dmkberger
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I'm an old guy who likes working on old stuff, trailers are new to me... I'm tryin'!
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1953 Fleetwood 13'
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Post by dmkberger on Nov 28, 2019 19:27:11 GMT -8
Hello all, Newbie with a LARGE project underway, a two owner '53 Fleetwood Travel Trailer.
To date we've went from thinking of using it the way it was when we purchased it, to tearing it down to the bare frame and starting over from scratch.
We are going to put it back to almost what it was when it was new, but we have no idea what it looked like inside or out when new, other than to look at pictures of a very few of this trailer we've been able to find and one that was redone, that came to town for a yearly gathering here in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. The trailer we saw was a completely redone unit with two tone blue and white and it had a girl who was writing a blog about the trailer and her experiences while cruising around the country towing this lovely little trailer. I don't remember her name or the name of the blog which carries the same name as the trailer...
We are gonna put the insides back to the warm birch plywood look that was covered in clear varnish. We have not been able to find the birch plywood thus far, so we will use whatever we can find that is close. We are however going to "update" the insides with modern conveniences like a microwave, a real refrigerator/freezer, Bluetooth sound system and an air conditioner, which is necessary where we live. We will have the cabinets, seating and a table that resembles the stuff from the day. The flooring will be as close to the original linoleum as possible.
Right now it is down to one wall and the several layers of flooring that remain. That will be torn out tomorrow and we will then start fresh. I have already put new leaf springs in and a new updated tongue jack. The electrical will be updated to modern wiring as well as the plumbing, which will be minimalistic, but very useful and modern.
The car we will be towing this with is a resto modded 1957 Ranchero. It will be painted to match the Ranchero, but will retain the original pattern.
I've been trying to figure out this "flickr" thing and wish I lived closer to my grandkids who could figure it out in a flash. I will be posting pictures as soon as I can master flickr….
We did the total tear down once we took four coats of paint off and found that the Hillrod Family Robinson had gotten to it first and made a mess of the structure, canned hams need structure to be SAFE and I will NOT subject my wife to an unsafe canned ham for anything. Therefore we had to go all out and start over. Pictures to come soon, I hope!
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nccamper
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1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
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Post by nccamper on Dec 1, 2019 20:49:31 GMT -8
Welcome!
I look forward to the photos.
I'm glad you're doing what's needed to make the camper safe.
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dmkberger
New Member
I'm an old guy who likes working on old stuff, trailers are new to me... I'm tryin'!
Posts: 14
Likes: 1
1953 Fleetwood 13'
Currently Offline
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Post by dmkberger on Dec 6, 2019 12:15:12 GMT -8
Here are several pictures of the trailer as it was when we found it. We paid $200.00 for it and it had in it a nice tow bar that we sold for $100.00 and a five man tent we got $20.00 for, so we paid $80.00 for it in the end. Not too bad if you ask me. We were going to use it as it was and found it too far gone to use safely, so it was torn down to the frame, where it stands to date. I have made a new floor, the bottom of the floor anyway. I have to straighten out a couple of the cross members that were rammed into something fairly solid. Once the floor is done and the frame is straightened out and undercoated, I am adding steps from a 1958 Kenskill that was destroyed by the owner who left it open to the elements for far too long. Once the frame is done, steps installed and all undercoating is finished, we are then tending to the walls, which were torn up and redone by the Hillrod family Robinson, they made the trailer into a University of Utah tailgate party wagon. They tore out most of the interior, made a mess of the skin and added six layers of floor to it over the years. I have documented all of the tear down and all of the rebuild to this point. I will post more pictures as I have time to sit here at my computer, maybe later today. ![]() |
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dmkberger
New Member
I'm an old guy who likes working on old stuff, trailers are new to me... I'm tryin'!
Posts: 14
Likes: 1
1953 Fleetwood 13'
Currently Offline
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Post by dmkberger on Dec 6, 2019 12:21:47 GMT -8
![]() Try as I might, I am not able to insert an image.... ![https://www.flickr.com/photos/160991744@N06/49179309662/in/dateposted-public/]() Actually it seems to have worked, kind of ![]() Nope, it worked once and then this is what I get.... ![https://www.flickr.com/photos/160991744@N06/49178607128/in/dateposted-public/]() |
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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 Dec 6, 2019 14:34:31 GMT -8
![]() Try as I might, I am not able to insert an image.... ![https://www.flickr.com/photos/160991744@N06/49179309662/in/dateposted-public/]() Actually it seems to have worked, kind of ![]() Nope, it worked once and then this is what I get.... ![https://www.flickr.com/photos/160991744@N06/49178607128/in/dateposted-public/]() There is a tutorial here somewhere that you can use. I use my own server so I don't know how it works. But I went to your flicker page and saw your trailer. Nice rot you have there. You made a wise decision to to a complete frame off rebuild. I LOVE the shape. It's a true canned ham shape. Looks a lot like a Hanson Love Bug model 17. It's going to be beautiful. The things you need to make sure about is that you get the Floor To Ceiling cabinet right. It should go next to the door because it's the main structure that gives the trailer structural integrity. Being next to the door because the door is a HUGE weak point in the wall being that it's a big gaping hole. Also the kitchen cabinet and any over head cabinets are required for structural integrity. The bed and the dinette seats are important but they only handle about 10% by themselvs. Still needed though. Good luck and remember that we are all here to help. |
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Post by Teachndad on Dec 23, 2019 6:10:49 GMT -8
![]() Try as I might, I am not able to insert an image.... ![https://www.flickr.com/photos/160991744@N06/49179309662/in/dateposted-public/]() Actually it seems to have worked, kind of ![]() Nope, it worked once and then this is what I get.... ![https://www.flickr.com/photos/160991744@N06/49178607128/in/dateposted-public/]() Hi Dale, Follow the directions from the tutorial link that NCCamper posted above. Then go read this short thread. vintagetrailertalk.freeforums.net/thread/11078/flickr-update Copy the BBC code into the reply to post the photo. I hope this helps. Rod (and Reel) |
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dmkberger
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I'm an old guy who likes working on old stuff, trailers are new to me... I'm tryin'!
