nccamper
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1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
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Post by nccamper on Sept 15, 2017 18:10:00 GMT -8
We never talk dollars and cents (crass) but it may be helpful to somebody starting a vintage camper project to know BEFORE they start exactly what’s involved. I’ll share some numbers from a recent restoration project and others can add to the list or tell me I’m crazy. This is from memory:
Birch panels of good quality- 10 @ $45 each— Total $450
Shellac amber and clear, applicator/brushes/rags/alcohol/etc - around $200
Lumber: Plywood,1x pine, 2x4 for framing, some poplar, etc.— around $300
One replacement jalousie window on eBay— $100
L66 Bargman lock & license plate light- $200
Cylinder for Bargman lock/ hatch lock (vintagetrailersupplly.com) $25
Replacement glass for several windows- $30
Polish, rags, acid cleaner, etc for windows- $100
Replacement weather stripping, etc, (vintagetrailershop.com)- $70
Grade 5 bolts for floor to box- $45
Screws (stainless, exterior grade various sizes, etc.)- $300
Wood to build bed frame & plywood- $75
Walmart Mattress (memory foam cut by me to the right size)— $150
Cushions /curtains/ all materials: $600
30amp electrical material-10, 12, 14 Gauge wire (with extra), fuse box, inlet, cord -$300
Fantastic Fan, marker lights, tail lights (vintagetrailersupply.com)- $350
Interior 12 volt lights (VTS) & porch light- $100
12 volt fuse panel and ground bar (Blue Sea), breaker block, battery maintainer, deep cycle battery, 12V wire, etc- around $350
Wire for tail/running lights/brakes, junction box, 7 prong hitch cord, hardware (Mostly trailer): around $100
Paint: oil enamel $80 automotive $800
Paint supplies: Tape, tarps, rosin paper, etc, $150
Paint HVLP spray gun: $40 and up.
Etc...
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theresa
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from Northern Maine ~ Proud new owner of Lola, a 1960 Shasta Airflyte and Pearl, a 1962 Mobile Scout
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Post by theresa on Sept 15, 2017 18:35:34 GMT -8
Here are some items I'd add, that differ from yours. Some items I don't remember the exact costs of and some I had hired out so they're a bit more expensive than if I had tackled them myself.
Hired work to frame (including replacing jack, maintaining hubs, replacing electric brakes, replacing springs and shackles, and straightened a bent outrigger): $600
Having dinette cushions professionally restored and reupholstered: $500
Materials to replace flooring and sub-flooring (2 layers of plywood, roof coating to paint underneath subfloor, VCT adhesive and VCT tiles)
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datac
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1957 Cardinal
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Post by datac on Sept 15, 2017 19:11:07 GMT -8
Don't forget proper ST tires (pretty much guaranteed, and not cheap).
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Post by danrhodes on Sept 15, 2017 20:31:52 GMT -8
I'm going to need to make the cheap-o counterpoint to this because there are many ways to keep costs under control while restoring an old camper.
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roadtripper
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Post by roadtripper on Sept 16, 2017 6:40:25 GMT -8
I haven't kept track of costs but I'd say nc's list is right on, especially the "etc." at the end. There are options to cut costs like the paint as he mentioned. I opted for the auto paint thinking I hadn't cut corners anywhere else, so why start there. Just the way I was able to go about it. There are also appliances sometimes. I need a new fridge and the nice little norcold is $900. Mine came with old split rims so wheels (3) will be $50 each plus tires. Any way you look at it, in my opinion, it costs more and takes longer than you think it will. Not only with trailers, but almost everything.
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Post by bigbill on Sept 16, 2017 7:09:39 GMT -8
Any project you take on always cost more than you expect it to, but the total cost depends on what you decide to wind up with. With no labor cost I think the cost of a proper safe rebuild will start at $2000.00 and could easily exceed $10,000 with some getting in the $15.000 & up range it all depends on what you wish to end up with. The only thing that I can say for sure is finding a 5o+ year old trailer that you can give a bath and paint the interior is next to impossible. Your desired comfort level is a major factor in the cost, things like heat, AC, refrigeration, TV, stereo, computer/cell phone, showers, and toilets all cost money.
