to use our motorhome.
I try to park a little off level to create some kind of pitch for water to run off.
Until the leak is fixed cover the problem section with a tarp
Nice dog name! I like your taste. :) And good idea about rain-runoff.
+64maxpower ahh i heard the baby cat love sent love cats @6:31 is there a video with TOP CAT +Nomadic Fanatic ROOF LEAK JUST GET A SEAL GLUE ITS CHEAP AND SEAL IT LOVE TO JACKS wow big CAT
It is very dangeres to go to the animel shelter just to see cutness. You might take some home. I did 2 times
I love that you cat is a major priority in your new life on wheels! That's awesome!
Please know that I really appreciate you sharing your experience on this subject, I recently finished college and sold my home of 14 years due to inability to find employment or even fair-employment..... I also sold my 22ft Jayco Jayflight and Suburban---because I realized that when I was away from my "debtor's prison" (with hot tub) I really didn't wanna go back to the suburbs.... I'm starting my life over, redefining success for myself this time and somewhere between building a tiny home on wheels or purchasing another RV..... and starting a web design business.....maybe.... attempting to run a mini-homestead possibly in the future.Blah Blah Blah..... THANK YOU again for your inspiration! and I can't wait to share your videos with my friends and family.
as to the bucket problem could you put a cord around the bucket and tie that to something to prevent it being moved by your cat or perhaps putting a heavy weight inside the bucket like brick or several that would keep the bucket upright despite the cat pushing or pulling on the bucket ?
I just found your videos recently and love them. My wife and I are returning to full-time life soon, your videos along with others are great inspiration, please keep them coming and stay safe!
Hi Eric and jax! I just subscribed I really like watching all the places you visit! I really feel I'm on the road along side of you two it fun !! Keep trucking 👍😎
My hubby fixed our pop up camper roof from leaking by using elastic roof coating. Just roll it on with a roller, can find the coating at most hardware stores like Lowes. It fills in the holes, its made for metal roofs like on single wide trailers. Works great on camper roofs.
Tar the tar out of it! Sounds crazy but it works! We made a mound around ours and it fixed it. Then we just do our yearly upkeep. We have a 32 foot 1983 holiday rambler. It has a carpeted roof which keeps it well insulated and we thought of putting an angle roof on it to help insulate from burning heat and getting too cold. We may also carpet the walls. We carpeted the entire floors. We did learn alot on 'how to's" in the slabs and from other RVers. It's an experience. Like gardening in an RV and Cooking without energy except from the sun. We were both laid off when we did all our traveling in the RV cross country.
Hi, I'm a subscriber & just watched this vid. Thank you for being an animal lover & spending time w/them. Jax is just adorable. I appreciate your tips on the RV mobile as well as sharing your humble beginnings. Keep on rollin.👍🏽😍
Another good video. Great story that you shared with us. Hopefully the leak does not cost too much to fix.
Interesting video. It was nice to hear a little about your personal life. Love Jax!
"Holy crap, every single puzzle piece is in place right now".... Luke 11:10
For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
2 thumbs up on what your doing! It takes a big set! The mobile recording setup is awesome! Good luck and be safe on your travels
Jax I am impressed by your tricks. I have to learn some by watching your videos.
That is so wonderful to travel with a cat! Im binge watching your videos today.
You hit the nail on the head about the leak. How do i know? I just recently had 2 leaks in my house roof after another horrendous flooding here in the Houston area. The repairer told me of 2 spots that were a little low that held rain water. So, If your roof holds water in spots, its going to leak at that spot or south (down) from it no matter what condition or how old your roof is. Lesson learned. You got it before I did though (darn it).
Love you & Jax! He's gorgeous. I'll be watching.
I would love to become a nomad. You are a slave to no one, Eric! You have a cute cat, too. Love your videos!
Good tip about the flat roof. Makes total sense to me.
I wouldn't listen to the folks who are suggesting you try and fix the roof yourself. Leaks are really hard to fix on the flat roofs and who will you go to if it doesn't stop and you have put out all that money and time doing it yourself. At least if you have a pro do it, you can go back to them if it doesn't work.
Good point about the flat roof. I hope it turns out ok for you.
Thanks for sharing your story. I'll continue to follow and watch.