Posts: 14
Likes: 1
1953 Fleetwood 13'
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Post by dmkberger on Jan 9, 2020 14:26:13 GMT -8
Teachndad, I sure would like to find a window just like the one on your post...
I have one that the Hillrod Family Robinson cut apart to install plexiglass in the lower right opening window. I am very new to this and I am not up to snuff on terminology...
I have a whole trailer full of Hehr Windows that I am looking for parts for.
This family that I got the trailer from just destroyed whatever they did not understand how to repair...
This stuff is aluminum and needs to be treated gently, not torqued to the N'th degree or bent and twisted to hold a window closed or for whatever purpose they did the things they did...
I'm gonna work on the picture thing and see what I can accomplish, I have nothing but time right now, I'm down with walking pneumonia and a partially collapsed right lung, not fun by the way...
Thanks for your input and look for pictures here soon, I Hope!
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dmkberger
New Member
I'm an old guy who likes working on old stuff, trailers are new to me... I'm tryin'!
Posts: 14
Likes: 1
1953 Fleetwood 13'
Currently Offline
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Post by dmkberger on Jan 9, 2020 15:04:28 GMT -8
![]() Here I go again, wish me luck.... ![]() |
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mobiltec
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1954 Jewel In Progress...
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Post by mobiltec on Jan 9, 2020 17:09:12 GMT -8
Chris, (trailer trasher) might have what you need. Also for gaskets and other consumables for windows you might try Bob at Vintage Trailer Gaskets. He has downloadable print outs of all HEHR windows and shows you on his website to how to find the diagram you need to replace parts with. Here are both of their contacts. Trailer Trasher (Chris) trailertrasher1@gmail.com Bob at Vintage Trailer Gaskets www.vintagetrailergaskets.comAlso I have videos showing you how to repair and restore these windows. www.cannedhamtrailers.comHope that helps. |
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dmkberger
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I'm an old guy who likes working on old stuff, trailers are new to me... I'm tryin'!
Posts: 14
Likes: 1
1953 Fleetwood 13'
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Post by dmkberger on Jan 11, 2020 16:55:05 GMT -8
I don't know what I keep doing wrong, but there is a picture here  DSC05945 |
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mobiltec
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1954 Jewel In Progress...
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Post by mobiltec on Jan 11, 2020 17:16:28 GMT -8
I don't know what you are doing wrong either but the photos of your build are great. |
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dmkberger
New Member
I'm an old guy who likes working on old stuff, trailers are new to me... I'm tryin'!
Posts: 14
Likes: 1
1953 Fleetwood 13'
Currently Offline
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Post by dmkberger on Jan 14, 2020 15:55:54 GMT -8
![]() mobiletec, thanks for the links to window gaskets and such. I can really use that kind of thing. I am going to try to post a few of the pictures I took today. The build is going so much easier than I could have ever hoped for, I'm a car guy and I'm used to working with metal, wood is like speaking Japanese for me, I had no idea how to do most of what I've already figured out with the help of guys like you on this forum and others as well. I do apppreciate the help and the pats on the back, makes me feel less retarded than I actually am! flic.kr/p/2ifa5B flic.kr/p/2ifb5CF flic.kr/p/2ifb5uE flic.kr/p/2ifa5Bp flic.kr/p/2ifa4Rg |
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nccamper
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1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
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Post by nccamper on Jan 17, 2020 7:20:19 GMT -8
Nice work.
When your photo is open in flicker click the small arrow in the lower right hand corner. This will pop up. Click BBcode. Copy the line above "thumbnail" and paste it in your post.
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WhitneyK
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'67 Shasta Compact
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Post by WhitneyK on Jan 17, 2020 8:16:03 GMT -8
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dmkberger
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I'm an old guy who likes working on old stuff, trailers are new to me... I'm tryin'!
Posts: 14
Likes: 1
1953 Fleetwood 13'
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Post by dmkberger on Jan 23, 2020 16:30:48 GMT -8
I'm still trying to find a way to post pictures, but First! I am in need of a Hehr window from the 50's, it is 18" wide and 14" tall. If you look at the picture that WhitneyK posted above in the attempt to help me post pictures, the window that looks out of place is being replaced, I have the walls off and need to locate a window, glass is not necessary, I need the frame and the pieces to open it, the little rod that moves the window in and out, and basically the whole assembly with or without glass. Anyone know of a place to look for such a window? There's a place to sell on this forum, but no where to list "Wanted" stuff.... HELP ME PLEASE!
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