peterekstrom
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1970's KIT
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Post by peterekstrom on Sept 19, 2015 11:32:11 GMT -8
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Post by danrhodes on Sept 19, 2015 12:01:35 GMT -8
Cute trailer. Welcome to the frame up club. I'll leave most of the advice to the veterans, but the first thing you're going to want to learn is that these things are built from the outside in and even though it seems scary to take off the skins, it's easy and makes the rest of your life much easier too.
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kirkadie
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'69 Serro Scotty Hilander
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Post by kirkadie on Sept 19, 2015 13:44:34 GMT -8
Sometimes it seems our lotsa rotsas keep standing out of sheer will or just habit.
The first pics of it look really good. But I guess you never know when you start lifting skirts.
I second the welcome to the frame up club.
The easiest way to sleep at night now that you've found what you've found is only focus on what you'll do tomorrow when it's time for bed.
Plus a helping of aged tawny port...
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Post by danrhodes on Sept 19, 2015 14:19:55 GMT -8
The easiest way to sleep at night now that you've found what you've found is only focus on what you'll do tomorrow when it's time for bed. Plus a helping of aged tawny port... That's how I do it. I literally have a pile of junk in my yard (sorry neighbors). The next small task (find a welder/learn to weld) is the only thing I allow myself to think about. Otherwise, it's right to the dump with it. Plus a helping of aged Kentucky Bourbon (sensing a common theme with vintage trailer restoration). |
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peterekstrom
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1970's KIT
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Post by peterekstrom on Sept 19, 2015 15:03:25 GMT -8
Done for the day. Much happier with the roof off. Now not so concerned with the whole thing collapsing...   I really love this. They really went nuts with the staples here...  |
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diymom
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enthralled with my 1969 Terry, problem is it keeps me awake at night planning
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1969 terry 18'
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Post by diymom on Sept 19, 2015 18:03:39 GMT -8
That's really obsessive with the staples...maybe it was bring your kid to work day and the staple gun was unattended.
I can't believe how much of the structure is rotted, it's like it was never sealed!
Welcome to the fixer uppers...
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bmrrwolfe
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Post by bmrrwolfe on Sept 19, 2015 19:41:39 GMT -8
Another welcome from the frame up rebuild club!
Its funny how the trailer can look to be in good shape, pull down the road just fine, then you start something small and simple, and uncover all the rot, and wonder how the trailer made the trip home!
Its a little overwhelming at first, but just have a plan and get to work, with the help of some of the veterans here, the rebuild becomes fun.
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kirkadie
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'69 Serro Scotty Hilander
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Post by kirkadie on Sept 19, 2015 20:07:52 GMT -8
I have to say I'm surprised at the amount of leakage in a '76. My '69, which obviously had never been cared for, only had corner rot. Somehow, I thought, during my unit's time, stuff was made to last only a moment, and as time progressed the industry got better at what they made.
You are doing it all exactly right, taking it all down.
Looks to me like mostly Jrail leakage since the wood still looks good around the windows (front anyway).
Bad butyl tape? Weak frame which caused too much flex? I guess we'll see as you get dowm to the frame. No real curves so how hard could it be to install edge sealant. I'm also surprised at how many little sticks were used, almost like the Kit factory decided to only use cut-offs.
It will be a great opportunity to frame it up better than original.
Make sure and save stuff for templates because your skins look great and you will want to be able to re-use them.
Ought to be a fun project.
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Post by vintagebruce on Sept 20, 2015 6:42:54 GMT -8
This thread should be featured as MUST reading for all newbies considering purchasing their first vintage camper, highlighting that the bottom sills and any soft areas be inspected thoroughly for signs of rot or weakness. My first reaction upon seeing your initial photos, was..."You did very well!". I would remember exactly what you did the morning you bough the camper and towed it home...repeat those actions tomorrow morning and then drive immediately to the nearest lotto vendor and buy a quick pick on Powerball. You were SOOO lucky you got that camper home still in one piece! Glad to have you here. The rest is going to be gravy...lol!
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amyekstrom
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Post by amyekstrom on Sept 20, 2015 8:02:44 GMT -8
I'm the co-conspirator to the above trailer and the instigator of wanting to do this at all and I have to say that this is definitely a learning experience and I am so glad we are doing it with this trailer. I had initially wanted a 1960's canned ham of some sort and to do an authentic restoration. We looked at a few trailers and they actually looked amazing if you didn't dig too deep. First one looked completely intact from the inside...loved that trailer but they would't budge from their $1500 asking price and if you dug a little harder like we did you found that the floor was completely rotten and all corners had been leaking. It would have been hard to tear all the inside out because it looked so good still! This one has had several patch jobs from previous owners, has had several holes poked into it for various odds and ends on the outside and the inside had been redone to be used as a hunting trailer. So it didn't kill me to just rip all of that out! Probably the only thing that I will save is the gas lamp...otherwise it will be done up to look like a little knotty pine cabin on the inside and will in no way be restored to whatever former look it might have had (have no idea because haven't been able to find any pics of these as originals). Its great to learn on this one and then maybe down the road we will be prepared to do a real restoration of an older one!
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peterekstrom
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1970's KIT
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Post by peterekstrom on Sept 20, 2015 8:29:59 GMT -8
From what I can tell, this little trailer has suffered many, many tiny blows (and a few large ones) to the top and especially the top edges. The butyl tape in a lot of areas was so dried out it just pealed off with very little effort. And of course there were many minor renovations and mods where the PO's did a piss poor job of sealing the old screw holes.
I know I've now found a new hobby (sorry Amy), because as a woodworker and general handyman I haven't even gotten to the part of the project that I've been looking forward too and I'm already enjoying this immensely!!!
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peterekstrom
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1970's KIT
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Post by peterekstrom on Sept 20, 2015 11:05:02 GMT -8
The skin is off!  One of the 'Better' corners...  Notes from her Maker,  |
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Post by danrhodes on Sept 20, 2015 12:20:51 GMT -8
That's a brutal amount of rot for a trailer from that era. Mine sat unmoving in a field for 20 years and the butyl tape also just crumbled at the touch and it wasn't as bad as that.
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Post by grousehunter61 on Sept 20, 2015 12:28:38 GMT -8
Your right about the staples, I think someone went a little crazy with the staple gun. I just thought mine was bad, you have your work cut out for you. I would send a few of those pics to the PO and tell them thanks.....
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amyekstrom
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Post by amyekstrom on Sept 20, 2015 18:06:24 GMT -8
My husband being my husband, who does not do jobs half way, would have likely done a complete rebuild with any amount of rot!!
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