HOTRODPRIMER
Full Member
Posts: 774
Likes: 257
1957 Shasta
Currently Offline
|
Post by HOTRODPRIMER on Nov 11, 2018 8:48:27 GMT -8
The Westerner looks better every time I check out your progress. Danny
|
|
|
Post by Teachndad on Dec 16, 2018 9:49:31 GMT -8
(6 weeks later) Hi Friends, I was able obtain some of the missing interior parts of my Westerner, Andy a few weeks ago! I bought Andy over 5 years ago and he was missing the table, icebox, stove, cushions, and cot. I was able to buy all of these items and more including the kitchen sink. Yes, even the kitchen cabinet with sink and drawers, as well as the upper kitchen cabinet, front of the upper cabinet over the dinette area, and the electric ceiling lamp base and glass as well as a wall sconce. The stove and icebox are spotted with some sort of dirt and grease that a quick pass of Krud Kutter barely cleaned up. Here are all the parts together Here are the major parts as they were originally installed before they were removed by the seller. Shows the cushions sitting on wooden bases. Kitchen from the 1955 Westerner Of note, the cushions have the exclusive and rare Westerner patterned naugahyde upholstery that you can only find in a Westerner. The condition seems to be fairly good considering their age. You can see pictures below. Even though the stitching is pulling out in spots and along one edge. There is only one tear. Perhaps a bit dirty but serviceable. Close up of the pattern on the cushions. I plan on using the cushions, but not the bases. I prefer the curved seat base as pictured below in Andy. I found out by word of mouth. The seller found Larry(Mobiltec) and Larry referred the seller to Chris Trombley aka Trailertrasher, the used trailer parts guy, and he told me about it when I was out to see him a few weeks ago. The parts came from a 1955 Westerner that was turned into a mobile bar. I own a ‘57 Westerner. While the icebox and the oven match, I may use a very nice brown Princess Stove I bought a few years ago that came out of a 63 Shasta instead because it just looks so much nicer. That of course leaves me to match the white icebox to a brown stove. Decisions to be made later. Lastly, Andy will be going into hibernation for at least the next 9 months at the very least. I have lost my workshop and my storage, and as a result, Andy’s frame and walls have to come back to my carport where there is little room to work or store everything. Perhaps I can work on the windows and drip caps in the meantime. Rod
|
|
nccamper
Administrator
Posts: 7,727
Likes: 2,866
1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
Currently Offline
|
Post by nccamper on Dec 16, 2018 16:39:20 GMT -8
I understand the limits that come with not having an indoor work space. I have parts of my 59 Airflyte everywhere. I stored the birch in my living room for a good part of a year. My wife was thrilled to see it moved to the garage for shellac.
My office:
Thanks for sharing all the photos.
|
|
|
Post by Teachndad on Mar 25, 2019 21:39:01 GMT -8
(3 months later) Hi Friends, I had to move Andy out of his temporary home in a garage and take him back to the carport he left 2 summers ago. I stacked the walls on top of 4 pallets that were screwed to the original floor - essentially two stacks of two pallets each to clear the tires. The original floor is bolted to the frame with u bolts. My son’s friends helped move the trailer walls from the side of the garage onto the trailer base. In order to not damage the walls during transport, I cut foam pool noodles in half lengthways and placed them on the wall on the bottom. I spent about 14 dollars on pool noodles so I would have enough. Ratchet straps from HF were used to gently cinch down the walls on to the trailer. Andy's roof fit into the back of my truck. I drove about a mile and a half on Sunday night using temporary lights to get Andy back home. I have Andy's parts distributed between the interior of my Rod and Reel, my minivan, my carport and a small tool shed. I ponder now with an internal debate - if this project will ever be completed. I still want to finish my trailer and earn some street cred from the trailer restoration community. Rod
|
|
studeclunker
Member
Posts: 42
Likes: 9
'51 Spartanette Tandem
Currently Offline
|
Post by studeclunker on Mar 26, 2019 14:36:59 GMT -8
Hope to see Andy and you spending quality time soon. You are so lucky to have a son who is so helpful. Best of everything with your situation.
|
|
nccamper
Administrator
Posts: 7,727
Likes: 2,866
1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
Currently Offline
|
Post by nccamper on Mar 26, 2019 18:07:56 GMT -8
"foam pool noodles"
Too funny.
It's the unfinished projects that keep us going. The day I finish a project is a bummer.
--
"When Alexander saw the breadth of his domain, he wept for there were no more worlds to conquer."
|
|
Hamlet
2K Member
Posts: 2,812
Likes: 923
Currently Offline
|
Post by Hamlet on Mar 27, 2019 7:46:39 GMT -8
I think I can speak for everyone here... regardless of what eventually happens with your trailer, you have not only done it well, but you have done it beautifully. That kind of perseverance and attention to detail has already earned you “street cred.” Keep on keepin’ on!
|
|
|
Post by Teachndad on Mar 31, 2019 6:33:15 GMT -8
Hi Friends,
Thank you very much for the positive comments. I REALLY appreciate them.
They make a difference.
