kube815
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Post by kube815 on Feb 24, 2019 17:30:07 GMT -8
My name is Zachary and I just joined because I just bought a 1971 Mobile Traveler camper trailer. First let me say I wish I had came here first and read mobiltech’s post to newbies before making a spur of the moment decision. I did everything he said not to. Now I’m in deep and going to try and make the best of it. I have found very little on this camper. As in I have only found two pictures of this camper through google and that the company no longer exists as of 1991. It is I believe 18 ft. Single axle and seems similar to a Shasta except the door is behind of the wheels. Tons of water damage but luckily no dead animals. I started tearing it apart from the inside thinking I would just patch some things and it would be good. I was wrong so after many videos and reading tons of posts I’m rebuilding everything. So far just taken everything out of the inside and I’m ready to start removing walls. I have come to find out that the skins are glued to foam insulation that is glued to the wood paneling. Is this normal? Because it is really stressing me out 😅 anyway I’m really looking forward to this restoration and any advice that anyone has.
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debranch
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Wee Camp
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71 Shasta Compact
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Post by debranch on Feb 24, 2019 17:56:31 GMT -8
Welcome kube815, first you need to work from the outside in to repair your camper. There is lots of info here, and a lot of things that we can learn from the group of people on this site. If you repair it correctly you will have a safe camper that will serve you for many years of camping. This group loves to see pictures, so set up a flickr account it will help us help you. Debra
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nccamper
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1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
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Post by nccamper on Feb 24, 2019 19:36:31 GMT -8
Welcome!
I second the call for photos.
"I have come to find out that the skins are glued to foam insulation that is glued to the wood paneling. Is this normal?" I've never seen glue everywhere but I usually work on older campers.
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Post by bigbill on Feb 25, 2019 5:26:23 GMT -8
I'm not familiar with your unit but many of these type units are beyond reasonable repair. The walls were built as a complete unit between a sandwich device that held everything in place while foam was expanding. This made a strong wall but difficult repairs. Also many of these had a reaction of materials that caused the outside skin to develop small perforations allowing water infiltration which induced rot. Hopefully this is not the case with your unit. They were very light and well insulated but in many cases not repairable for the average person. Please post pictures and keep us advised of your progress.
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mobiltec
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I make mistakes so you don't have to...
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1954 Jewel In Progress...
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Post by mobiltec on Feb 26, 2019 20:20:50 GMT -8
Your trailer sounds like it's built a lot like Winnebegos. They also have the paneling glued to the foam insulation. Bill may be right. This one may not be the restorable kind. I don't mean to be the messenger of bad news. I would have to see some photos to see if it's worth rebuilding or not. You could end up with $8k or more into it easily and would never be able to sell it for that.
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kube815
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Post by kube815 on Feb 28, 2019 18:22:22 GMT -8
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kube815
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Post by kube815 on Feb 28, 2019 18:24:38 GMT -8
Also not sure I did the pictures correctly being I did them from the app on my phone
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nccamper
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1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
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Post by nccamper on Feb 28, 2019 19:19:58 GMT -8
"You could end up with $8k or more into it easily and would never be able to sell it for that"
This thought raises a great question every member faces...how badly do I want it?
Some members rebuild campers that have been in their family for over 50 years or remind them of a simpler time in their life. They had no intention of selling and they didn't care about money. Others just love the challenge.
At first glance, I would proceed slowly because once you start pouring money into a camper it's hard to stop. This type of camper is not a restoration you do for profit but it may be a fun challenge. And in the end you may have a great camper.
(Full disclosure: I am one of the most profitable restoration people on the east coast. I made $1.72 an hour on my last restoration. So I know how to make top dollar on a vintage camper.) ;-)
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ozmo
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Peeling a fresh 59 Airflyte today.
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Shasta airflyte
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Post by ozmo on Mar 11, 2019 11:29:10 GMT -8
kube815, Welcome to the camper addiction! Your camper's type of construction is new to me as well. Repairs are usually done in reverse of construction. If your skins ( outside metal ) are OK go for fixing it. If the metal is bad..well that would stink. I would cut and run or part it out.
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ozmo
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Peeling a fresh 59 Airflyte today.
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Shasta airflyte
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Post by ozmo on Mar 11, 2019 11:38:19 GMT -8
kube815, I have repaired model airplanes that were made of foam with wood lamination. With these you cut away the bad foam and wood and glue in new foam and wood structure. Again if the outside metal isn't good it isn't worth it in my opinion. Yours will be the same as the all wood ones in so much as it will have leaked around the doors, windows, vent and corners. Look into and I mean INTO those areas to make your decision. Also get under this thing and assess your floor before you make a decision. Good Luck!
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ozmo
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Peeling a fresh 59 Airflyte today.
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Shasta airflyte
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Post by ozmo on Mar 11, 2019 11:54:46 GMT -8
Watch Mobiltec's videos for references as to how these things go together. Basically they build the floor then they place the cabinets ( cabinets hold up the side walls) the and back walls and roof get stuck on between the walls.
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