spidermom44
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Post by spidermom44 on Oct 5, 2019 9:44:12 GMT -8
His guys, I just want to hear how long your full restorations took. Did you set out a timeline? Did you work every day straight? Weekends only? Here or there? Were your expectations met, as far as time, or did you disregard time all together and just give in to the process? This is just for fun, to hear your stories. Maybe make me feel better about my progress, haha.
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shastatom
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I can chase women or fix campers, I choose to fix what I understand........... campers.
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Shasta 54,57 1500 58 Airflyte
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Post by shastatom on Oct 5, 2019 10:16:21 GMT -8
My first frame off restoration took about 5 1\2 months before I was camping. I started researching all winter but went and got the camper at the end of march, had it taken down to the frame in mid april and started the rebuild. I worked on it every night after work from 5 to 9 or 10, most weekends from 9 to 9. You will see in my signature my progress and pictures. I figured I had about 650 hours into it when all was said and done and I lost track of the money when I hit 5000 and I wasn't even close to being done. The second one took me 2 years and that was a fix what needed to be fixed. But in Minnesota you lose 6 months to cold and no place to work. Again I have pictures and logged that progress as well. vintagetrailertalk.freeforums.net/thread/9769/58-shasta-restoration-progressFirst restoration vintagetrailertalk.freeforums.net/thread/8297/shasta-camper-restoration-rebuild-begins
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spidermom44
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Post by spidermom44 on Oct 5, 2019 10:42:34 GMT -8
My first frame off restoration took about 5 1\2 months before I was camping. I started researching all winter but went and got the camper at the end of march, had it taken down to the frame in mid april and started the rebuild. I worked on it every night after work from 5 to 9 or 10, most weekends from 9 to 9. You will see in my signature my progress and pictures. I figured I had about 650 hours into it when all was said and done and I lost track of the money when I hit 5000 and I wasn't even close to being done. The second one took me 2 years and that was a fix what needed to be fixed. But in Minnesota you lose 6 months to cold and no place to work. Again I have pictures and logged that progress as well. vintagetrailertalk.freeforums.net/thread/9769/58-shasta-restoration-progressFirst restoration vintagetrailertalk.freeforums.net/thread/8297/shasta-camper-restoration-rebuild-beginsWow, I love seeing the whole progression. Thanks for documenting so well and for sharing. Funny, I had already read your post a few months back. It helped seeing all your detail.
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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 Oct 5, 2019 12:08:42 GMT -8
I took 10 months to redo mine to be camp able. Took it to the frame, working on it whenever I could. Lots of weekend, after work, and days off work because of rain. Once I had it Camp able I have slowed down. I still have a few things to complete but I have decided to not be in a rush to complete them and get enjoy having some free time and spend time with family. After all if you spend all your time and money on your project you will get burned out before you even start enjoying it........... Debra
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kirkadie
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'69 Serro Scotty Hilander
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Post by kirkadie on Oct 5, 2019 15:23:19 GMT -8
I refuse to answer on the grounds of embarrassment and unforeseen disasters that have taken precedence over fun and progress. I will admit to having it down to floor and frame and all closed up with new material in one summer.
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spidermom44
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Post by spidermom44 on Oct 5, 2019 15:24:16 GMT -8
I refuse to answer on the grounds of embarrassment and unforeseen disasters that have taken precedence over fun and progress. I will admit to having it down to floor and frame and all closed up with new material in one summer. 😂
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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 Oct 5, 2019 17:51:11 GMT -8
Here's the deal... It takes as long as it takes.
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nccamper
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1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
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Post by nccamper on Oct 5, 2019 18:37:08 GMT -8
With new skin and a paint job added to repairs it takes me around 5 months 40 hours a week. In the end, winter slows me down, travel slows me down, pollen when I'm waiting to paint slows me down...etc.
As a rule I refuse to take a deposit on a camper before it's complete. It turns a hobby into a job with a customer. Ick!
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Post by danrhodes on Oct 5, 2019 18:56:19 GMT -8
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nccamper
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1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
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Post by nccamper on Oct 6, 2019 5:00:42 GMT -8
This is an excellent thread for new members. The message seems clear to me… restore a vintage camper if you love the challenge. Because it is a challenge. Part carpentry, part electrical, part plumbing, part restoration to preserve the history, part new to make it functional in a new era, etc, etc. It takes time. Lots of time.
The silver lining?
People with real talent restore these campers as a hobby. Once they’re finished, the camper has to go to make space for the next one. This means a great deal on a properly restored camper. You can be on the road tomorrow for around $10,000.
So you can buy a $1000 rotten, unsafe camper, put $4000-$8000 in it plus every weekend for a year or two, or be camping tomorrow by paying $1-$2 an hour for the labor of a hobbyist.
Dan said something profound above… “That includes a few weeks of "this is going to the dump" pausing.”
If you make it past the “It's going to the dump!” stage, you’re golden!
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mobiltec
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1954 Jewel In Progress...
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Post by mobiltec on Oct 6, 2019 7:35:18 GMT -8
Here is a fun little video one of my students produced showing the entire process up to but not including paint. This is a 58 Deville just like the one I did. His entire family helped with the project.
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Post by danrhodes on Oct 6, 2019 14:30:04 GMT -8
That video is awesome. That's the kind of build I want to do next, one more time, when my girls are a bit older and will appreciate their contributions. Is the creator a member here?
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aslmx
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Post by aslmx on Oct 6, 2019 15:38:52 GMT -8
2 years and counting. We are really close now. It’s a money thing now. We are within $500 of finishing. Lol
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ruderunner
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Post by ruderunner on Oct 6, 2019 15:51:45 GMT -8
Since im a cheap bast... I'm patient. Ill wait for good deals on materials, thus far ive only got about 1000 into this project and about a year time.
Winter is coming so the yard and garden won't be eating my weekends and ill make more progress over winter. Im lucky enough to have a heated shop for this. Also i have all of the wood needed as well as wiring and about half the plumbing. Should be ready for skins by spring.
Skins will be the real money eater, im estimating about 5000 since its its all custom.
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nccamper
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1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
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Post by nccamper on Oct 6, 2019 18:02:08 GMT -8
Skins will be the real money eater, im estimating about 5000 since its its all custom. Skin is definitely our biggest expense. Hemet .03 skin for a 15' camper including jrail runs around $2500 but it saves weeks of prep and body work and looks great. If you want a white camper with just a design (Like a Z) it saves a bundle on paint.
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