chriss
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Post by chriss on Jan 5, 2016 19:28:46 GMT -8
I used to post here but its been so long. I've changed emails, computers, and mobile devices so lost my old UN and PW, so I just made a new one. I'm working on consolidating photos into 1 location to share. Purchased the Loafer back in 1999 from a friend of a friend. Did some quick cleaning and fixes and took it camping with it over the next 3 years. In 2003, I moved from CA to ID, using the trailer as a temp home for a month while I finished up my business in CA. Once in ID, I kinda put the camper out to pasture while I focused on our new home and raising a family. In 2008, I decided to start doing some work on it because the boys were at that "camping" age. Posted some pics on the yuku board. New tires, taillights, and jalousie glass gaskets and we were good to go. I was always worried about wood rot at the bottom and in Idaho, there are spectacular campsites that are accessible by some very bad roads and in 2012, thats when the front started taking a noticable buckle. From that point, I decided it was time for major work. It was done in stages over the last 3 years so we could still have use of it. Work included replacing front and lower side paneling and framing, minor reframing in rear, rebuilding gaucho bed, kitchen and side cabinet, repainting, adding vintage hardware and lighting, and resealing all windows, jrail, and vents with puttytape. Still lots more fun stuff to do. This forum has been awesome. *Loafer ready for 2015 camping season.  Chris |
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Post by vikx on Jan 5, 2016 21:25:49 GMT -8
Welcome back Chriss! Your little loafer is really a cute one. Looking forward to seeing the photos.
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SusieQ
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'62 Shasta Compact
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Post by SusieQ on Jan 6, 2016 6:05:53 GMT -8
Chriss, I LOVE your Lil Loafer. One of my favorites. They don't come around very often. Look forward to seeing the inside.
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nccamper
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1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
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Post by nccamper on Jan 6, 2016 6:11:39 GMT -8
Welcome back.
How many boys of "camping age" can you fit in a Lil Loafer?
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Post by vintagebruce on Jan 6, 2016 7:25:05 GMT -8
Great to have you and the Little Loafer back Chriss! The layout in your rear curb side entry design is one of the most efficient as well as cool layouts in such a small camper I have seen. Anybody who has a camper with the word Loafer in the name is two thumbs up with me!
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carvelloafer
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1959 Lil Loafer
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Post by carvelloafer on Jan 6, 2016 21:19:13 GMT -8
Hi Chriss, good to see your Loafer. I still say it is a 59 not a 61.
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Jan 7, 2016 1:05:40 GMT -8
Ok, I'm a little slow here... What is the difference in the layout between this and a Compact, other than the obvious, kitchen and door in the back, table in the front? The nice thing about the Loafers is that they somehow manage to keep that late fifties, early sixties feel without the ham shape. Makes the trailer easier to use without the one sloping end. If it has the same big closet as the Compact of the same vintage, it could make for a really nice bathroom.
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mobiltec
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1954 Jewel In Progress...
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Post by mobiltec on Jan 7, 2016 8:59:49 GMT -8
Hi Chriss, good to see your Loafer. I still say it is a 59 not a 61. It's definitely a 61. I used to have one exactly like it. And you better remember to put the rear jacks down before entering that door or the thing did a wheelie with you in it. Fun trailer. One of my favorites. Wish I still had it really because it towed great behind the Blazer and would follow me anywhere off road. Because someone had ripped out the curb side front window and left a gaping hole there, I made it a little bigger and installed a double jalousie window. The other side has the original solid window in it which by the way is exactly like those solid side windows in the 50s shastas that leak like a funnel.    |
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Post by vintagebruce on Jan 7, 2016 13:14:34 GMT -8
Ok, I'm a little slow here... What is the difference in the layout between this and a Compact, other than the obvious, kitchen and door in the back, table in the front? The nice thing about the Loafers is that they somehow manage to keep that late fifties, early sixties feel without the ham shape. Makes the trailer easier to use without the one sloping end. If it has the same big closet as the Compact of the same vintage, it could make for a really nice bathroom. I have never actually been in the rear side door Little Loafer, but it seems to me that with the kitchen in the rear the street side seemed to be a bit more open than the Compact with bench seats down both sides...I just thought at the time I saw interior pics that it would "camp larger" than the same year Compact. I had a smaller rear side entry Nomad with the kitchen and small bath at the rear, and I liked that the front and side windows let a lot of light into my "small" living space. If I could only have one or the other I would stick with my '61 Compact, if I could have both I would welcome both of them. |
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chriss
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Post by chriss on Jan 7, 2016 21:58:32 GMT -8
Welcome back. How many boys of "camping age" can you fit in a Lil Loafer? 4 of us have slept in it, 2 on the floor, but boys are now 10 and 12, so it's getting tight. They would rather have their own tent now anyway. One of our favorite local spots. Snake River canyon near Swan Falls.   
Gotta have percolated coffee when camping. Stove works great    
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chriss
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Post by chriss on Jan 7, 2016 22:32:43 GMT -8
Hi Chriss, good to see your Loafer. I still say it is a 59 not a 61. It's definitely a 61. I used to have one exactly like it. And you better remember to put the rear jacks down before entering that door or the thing did a wheelie with you in it. Fun trailer. One of my favorites. Wish I still had it really because it towed great behind the Blazer and would follow me anywhere off road. Because someone had ripped out the curb side front window and left a gaping hole there, I made it a little bigger and installed a double jalousie window. The other side has the original solid window in it which by the way is exactly like those solid side windows in the 50s shastas that leak like a funnel. I did fashion up some rear kickstands from some pipe that screw into those threads on the frame, so no tipping. Those jalousies don't look that bad. A single one would have been ideal in place of the solid window, which I agree is horrible. Lots of damage below these windows. After I rebuilt the front (before I saw your Shasta video),I sealed the glass with putty tape and pressed the wood stops as tight as I dare. So far so good. No leaks, but I stay vigilant on this area every season. This one is titled as a '61. The front kitchen one started in '62? What I really love is I can stand up anywhere in it and not hit my head. |
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Jan 8, 2016 8:41:51 GMT -8
It's definitely a 61. I used to have one exactly like it. And you better remember to put the rear jacks down before entering that door or the thing did a wheelie with you in it. Fun trailer. One of my favorites. Wish I still had it really because it towed great behind the Blazer and would follow me anywhere off road. Because someone had ripped out the curb side front window and left a gaping hole there, I made it a little bigger and installed a double jalousie window. The other side has the original solid window in it which by the way is exactly like those solid side windows in the 50s shastas that leak like a funnel. I did fashion up some rear kickstands from some pipe that screw into those threads on the frame, so no tipping. Those jalousies don't look that bad. A single one would have been ideal in place of the solid window, which I agree is horrible. Lots of damage below these windows. After I rebuilt the front (before I saw your Shasta video),I sealed the glass with putty tape and pressed the wood stops as tight as I dare. So far so good. No leaks, but I stay vigilant on this area every season. This one is titled as a '61. The front kitchen one started in '62? What I really love is I can stand up anywhere in it and not hit my head. I loved that I could stand up in mine also. I'm 6'3". I had to sleep catty corner but it was nice and comfy for me and the dog. We camped all over the deserts of Southern California in it. The previous owner was a skydiving center in Elsinore and they used it to sell airplane tickets out of. So they widened the hole to the size you see now and had a hatch type door made of plywood that folded down over the hole. It was easier to put a double jalousie in than bring it back to original size. Don't ever let that trailer go. They are not easy to find and very unique. Wish I still had mine. Good luck and welcome back! |
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