theresa
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from Northern Maine ~ Proud new owner of Lola, a 1960 Shasta Airflyte and Pearl, a 1962 Mobile Scout
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Post by theresa on Apr 28, 2015 13:57:04 GMT -8
I have recently acquired a DutchCraft camper of unknown year, but based on the materials, (cheap laminate on cabinetry, paneling on walls as opposed to birch/ash ply) it appears to be mid-70s. There is SOOOO little information on this brand, that I've only ever seen two others in doing a Google search. The trailer is TRASHED on the interior, but this isn't scaring me away for a few reasons: - It's FREE
- the exterior and framing seems to be fairly intact
- This is a flip, so I can customize (Glamp) it any way I see fit, as long as the end result is safe and useable
- Most of the "woodwork" is there so I can use those pieces for templates
So, my question is, given these circumstances, and of course keeping costs and weight down, what material would be my best bet to build the cabinetry from? Most of the upper cabinets are in place, but the dinette, Gaucho bed, and counter are going to need to be rebuilt. And, the cabinetry that is there is rough, as in the 'laminate' is peeling off the fronts, there is some water damage on some, etc., so I'd probably be better off rebuilding at least the cabinet fronts. I know I'm not the first one to do a complete or partial gut job and rebuild from scratch, so I'm curious what other have used and why. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.  |
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chametzoo
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1960 Mobile Scout
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Post by chametzoo on Apr 28, 2015 14:32:28 GMT -8
I'll be the first to chime in and say… posting pictures would help a lot. But I'll say that your description of the interior of this trailer, along with copious amounts of visible water damage tell me in all likelihood that a minimal interior makeover along with a keen eye on keeping cost down, will not result in a "safe and useable" trailer for the next owner. I'm being a bit aggressive here and I mean no harm to your aspirations, but if your trailer interior is trashed, it's frame is most likely a rotten mold farm. I'm going through this bit of hell myself with my own trailer restoration… so I'm sharing some of my own unwelcomed trailer wisdom. Now… I'll let Vikx, John Palmer and Mobiletec chime in and speak some religion to you.
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theresa
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from Northern Maine ~ Proud new owner of Lola, a 1960 Shasta Airflyte and Pearl, a 1962 Mobile Scout
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Post by theresa on Apr 28, 2015 14:38:54 GMT -8
I'll be the first to chime in and say… posting pictures would help a lot. But I'll say that your description of the interior of this trailer, along with copious amounts of visible water damage tell me in all likelihood that a minimal interior makeover along with a keen eye on keeping cost down, will not result in a "safe and useable" trailer for the next owner. I'm being a bit aggressive here and I mean no harm to your aspirations, but if your trailer interior is trashed, it's frame is most likely a rotten mold farm. I'm going through this bit of hell myself with my own trailer restoration… so I'm sharing some of my own unwelcomed trailer wisdom. Now… I'll let Vikx, John Palmer and Mobiletec chime in and speak some religion to you. I've only been to visit the camper a few times, as we're waiting for springtime to hit this far north in Maine. So I've only taken a few cell phone pictures that don't really tell the tale. When I say it's trashed, I mean mostly from previous owners disrespecting it. The damage that is done, from what I can see, is from human hands. There will undoubtedly be some damage to part of the floor as the front door is removed. However, I do think it has good bones. I did get in it enough to jump around on the floor and not fall through it at least. I realize I'm being very optimistic, but I do love me a project. And when I said I wanted to keep costs down, I didn't mean to imply that I wanted to just gloss over it to make it pretty. I meant that this is not for me to keep, and not a labor of love, but more a project for the fun of it. So I'd like to keep the costs to a hopeful break even point, if that makes sense? |
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Apr 28, 2015 14:41:44 GMT -8
The only trailers I have flipped I have not done any work to. I don't do this for profit so I have no idea how to tell someone how to do it. The trailers I do work on for others are usually partial jobs done by the hour. The trailers I have completely restored and sold I have lost money on. I made $1.78 on my Lil Loafer so I guess that wasn't a loss LOL. So I have no clue how to help.
