rcaerobat
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1968 Scotty Hilander
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Post by rcaerobat on Aug 2, 2020 11:53:39 GMT -8
Hello everyone,
So I have had this idea about restoring a vintage camper for a few months now. I have been reading up on it on this and other website and it looks like fun. My biggest concern is that I do not have an indoor workshop or covered space to do this. I have plenty of room in the driveway and I live in Georgia, so I have maybe 10 months of good weather year round to work on things. But when I see that I have to remove the skins and expose the wooden frame, I worry that I won’t be able to keep thing dry. Is it feasible to do a restoration project using a tarp to cover things or is that a bad idea?
So far, I have not purchased a camper, but I should be looking at one either tonight or tomorrow.
Thanks in advance.
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kudzu
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Post by kudzu on Aug 2, 2020 15:12:55 GMT -8
Do what the boat guys do an and build a hop frame over the camper and stretch a tarp over that.
I did a refresh on my 21' Chris Craft like that. Drove some rebar in the ground, took some PVC pipe and made a big hoop over the boat. Then I lashed then all together to help keep them stable. Slipped a big blue tarp over the PVC frame and tied them off to some stakes in the ground.
Worked well but it did flex in high winds. Didn't hurt anything either. Dirt cheap and worked well for the 6 months I used it.
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Post by danrhodes on Aug 2, 2020 16:21:12 GMT -8
Cheap carport frame with $11 Costco tarps got me through a full rebuild. During rain, we covered the sides with more tarps.
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rcaerobat
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1968 Scotty Hilander
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Post by rcaerobat on Aug 3, 2020 8:57:25 GMT -8
Alright, so that’s good to know that others have done it this way. If I find something to restore, then that’s likely what I will do.
Thanks.
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Post by vikx on Aug 3, 2020 10:21:12 GMT -8
Look for older trailers, preferably 50s canned hams. There's a good one in Maine right now, depending where you are. Anything 70 or newer is not really considered vintage and there's a lot less demand if you go to resell. These trailers have a lot of MDF and tend to be much heavier.
Very rare trailers are well worth rebuilding but also spendy to buy. That would be Holiday House, Airfloat, Aero Flite, smaller Spartans, older Boles Aeros and the like.
Post here with what you find and we'll help evaluate.
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chriss
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Post by chriss on Aug 9, 2020 8:10:22 GMT -8
Costco had those portable carport set ups for about $200. Think they were 10x20 and include 3 sides. Don't remember how high. You can always block the legs up and be sure to tie it down good. It makes a nice shady workshop during sunny or rainy weather. This is all assuming you have no CCRs restricting such a structure.
Word of warning on blue tarps. They will shed water, but don't let water pool up in them. They will soak through.
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