Eric, Go to home depot and look for a can called Plasti Coat, it comes in 5 gal cans and you will need to get up on the roof of the rv and spread it on every seam, even if your roof leaks, after treatment it wont, use an old paint brush, and apply it heavy, this will be good for about 5 years, then grab a can of stuff called tenex, put it in a old oil can with a trigger and go around each window along any surfice that falling water can land on that will work for 5 years also, if the roof sags where the ac is you can pull the ac off the roof and marry 2 cross beams on both sides of the hole and then replace the ac unit, it is work but you can do it, and save your Motorhome, and some money. I use to build TravelAire Motorhomes and Six Pac Campers, trust me this is not new but pulling your roof off is a very complicated task that is not worth it believe me. Good Luck
I don't know if you've addressed the roof issues or not but I just went through the same stuff, I removed my AC unit completely, It was heavy but using boards to support my weight and its weight I was able to do it alone. a standard vent will fit in the hole, what you refer to as a skylight I think. even if some water ponds up there, a well sealed vent will stop it from coming in. I also sealed my roof with Gaco rubber roof, its supposed to be impervious to standing water.. Id get it fixed asap, that water will screw up the wood in your RV pretty fast.
I would tarp it up real good until then.. water is evil when it gets into an RV.. hope ya get a good weekend soon- I got lucky and had a good stretch earlier in late march and I was able to get everything sealed.
Great videos, man... Thanks for sharing your adventure. :)
I have been watching a lot of your vids. There great and thanks for making them.
My wife kid and I are all going to be moving into an RV in January. And it's kind of scary. We're both students and our son is 4. We're going to live on a family's piece of land until we're done with school so we won't be nomadic. We hope it works well for us.
By the way we live in Olympia! It's really cool to see someone doing this who is close to me.
If you ever read this let me know and maybe we could get coffee or something.
Thanks again,
Joey
I rebuilt a 24 foot trailer from the floor up in winter in Wisconsin. With nothing but hand tools. I would take off your roof and replace the cieling joists with 2 by 4's taken from center of 3.5" to edges of 1.5" and redo the ceiling with whatever waterproofing you want. I've planned a 16 foot trailer that I will build in time to hit the road in. I worked on the road for four years and the trailer I bought had dry rot and the front tried to peel (think of a banana). I strapped it down until I had my 3 month hiatus and rebuilt it (it only too a couple of weeks to do). I was careful with taking off the skin so it was reusable. My trailer will have 1/4 oil stained latex paint instead of aluminum skin. You rig will be dry rotting evrey interval between wet times. Better to take care of it sooner than let it fall apart (or blown apart).
Aww, sounds like you're all washed up in this one. I lived in my RV back in 1999-2000 down in Vancouver,WA at the Good Sam park near the Kentucky Fried Chicken on Hwy 99 and 78th Street in Hazel Dell! Of course I had a job working a 12 hour, 6 days a week, every other weekend off (3 day weekend 😀)!! So, I lived in the RV parked at the campground, and on my weekends off I unplugged and went "camping" usually to Cougar,WA around the APE CAVES area. I loved it! Wish I could do it again... working toward the dream now! 😍 God bless you, and keep trucking!
My wife and I both subscribed your channel (separately) recently and decided to watch from the beginning and we thank you very much for your videos :-) Thanks! It is quite entertaining and educational for non RV owner like us :-). It will help is greatly when we get RV in near future ;-)
Hi, I just discovered your channel. Fascinating that you live in an RV fulltime and great that you have your cat with you. I'm here in Europe living in an apartment. I dont know anything about RVs but it looks an interesting lifestyle. I don't get the impression there is much of a permanent RV scene over here. A question: do you use solar panels for electricity, eg on your roof? Will have to watch your other videos. Thanks & good luck!
First, I want you to know, I love your kitty. Second, I've been watching yours and a couple others' videos as I too am seriously considering changing to this lifestyle. I'm 55 years old and live on a small but fixed income. My reason is a little different in that I'm getting sick and tired of dealing with nasty landlords and paying someone else's mortgage. There's too many other reasons I won't bother to mention. I'm in Northern Cali at the moment but I'm getting ready to head back to Wenatchee, Washington where I hope, by the end of the summer, I'll have enough money to buy a used R.V.. So keep on making these videos.......I'm taking notes......and thanx!!
