alexrepair
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1970 Scotsman Model 1500
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Post by alexrepair on Jun 6, 2023 10:43:54 GMT -8
Hello all members of VTT, I am a new member here as I got from my friend this travel trailer. He bought a house and this Scotsman and another really old and big trailer without any paperwork where sitting on back of his property. I showed interest in this small and got it for free! Now after researching and reading/viewing all pictures of rotted wood I think it is too much involved to get title, plates, and moreover to restore this 53 years old trailer. What would be your advise? Ready to hear many different points from all experienced campers/re-builders and would really appreciate it. Just to be noted English is my second language and I did not always get some slang meaning. Here are some pics:
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alexrepair
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1970 Scotsman Model 1500
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Post by alexrepair on Jun 6, 2023 10:51:33 GMT -8
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Post by vikx on Jun 6, 2023 11:46:15 GMT -8
Welcome,
It will need a lot of work to bring it back. If there is no title, research your area on getting one. Without a title, you might consider selling it as is. There is not a great deal of value in this trailer even when rebuilt, so do it for your own enjoyment.
Scotsman trailers also have plywood walls, so the builds tend to be a little more difficult. We are here to help if you decide to go ahead with the build.
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nccamper
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1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
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Post by nccamper on Jun 8, 2023 5:06:00 GMT -8
I agree with vikx, the key is getting the title. And plywood walls are something you should research before getting into it
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WhitneyK
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'67 Shasta Compact
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Post by WhitneyK on Jun 8, 2023 17:05:07 GMT -8
But! It all seems to be there!
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gary350
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We should have gone camping today it is going to snow 6" tonight.
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1964 FAN
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Post by gary350 on Jun 12, 2023 3:43:08 GMT -8
I have rebuild several old trailers I enjoy doing it. I only built trailers for the family to camp in. As the children grew larger we had different needs. When children were gone we only needed 1 bed. When we were much older we needed a toilet at 3 am every night. After that we needed a shower too. Now we require a real mattress on the bed where no one has to climb over the other person to get out of bed.
Some states like AZ it is impossible to get a new vin number and title. In TN I can get a state inspection and new vin number for $25 and a new title for $9 and tags for $14.
I have an old 1963 Fan that has been setting in the yard for 3 years covin made lumber prices go sky high plywood was $90 per sheet and 2x4s were $10 each. Last week I checked lumber prices they have come down plywood is now $27 each. It is now time to rebuild my vintage camper trailer.
You might be able to bandaid patch your camper good enough to camp in but it needs to be safe. Look under the camper if rotted wood in bolted to the metal frame there is a danger the camper body will blow off of the frame driving down the highway. A few years ago someone posted photos where they use several cargo straps around the entire camper body to hold the body to the metal frame while driving 65 mph on the highway. They fixed there camper good enough to camp it is. LOL. Funny idea but it worked for them and saved they a lot of money and work.
I think it is worth it to tare down a camper to the frame then build it back brand new. Do a nice job it is worth $8000 depending on side and demand.
I don't know what the rounded front end thing is called on your camper but the camper I need to restore has that rounded thing too. I am going to cut that rounded thing off with tin snips it gives the trailer a more desirable look. Not many people like that rounds ball shape thing but there are other people that like that round ball thing they are very hard to find that makes the trailer more desirable to a small group of people. WE do not want to go camping in a stupid looking camper trailer and that round ball shape makes the camper harder to rebuild.
Spray outside aluminum with full strength laundry bleach wait 15 minutes then rinse away bleach with water hose trailer will look brand new. Your camper looks very good in the pictures. I wish I was there to inspect your camper it looks like an easy fix to me.
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Post by Teachndad on Jun 15, 2023 5:12:15 GMT -8
Hi Friends,
I owned a Scotsman for a while. People really like them or they don't because of the protruding "forehead". Like Vikx said, the trailer has plywood walls. These are harder to work on than the more common wall with studs. That rounded forhead makes for a greater challenge.
My Scotsman had rot in all the same places. I got it for free and eventually put new tires on it and sold it to another restorer for low price. I knew I didn't want to tackle the plywood walls issue. I think that the opinion of an easy rebuild is based on a person's skills and experiences. A person with previous woodworking experience is going to look at a trailer a lot different than someone with no experience. I respectfully disagree that this is a trailer that is an easy fix.
Cheers,
Rod
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alexrepair
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1970 Scotsman Model 1500
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Post by alexrepair on Jun 16, 2023 19:49:09 GMT -8
Thank you for your inputs. I am really appreciate that!
About title, so I went to DOL and was giving 5 pages to do: state vin inspection, ownership in doubt, weight trailer, and price from RV company. It is hard to get the appointment for inspection as there no open space available (need to check regularly every morning).