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nccamper
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1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
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Post by nccamper on Sept 16, 2017 8:41:39 GMT -8
Great responses.
I forgot $2000 for new Hemet Valley skin. If you're nearby and can pick it up you'll save $400-$500.
10" thick memory foam mattress: $169
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chickenfarmer
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1968 Fleetwing Wren
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Post by chickenfarmer on Sept 16, 2017 12:01:58 GMT -8
My Advice 1. Stretch out the project. 2. Throw away all receipts. 3. Don't keep up with time spent. 4. Tell yourself that you needed all those tools anyway. 5. Involve your family, they are cheaper than hired help and you can keep your friends. 6. Don't tell yourself that it only a camper and nobody will ever notice this imperfection. 7. Go ahead and fix that last thing, in 50 years you don't want to be embarrassed of your work when they are hauling it to the dump. 8. Build either a shop, garage, barn, lean to or just buy a new place, it is all about the camper at this point. 9. Finish, go camping a few times, bask in the glory. 10. Repeat
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mrmarty51
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1972 HOMEMADE
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Post by mrmarty51 on Sept 16, 2017 12:35:37 GMT -8
My Advice 1. Stretch out the project. 2. Throw away all receipts. 3. Don't keep up with time spent. 4. Tell yourself that you needed all those tools anyway. 5. Involve your family, they are cheaper than hired help and you can keep your friends. 6. Don't tell yourself that it only a camper and nobody will ever notice this imperfection. 7. Go ahead and fix that last thing, in 50 years you don't want to be embarrassed of your work when they are hauling it to the dump. 8. Build either a shop, garage, barn, lean to or just buy a new place, it is all about the camper at this point. 9. Finish, go camping a few times, bask in the glory. 10. Repeat That is excellent chicken farmer. I had started keeping receipts for materials on My camper, the wifey toosed them into the trash one day without Me knowing. I did want to do a tally when it was finished. As NC camper stated, the siding and roofing for mine was a few dollars over $2,000.00 just a couple though. My camper has a twn foot floor and wall length is 12 foot at the longest. With that said, I believe that I have over $5,000.00 but probably under $6,000.00 invested.
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Sept 16, 2017 12:36:23 GMT -8
4. Tell yourself that you needed all those tools anyway. Chickenfarmer, you don't want to go there!
8. Build either a shop, garage, barn, lean to or just buy a new place, it is all about the camper at this point. You REALLY don't want to bring that up!
You forgot, "Buy a new $34,000 truck to pull the $1000 camper you're restoring" ---- Marty, "I believe that I have over $5,000.00 but probably under $6,000.00 invested." You're painfully close to guessing what I spent on our Forester.
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Post by bigbill on Sept 16, 2017 17:01:36 GMT -8
As my ole daddy used to say "its only money an youse can't take it wit ya"
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shastatom
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I can chase women or fix campers, I choose to fix what I understand........... campers.
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Shasta 54,57 1500 58 Airflyte
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Post by shastatom on Sept 17, 2017 11:49:44 GMT -8
Since I just finished with a restoration I can tell you it all depends on what you want in the end. You can do lots of things to save money but also there are some items you should just get others with the right expense tools and skills to do.
I planned $6000 for the rebuild and I think I am between 8 and 9 grand. But my son told me don't do it half axx and that was my thought every time I wanted to cheap out. I am refinishing for memories. Since the camper had been in the family since 1972 I wasn't realistic and was to emotional when I did this.
I haven't been passionate about anything in the last 2 years since my Dad died. But this reminds me of all the summers we spend in it at the lake property. If dad was still alive he would really like it but would also tell me I was crazy to spend so much on this silly little camper.
Chicken farmer is right. Don't look at the costs, spend what it takes, and enjoy the journey.
