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Post by freebirdbeachbum on Jul 2, 2019 9:16:40 GMT -8
I'm just finishing up my 2nd classic car restoration and our modern Jayco was recently stolen from the Public Storage so I'm thinking a vintage '60s Shasta Compact may be my next project.
I leaning towards a '60s-era Shasta because I love the vintage look and I'm also vintage '60s-era and the Compact because it will fit in my garage.
My preliminary vision is to obtain a structurally solid example to completely gut and do a resto-mod.
Any and all thoughts appreciated, especially where I should look for one (e.g. Ebay, Craigslist, etc...).
Thanks. |
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Alaska Shasta
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Post by Alaska Shasta on Jul 2, 2019 9:38:49 GMT -8
I got lucky. My Shasta found me through a friend. However, I like to use searchtempest.com to see what is out there nationwide. Best wishes on your endeavor. Bryan
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Jul 2, 2019 10:23:48 GMT -8
Welcome!
You're smart to ask questions before gutting a camper.
Gutting a camper from the inside is (in most cases) a huge mistake. With few exceptions, vintage campers need to be repaired from the outside working in. If you see rotten panels on the inside, the framing behind it is almost always rotted too.
Something else to keep in mind, the cabinets and benches act as support for the entire camper. Any alteration that removes or moves the cabinets should be done with care.
Two resources from our members you should check out: Some excellent videos at cannedhamtrailers.com And a great book at vintagetrailerrepairmanual.weebly.com/You'll really like working on a vintage camper. They're great fun. |
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Jul 2, 2019 15:45:32 GMT -8
Usually if a trailer has been made structurally sound, most of the rest of the work has been done. If you’re looking for a canned ham, especially a Compact, to completely redo, plan on doing a frame up restoration/rebuild. There are a few things that you can do with the inside of a Compact, but as nccamper said above, the cabinetry is what keeps the trailer upright. If you buy one that’s “structurally sound”, make sure you get photos documenting what was done. Structural work CANNOT be accomplished from inside the e trailer. Another thing, easpecially with a really small trailer, is to make sure that any changes you make don’t mess with the tongue weight.
The Compact does have some pretty good versatility as far as making changes. As many folks here know already, we raised Hamlet’s roof from the wheel well froward, changed the closet to a shower/porta potty room, turned the bed sideways and added a closet and a two drawer chest . Weight wise, it’s only about 20 pounds extra, but it makes the trailer much more functional. We took the trailer apart, saved everything we could, took a gazillion pictures, and then rebuilt it the same way it was built from the start.
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Post by freebirdbeachbum on Jul 2, 2019 16:25:11 GMT -8
Usually if a trailer has been made structurally sound, most of the rest of the work has been done. If you’re looking for a canned ham, especially a Compact, to completely redo, plan on doing a frame up restoration/rebuild. There are a few things that you can do with the inside of a Compact, but as nccamper said above, the cabinetry is what keeps the trailer upright. If you buy one that’s “structurally sound”, make sure you get photos documenting what was done. Structural work CANNOT be accomplished from inside the e trailer. Another thing, easpecially with a really small trailer, is to make sure that any changes you make don’t mess with the tongue weight. The Compact does have some pretty good versatility as far as making changes. As many folks here know already, we raised Hamlet’s roof from the wheel well froward, changed the closet to a shower/porta potty room, turned the bed sideways and added a closet and a two drawer chest . Weight wise, it’s only about 20 pounds extra, but it makes the trailer much more functional. We took the trailer apart, saved everything we could, took a gazillion pictures, and then rebuilt it the same way it was built from the start. Thanks for your comments and other members as well. Your points re maintaining the structural integrity are taken.
Just like my position on classic cars, I would never take a totally, or even mostly, complete and original example and do this. I think it would be a crime.
I'm looking for what some would call a basket case and get it back in the campground looking new and original on the outside.
On the inside, I want it to sleep two adults and two kids and have a toilet, sink, A/C and heater and, of course, electricity. We don't do any dry or tent camping as a family so the campgrounds we seek out have electric and water/sewer hookups. We rarely used the stove or microwave in our modern camper and we never used the fresh water tank. An Igloo cooler will suffice for refrigeration as will a portable propane grill and our Ford Expedition has plenty of storage space. I think freeing up the space that the kitchen appliances would otherwise occupy should make it much more comfortable for sleeping and/or hanging out in bad weather.
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Jul 2, 2019 16:34:10 GMT -8
With the bed turned sideways, it’s a full size rather than asking, but the only wsy you can sleep two kids as well is by using the bunk/hammocks that hang over where the table is in the daytime. And those preclude almost all kids over the age of. 11 or12. You might want to look at an Airflyte. There’s a 3/4 size bed in the back and the table/benches convert to a bed big enough for a couple kids to share.
Also, there was someone here several years ago that reconfigured an Airflyte to have bunks along the street side. I don’t remember what else he did to make sure it was sound. If he’s still around, I hope he’ll see this and respond.
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Post by vikx on Jul 2, 2019 19:25:08 GMT -8
"Just like my position on classic cars, I would never take a totally, or even mostly, complete and original example and do this. I think it would be a crime.
I'm looking for what some would call a basket case and get it back in the campground looking new and original on the outside."
Regardless of how you configure the floor plan, the trailer will still need to be repaired from the outside in. There is important wood below floor level that holds the body onto the frame. These sill and skirt boards are very often rotten and need to be replaced.
