mel
Senior Member
1964 Shasta Airflyte
Posts: 1,729
Likes: 523
Currently Offline
|
Post by mel on Mar 13, 2016 6:36:10 GMT -8
Both of my wheel wells are rusted out in a few areas. Has anyone rebuilt new ones? or find new ones the correct size?
|
|
|
Post by wisconsinjoe on Mar 13, 2016 9:13:59 GMT -8
Funny you bring this up, since I just demo-ed a ruined camper down to the frame. Tomorrow I'm going to take one of the wheel wells to a sheet metal shop where they routinely make custom venting structures for the HVAC trade. They can make any profile you want, sort of a canned ham with two parallel sides and one curving plane. I'll cut in the wheel opening myself after reinstalling and once I design it's unique shape. That same sort of shop can make all sorts of things, including stainless steel countertops and usually very competitive prices.
|
|
mtpalms
Active Member
Posts: 317
Likes: 125
Currently Offline
|
Post by mtpalms on Mar 23, 2016 20:31:42 GMT -8
Mine aren't rusted out, but they are pretty dinged up, and one is covered with a lot of old duck tape (can't bear to look). I was thinking the same thing, while the floor and frame are being repaired, take them to the local HVAC place to get new ones refabricated.
|
|
Lola53
Active Member
Posts: 150
Likes: 53
1953 Westfield Westerner
Currently Offline
|
Post by Lola53 on Mar 23, 2016 20:52:56 GMT -8
The wheel wells in the 53 Westerner are wood! One of the decisions I have to make is whether to replace as built or change to metal. They have delaminated on the weather side, but are still serviceable. I'm leaning toward replacing with marine grade plywood. If the wood survived 63 years, why change?
Mark
|
|
|
Post by wisconsinjoe on Mar 24, 2016 3:40:29 GMT -8
I just got my new wheel wells from the sheet metal shop. $130 later and now they are perfect and a heavier gauge metal.
|
|
mel
Senior Member
1964 Shasta Airflyte
Posts: 1,729
Likes: 523
Currently Offline
|
Post by mel on Mar 24, 2016 7:45:55 GMT -8
I talked to my step dad about the wheel wells and he said he has rebuilt 2 sets of them. One for the camper I grew up using, it was a 1980's 25ft long camper and for my aunts pop up. So that makes me happy he said he would show me how to make them.
|
|
|
Post by vintagebruce on Mar 24, 2016 8:49:36 GMT -8
Tractor Supply has a couple different sizes of wheel wells in stock where I live, right beside the array of trailer axels.
|
|
highrolla7
Junior Member
Posts: 53
Likes: 10
Currently Offline
|
Post by highrolla7 on Apr 15, 2016 5:40:49 GMT -8
If you can weld, its a fairly easy to make these, if you don't care if they are round or not. You cut 3 pieces (or 5 if you want a more rounded look) for the top and 2 sides, using 20 gauge metal or so, weld seams together and grind the edges smooth. Then you can take a body hammer shape it the way you want as one structure. Bend the bottom to make a small lip and paint black or silver color to prevent rust. Mine were still good in my 71 Shasta, I just had them coming apart in one of the seems and that took care of that issue. But, if you are able to weld or know somebody that can, pretty easy project!
TJ
|
|
mtpalms
Active Member
Posts: 317
Likes: 125
Currently Offline
|
Post by mtpalms on Apr 15, 2016 8:18:35 GMT -8
Scott, the guy working on my trailer, said it would cost $350 to buy new ones and he didn't think he could make replacements himself for less than that. However, he said he can patch and repair the existing ones, so I am going with that. They won't be perfect esthetically, but they will do their job, and it isn't like anyone can see that they have been repaired. I also want to add that I know Scott personally, know his work and work ethic, and have no qualms when he suggests a cost cutting option.
I am not going for a perfect resto, just a trailer that is safe and sound. Replace what is reasonable to replace, restore what can still be restored, and compromise on the rest. Like most old stuff I own, once it is roadworthy, I plan to use it, not spend my weekends polishing it.
|
|
SusieQ
Global Moderator
Posts: 4,781
Likes: 1,197
'62 Shasta Compact
Currently Offline
|
Post by SusieQ on Apr 16, 2016 5:12:18 GMT -8
I am not going for a perfect resto, just a trailer that is safe and sound. Replace what is reasonable to replace, restore what can still be restored, and compromise on the rest. Like most old stuff I own, once it is roadworthy, I plan to use it, not spend my weekends polishing it. I like you, mtpalms! Great plan!
|
|
mtpalms
Active Member
Posts: 317
Likes: 125
Currently Offline
|
Post by mtpalms on Apr 16, 2016 8:18:32 GMT -8
Than you SusieQ! I am finding my way around here, this is a great group!
|
|
theresa
1K Member
from Northern Maine ~ Proud new owner of Lola, a 1960 Shasta Airflyte and Pearl, a 1962 Mobile Scout
Posts: 1,055
Likes: 347
Currently Offline
|
Post by theresa on Jul 12, 2016 10:04:23 GMT -8
Tractor Supply has a couple different sizes of wheel wells in stock where I live, right beside the array of trailer axels. I've noticed this as well; has anyone used them or at least compared to see if they match up somewhat to our vintages? I have a '60 Airflyte that I'm getting ready to redo the floor on (and wheel wells as I go) and wondered if the Tractor Supply ones would fit.
|
|