Thank you.....
Eric, Put a band-aid on that roof asap. What I do is shovel the snow/sweep the water frequently during or right after storms. I thought about how stupid the flat roofs are the very first time I got up on mine. On a sunny day get a couple tubes of all-weather silicone caulking and go crazy anywhere you think it might be leaking into the roof. Caulking the top edge of the front overhead window is important as well. Thumbs up on the Rainier beer, I go 45 miles to Cheyenne, Wy just to get that stuff! Also, put a big stone in the bucket and the cat won't be able to tip it over.
I'm sorry you're having a leak! Well winter is almost over...Right now to save money maybe you could temporarily seal around the ac with roof membrane. .. I hope you'll be able to get a quote for a cheap repair on your roof. I guess selling those mugs will come handy. We'll try to think of something! Good luck with your show!
I don't know if your RV's roof is like mine or not but I'll my two cents in. My roof is flat but has a little ridge (About 3/4 inch) built completely around all 4 edges. When it starts raining, water starts pooling. The A/C is the low point and water starts coming in through it. Before I got around to hacking part of that ridge away, I'd park when it rained with one end slightly higher. Never could figure out what the ridge was for.
Great video's Eric keep up the good work brother.
they have this mobile home roof coating you can buy for your rv, it works great, its a white color and also buy some caulking to seal around your ac and vent on top
Good luck with the play, I hope that you connect with what you need to have a better RV dwelling experience going forward. Hope that you were able to rest up.
As always, I look forward to your latest videos.
Thanks for the tip about the curved roof. :)
I have been watching your vids and I like your personality, I am 55 and soon to be 56, a little late to be starting over, worked both wars, Iraq and Afghanistan, no money no honey is my life story, Fooled again. Time to get back to the states and start all over again, will not be fun, but I hope I can keep a positive attitude like you have, great vids.
I hAve fixed the same issue before it's not hard just unscrew the AC cut out the bad sections of wood, then build in with 1x2s or 2x4s then flap the roofing material in the hole if that makes sense, it's not hard I used a video on RUclips to help me fix mine hardest part was seaming the new roofing material to the old... Good luck buddy
Dude! The perfect conditions for collecting water!!! Make the best out of the worst situations!! We would drill a hole in the roof with the circular bit that its used to make the holes for the locks on doors, then put a sink or tub drain with a reducer, and a hose from the reducer to a 5 gal. bucket through the hole in its lid. Then add something heavy on top of the lid, so Jax does not tip it over again, and foam spray seal the roof to prevent leaks around the opening! 😃 (use the spray foam that says "flexible")
-Mike ✌😃👍
thats what i was thinking free drinking water......but for jack put an live power cord on the floor so when he turn the water over jack wont know what hit em.
Carl M.W. That is so sick.Its'not clean enough to drink...maybe grey water. Anyone who would even joke about zotting a cat is just plain sick.
No Huggs,silky
It is nice to see this vid. At some point in the future, hopefully soon, I will buy an R-Pod, or an Airstream and sort of downgrade, one of the things I am looking is exactly that, a curved roof trailer. Great early video.
Hi Eric, just my opinion but I don't think the water is coming from the pond and migrating all the way down to your skylight. It looks like the leak is coming directly from your skylight. I would personally remove the cover that goes over the skylight and seal the skylight surround with Dicor lap sealant. There should be sealant already there but probably bad. Don't use regular caulking. You will find Dicor at rv stores. I don't think the big box stores carry it. There is also the metal support near the skylight that could leak. It looks like the previous roof job tried to put the new roof up to the cover. That cover is supposed sit off the roof with a gap. Again just my opinion. I learned long time ago to fix my own work on my rv otherwise I don't think I could afford all the shop repairs.
Being born and raised in Spokane now residing in Arizona what a flashback seeing that Rainier Can.
OK Eric, I have an idea for the leak... I am going to recommend for now that you go to an automotive repair store (Advance, Auto Zone, Etc.) and check out the cost of some "rubberized undercoating spray." Get a few cans and spray that on areas where you think there may be a leak. It is the absolute best alternative for right now- assuming you can get somewhere and get the rv dry to apply it- such as a car wash or something. If you know where the leak is generally speaking, then you can put on a light layer, let it set, and then repeat two more times and that will help you hold off the monster until you can get a better situation to work with. As long as you stay off the roof and use your ladder properly, that should help. Wishing you luck and best results no matter what you chose or end up working with. You may look into the cost of having a body shop shoot the top with Line-X also. (The same stuff they use for bedliners in pick up trucks). Any rubberized spray would almost surely eliminate the leak issues and preserve the value of your rv... Thanks again for another great video and the best of luck to you! Good luck with the end of semester grades too.