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Post by freebirdbeachbum on Jul 2, 2019 21:03:18 GMT -8
With the bed turned sideways, it’s a full size rather than asking, but the only wsy you can sleep two kids as well is by using the bunk/hammocks that hang over where the table is in the daytime. And those preclude almost all kids over the age of. 11 or12. You might want to look at an Airflyte. There’s a 3/4 size bed in the back and the table/benches convert to a bed big enough for a couple kids to share. Also, there was someone here several years ago that reconfigured an Airflyte to have bunks along the street side. I don’t remember what else he did to make sure it was sound. If he’s still around, I hope he’ll see this and respond. I think the Compact would already be pushing the limits of my garage. Bunks over the table seem to one option. Could the space be smaller than the size of a sleeping bag? |
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Jul 3, 2019 8:57:41 GMT -8
With the bed turned sideways, it’s a full size rather than asking, but the only wsy you can sleep two kids as well is by using the bunk/hammocks that hang over where the table is in the daytime. And those preclude almost all kids over the age of. 11 or12. You might want to look at an Airflyte. There’s a 3/4 size bed in the back and the table/benches convert to a bed big enough for a couple kids to share. Also, there was someone here several years ago that reconfigured an Airflyte to have bunks along the street side. I don’t remember what else he did to make sure it was sound. If he’s still around, I hope he’ll see this and respond. I think the Compact would already be pushing the limits of my garage. Bunks over the table seem to one option. Could the space be smaller than the size of a sleeping bag? There are two “bunks” made of heavy canvas with pockets to hold the metal poles that support them. Each one is smaller than an adult sleeping bag. Our 11 and 8 year old grandkids love their beds. As far as height for your garage, some folks take off the tires and roll the trailer into and out of the garage on a dolly. We had Hamlet in our garage for the first several years, but he’s been in the elements for about six. And there is maintenance to be done! You said you camp in places that have amenities. If you have electricity, it’s easier to have a small space heater to use when you need rather than taking up space with a furnace. Same with water. We keep a hose to hook to city water unless we’re boondocking. The other thing about the Compact is that if there are four people inside, all you have to do is put a tea kettle on the stove. That’ll warm up the tiny space very quickly. I spent 2.5 years living in Hamlet four nights a week. The temp would hit the 90s in the summer and the teens in the winter. I had water and electricity, so I used a space heater when it dipped to freezing, and added ice to the icebox daily in the when the temperature soared. We love our slightly modified Hamlet. He’s easy to pull, quick to set up and take down and is equally as happy on BLM land as he is in a place with luxuries. We have enough storage to suffice our needs for 2-3 week excursions... except for fresh food and ice. Good luck with your search. |
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Post by freebirdbeachbum on Jul 8, 2019 7:20:11 GMT -8
As far as height for your garage, some folks take off the tires and roll the trailer into and out of the garage on a dolly. I measured the garage clearance height and it's 7'4". The specs on the Compact indicate 7'7" height. If I let the air out of the tires to roll it in or out (as opposed to removing the wheels), could I squeeze it thru? |
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Jul 8, 2019 7:38:44 GMT -8
People have done that with success. First, measure the height of YOUR camper, it may vary a bit from that. Make sure you measure the vent cover as well. We raised Hamlet’s roof a couple inches in the front, but looking at a photo of my 6 foot hubby standing next to it, it doesn’t look more than about 15 inches taller than he is. Another thing, if the axle has been flipped, that’ll add several inches to the height.
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Post by freebirdbeachbum on Jul 8, 2019 8:21:46 GMT -8
People have done that with success. First, measure the height of YOUR camper, it may vary a bit from that. Make sure you measure the vent cover as well. We raised Hamlet’s roof a couple inches in the front, but looking at a photo of my 6 foot hubby standing next to it, it doesn’t look more than about 15 inches taller than he is. Another thing, if the axle has been flipped, that’ll add several inches to the height. Thanks so much for your quick reply. K |
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Post by freebirdbeachbum on Jul 10, 2019 14:49:51 GMT -8
So I found a 1960 Airflyte here in town and had a look.
It appears to be very original, except the electrics have been updated to 30 amp which only powers an a/c under the rear bed and an outlet. The only visable water damage is around the roof vent. The undercarriage metal has only surface rust and the wood appears to be rot free. The exterior looks really good including all the windows and the door and was repainted not too long ago. The interior is complete and in good condition for being 60 years old. The current owners have had it for a couple of years and have a clean title and store in a covered RV storage lot. It seems to have been cared for during its life.
Here's the question...What's a clean, original, but unrestored 1960 Shasta Airflyte worth? |
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Post by vikx on Jul 10, 2019 19:32:23 GMT -8
Not a whole lot... if you see water damage, the trailer has ROT. If you see ripples in the panels, there is rot behind them. Appearances can be deceiving. (surface rust, rot free wood) In over 20 years of rebuilding these little gems, I've seen only ONE trailer that was rot free. It was stored in a warehouse for almost 50 years...
If the interior has been painted or patched it can be very difficult to truly know if it's in good condition or not.
Post some pix and we'll try to help evaluate the Airflyte.
In my opinion, any seller asking 5K or over should have rebuilt the trailer and have pictures to prove it.
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Jul 11, 2019 10:28:32 GMT -8
The other thing to consider is the weight of the a/c under the gaucho. The bulk of the weight should be forward of the wheels, you don't want to mess too much with the tongue weight.
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