redcloud
New Member
Posts: 1 
Currently Offline
|
Post by redcloud on Dec 21, 2016 20:33:34 GMT -8
 I am looking into purchasing a late 1940's Redman 16' trailer. It has a cloth based material as a roof. It has been parked under a carport since 1977. Relatively new to the vintage trailer world and have never seen this kind of exterior roofing before. Has anyone experienced this kind of roof before? Any advice or suggestions! It has never leaked but has never been given the opportunity because it has been under a carport. It is really dry and doesn't look water proof. My gut instinct is that I should replace the material with metal. I measured the top and it is 7'-2" wide and about 18 feet long. The sides and below the windows are a flat plain aluminum. Afraid of what's under the material??? Kind of feels like there is a wood rib occasionally. www.flickr.com/photos/150497668@N08/shares |
|
|
|
Post by vikx on Dec 21, 2016 21:17:10 GMT -8
Welcome Redcloud!
Link works now.
I haven't seen a canvas type roof material, but have heard of it. I think inspecting the trailer carefully might help tell you how you should proceed. Things like how the cloth is attached, what sort of edge trim it has, etc.
|
|
kathleenc
Active Member
Posts: 419
Likes: 101
Currently Offline
|
Post by kathleenc on Dec 22, 2016 5:01:25 GMT -8
That is AWESOME! The wood inside looks to be in great condition. Wow.
|
|
|
|
Post by vintagebruce on Dec 22, 2016 7:26:23 GMT -8
 to VTT. To answer your first question, yes, some early campers basically had kind of like an oilcloth roof stretched over wooden "rafters". When you stop and think about it, I would imagine many of the covered wagons and sheep wagons of the "old West" must have had some kind of waterproofing treatment on the cloth. It is also indicated that when the herds of buffalo were still prolific that some manufacturers of 1930's campers switched from the weather proofed cloth to buffalo skin for the roof material. My concern with staying true to the originality of your camper with a cloth top would be that obviously in the 1940's they were not towing campers at current Interstate speeds nor having 18-wheelers barreling past them (in both directions) on two lane highways like we have today. I like the look of the Redman and would certainly encourage you to purchase it at a fair price, possibly using the need to replace the cloth roof as leverage to lower the price a bit. I have not seen one with all the appliances and interior so complete in quite a while, and as a side note, the rear split bumper set-up would be next to impossible to replace if what is there was missing. IMHO, It would be a great camper to own. Good Luck with your choices. I would try and research how the cloth of covered wagons, or oilcloth "dusters" (overcoats) were treated to get an idea of what kind of annual maintenance you might be looking at, should you decide to retain the "cloth" roof. If you do decide to continue with a "material" look, I imagine there are any number of choices in all-weather awning-grade materials that could be considered for replacement of what is on it right now. I do not believe switching to a metal roof would diminish the value of the Redman, should you choose to buy it and go with aluminum. Here is an exaggerated example of an early camper with solid sides but obviously a cloth roof... www.rv123.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Family-Camper-1930s.jpgHere is an advertisement for a Covered Wagon camper. Blow up the script until you can read the description of the roofing. fuzzylizzie.com/myPictures/camp/1930strailers/wagon3.JPGOne final comment. If I were a betting person, I would bet that camper weighs at least 3500#, and a solid tow vehicle with an engine and tranny set-up for towing that kind of weight will be a must.
|
|
Ten
3K Member
Posts: 3,432
Likes: 1,467
70 Shasta 16SC + 1964 Airflyte
Currently Offline
|
Post by Ten on Dec 22, 2016 8:40:25 GMT -8
|
|
turbodaddy
1K Member
Posts: 1,087 
Likes: 462
17' 1965 Fan "Sunseeker"
Currently Offline
|
Post by turbodaddy on Dec 22, 2016 18:11:10 GMT -8
Ah,yes...What a find! Only in the Southwest would someone find something as well preserved as this. It is probably tinder dry (especially all of the putty tape.) and if exposed to the weather it would leak like a sieve. If you are considering trying to keep it looking "authentic" you could use canvas impregnated with epoxy ( West System ) with a UV inhibitor.
|
|
|
|
Post by danrhodes on Dec 22, 2016 19:10:34 GMT -8
I know rubber roofs are frowned on here, but this seems like an ideal application
|
|
msgoehring
Full Member
Just call me Margaret the shellac, buff, sand an shine queen.
