debranch
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71 Shasta Compact
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Post by debranch on Sept 6, 2018 7:19:22 GMT -8
Just opened up a can of worms. I bought a compact this spring. We needed a trailer light enough to be pulled by our Jeep and I am a mid-century girl. I love the era and could not think of getting a new trailer. So I am going to be getting this diamond in the rough in shape. If a leak had not been discovered on vacation then I would not have discovered the improper work so I am thankful for the water issue. Because now I get to fix it correctly and know it will be safe on the road for years to come. I will get pictures uploaded as soon as I can.
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Sept 6, 2018 8:01:36 GMT -8
Welcome! Keep in mind that a can of worms may help you catch the big fish... in your case, a 1971 Compact. You will be able to say you did the appropriate restoration work and know that yours won’t be the subject of one of those videos of trailers that have imploded on the road. We look forward to pictures!
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debranch
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Post by debranch on Sept 6, 2018 8:15:27 GMT -8
Thanks, think I’m one of the lucky ones I get to put it back how I want it not live with someone else taste. I at least have some knowledge about construction my daddy is a retired Navy Seabee and I am an excellent carpenters assistant. Which means I have picked up a lot from him an am so glad I found this site thanks to Mobiletec on YouTube. pic of trailer, CDB145CA-8CCF-48F8-A211-7C8F1E038314 by debra branch, on Flickr IMG_0413 by debra branch, on Flickr inside pics of PO IMG_0412 by debra branch, on Flickr IMG_0414 by debra branch, on Flickr IMG_0415 by debra branch, on Flickr pics of water damage and improper repairs by PO IMG_0403 by debra branch, on Flickr this board is covering the roof vent? why would anyone do that IMG_0406 by debra branch, on Flickr no idea how someone would think this is ok found exposed wires needing to fix leak but this could have been a far bigger issue it will be repaired correctly. IMG_0408 by debra branch, on Flickr IMG_0409 by debra branch, on Flickr PO tried to fix from the inside and piece mill it back together paneling / pressed paper IMG_0410 by debra branch, on Flickr paper holds water and expands paint want cover that ever. I will keep this updated as the project progresses
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strange1
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1965 Shasta Airflyte
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Post by strange1 on Sept 6, 2018 14:48:23 GMT -8
Welcome...that looks fun and exciting. At least when you're done you'll know it's done right...as long as it's done right.
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debranch
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Post by debranch on Sept 6, 2018 15:04:23 GMT -8
It will be done right. I’m finding supplies first before I take the skin off I only pulled enough of the paneling if you want to call it paneling to see what the PO had done so I know what needs to be done and what I need to accomplish the project. Looking forward to working on it.
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Post by vikx on Sept 6, 2018 20:54:38 GMT -8
Welcome. We're looking forward to helping you do it!
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debranch
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Post by debranch on Sept 7, 2018 8:27:12 GMT -8
Thank you
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debranch
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Post by debranch on Sept 28, 2018 5:16:17 GMT -8
We moved the Compact yesterday. not an easy task given our property layout. compact moved by debra branch, on Flickr now that we have it moved we can get the cover up. so we can start working on the old girl. I have a few more things to remove from the outside before I can remove the skin and see what is going on under there. the Shasta behind will be done after repairs are completed on the 71 compact. my daughter and son-in-law have clamed that one and are excited about working on it. shasta moved by debra branch, on Flickr work space will be tight but I will make it work, between the retaining wall and the house there is not a lot of room, but it is the flattest place on the property, and we have power hookup on the side of the house beside both campers. We are going to be in charge of different parts of the work load on the job, husband Richard is in charge of all electrical and plumbing, I will be heading up carpentry, son-in-law Dewey is excellent at auto detail so he is going to clean all the windows and trim to it mill finish; of curse there will be many times when several hands are needed. It will be a good family project, a team building project, so I am sure I will be asking a lot of questions along the way. This site is a treasure trove of information and I am so thankful for all of the threads, a lot of my questions have already been answered just by reading old threads. Debra
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Post by vikx on Sept 28, 2018 19:29:36 GMT -8
Have fun with them! Great that you've got a family party going on.