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RJ
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Post by RJ on Apr 28, 2015 15:59:07 GMT -8
I made $1.78 on my Lil Loafer so I guess that wasn't a loss LOL. No way....righteous bucks!! Sorry Larry, I can never resist when you post that 
Theresa, congrats on your new DutchCraft and I'm pretty sure, it'll be quite the project to get it back to being road worthy! Best of luck to ya. Lots of help here to guide you on your way.
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theresa
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from Northern Maine ~ Proud new owner of Lola, a 1960 Shasta Airflyte and Pearl, a 1962 Mobile Scout
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Post by theresa on Apr 28, 2015 16:29:11 GMT -8
As I said, I'm doing this because I love a project. I have no intention of putting a tube of lipstick on this pig, and sending it out on the open roads after selling for a $5K profit to an unsuspecting buyer. I just didn't want anyone to think I was doing something unethical to make a quick buck. I fully realize the amount of work (and subsequently money) that goes into a ground up restoration. I was just asking what to generally use for cabinetry since I'm not planning on an authentic, vintage, straight from the factory type of restoration as I am for my 1960 Shasta.
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ndpap
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Post by ndpap on Apr 28, 2015 17:30:25 GMT -8
Theresa is you Airflyte campable?? Just asking because there is a vintage camping event coming up in MA with possibly 80+ campers
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theresa
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from Northern Maine ~ Proud new owner of Lola, a 1960 Shasta Airflyte and Pearl, a 1962 Mobile Scout
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Post by theresa on Apr 28, 2015 17:50:12 GMT -8
Theresa is you Airflyte campable?? Just asking because there is a vintage camping event coming up in MA with possibly 80+ campers Yes and no.... the previous owner camped in it. I brought it home and started tearing it apart last fall. Before I got too deep into it, I decided I needed an indoor space to work on it, so I stopped all efforts while we built a 30 x 40 garage. Because of weather issues, the groundwork got started very late, so the garage is yet without heat and lights. SO, Lola still sits, mainly untouched, but I wouldn't call her campable. Furthermore, I'm a 6+ hour drive from MA; I in FAR northern Maine, so I'd want to put a lot more work into her before I took it on that far of a road trip. |
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Post by vintagebruce on Apr 28, 2015 18:07:41 GMT -8
Here is a thread to a 1972 DutchCraft slide show for those of you, like me that can not see what you are saying. I noticed in two DutchCraft threads they referred to Dutchman campers and Lancaster Pa. and then quickly said it appears they were not in business too long and almost nothing is known about them. goodoldrvs.ning.com/photo/photo/slideshow?albumId=2093474:Album:64532 |
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John Palmer
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Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
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Post by John Palmer on Apr 28, 2015 19:58:32 GMT -8
I'll be the first to chime in and say… posting pictures would help a lot. But I'll say that your description of the interior of this trailer, along with copious amounts of visible water damage tell me in all likelihood that a minimal interior makeover along with a keen eye on keeping cost down, will not result in a "safe and useable" trailer for the next owner. I'm being a bit aggressive here and I mean no harm to your aspirations, but if your trailer interior is trashed, it's frame is most likely a rotten mold farm. I'm going through this bit of hell myself with my own trailer restoration… so I'm sharing some of my own unwelcomed trailer wisdom. Now… I'll let Vikx, John Palmer and Mobiletec chime in and speak some religion to you. X2, well stated. |
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theresa
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from Northern Maine ~ Proud new owner of Lola, a 1960 Shasta Airflyte and Pearl, a 1962 Mobile Scout
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Post by theresa on Apr 29, 2015 6:07:38 GMT -8
Here is a thread to a 1972 DutchCraft slide show for those of you, like me that can not see what you are saying. I noticed in two DutchCraft threads they referred to Dutchman campers and Lancaster Pa. and then quickly said it appears they were not in business too long and almost nothing is known about them. goodoldrvs.ning.com/photo/photo/slideshow?albumId=2093474:Album:64532Yes, that's one of the few Dutch Crafts I've been able to find online as well. As soon as I can get mine home (it's only 1/2 mile from me, but the ground it's on is WET), I'll take some interior photos so you all can see what I'm dealing with. |
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windborn
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Post by windborn on Apr 29, 2015 9:42:53 GMT -8
Sorry to hijack this thread, but ndpap: where is the event in MA? My trailer won't be ready anytime soon, but I'm on the Cape so if it's nearby I may be interested in coming by to get ideas.