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datac
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Post by datac on Sept 17, 2017 19:29:17 GMT -8
In my day job (I work in IT), I'm asked to develop systems that provide all sorts of information. My go-to answer: If the data in question doesn't act to inform a decision, it's worthless. First thing I ask my customers- what is the decision that this data drives, and are you actually willing to make that decision?
As a data guy, I'm interested in all sorts of data and metrics, but when taking on a project like this I avoid it at all costs. What is the decision the data informs? To cut corners? To abandon the project? If I'm not willing to make those choices, collecting data to support those decisions is a waste of time, energy, and good mental health. I have no idea what I've spent on any of my car restorations, or how many hours they took. All of the receipts go into a file, never to be totaled up under any circumstances.
You know it'll be a big number. You can be pretty certain that it will exceed the value of the end product, especially if you consider your time as being worth more than prison wages. Why ask the question, when it can only serve to make you unhappy?
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Post by bigbill on Sept 18, 2017 3:23:32 GMT -8
In my day job (I work in IT), I'm asked to develop systems that provide all sorts of information. My go-to answer: If the data in question doesn't act to inform a decision, it's worthless. First thing I ask my customers- what is the decision that this data drives, and are you actually willing to make that decision? As a data guy, I'm interested in all sorts of data and metrics, but when taking on a project like this I avoid it at all costs. What is the decision the data informs? To cut corners? To abandon the project? If I'm not willing to make those choices, collecting data to support those decisions is a waste of time, energy, and good mental health. I have no idea what I've spent on any of my car restorations, or how many hours they took. All of the receipts go into a file, never to be totaled up under any circumstances. You know it'll be a big number. You can be pretty certain that it will exceed the value of the end product, especially if you consider your time as being worth more than prison wages. Why ask the question, when it can only serve to make you unhappy? It has one major purpose. It would keep someone from being dumb enough to think they are making money from their hobby. The main reason to restore anything is the pleasure you receive from owning it. Some times one makes a profit over their cost but if they pay themselves the minimum amount they need to make to survive most lose money. If you wish to make a living on trailers your best shot is repair work doing the things many can't or won't do themselves if you are able to do them properly. In our area RV shops are charging a hundred and twenty dollars an hour labor and some can't pay their overhead and taxes to stay in business.
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nccamper
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1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
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Post by nccamper on Sept 18, 2017 10:15:23 GMT -8
In my day job (I work in IT), I'm asked to develop systems that provide all sorts of information. My go-to answer: If the data in question doesn't act to inform a decision, it's worthless. First thing I ask my customers- what is the decision that this data drives, and are you actually willing to make that decision? As a data guy, I'm interested in all sorts of data and metrics, but when taking on a project like this I avoid it at all costs. What is the decision the data informs? To cut corners? To abandon the project? If I'm not willing to make those choices, collecting data to support those decisions is a waste of time, energy, and good mental health. I have no idea what I've spent on any of my car restorations, or how many hours they took. All of the receipts go into a file, never to be totaled up under any circumstances. You know it'll be a big number. You can be pretty certain that it will exceed the value of the end product, especially if you consider your time as being worth more than prison wages. Why ask the question, when it can only serve to make you unhappy? It has one major purpose. It would keep someone from being dumb enough to think they are making money from their hobby. The main reason to restore anything is the pleasure you receive from owning it. Some times one makes a profit over their cost but if they pay themselves the minimum amount they need to make to survive most lose money. If you wish to make a living on trailers your best shot is repair work doing the things many can't or won't do themselves if you are able to do them properly. In our area RV shops are charging a hundred and twenty dollars an hour labor and some can't pay their overhead and taxes to stay in business. Great points. Datac, your camper is a labor of love your family will enjoy for years, maybe decades, to come. I think it’s great. Throw away the receipts and do it right. You don’t want your great grandchildren saying you were a cheapskate on materials. Let the money flow. With that said, I think there are people who join us here hoping for a quick, easy clean-up before camping. They realize after the demo that it may need ten times more than they paid for the camper to restore it correctly. It ultimately ends up on CL a complete wreck. My hope is that this thread will let people know what they’re taking on before they’re too far down the rabbit hole.
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