vintagelove
New Member
Posts: 9
Likes: 4
1956 Rod and Reel
Currently Offline
|
Post by vintagelove on Aug 28, 2023 8:44:18 GMT -8
We just purchased a 1956 Rod and Reel Trailer - It is 19' plus the tongue.. With tongue it's slightly over 20'
- It is "fully contained" with toilet, sink and shower, however... it wasn't made with a grey or black tank.
- It has nice curved cabinets.
- The bottom looks sound, but we'll find out for sure when we take it apart.
- It has the original appliances (something I am most excited about): Dixie range, Frigidaire refrigerator, as well as pressure tank and water heater tank.
- It definitely has rot around the front windows, but we will find out how much more as we restore.
- It came with a title... so no problems there
It looks in good shape. My husband is a retired general contractor with lots of building experience (woodworking, plumbing, electrical) and always fixed things "right" during his career. I have experience with tiling, stripping, refinishing, painting (I can make anything look like wood), upholstery and sewing. We will start on the project in the spring (2024). I am excited about it. I have pictures posted on the Rod and Reel FB page, if you want to see how it looks. We plan on upgrading the systems but restoring the appliances and cabinets, keeping as much original as possible. Looking forward to sharing the journey. - |
|
|
|
Post by vikx on Aug 28, 2023 11:48:12 GMT -8
Welcome Vintagelove. Looking forward to your build!
|
|
vintagelove
New Member
Posts: 9
Likes: 4
1956 Rod and Reel
Currently Offline
|
Post by vintagelove on Aug 28, 2023 13:21:48 GMT -8
 the front |
|
vintagelove
New Member
Posts: 9
Likes: 4
1956 Rod and Reel
Currently Offline
|
Post by vintagelove on Aug 28, 2023 13:23:24 GMT -8
 Love this Fridge! The post in the center is not original and probably will be taken out. |
|
vintagelove
New Member
Posts: 9
Likes: 4
1956 Rod and Reel
Currently Offline
|
Post by vintagelove on Aug 28, 2023 13:25:22 GMT -8
 Nice original Dixie stove. It has wallpaper over the "formica". And the bathroom is in the back on the right. |
|
vintagelove
New Member
Posts: 9
Likes: 4
1956 Rod and Reel
Currently Offline
|
Post by vintagelove on Aug 28, 2023 13:27:38 GMT -8
 The bath has a toilet on the left and a shower on the right. All original metal. Also the little cabinet on the left in the picture is a bedroom "side table". Love the curves in this one. |
|
turbodaddy
1K Member
Posts: 1,086 
Likes: 462
17' 1965 Fan "Sunseeker"
Currently Offline
|
Post by turbodaddy on Aug 28, 2023 19:54:06 GMT -8
Cool! This will be fun to watch. Best of luck.
|
|
|
|
Post by Teachndad on Aug 29, 2023 4:35:23 GMT -8
Hello and Welcome to the world of the Rod and Reel Trailer! I am excited for you! I love these models. You have a special trailer, but I am not partial at all, LOL. I own the smaller cousin to yours at 17’. You have the 20 footer. These trailers are wide and tall and blessed with large windows. They are spacious inside and you no doubt love the large windows. I have been inside a 20 footer R and R, and it’s a lot of bang for the buck. That trailer was sold last year to a buyer in Japan, of all places, where it is now. The lower curved coping at the bottom of the walls also makes these trailers unique. Were you lucky to have found the fender skirts? The interior curved cabinets are swoon worthy. My trailer shares the curves but isn’t in as nice shape as yours. I am envious. The link to my blog is in my sig line below if you want to compare. I have the same heater, but the fridge is a smaller Marvel brand and the Dixie stove is a different model, but very similar. The greenish faux Formica is the same. Let me know if you want pix of the interior of that trailer. I believe I still have those. It had the dinette table with the scissor legs and if my memory serves me correctly, it had a click clack couch. The interior in that trailer had a brown/tan color scheme. These sardine-can style models of Rod and Reel trailer were a departure from the traditional canned ham of the time. I don’t know what happened, but I speculated there was some sort of merger of two companies and they built this model style for a few years. Here is a page from a brochure that was sold on Ebay that I found in my research albeit small. I saved the JPEGs. The images below show a 22’ model, a 20’, and a 17’. I note that the unique stripe down the side is missing on your trailer. Perhaps your model was sold unpainted?. Some folks conjecture that the stripe is based on a fish hook, or that it looks like a reel and the rod is the extension of the stripe tapering to a point. Some of these trailers actually had a tall narrow closet where you opened the door and there were mounts for fishing rods. Mine does not have that feature. 
Finally, if possible can you change the settings on your Flickr album to "Public"? That way, we can click on the image and then enlarge it.
I look forward to you sharing your journey with everyone.
Cheers,
Rod
|
|
|
|
Post by vikx on Aug 29, 2023 11:37:32 GMT -8
Very nice rebuild candidate! I agree, nice and curvy.
