gary350
Full Member
We should have gone camping today it is going to snow 6" tonight.
Posts: 573
Likes: 170
1964 FAN
Currently Offline
|
Post by gary350 on Oct 28, 2015 15:15:50 GMT -8
It is not as bad as it looks. The owner wants to cut the back end off so he can park his car inside like a garage. I told the guy, if you get a car it there you wont be able to get the doors open to get out. You wont have enough room to climb out the window. I have talked the guy into selling it for $1000. He will make sure it has good tires once I decide for sure I want this. This is basically the same body as my 15 foot long Phoenix only difference this FAN is 17 feet 6 inches long. The FAN measures 7 feet 6 wide a foot wider than my Phoenix. Ceiling is 6 feet 3 inches. The owner said, wife and I went camping in this about 4 years ago we decided we want someone smaller like an old 1970s step van.
The floor is solid. I walked all over the whole floor, I jumped on the floor is a lot of places. I stomped my foot all over the place. I can not find any bad places and no soft places on the floor. Front window appears it leaked there is minor damage to the wall. Back window has leaked a little minor damage to the wall. Front door is gone. Wind and rain has pretty much destroyed 1 side of the closet wall because the door is gone. Floor at the door seems solid too, it looks good on bottom side and there is protective board nailed to the floor at the door. The whole inside has been painted ugly dark brown and ceiling painted white. Paint on ceiling is pealing off and it appears there are no roof leaks. All the windows work except for 1 crank mechanism needs to be replaced and all the cranks handles are gone except for 2. The rear metal hatch door is gone. The wheels have electric brakes just like my Phoenix. Crank handle on the tongue is broken off. There is a dent in the front under the window. The plywood seat for the right side of the kitchen table is gone. The outside has been painted with a brush. The insulation material under the floor is coming off in several places but the wood floor under there looks good. It has propane stove, propane heater, propane hot water heater galvanized tank looks good. Shower looks good. There are 2 small holes in the front under the window aluminum is easy to patch. It looks like all the foam pillows are hear with no covering I put all the pillows in the bathroom to get better photos. It is all here and not as bad as it appears.
Only problem I have with this trailer is, I don't like this floor plan. I like the other floor plan better where the bed is across the back window and the shower and storage is where the foot of the bed is now. If I decide to buy this I will build the other floor plan. I am trying to decide if this is more work than I want. It is easy to build a new door and cover it with aluminum. Its easy to build the rear door too or leave it off. We want to start camping full time Alice retires in 3 months. It would be nice to have this trailer setting in the back yard then I would always have something to do and I could take my time and still go camping. If someone buys it before me they might be doing me a favor.
|
|
lovnvintage
Full Member
Posts: 573
Likes: 85
Currently Offline
|
Post by lovnvintage on Oct 28, 2015 15:52:08 GMT -8
I like fan's. Mine seems so much better built than the Shasta's. And it is double the weight since it is. Not sure if that is a factor for you.
|
|
SusieQ
Global Moderator
Posts: 4,781
Likes: 1,197
'62 Shasta Compact
Currently Offline
|
Post by SusieQ on Oct 28, 2015 17:19:51 GMT -8
I like the back end.
|
|
|
Post by vikx on Oct 28, 2015 22:51:29 GMT -8
This trailer is going to be a tremendous amount of work. I'd say 6 to 8 months and then maybe several more. There's a lot missing and paint everywhere on every THING. Larger trailers are not as popular; therefore harder to sell if you decide against the floorplan/size.
This is more work than *I* would take on. Pass.
|
|
|
Post by bigbill on Oct 29, 2015 5:58:37 GMT -8
This unit appears to have been stripped with a lot of expensive parts missing and most of what is left damaged or ruined. I am not sure what I would charge to tow it away. I would not buy it unless I already owned one just like it and wanted to build one trailer out of the two. Just my opinion.
|
|
61corsair
New Member
Posts: 3
61 Corsair
Currently Offline
|
Post by 61corsair on Oct 29, 2015 6:40:02 GMT -8
From what I have found Doors are expensive. I need one for my Beemer.
|
|
bpmcgee
Junior Member
Posts: 95
Likes: 31
Currently Offline
|
Post by bpmcgee on Oct 29, 2015 6:46:52 GMT -8
Gary, I know what it's like to want projects for the sake of a project. The others are right, it's a LOT of work, but if you're the kind of guy who can plug through stuff without getting discouraged, and if you're looking for a project with an endpoint that would a very cool camper, this might be a good choice. That being said, it's a hot mess, and $1000 is more fair to him than you Brian
|
|
gary350
Full Member
We should have gone camping today it is going to snow 6" tonight.
