Anybody have to replace a trailer frame?

Hi Mike,

I replaced a 58 Cardinal frame. It was donated by a ruined 69 Scamper. I had to widen the Cardinal by 2" and lengthen by about 12". (length was added because I wanted a door wider than 19") It didn't cost much as you can guess.

Your trailer might be a Starflyte and 17 feet? It will take a larger frame than most of my trailers. If you are looking for a donor trailer, measure width and length carefully. We normally take them down to the frame anyway to do repairs, so the work isn't that difficult.

That camper is kind of common compared to older model shastas so I would look for another camper that is trashed but has a good frame and do a transplant.

Although the materials to recreate the frame are cheap, labor is almost never cheap. Plus you would need the springs/shackles/axle/coupler.

If you spent $4000 on it you would be investing more than the camper is worth. If it has some personal value, it may not matter.

You might find an old 1970s/80s camper in rough shape for a few hundred dollars. A weekend of demo and you will be the owner of a frame. If it's the same size more or less, maybe even a Shasta, you could pay to get the retrofit done cheaper than recreating the wheel.

Is it rotted through in several places or really bad in one or two areas? Like behind the wheel wells.

Hello Everyone!


Thanks again for all this advice I really appreciate it!

So today I called two welding fabrication shops near me and asked them for quote on fixing or replacing the frame.  They both asked for emailed pictures to see more and see what they wanna do or how much they might charge.  

Still waiting for them to call back.. Hopefully that is not a bad sign? *crosses fingers*

But since then I have emailed and sent photos to about 5 more shops in the area so hopefully we get a response in the next few days.  

To answer some of your questions:

I have no emotional tie to this trailer we just found it for 900$ and impulse bought it.  It didn't at first look that rough and we really liked its character.  

The dream is we want a queen bed across the back and a kitchen across the front with cabinets and storage to make it structural and convenient.  We do not want a bathroom.  And that is why we thought that it being gutted was a plus.


Should I run for the hills now? or is this a realistic goal without going broke.  

Would a vintage restoration company be a good avenue for me to seek? or are they going to be ridiculously over priced?

I'm willing to spend up to 5,ooo$ to get this in a state that would last many years and be a very stable road trip trailer.

I'll take some photos of the wheel wells and frame behind tires tomorrow but here are a few photos of the inside.

Thanks again!
    
   - Mike