I am going to send you a message throught the YT message thing. I have an idea and you can tell me what you think- when you get time of course.
Your rule of 3rds. Video is great. Excellent information as you slowly creep toward 100K subscribers. Almost time to celebrate! Thanks for sharing.
I've actually been dealing with something similar with a leak near my ac for the past two weeks. I ripped my antenna out and covered the hole hoping that that is where most of the water is soaking into the ceiling insulation at. It is stressful and not the best living environment with a 5 gallon to catch water. But I'm hoping it's fixed enough to last me until my next RV in a year or two.
Thanks for the videos. Good luck with the roof.
We have a 1994 Catalina with a FLAT roof. I plan on putting beams across, against the ceiling. It'll look rustic and have a purpose.
Thanks for sharing your stories, Eric. You are right on when you describe us sitting here watching you and wondering if we could do the same thing. The freedom appears to be so sweet and maybe one day I'll make my move. Keep up the videos and good luck with that damn leak! (ps- I'm from the Everett area so I totally get what you're saying about the rain. Don't give up on the PNW, we're about to enter the season where it shines in all its beauty!)
I guess that's why sometimes people say, "Be careful what you wish for!" I've had similar things happen to me. Sometimes going through these things is horrible - but still, when you look back, everything worked out perfectly. Proud of you, good for you! :D
interesting story , its funny how when it rains . its pours , . one thing goes bad then the other things start to follow , good thing about it though ,it all works it self out in the end . good luck with the leak ..
So sorry to hear about the loses you had to go through to create a lifestyle that was a dream of the both of you. I can't say I've been completely in your shoes, but I know a little heartache and definitely hitting rock bottom. Your videos have inspired us of the opposite ;p and Keep the vids coming!
Hi I love watching your video and soon I want to get rv and living full time.
ppl dont realize the amount of rain at coastal NW areas. the A/C units are heavy, better off of roof if possible. off hand, some type of stiff sturdy yet light material, braced across side to side, that can push up down the middle line of ceiling, w adjustment function like shim/wedge. prop. materials will take some poking around.
i have used two, 4x4 posts, board plate on ends, longer than present height, drive in at angle, pref where can walk around. abs pipe 3in similar lighter more temporary. "like an underhoist stand"
Brother, I'm on the same path you are, your just a little further down the road. I worry sometimes.
Well, learn from my mistakes. :)
Yes you have a great RV since it only needs to accommodate you and Jax. I sure miss my 79 Tioga!
Brother I complete relate to the long dream of living on the road. I have a mini van that is set up with a bed in the back and some storage. It isnt what you have but it will work. I have no income other then when I leave Florida Ill have a few bucks...enough to get me north about 1000 miles. After that I will use Craigslist to find day gigs for essentials. I also have an assortment of survival skills that will help in feeding myself. Oh and I have a metal detector...who knows...I can find some money or something worth money to help. Safe travels to you and if I get to the NW maybe we will meet up. Cheers
Addicted to your videos, and your cute cat. Never thought anything of the RV lifestyle until I stumbled on your vids. Now I'm seriously considering it. Great job!
I hope the other viewers ideas helped with your leeking problem. Im seriously thinking about living the nomadic life here in australia, traveling the country and working when i can also doing some gold prospecting. Ive found your site full of great and usefull information thanks heaps.
Huge cat!! Now I can imagine where the $100/month goes
+Hamidati86 Eventually, into the litterbox. :)
Your cat looked like he's a lover boy. A good snuggle buddy! Hang in there..... hope you get that leak fixed real soon and it doesn't cost you much money! ✌
I understand you on the relationship. I'm at that point and just trying to hold out as long as possible. On SS so try to save all I can each month until I can get my RV to go. At the age where starting over isn't an option so RVing looks like the best way for me too. Thanks
You are sure right about modern RV roofs. I'm looking at a 1996 Tioga and it has a bowed/arched roof. The only thing that scares me is the gas mileage(10mpg) but I guess that's unavoidable unless I get a small camper van but they are just too small for full time living.