Posts: 573
Likes: 170
1964 FAN
Currently Offline
|
Post by gary350 on Oct 29, 2015 15:43:08 GMT -8
I don't think it is much work at all. You need to see it in person. Front door is no problem I can build one from scratch in 1 days work. The metal hatch door on the back I would cover the hole with aluminum and not have a door. Replace 8 window cranks and 1 window crank mechanism and the windows are fixed. A 24"x48" sheet of 1/2" plywood will fix the kitchen table seat. Nothing wrong with any of the cabinets except they are UGLY mud brown. I would paint the inside white. I found a place online place to buy seat cushions, give them the dimensions and pick out the fabric color and design and they are mailed to your front door in 3 weeks. I check prices the cushions for the kitchen table are $33 each free shipping. After scraping old paint on the ceiling it will be easy to paint. Replace the wood on 1 side of the closet wall that is fix. I can slide a piece of metal up inside the front and push out the dents in the aluminum and patch the 2 holes. Jack the trailer up and check the brakes and buy new 8 ply trailer tires mounted and balanced $75 each. Clean and re-grease the wheel bearings. Bathroom door can be made from 3/8" plywood like the other doors. Take the furnace apart and clean off the rust with muriatic acid 30 minutes job using a plastic trash can as a dip tank.
I went and looked at the trailer again today the floor looks good under Neath. I crawled around under the trailer and pulled a lot of the insulation material down and the wood looks good. I am surprised it even looks good at the door. Not real sure about the old vinyl floor inside it seems like it will come up easy probably need to pull about 1000 staples along the wall then put new vinyl down.
I would spray the outside with bleach the trailer will look like brand new in 20 minutes. Then rinse and let it dry. Then repaint over the old paint. I found a photo if one of these old trailers last night it has 2 strips painted the length of the trailer under the windows.
I'm not interested in winning any beauty contest, but I want my trailer to look clean and nice and every things needs to work. I know some people will strip off the old paint before they repaint, I wont do that too much work just for beauty.
Marker light covers need to be replaced $50 total. I would soak them is Lacquer thinner first I know they will clean up but if they are faded they need to be replaced.
Too bad the owner painted every thing green, even the aluminum windows and metal part of marker lights. Window leaks need to be checked and fixed.
All the rusty screw places on the aluminum will come off in minutes just brush the rust a few times with muriatic acid the rust is gone in 30 seconds and the aluminum looks almost new. Rinse with water.
I would pull all the insulation off the under side of the trailer and inspect the roof, check and fix possible leaks, paint roof white. Paint the sides while. Not sure what color the 2 stripe should be?
Wheel need to be painted and the wheels need baby moon hub caps. All the old paint on the wheels can be removed in 30 minutes with a rotary file and an air tool.
Blow out the propane line with an air compressor. Connect the regulator and hose to the fitting under the trailer. I already have 2 propane tanks I can put on.
Biggest problem for me is the refrigerator. Will it work? Is it worth fixing? Should it be replaced with a modern refrigerator or a 3 way?
Stove is gas another easy fix, 30 minute job.
The more I look at this the more I would love to buy it. But I don't need another project. Going camping again tomorrow. I don't think I want this but I hope I don't regret it. This winter I may be wishing I had a project to work on. I already have a dozen project. The problem with too many project none of them every get finished so I am not taking on any new projects.
I talked to the owner again today. I told him I just don't need another project. This is an easy project me but it might not be for other people. We talked about 45 minutes and he lowered his price to $500. HE will still make sure it has good tires that hold air.
Price is now $500.
|
|
|
Post by vikx on Oct 29, 2015 21:57:12 GMT -8
Thanks for posting this old Fan. $500 might be an OK price if a person wanted a project.
I'm seeing more rot and structural problems than addressed. There are skirt boards missing near the door and probably elsewhere. Ceiling appears to be warped, major rippling in wall panels and severe sagging over the tongue. This trailer has ROT.
Painting is an option (after proper repairs) but most of us prefer natural wood. Paint is often used as a cover up. Wonder how I know that??
Edge trim (j rail, awning rail, etc) must be removed and re-puttied as do the windows. I'm thinking windows need new seals to be weather resistant. No photos of the roof...
Appliances must be tested, not just cleaned. I'm guessing the stove top will work, not sure on the oven. Wall heater may be fine as well. They are tough and tend to last.
Gary, it appears that you are much faster than some of us and really need this as a project. Would very much enjoy seeing what's there when you lift the skins.
At any rate, we strive to be honest in our evaluations. Cleaning and painting is not rebuilding. I would not put my name on this trailer without a major build.
|
|
gary350
Full Member
We should have gone camping today it is going to snow 6" tonight.
Posts: 573
Likes: 170
1964 FAN
Currently Offline
|
Post by gary350 on Oct 30, 2015 6:12:37 GMT -8
I probably have an advantage over most people, I have a workshop with several industrial machines and 45 years experience building and repairing things. I can build or repair almost anything. I would love to have this trailer new from the factory with the other floor plan ready to go camping but I am trying to be retired. I would rather go camping than have another project. We are happy with our 15' camper, there are still several things I want to do but nothing that will keep us from camping if they never get done. I hope someone else rescues this camper.
|
|
|
Post by vikx on Oct 30, 2015 22:14:58 GMT -8
I don't camp. I stay home and fix 'em...