"center is not original and will be taken out" If you are talking about the middle closet/fridge section, it is very much an integral part of the trailer structure. Removing this support could be catastrophic. The cabinets are always best left in place.
|
|
nccamper
Administrator 
Posts: 7,745
Likes: 2,872
1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
Currently Offline
|
Post by nccamper on Aug 29, 2023 15:56:42 GMT -8
Thanks for sharing photos. Great camper
|
|
vintagelove
New Member
Posts: 9
Likes: 4
1956 Rod and Reel
Currently Offline
|
Post by vintagelove on Sept 7, 2023 9:48:13 GMT -8
Hello and Welcome to the world of the Rod and Reel Trailer! I am excited for you! I love these models. You have a special trailer, but I am not partial at all, LOL. I own the smaller cousin to yours at 17’. You have the 20 footer. These trailers are wide and tall and blessed with large windows. They are spacious inside and you no doubt love the large windows. I have been inside a 20 footer R and R, and it’s a lot of bang for the buck. That trailer was sold last year to a buyer in Japan, of all places, where it is now. The lower curved coping at the bottom of the walls also makes these trailers unique. Were you lucky to have found the fender skirts? The interior curved cabinets are swoon worthy. I thought so.... These sardine-can style models of Rod and Reel trailer were a departure from the traditional canned ham of the time. I don’t know what happened, but I speculated there was some sort of merger of two companies and they built this model style for a few years. Here is a page from a brochure that was sold on Ebay that I found in my research albeit small. I saved the JPEGs. Thanks for the info!!!The images below show a 22’ model, a 20’, and a 17’. I note that the unique stripe down the side is missing on your trailer. Perhaps your model was sold unpainted?. I don't know...but it doesn't look like the paint was removed.Some folks conjecture that the stripe is based on a fish hook, that is cool... I was thinking of painting the skin when the time comes and the hook is awesome! or that it looks like a reel and the rod is the extension of the stripe tapering to a point. Some of these trailers actually had a tall narrow closet where you opened the door and there were mounts for fishing rods. I haven't looked for that yet, but I don't think it has... Mine does not have that feature. Finally, if possible can you change the settings on your Flickr album to "Public"? That way, we can click on the image and then enlarge it. [/font] I look forward to you sharing your journey with everyone.
Cheers,
Rod
T[/a] hanks for your info and encouragement! We have much to do before winter, I don't expect to get to it until next spring. Until then, I am hoping to keep it from leaking, molding or whatever, as things are in very good shape to start. [/quote] |
|
vintagelove
New Member
Posts: 9
Likes: 4
1956 Rod and Reel
Currently Offline
|
Post by vintagelove on Sept 7, 2023 9:54:13 GMT -8
Very nice rebuild candidate! I agree, nice and curvy. "center is not original and will be taken out" If you are talking about the middle closet/fridge section, it is very much an integral part of the trailer structure. Removing this support could be catastrophic. The cabinets are always best left in place. I should have specified... there is a center support between the living area and the bedroom that doesn't look like is original. I'm not sure if I can take that out without a problem, but we will explore that when we get to it. The fridge and closet next to it on the left side of that picture are original. They are staying. I am going to refurbish the fridge and strip (the coating) and recoat the closet surfaces as needed. The fridge is awesome! One of the selling points of why I bought the trailer. I loved the original appliances and I intend to get them working again.
Thanks for your concern! |
|
|
|
Post by Teachndad on Sept 8, 2023 12:13:41 GMT -8
Just an addition. When you turn on the fridge, make sure you can hear the cooling fan.
Member Whitney mentioned this to me when I was working on getting my fridge up and running, a smaller Marvel model. While it got power, the cooling fan was inoperative. I hadn't noticed until his comment.👊. I suspect your fridge is still operational. They made them to last back then. However, the wiring in mine was brittle, but the fridge came out of a donor trailer that was in the desert for years.
Hey, will the trailer be stored under cover?
|
|
vintagelove
New Member
Posts: 9
Likes: 4
1956 Rod and Reel
Currently Offline
|
Post by vintagelove on Sept 11, 2023 13:09:56 GMT -8
Just an addition. When you turn on the fridge, make sure you can hear the cooling fan. Member Whitney mentioned this to me when I was working on getting my fridge up and running, a smaller Marvel model. While it got power, the cooling fan was inoperative. I hadn't noticed until his comment.👊. I suspect your fridge is still operational. They made them to last back then. However, the wiring in mine was brittle, but the fridge came out of a donor trailer that was in the desert for years.
Hi! Thanks for your input... I have watched several videos on how to restore an antique refrigerator... the videos show how to test, and how to rewire as well as what parts that can be replaced. The interior of the fridge is a really pretty aqua... Hey, will the trailer be stored under cover? We don't have an extra building/roof for this winter. I am hoping for a carport next winter. Just after I brought it home, I put a large tarp over it, which covered the windows. After just a couple weeks, I opened it up, and it had gotten really musty inside, so I took it off. I have ordered a smaller tarp to just cover the top, but not the windows. I have noticed that many trailers in my area do have a tarp over just the top and not the windows which should allow for some air circulation to avoid the mustiness. I hope that is the right strategy.
We will be able to make a roof for it for next winter, but not this winter... thoughts and suggestions are appreciated. I don't want it to have serious problems over the coming winter. Thanks! |
|
nccamper
Administrator
Posts: 7,745
Likes: 2,872
1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
Currently Offline
|
Post by nccamper on Sept 11, 2023 16:57:54 GMT -8
I would suggest building a lean-to with enough height to work under it. This one appears to be attached to the house but it's freestanding to avoid building permits. |
|