Posts: 860
Likes: 303
1957 Westerner Deluxe
Currently Offline
|
Post by msgoehring on Dec 22, 2016 22:24:20 GMT -8
In Idaho we have people who recreate the Oregon trail and actually build covered wagons to use on the trip. I'm not sure what they use for the canvas covers, but I do know it is a fabric of some sort with a treatment on it for weatherproofing. I've seen a few up close and it's very thick and stiff over the main body of the wagon. So that's another avenue for you to research.
But if it was mine, and yes I wish it was I'm so jealous I look like a lime, I'd put an aluminum roof down and cover that with the cloth. That way you'd have waterproof roof and the original look.
|
|
kirkadie
1K Member
Posts: 1,156
Likes: 556
'69 Serro Scotty Hilander
Currently Offline
|
Post by kirkadie on Dec 23, 2016 7:47:59 GMT -8
A number of old carriage roofs were cloth covered. Sort of a tight weave canvas was glued and tacked over roof ribs then white lead was painted on it and then topped with black paint. Very nasty hazardous stuff, that white lead. Back in my buggy building days in Austin I had to repair a number of bodies that had been treated with white lead which was used to get a really smooth finish pre the top coat of paint. Had to wear a hazmat suit.
So don't mess with what you've got there till you know what's under that paint. Take a chip of it to get tested.
My 2 cents.
|
|
edbrown
Member
Posts: 33
Likes: 14
Currently Offline
|
Post by edbrown on Dec 24, 2016 6:39:50 GMT -8
If I said "canoe", most people think either of aluminum or fiberglass. Long before fiberglass was invented, people who couldn't get a birchbark canoe made one of wood, often covered with canvas. If you do an internet search for something like "canvas canoe waterproofing" you'll find lots of ways to keep the original construction, not add a lot of expense or time, and have a strong watertight trailer.
But it will mean a lot of upkeep.
|
|
|
|
Post by vikx on Dec 24, 2016 21:05:42 GMT -8
I wouldn't put a rubber roof on it. They add a lot of weight and don't last long... (warranty is only 12 years IF you do the required maintenance) I would do lots of research and discussions before making a firm decision. I like the idea of original, but it would be as practical as new metal?
|
|
htchevyii
Active Member
Posts: 112
Likes: 35
1966 Aristocrat Lo-Liner
Currently Offline
|
Post by htchevyii on Dec 24, 2016 22:49:18 GMT -8
I'm not sure what it's treated with, but the canvas top on my convertible doesn't leak.
|
|
to VTT. To answer your first question, yes, some early campers basically had kind of like an oilcloth roof stretched over wooden "rafters". When you stop and think about it, I would imagine many of the covered wagons and sheep wagons of the "old West" must have had some kind of waterproofing treatment on the cloth. It is also indicated that when the herds of buffalo were still prolific that some manufacturers of 1930's campers switched from the weather proofed cloth to buffalo skin for the roof material. My concern with staying true to the originality of your camper with a cloth top would be that obviously in the 1940's they were not towing campers at current Interstate speeds nor having 18-wheelers barreling past them (in both directions) on two lane highways like we have today. I like the look of the Redman and would certainly encourage you to purchase it at a fair price, possibly using the need to replace the cloth roof as leverage to lower the price a bit. I have not seen one with all the appliances and interior so complete in quite a while, and as a side note, the rear split bumper set-up would be next to impossible to replace if what is there was missing. IMHO, It would be a great camper to own. Good Luck with your choices. I would try and research how the cloth of covered wagons, or oilcloth "dusters" (overcoats) were treated to get an idea of what kind of annual maintenance you might be looking at, should you decide to retain the "cloth" roof. If you do decide to continue with a "material" look, I imagine there are any number of choices in all-weather awning-grade materials that could be considered for replacement of what is on it right now. I do not believe switching to a metal roof would diminish the value of the Redman, should you choose to buy it and go with aluminum.