Also hope somebody wants to save this one.
|
|
SusieQ
Global Moderator
Posts: 4,781
Likes: 1,197
'62 Shasta Compact
Currently Offline
|
Post by SusieQ on Nov 1, 2015 4:30:15 GMT -8
Gary, I'm one who totally understands about wanting to have time to camp. That was one of the most difficult things for me, especially since I didn't have a climate controlled environment to work on my trailer during bad weather days that would have otherwise been perfect for spending time working on the camper. I did take off a couple of months summer before last to travel cross country in the teardrop. Had I stayed home, my trailer would have been finished almost a year sooner. And when I took my Shasta trailer out for the first time this year, it was great, although not all for fun. Time is precious as I have a teen now and I want to do everything I can while he's still willing and I'm still able.
I have another trailer, which won't take as much effort, I hope, but part of me was wishing while I was out on the road that maybe I should have just been happy with one to enjoy. Again, time is precious. I keep getting offers on my other trailer and I've thought about letting it go. You are fortunate to have skills and machines. (Don't miss my ex, but miss having a machinist at my disposal, I mean convenience.) So go for it, work on it on the rainy nasty days and save the good ones for camping.
|
|
gary350
Full Member
We should have gone camping today it is going to snow 6" tonight.
Posts: 573
Likes: 170
1964 FAN
Currently Offline
|
Post by gary350 on Nov 1, 2015 15:26:21 GMT -8
Don't sell your camper trailer!!! I did that and later regretted it. We had a Teardrop Camper for 11 years and out of all the other camper trailers I have owned the Teardrop is still my favorite. We could take every thing we needed in the back of the tiny 4 cylinder SUV and the vehicle pulled the teardrop like it was not back there. At 70 per hour I got better gas mileage the teardrop streamlines the SUV. The teardrop was so easy to pull and park. I would rather travel cross country in the teardrop than something larger. We went every where in it, all over the USA for 11 years but we had jobs then and had 2 months off work every summer. Now that we are retired we both thing we want this larger camper because it seems more relaxing only because it is larger and it has a full size kitchen inside but my gas mileage is 9 mph in this big Chevy Tahoe SUV. The money wasted on bad gas mileage will pay for a motel room. My little Honda CRV got 30 mpg pulling the Teardrop. I learned my lesson the hard way, I sold all my other campers 1 by 1 to restore another camper then finally realized I was working too much and camping less. I had to ask myself, what do I like more, camping or restoring old trailers. I might buy another trailer to restore and I might get another Teardrop but I will never sell the trailer I have I NEVER want to be in a position where I don't have something to go camping in.
Gary, I'm one who totally understands about wanting to have time to camp. That was one of the most difficult things for me, especially since I didn't have a climate controlled environment to work on my trailer during bad weather days that would have otherwise been perfect for spending time working on the camper. I did take off a couple of months summer before last to travel cross country in the teardrop. Had I stayed home, my trailer would have been finished almost a year sooner. And when I took my Shasta trailer out for the first time this year, it was great, although not all for fun. Time is precious as I have a teen now and I want to do everything I can while he's still willing and I'm still able. I have another trailer, which won't take as much effort, I hope, but part of me was wishing while I was out on the road that maybe I should have just been happy with one to enjoy. Again, time is precious. I keep getting offers on my other trailer and I've thought about letting it go. You are fortunate to have skills and machines. (Don't miss my ex, but miss having a machinist at my disposal, I mean convenience.) So go for it, work on it on the rainy nasty days and save the good ones for camping.
|
|
gary350
Full Member
We should have gone camping today it is going to snow 6" tonight.
Posts: 573
Likes: 170
1964 FAN
Currently Offline
|
Post by gary350 on Nov 4, 2015 15:47:52 GMT -8
What are the chances this 3 way refrigerator will work? ? I had a 3 way once it worked good as long as we did not open the door too many times to cook a meal. Also had to keep an eye on the flame a gust of wind would blow it out. If the owner will take $400 I just might buy this. We have a camper so there is no hurry to restore this one. This could be a slow project. If I don't get around to working on it maybe I can sell it for what I paid.
|
|
SusieQ
Global Moderator
Posts: 4,781
Likes: 1,197
'62 Shasta Compact
Currently Offline
|
Post by SusieQ on Nov 4, 2015 15:54:30 GMT -8
What are the chances this 3 way refrigerator will work? ? I had a 3 way once it worked good as long as we did not open the door too many times to cook a meal. Also had to keep an eye on the flame a gust of wind would blow it out. If the owner will take $400 I just might buy this. We have a camper so there is no hurry to restore this one. This could be a slow project. If I don't get around to working on it maybe I can sell it for what I paid. Did you mean to post a link or pic? And I would be very careful buying used refrigerators. $400 seems like a lot to me for taking a chance on something that even if it does work, might not work tomorrow.
|
|