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debranch
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Post by debranch on Sept 30, 2018 17:04:06 GMT -8
We got the cover put up this weekend, it took some time, it was not tall enough so we had to create a riser system. There isn't a lot of room to work on the sides but she'll stay dry as we work on her. IMG_0454 by debra branch, on Flickr I took all the windows out, my Daughter Reina was in town this weekend so I was able to send them home with her so Dewey can start cleaning and put all new seals in all 5 of them. I also removed the j-rails. I was excepting to find a lot of staples under the j-rail but there were not any just small nails and a lot of butyl tape. I hope that will make it easer to get the skin off.
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debranch
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Post by debranch on Oct 1, 2018 15:34:54 GMT -8
I got the roof loose today all the nails holding the roof on removed . And the skin off the front on the camper. I took the door off, I will be building a new one PO has made a door but I don’t know why they made a 20 pound door for a camper? So I will be making a much lighter one to replace it. I’m looking for a hinge with screen hinge built in ( how wide does the contenous hinge need to be I found one that’s 3 inches wide but that seems to wide am I wrong in me thinking on that one.) and of corse they are a little on the pricey side. Any thoughts
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Post by vikx on Oct 1, 2018 19:33:35 GMT -8
The easiest way to find the combo hinge would be to buy another door and frame.
The ones I have experience with are about 1 1/2" with the screen hinges at least 2 1/2. They stick out quite a bit so the screen clears the door. I would do a lot more research before ordering something. Are there any other vintage trailers in your area to look at?
You might contact Trailertrasher to see if he has anything available.
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debranch
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Post by debranch on Oct 15, 2018 15:46:37 GMT -8
Update, we picked up the plywood for the Compact this weekend. We also found an old door off a motor home at my father-in-laws junkyard. It’s from the 80s or 90s so I will have to reskin it but he is letting us have it no charge. So score. Richard picked up lumber today and I removed the rest of the screws from the street side and I have loosened the staples holding the skin on both sides just waiting till I’m ready to start framing the walls to pull the skin to use for the pattern. Maybe tomorrow if I have enough time after work. I’m hoping that once I get going it will move along at a good clip a lot will be determined by the weather this winter. NC mountains can be unpredictable.
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debranch
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Post by debranch on Oct 26, 2018 6:01:42 GMT -8
It's been over a week since I have posted but I have been working a little along on the compact. Last week I went to Daddy's and we used his plainer to clean up some 50+ year old Mahogany to use as the skirt wood
flic.kr/p/2cm78CU It has been stacked in the woods for 50years at my daddy's house and it has lived through a lightning fire after running it through the plainer it looks good flic.kr/p/2cm78C3 I know some will say that high quality of wood to be hidden is a shame but it is extremely strong wood that is naturally resistant to bugs, water damage and rot makes it a good choice for the skirt, and it was FREE in a hobby like this that can funnel money that is a nice word. flic.kr/p/QhG7nh I got the skin off the street side and was able to use it as a pattern for the new wall. The PO did not repair the camper properly so I'm going to use all new wood on the sides so I can build both walls leaving the old walls in place until I'm ready to install the new ones. flic.kr/p/2bjuKdQ The wall is coming along its slow going with work and National Guard drill last weekend but I have been doing a little each night when I get home from work. I'm working 4/10s. just my luck I'm off work today and its going to rain all day so I will not get to work as much as I was hoping. Still I hope I can finish framing the street side wall and start on the curb side wall by Sunday night.
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debranch
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Post by debranch on Oct 28, 2018 18:41:07 GMT -8
I was able to finish framing the street side this weekend and get it rough cut out, then I removed the skin on the curb side. I used the skin as a pattern for the curb side also. I have started cutting and gluing some of the frame for that side today but I know that it will take me a few days to get that wall completed than I will use the router on both walls at the same time. I want to be able to shellac both at the same time and building the walls takes up a lot of room so when they are built I will need to reorganize the area to make room to continue working. I'm thankful for this site, keeping this log keeps me accountable and moving forward with the project.
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