papabear
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Post by papabear on Jul 28, 2017 14:12:23 GMT -8
Hi there. New to the board, and have never owned or worked on a travel trailer before. Recently bought a 1971 Shasta 16SC.
After getting it home, started taking things apart, discovered that it's much worse than we'd hoped (but just as bad as we feared). Common refrain here, I'm sure.
We are basically going to have to build a new wood frame. There still may be a few salvageable parts , but I doubt it. So my question is, is there somewhere that has a template of what the frame should be? Lengths, sizes, angles, etc.?
Thank you.
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nccamper
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1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
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Post by nccamper on Jul 28, 2017 16:36:59 GMT -8
Welcome!
I haven't heard of a blueprint for the frame but somebody more knowledgeable than me may chime in. Why not use what's there as your template?
I'd move slowly and document everything while taking it apart. Especially if you want the old skin to fit.
Two resources from our members you should check out:
Some excellent videos at cannedhamtrailers.com
And a great book at vintagetrailerrepairmanual.weebly.com/
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papabear
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Post by papabear on Jul 29, 2017 0:19:45 GMT -8
That is what I'm planning to do, but I'm concerned that with the amount of rot (it's really bad) I won't be able to get a good template.
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chickenfarmer
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1968 Fleetwing Wren
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Post by chickenfarmer on Jul 29, 2017 3:54:24 GMT -8
I traced the skin outline on plywood, then built the frame on the ground.
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Post by vikx on Jul 29, 2017 20:49:14 GMT -8
Use the skins for a template. Once you get started on the framing, you can temporarily tack them up to get your pattern.
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Ten
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70 Shasta 16SC + 1964 Airflyte
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Post by Ten on Jul 29, 2017 22:29:10 GMT -8
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nccamper
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1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
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Post by nccamper on Jul 30, 2017 4:34:28 GMT -8
I've found it easier to use the skin as a template working on the camper. Along the edges where curving goes it's very easy because the plywood strips can be sanded to meet the skin. Hopefully this makes sense.  Shasta 1500-framing front corner by
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roadtripper
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Post by roadtripper on Jul 30, 2017 5:46:41 GMT -8
Using skin pieces worked well for me and temporarily tacked them on here and there to check things. At one curved section I made two the same, one for each side, but had to re make the second as the weren't the same after all. So don't assume too much.
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Post by bigbill on Jul 31, 2017 6:21:57 GMT -8
These trailers were not built to exact specs so no plans that you can depend on are available. If you start comparing two trailers of the exact same make and model you will find many differences. I like to duplicate as much of the original wall as possible then use skins to help me form sections that no longer exist, usually corners and rear bottom areas. The thing to keep in mind is as long it is close and edges match existing skin you should be fine.
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papabear
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Post by papabear on Aug 2, 2017 14:08:12 GMT -8
Thanks all. I had watched one of mobiltec's videos where he was hammering on staying as close to the original build as possible to keep it stable. Maybe I took it a little too literally.
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