teacherman
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Post by teacherman on Jun 4, 2015 7:50:10 GMT -8
Bought my first vintage trailer about 2 weeks ago. I haven't had time yet to work on it but have essentially restored the whole thing in my head. I'm hoping to really get started this weekend. I'm a teacher and school is finally out so I'm hoping to get right to it. I guess the last two weeks of not working on it have given me a good opportunity to really formulate a plan.
I do have a question for those in the know. I know that airstreams are pretty much the gold standard. I also know that Shasta's and Scottie's are very desirable and sought after. I don't see a lot out there on Ideals. Does anyone know where Ideals may fit in the hierarchy of trailerdom?
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RinTin
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Post by RinTin on Jun 5, 2015 7:07:06 GMT -8
Yes, Airstream's are held in high regard, but they have their issues like any other.
Shasta's are considered amongst the most cheaply built, but were brilliantly marketed. I have found that most people who are not vintage trailer enthusiasts associate vintage trailers with Shasta's and their wings.
Scotties have a unique look to them but are built with plywood walls. Not necessarily a bad thing.
During the evolution of the industry, hundreds of manufacturers came and went. They all employed very similar designs and methods of construction. Most were cheaply made by semi-skilled workers. Personally, I pretty much see them all the same and gravitate to the ones that I find appealing for one reason or another.
One thing for sure, a well executed restoration will result in a trailer of higher quality than what rolled new off the assembly line 50 years ago.
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Jun 5, 2015 13:03:27 GMT -8
Too true, RinTin, but we still find it remarkable that so many of them are still around and in reasonably decent condition considering their age and how they have been abused/used/stored.
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RinTin
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Post by RinTin on Jun 5, 2015 13:54:12 GMT -8
I think one reason they stick around is that nobody wants to pay to rid rid of something that is virtually worthless. Plus they are easy to move around, make great storage sheds, small livestock shelters and wildlife habitat.
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Post by vintagebruce on Jun 5, 2015 14:43:48 GMT -8
To possibly find out more about Ideal trailers you might want to try and contact the listed seller on this 2012 TCT ad for a beautiful Ideal Camper. The location was blueovalranch which buys and sells vintage campers. I have corresponded with them about a couple of campers they had for sale and they were very accommodating. I am guessing a better known Manufacturer made the Ideal brand along with whatever was their main bread and butter camper, and the Ideal brand just never reached strong sales numbers. That does not mean they are not well built trailers. The telephone number listed in the ad or the blueovalranch e-mail address should put you in touch with the person that prepared the lengthy sales description. Ask for Jason. Bet he knows who manufactured Ideals and that would be a good starting point. www.tincantourists.com/classified/showproduct.php?product=6114#.VXIjeWd0xMs |
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Post by Teachndad on Jun 5, 2015 20:38:39 GMT -8
Hey Teacherman,  You mentioned considering pressure washing the exterior. I wouldn't do that. Do a search on the 1965 Little Chief thread. That thread gives some suggestions on alternatives to pressure washing. At least with me, when I got my trailer home, I wanted it to do something that was immediate and would feel like I was making a difference. The easiest way to do that is to wash the dirt off of it. I think that might be quite common. ItS an easy way to make your mark and show you care for it, but it should be done with care. Start pulling the skins off to see what is underneath and look for rot. Some trailers have a little, others a lot. You want to repair whats bad and especially look at the bolts that hold the body to the frame outriggers. These keep the body attached to the steel frame. The forums are fabulous for resources. The restorations forum is great for techniques and you can find how-to videos on YouTube. And continue asking away. There are amazingly resourceful and helpful people on this forum - probably one of the nicest forums on the web.  Rod |
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