Checked walls and they are plywood walls. Actually there I think three 3/8 4'x8' plywood on each side and one on each ends, so total 8 pieces would be enough to redo it, plus to it four, not sure of the thicknes yet, 4'x8' plywood for the roof.
Not sure about how the corners of the walls connected between ( Glued? ) or they should be (T and G + glue) I don't know how to name it.
If someone can share the link to some videos or websites.
Blessings to all!
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Post by vikx on Jun 17, 2023 10:37:19 GMT -8
Please remove the skins before buying repair wood. Plywood walls are especially hard to work with and must be complete and sturdy from top to bottom. Windows, seams and door openings are usually re-enforced with one by trim, about 3.5" wide.
The ceiling may be much thinner than 3/8. My Corvette was 1/8 thick with 3/4 rafters . It followed the curves well and I added backers to strengthen the connection of ceiling panel to wall. (easy to hide in cabinets under bed, dinettes, etc.) As I remember, my ply was 1/2" thick. Working with thin walls takes some ingenuity, as the screws don't grip as firmly as you'd like and the points tend to poke thru.
I used trim screws to attach the rafters. They are thinner and won't crack the ply if predrilled. The backers really helped.
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gary350
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We should have gone camping today it is going to snow 6" tonight.
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1964 FAN
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Post by gary350 on Jun 19, 2023 3:38:15 GMT -8
Your camper pictures look like it only needs a little work. Build light with 2x2 boards. Floor should be 7 ply 3/4" plywood. Walls 2x2 lumber. 2x2s are same price as 2x4 but all 2x2s I are bent like a banana and worthless in a camper. I bought a $250 table saw to cut 2x4s in half to make good 2x2s. Door frame should be 2x4. Window 5 ft wide needs a 2x4 on top. Build everything inside with 2x2 lumber. Roof needs to be 2x4 cut in a truss shape 2x2 on both ends with 2x4 is center so rain water runs down hill off the roof. What State do you live in? I wish you were near me in Murfreesbore TN I could help you. I wish I could post pictures here. Passing inspection is all safety, correct ST tires, correct lights, safety chains, electric brakes, mud flaps, camper weight. You can build a 5:1 ration fulcrum beam scale to weigh your camper with a 2x8 board using bathroom scales. If scales says each tire wt is 100 lbs and tongue is 80 lbs = 500 + 500 + 400 = 1400 lbs total. Don't use any heavy lumber like OSB or particle board in your trailer. It is easy to get state inspection in TN fill out papers, 30 days later state trooper comes to house and does a 20 minute inspection $25 an gives camper a new VIN number. It takes 15 minutes to get a new title at DMV and new tags $15 and $10. Bring your camper to my house pretend you live in TN to get, VIN, title & tags. Inside camper walls should be 3/16" plywood. No plywood on outside walls only aluminum on walls and roof. If you live in AZ hell will freeze before you get a new VIN & title an I have been told NC is the same way.
How did you get pictures on here???
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alexrepair
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1970 Scotsman Model 1500
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Post by alexrepair on Jul 5, 2023 15:20:36 GMT -8
Some updates. Today passed state vin inspection, got trailer waited, but it seems impossible to get the trailer’s fair market price in current condition the DOL asking. Went trough numerous RV centers and nobody willing to write a paper. Department of Rev wants to price the full price from the Internet where people sells restored trailers.
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Post by vikx on Jul 6, 2023 12:37:14 GMT -8
Go to a different DOL with proof of what a used Scotsman is going for:
There are some rebuilders who will give you a value online, sight unseen. Do you have a bill of sale? Also take photos of damage (the more the better) It is probably worth around $500 in it's current condition. Handy if there's a hole in a wall. Interior paint lowers the value as well. Most people want real wood interiors.
Look for SELLING prices of like condition vintage trailers, they don't necessarily need to be a Scotsman. Asking prices are usually way high and the trailers don't sell for that.
Searches can include: youtube, Craigs, Facebk Marketplace, eBay, etc.
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alexrepair
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1970 Scotsman Model 1500
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Post by alexrepair on Jul 6, 2023 19:58:05 GMT -8
Finally all papers done! Got plate! When I was asked to have small or regular size plate. I got small. The weight of the trailer is 1240 Lbs.
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Post by Teachndad on Jul 7, 2023 4:43:06 GMT -8
Finally all papers done! Got plate! When I was asked to have small or regular size plate. I got small. The weight of the trailer is 1240 Lbs.
YAY!! So, what did the Vintage Trailer Gods do for you that allowed you to be successful? Cheers, Rod
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alexrepair
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1970 Scotsman Model 1500
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Post by alexrepair on Jul 10, 2023 21:16:54 GMT -8
I visited about 10 different RV centers, no one want to sign a paper about price of this trailer in current condition. One small RV center was interested to buy it from me or repair it for me.To buy $500 to repair $5K. I got the paper needed from them. Today I took of 90% screws, so it is a start point of my trailer rebuilt journey!
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