Rod
|
|
|
Post by Teachndad on Oct 19, 2019 21:58:35 GMT -8
|
|
Getnold
Active Member
Posts: 142
Likes: 78
1957 Westerner Pony Express
Currently Offline
|
Post by Getnold on Oct 20, 2019 17:08:55 GMT -8
Hello Teachndad! So glad to see you posting about the progress on your 57 Westerner. I have recently started on my 57 Westerner and wonder if I can ask a couple questions about yours. I am going to be getting the frame sandblasted soon. While I was dismantling the axle, springs and wheels I noticed a few things. One is the amount of springs there are. it has a 27 inch (from eye to eye) double eye spring that has 7 leaves. Seems like a lot and wonder if they're original. Does yours also have this many leaves? I was also wondering what size tires your trailer has. I am not sure mine has the correct size on it. They seem huge! Lastly, did yours come with a step that was welded to the frame? Ours has one but the weld is cracked and it was done poorly so that the step barely wants to move because one side had to bent to make it fit the grooves. Lastly, did yours have the original seats? My seats were gone and I only have one base. Just wondering if you have them if you could share sizes and a photo or two. Thanks in advance! Looking forward to keeping tabs on your rebuild!
|
|
|
Post by Teachndad on Oct 20, 2019 20:47:49 GMT -8
Hi Getnold, I am too, LOL. Congrats on your new find and welcome to the vintage trailer restoration world! I can answer some of your questions right now, but have to double check on the dimensions of the cushions you requested later. From you avatar, it looks like your Westerner is sitting high. I always like to use the rule of thumb that the bearing cap on the axle is at the same height as the bottom of the wall. Your wall looks higher than that. A crawl under my frame just now confirmed your suspicions. I show only 5 leaves in the spring pack and eye to eye center to center is @27". A previous owner (PO) added two more leaves to increase the height. Maybe for dirt roads or it was a cheap way to add some height to the trailer body to clear driveway entrances or exits. Is there any arch remaining on the spring pack or are they flat? As for the cushions, mine didn't come with them either. I know another Westerner owner who didn't have any either. However, when he restored his 57 Westerner, he estimated his measurements for cushions he had made. His measurements were 38" across and 24 deep. These would be the back rest sections. But then he had two smaller sized cushions made that were 38" x 13 3/4". These were the sit portions. When lain flat, they total 75 1/2" across the trailer. Does your Westerner have dinette bases like these or are they gone as well? This was the interior dinette area of my 57 Westerner. I have more info for you. 6 months ago, I acquired 2 original Westerner benches from a 1955 Westerner. They do not sit on dinette bases like in a 57. They have legs. The benches below are the ones I bought as seen when they were still installed in the 1955 Westerner. It's now a mobile bar. I can measure their height and width later this week. But there could be possible differences of an inch or so, just guessing. I can't tell you if they kept the same measurements year to year especially since they went from a click clack couch design with legs to a design with cushions sitting on bases. I hope that helps. I will post back as soon as I can get over to where those benches are stored and check the measurements. Let me know if you have any more questions. Cheers, Rod
|
|
Getnold
Active Member
Posts: 142
Likes: 78
1957 Westerner Pony Express
Currently Offline
|
Post by Getnold on Oct 22, 2019 16:58:06 GMT -8
Thank you Teachndad!! This is great info! And the pic of the seats is awesome! I have bases, well only one at the moment, exactly like yours except only smaller in width. I may just go with good quality cushions instead of replicating the sprung seats to keep costs down. The less I have to hire the pros the better my budget will be. As far as the suspension goes I may just stick with the 7 leaves. It is a bit high but that may come in handy down the road. I will look forward to any info you can give me and if I can help you out, just ask! Thank you again!
|
|
nccamper
Administrator
Posts: 7,727
Likes: 2,866
1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
Currently Offline
|
Post by nccamper on Oct 24, 2019 18:52:57 GMT -8
The benches below are the ones I bought as seen when they were still installed in the 1955 Westerner. It's now a mobile bar. Groovy seats. Did they detach from the wall?
|
|
|
Post by Teachndad on Oct 25, 2019 6:40:26 GMT -8
Thank you Teachndad!! This is great info! And the pic of the seats is awesome! I have bases, well only one at the moment, exactly like yours except only smaller in width. I may just go with good quality cushions instead of replicating the sprung seats to keep costs down. The less I have to hire the pros the better my budget will be. As far as the suspension goes I may just stick with the 7 leaves. It is a bit high but that may come in handy down the road. I will look forward to any info you can give me and if I can help you out, just ask! Thank you again! You are welcome. If you need any other help, send me a PM. I can also put you in touch with my friend Dan, who owns another 57 Westerner. We have been helping each other over the years. He has been a great help. Rod
|
|
shekaye
Junior Member
crazy
Posts: 92
Likes: 31
Shasta Trailer - unknown
Currently Offline
|
Post by shekaye on Oct 25, 2019 7:33:12 GMT -8
Wow Rod! I am so impressed with your dedication. Andy deserves to take you camping, and you deserve to rest in his clutches safe from the elements! I have spent the morning reading this post thread, and I am inspired to start our rebuild. I will continue to watch your progress, and hope to cross paths someday out enjoying the great outdoors in our happy campers!
|
|