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Post by brentwood_zephyr on Jun 22, 2020 9:52:05 GMT -8
Hi Folks. I'm new here and this is my first post. Long story short, I became unemployed and impulse bought my Lovebug as my fallback. Was interested in tiny house, vanlife and generally small living. The camper simply fell in my lap, so I jumped on it, cause I felt the need to. Unfortunately, after viewing quite a few renovating videos on youtube and interacting with a few, it became clear that I may have jumped the gun, as the trailer is practically gutted. After serious discussions with myself, I am deciding to continue on with my 'adventure' and going to give this a go. As the great philosopher Spicoli from Fast Times At Ridgemont High stated.... "we can fix it... my Dad has an awesome set of tools!!"
So... I know some basics as, building from the inside... There are some skeletal remains that I can use as a template and the skin is in fare shape. I'm not going to sugar coat anything, literally and figuratively, so all wood will be replaced the best I can, with weight and structural soundness kept in mind. The only deadline I have right now is get it done before I irritate my fine friend/roommate before they kick me out. If that happens, well, it stays pretty warm out this time of year. LOL!
Be gentle with me. Would appreciate any guidance for any newbie like me. I know it's not a typical reno. but I'm jumping in, sink or swim. Plus, it'll be a great lesson for my kids to learn. When the world serves you lemons.... rebuild a camper!
Thanks in advance!
Juergen
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nccamper
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Posts: 7,744 
Likes: 2,871
1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
Currently Offline
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Post by nccamper on Jun 22, 2020 10:01:54 GMT -8
Welcome!
We're always happy to help.
If your camper is a typical design, needing repaired from the outside working in, taking the skin completely off may be the right approach.
Can you post interior photos showing how the framing meets the floor and ceiling?
Is the floor solid?
Frame (,metal and wood) solid?
Did it come with the title? If no, get the title issued before putting too much time and money into it.
Along with info you'll find here there are 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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Post by brentwood_zephyr on Jun 22, 2020 11:03:51 GMT -8
Thanks nccamper! Yea, got it from a my daughter's friends mother. No title. It has the license plate. I live in California and I did see an option to build it as a DIY, but then it would break away from the 'vintageness'.
Yes, I got hooked on Larry and cannedhamtrailers YouTube videos. Gonna try to implement his techniques. Laborious, but it looks like the 'right' thing to do. I agree with all, you don't want the think blowing up on the road. I don't want it doing any bad things to my fellow drivers on the road.
Skin is metal. Frame is wood. Floor is wood. Trailer is original. Newish tires. Again, I am assuming all wood is rotted or bad and am replacing it. I haven't removed any yet, as I want to use it as a template as I replace it. Basically the skeleton and upper cabinets are the only thing left inside. No insulation. I want to use the cabinet as a template too, so will not willie-nillie rip it out. May be able to salvage it, but if everything else is going to be new... I'll take that on when the time comes.
I'll get pics up in a little bit.
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Post by brentwood_zephyr on Jun 22, 2020 11:21:26 GMT -8
So, this should give an idea of the interior. MAYBE there is some wood that can be salvaged, but since it's this far, I might as well replace all wood so I know there is NO rot.
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nccamper
Administrator
Posts: 7,744
Likes: 2,871
1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
Currently Offline
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Post by nccamper on Jun 22, 2020 16:55:07 GMT -8
I'm not seeing the photos. How did you link them?
You’ll find tutorials showing how to link photos to your post here: |
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Post by vikx on Jun 22, 2020 19:30:30 GMT -8
Well it looks like a Hanson Lovebug to me, probably 52 to 57, not much newer. I have a friend near San Bernardino who has a 22' 1955 Hanson down there. There's a few around. Post the VIN and I can tell you what yours is. You will have to take the skins off to do repairs. Trust me, I had two Hansons and you can NOT repair them from the inside. I took mine down to the frame after trying to do 1/2 way repairs which didn't work. They're easy to skin, as it's all screwed on. Here is the link to my 53 Hanson: 53hansonlovebug.shutterfly.com/pictures They have a beautiful canned ham figure... Please post more photos. |
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Post by brentwood_zephyr on Jun 23, 2020 7:13:09 GMT -8
Thanks! I will go thru Flickr in a few. I used Google Photo. I saw a few photos online, and based on where the emblem was(under the window), it seems like a 1952. I don't have the VIN. Not sure where to find it, and I haven't looked at the forum yet on how to find it. My guess is that it's under the trailerhead somewhere. Also, how to deal with the DMV about the whole trailer thing. In CA, I saw on the DMV sight that the trailer can be treated as a DYI, so might be an option too.
Yes, my plan is to get the skin off. Just a 'nature of the beast' thing. Also, makes sense, as the skin connects/screws into the frame. And I certainly have to replace the frame if I want to feel good about the structural integrity. As tedious and 'laborious' as it might be, it's mainly time consuming. Seems that they were nice when they designed this one, as the skin is made up of 6 sheets on the curb side. 7 counting the small sheet above the door. Makes them a more manageable size. Looks like the top is in separate sheets too, so again... more manageable with less chance of 'kinking'.
As much as I'd like to do that full restore, I think I'm gonna just worry first about soundness. Maybe have some modern-ness in it. Already have a 12v Fridge/Freezer for it. It will go over the curb wheel well, like the typical Hanson/Shastas had, by the door. Flooring, will be replaced, then most like going for the newer 'vinyl'/linoleum as there are good designs now to simulate wood and they come in 12' sheets, which is the length of the inside. Just need one 6'9" and cut out the rectangle for the wheels.
Anyways.... Let me get Flickr-fied.
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Post by brentwood_zephyr on Jun 23, 2020 8:57:46 GMT -8
Well, I could be wrong on the year, as that link above to the 53 Hanson has the symbol in the same spot. BTW, thanks for THAT link. Awesome interior, and great for a template/design on how it used to look, since I have near zero on mine. Thanks for the Flickr tutorial link, it got me going in the right direction.. Let's try my pics on Flickr.....  20200327_133303 by js, on Flickr  20200424_104806 by js, on Flickr  20200426_174626 by js, on Flickr  20200426_174635 by js, on Flickr  20200426_174639 by js, on Flickr  20200426_174545 by j
s, on Flickr  20200426_174331 by js, on Flickr |
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Post by vikx on Jun 23, 2020 11:00:07 GMT -8
The VIN is on the top of the doorside tongue. It will look like 5217### or 5517###, something like that. It should be fairly obvious as mine were. The 53 Hanson on my site is actually a 52, tho the title says 53. Probably the year sold...
Your Hanson looks very much like mine and is well worth a restoration. Honestly, you'll have to rebuild it to get it sound. My frame had to be welded so it was a frame up build. As said, I tried to 1/2 A it and that was a mistake. My book mentions the same thing-there just wasn't any way to fix it without taking it apart.
You can use the skins as a pattern for the wall framing; tack them up periodically to be sure of a good fit.
PM me for my email address with questions.
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