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Apr 29, 2015 15:19:12 GMT -8
As I said, I'm doing this because I love a project. I have no intention of putting a tube of lipstick on this pig, and sending it out on the open roads after selling for a $5K profit to an unsuspecting buyer. I just didn't want anyone to think I was doing something unethical to make a quick buck. I fully realize the amount of work (and subsequently money) that goes into a ground up restoration. I was just asking what to generally use for cabinetry since I'm not planning on an authentic, vintage, straight from the factory type of restoration as I am for my 1960 Shasta. OK then. That I can help a bit with. No matter what you do for cabinets, please remember that many of the cabinets are half the structural integrity of the trailer and without them being in place and without them being connected in the proper places, the trailer can literally fall apart on the freeway. One such cabinet is the floor to ceiling one that usually houses the clothes closet and possibly the ice box. It has to be connected to the wall, floor and ceiling. The ceiling connection must be done from the outside of the paneling. That means removing the metal roof. Another important cabinet is the one that goes wall to wall in front over the dinette. That keeps the walls in front separated and also gives some sway bracing. All the other cabinets add to sway bracing and helping to keep the walls from sliding down over the skirt boards. The bed, dinette seat boxes, lower kitchen cabinets and the floor to ceiling cabinet all add to that part of the equation... |
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theresa
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from Northern Maine ~ Proud new owner of Lola, a 1960 Shasta Airflyte and Pearl, a 1962 Mobile Scout
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Post by theresa on Apr 29, 2015 16:19:39 GMT -8
As I said, I'm doing this because I love a project. I have no intention of putting a tube of lipstick on this pig, and sending it out on the open roads after selling for a $5K profit to an unsuspecting buyer. I just didn't want anyone to think I was doing something unethical to make a quick buck. I fully realize the amount of work (and subsequently money) that goes into a ground up restoration. I was just asking what to generally use for cabinetry since I'm not planning on an authentic, vintage, straight from the factory type of restoration as I am for my 1960 Shasta. OK then. That I can help a bit with. No matter what you do for cabinets, please remember that many of the cabinets are half the structural integrity of the trailer and without them being in place and without them being connected in the proper places, the trailer can literally fall apart on the freeway. One such cabinet is the floor to ceiling one that usually houses the clothes closet and possibly the ice box. It has to be connected to the wall, floor and ceiling. The ceiling connection must be done from the outside of the paneling. That means removing the metal roof. Another important cabinet is the one that goes wall to wall in front over the dinette. That keeps the walls in front separated and also gives some sway bracing. All the other cabinets add to sway bracing and helping to keep the walls from sliding down over the skirt boards. The bed, dinette seat boxes, lower kitchen cabinets and the floor to ceiling cabinet all add to that part of the equation... Very good points, Larry. Thank you. I did/do fully intent to replace all of the cabinets that are there or are supposed to be there. I guess one of the main things I need to know is what type of wood is preferred for this type of construction? Or at least for the framing of the cabinets. I can probably reuse the fronts of them with some sprucing up, but I certainly won't be able to reuse all of the pieces. The good news is, I do have them available for templates, so that's not an issue. |
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Apr 29, 2015 16:23:22 GMT -8
I use pine. It's light and strong. Easy to work with. You don't have to use number ONE quality unless you are rebuilding the faces.
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