If you do need to use a bucket indoors again, weight the bottom with some rocks or bricks to prevent it being tipped over by man or beast.
YOU HAVE COME A LONG WAY~ AN RV TRAVEL SHOW SHOULD START A SERIES WITH YOUR TRAVELS, I THINK IT WOULD BE VERY SUCCESSFUL, MORE POWER TO YOU MY FRIEND!!
yea smart tip- my lesharo has a curved fiberglass roof but that has even leaked in the past but its not sagged in to pool water so its not so complex like your situation. bummer
Most RV's are still being built with flat roofs. It's the maintenance that counts. They HAVE to be maintained or they will eventually leak. I have a rubber roof, which means I have to put on a fresh coat of Dicor on every year. the AC should never make the roof drop. If that's happening, then there's a leak that has caused the roof structure to break down. I'm sorry. I know how very stressful this is! I had to make the decision to have my entire overhead cab rebuilt a couple of years ago. Windows also have to be maintained. They have to be taken out & resealed after 7 years, the rubber butyl breaks down. So that's one of my projects for the future. RV's can be maintenance, but the upside is, they are a much cheaper dwelling.
***** I don't care how much money a woman has, they all turn into "nags" and it's not worth it. Use the pu$$y and move on to the next. JMO.....
I have watch several of your video, I begin to like your life style. I am curious; What kinda job did you do before? What education level? Why didn't you look for another job? What do you do to make money to survive RV life?
So I am currently going through a similar situation that you went through with your ex and your lease situation. I was at a friends house the other night and I noticed they had an rv in the back of their house. We talked about me possibly renting it til I got a new place.Yesterday a couple of my friends in OR started suggesting that I move out there. So my natural thought process was to offer to purchase the RV and make that my new home, then use it to make the move to OR.. So I have been researching this for an entire day (many more days to come) and I made my way to your channel.. I have been watching your videos for almost 2 hrs and I am pretty freaking inspired.. I will probably seek some of your sage advise as I move forward!
I've always wondered why they mount AC units on the roof. Rear mounted ACs would handle condensation better.
Is that a rubber roof?......Maybe in the Spring/early Summer, when its not so wet or hot, you could remove the AC unit and take a look at the structure, between the inner and outer layers, to see the condition of the rafters?...I wood guess they are wood maybe? If it was sagging, and the structure wasn't completely rotted, you could shore up/push the rafters up and Gusset it, with some 3/4" pw, both glued and screwed in.....And if that does it, reinstall the AC Unit, and caulk and seal it up with some quality silicone type product......I know I have seen some newer product out there, that is a professionally sprayed on RV roof material, that is like a HD thick, bed liner product, that has been on RUclips videos, that people with older RV's are getting done Professionally at RV dealers/service centers....Just a though.....Tim
Look at 3M sealer plus the 3M primer for it. The right primer is very important, if the product needs it.. Your damage isnt very difficult to fix. It`s a 4 hour job.
I`m working on a campsite and RV & Caravan dealership. We fix this crap all day long. That`s why i know, that it`s not dramatic.
You`re just not experienced, to pull vent roofs and air conditions out and seal them again. Take your time and clean the old stuff very good. before put the new sealer on. Than you don`t have problems for a decade, or longer. The surface has to be clean.
It's only when you lose everything that you are free to do anything. Good for you man I envy your life.
Until you get the roof fixed, try putting a weight in the bucket (something metal, or a small brick), to keep Jax from tipping it over. At the cage-free cat shelter I volunteer at, there's a wall pipe that leaks...we have 2 dumbell weights at the bottom of the bucket, because some of the cats (especially McGee and Stripes) like to try drinking out of it and end up tipping it over.
And as I'm thinking about getting into RV living in the next 5 years or so, I guess I need to leash train Zinny... she bolts for the door, and last time she got out went missing for 5 months! :/
Nomadic Fanatic I'm not brilliant, another person was the one who weighted the bucket. I just dump out the water every time I clean (the drip is getting faster, the 5 gallon bucket needs to be emptied 3 times a week now!).
I went to the hardware store today and saw about getting supplies to make a fold-up little catio type thing. I'll use hardware cloth and boards with hinges (for the folding up thing). Then I can pack it up and take it off the grass for my dad to mow the lawn, or store away for the winter :)
Thank you so much for sharing! I love your personality. I love cats too. I have two. I've been thinking about RV life for a long time!!
hope you got rid of the leak
Nice way to live, wish I can do something like this, but I live on a small island, and there re no RVs here...lol...Maybe, someday, I'll be able to move stateside again and live the life of an RVer.
Rhino liner makes a coating for RVs that cuts down on heat transfer and would stop the leak.
eternabond tape is the best easiest roof repair . a 4"x 50 ft roll is $50. it will not stick to silicone but sticks to everything else
that's weird, my first camper was a toyota/dolphin camper that came from washington state to tenn., i loved it, self-contained, but we stopped using it after 3 years & it had leaks; i was constantlycaulking roof/windows, tarp, but anyways, it was fun while we use it/no air-conditioning, but i wouldn't have traded it for anything-i will most probably get another camper in the future, most useful is flex-seal.....lol....think your doing ok though!!
Bruh...u r great. Cats r everything!!
Respect, good luck. Wish I had your outlook.
Any cat fan is a friend of mine. Beautiful cat, Eric. I've got one myself -- a rescue kitty. My companion. Here's my question: I'm 62, I've lived in the same beautiful apartment for 11 years now. The landlord -- my best friend who I knew my entire life -- passed away, and the family wants the house sold, meaning I have to leave here. The places I can afford won;t take cats. I refuse to give this cat up for adoption. No way. I'm on a fixed income, and considering seriously an RV. Any thoughts?
How are you doing? I just read your comment. I hope you are well.
Loved the visit to the animal shelter. When I can get and RV, I'm thinking about getting a Teardrop trailer, truck camper, or an Airstream, cause I like the looks of them. Though, before I do that I need to learn how to drive and get a truck.
Nomadic Fanatic I like the tear drop, but I think I like the Scamp more, though I'm not sure which model I'll go with. I guess it depends on what my tow vehicle will be.
Excellent channel, love the vids. Where do you or how do you move your car and R.V around?
Thanks for the reply, keep the great vids coming. thanks.
Big decision there, my friend. Something I've learned, pretty much every time I've taken the cheap route, I've ended up spending more in the long run than I would've if I'd just spent a little more to begin with for a more thorough job. I hope that made sense..
Sad to hear the roof ended up being the worst case scenario I mentioned on your roof issue video. Sad that the previous owner tried to cover it up with a resurfacing without fixing the deep rooted damage. Not to add more scare to it all, but from what I've seen (depending on circumstances) $1,000 to $5,800 on a Class C RV to have the roof replaced. Some places even said $100 per running foot of roof (Not counting material charges). I wish you the best in that situation. Hopefully it's a lot cheaper than what I've come across.
Nomadic Fanatic I doubt it is WORST case. I almost wonder if you could find a roofing company in your area, and see if they can fabricate a peaked tin roof for you.
for RV'n you don't need a dog. Dogs in an RV are a pain, cats are purrrrrrrfect.
Its worth a look, not sure how it would work but it sounds like it could. Google "RV Roof Replacement Using Line-X on a Weekend Warrior"
I love Jax! What a cool cat!
U rock buddy..
The Collapse of America is now...
You're gonna make it, you will be successful, you already are.
I don't know what to do in a house or apartment. I have been on the road so long that I feel lost in a house. I know that is how I felt when I first hit the road, but I got used to it. After 7 years on the road. I barely remember what life was like before trucking.
Are you still doing this? In Olympia? I am trying to get a Chevy Cargo van since I already lived in a 16 foot 1980 RV that leaked like crazy. Never want to do that again.
Love Jax... So Cute
What a lovely cat and such a big guy...X3
Dang man, sorry my thoughts were right about the leaking ac, but... it's not a lost cause and not terribly expensive to repair yourself, just time consuming. Most campers/rv's have particle board roofs, I'd suggest replacing with a stronger plywood at least around the AC unit. Here is the video that shows you how to do it yourself.
RV Roof Repair
water leaks are tough to find,but work at it,see if you can trace it down.Dye with a black light.
Aww, nice that you showed the kitties in the beginning. ;o)