johnvosh
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1978 Travelaire Rustler 205L
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Post by johnvosh on Aug 27, 2020 4:14:05 GMT -8
Wanted to share my 1978 Travelaire Rustler 205L travel trailer that I bought in July 2020. From what I have found by doing a bunch of searching on many different sites, this model seems to be somewhat rare as I can't find another one that has the same layout at the front. The cool thing with this trailer is it was built in Red Deer, Alberta, a 1.5 hour drive from where I currently live!
I am fixing it up to use for camping in 2021 and possibly 2022 as well, then my plan is to gut the inside and possibly remove/reuse the outside siding so that I can replace all the bad/rotten wood as I have only been able to do the front bottom half and around the front window this year due to space/area to work on it. Then also re-wire the entire thing to replace the 42 year old wiring. One thing I have noticed is that they built the outside walls, putting the paneling onto them, then attached them to the main trailer.
I found it locally on FB Marketplace. It was listed that everything was in good working condition, no leaks, had been winterized but not used since last year. They had listed it for $2,500 and I got it for $2,000. I'll give some info on it then I'll post a whole bunch of photo's once I am able to get them uploaded! I'll also use this thread as a build/change log. Any advice/tips/comments are welcome!
Here are some pics of the outside from when I first got it....
It has a max weight of 4,400 pounds, dry 2,775 pounds. Tandem axle. Has a 3-way fridge, furnace, 6 gallon water heater, Coleman 3 burner range with oven, 30 gallon fresh water tank. Has no AC, but is wired for 120V 30AMP service. Has a single roof vent with an old Ventline V-2025 120V fan. Carefree awning that does still work, but needs the fabric patched above the door or replaced. Has a nice big front window, but it doesn't open. Has lots of upper storage, decent sized closet. I would say that it could sleep 4-6 people. The bunk in the front, I wouldn't trust it for more than just a couple of young kids.
The 120V system has the fridge and 6 lights on one 15amp circuit, the roof fan on one circuit and a single outlet on another circuit. I changed all the 120v lights to LED bulbs, so I can run my entire trailer on a single 15amp outlet (358 watts used). I don't know why they wired this thing for 30amp when there was no AC. If you had 60W bulbs in all the lights and the fridge and power fan on, that is only 708 watts approx (leaves 732 watts of 1440 watts [80% capacity of 15 amp circuit] still available).
Laminate flooring in the main part of the trailer and then new lino in the bathroom from the previous owners. The original floor was a yellow lino. Actually, once cleaned up it doesn't look that bad. They also painted most of the inside and I really wished they wouldn't have as I think it would of looked better with the original wood panel colour. Plus, they didn't do a complete job and missed lots and didn't do a good job.
The previous owner had gotten rid of all the cushions for the front area as seen in the first pictures and had just put a mattress there for a bed, which left little room and you couldn't access the storage area anymore with removing the mattress, a large piece of OSB and a support.
More pics, all from when I first got it:
Got lots more pics to post and more info to add  |
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johnvosh
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1978 Travelaire Rustler 205L
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Post by johnvosh on Aug 27, 2020 4:24:36 GMT -8
When I really started going thru the trailer after I had got it to my storage yard, here is what I found. - None of the brakes were connected. All the wires under the trailer are basically rotten. Replaced the 7-pin connector and found that the brake wire wasn't even connected. Oh and the brake-a-way cable was broken. - The fresh water tank has a crack at the inlet and the inside looks like it may have some gross stuff in it since the water fill was missing the cover, letting rain water and bugs into it. - There was leak from somewhere around the water pump that they didn't bother fixing so it was wet and the side wall was starting to separate from the floor. - They removed one of the 12V lights in the main area and the 12V fluorescent light didn't work - The range hood fan motor was dead - The roof vent fan works, but is missing all the blades - Unknown if the furnace actually works, but a good thing I didn't light it as there was a bunch of rodent food stuff in the heat exchanger. - Unknown if the hot water heater works, never tried to light it as never put water into the system - Many, many patches in the copper water pipes. Copper pipes just sitting on top of the metal wheel well's. Found that the cold water for the show had been patched and it wasn't even connected - Lots of water damage/rot in the front of the trailer. - All 4 tires needed to be replaced, then found out that 4 of the 5 rims need to be replaced as well. - Looked into the holding tank thru the toilet and see they didn't fully clean it out, so build up of sludge/waste - Only 2 marker lights worked and only 4 had covers - 3 of the window coverings were just stapled with a ton of staples right to the wall - The top vent window is screwed shut as it is missing the thing to open it and keep it closed. 2 window screens need to be replaced - Missing all drain plugs for all the sinks - Roof around black water tank vent is pretty much done as they hadn't sealed the vent cap. - Roof vent cover needed replacing.
Pics:  20200802_101306 by Johnathan V, on Flickr , I broke the copper propane line for the furnace when I pulled it out because I forgot to disconnect it  |
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johnvosh
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1978 Travelaire Rustler 205L
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Post by johnvosh on Aug 27, 2020 4:30:52 GMT -8
Here are some pics of the under I took when me and my dad were replacing my tires...
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Post by vikx on Aug 27, 2020 20:03:12 GMT -8
Wow, looks can be deceiving... One of the holding tanks looks cracked as well. Expensive fixes on the appliances. Water lines can be replaced with Pex-not too spendy. Have fun with it.
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johnvosh
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1978 Travelaire Rustler 205L
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Post by johnvosh on Aug 29, 2020 3:42:17 GMT -8
Wow, looks can be deceiving... One of the holding tanks looks cracked as well. Expensive fixes on the appliances. Water lines can be replaced with Pex-not too spendy. Have fun with it. I know hey, especially after I was told everything was in working condition. Just wait until you see what I had to do to the front of the trailer. I wasn't happy about that.
I work at a hardware store and get a pretty decent discount, so I am able to get lumber and plumbing stuff at good prices. Changed all the plumbing over to 1/2" pex. The only problem I am having is with the shower. The copper lines don't fit 3/8" compression fittings (a bit too big), and 1/2" compression fittings are too big. So for now I think I won't connect the shower, which doesn't hurt too much since my head hits the roof when I stand on the shower pan (I'm 6' tall).
I am hoping to clean out the fresh water tank and just patch that crack for now, get at least a season out of it so I can save up to get a replacement tank.
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nccamper
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1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
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Post by nccamper on Aug 29, 2020 3:48:14 GMT -8
Welcome!
thanks for all the photos. It’s always fun seeing a camper that’s new to me.
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Post by vikx on Aug 29, 2020 10:41:15 GMT -8
The copper lines have swollen thru the freeze/thaw cycle. Use rubber hose and clamps to connect. I went thru that several years ago, trying to tell the hardware person my lines were a weird size. Finally, the head guy says, they are swollen, no fittings for them.
Isn't there a fitting that connects different tubings? Sharkbite? Or do they all have to be the exact size?
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johnvosh
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1978 Travelaire Rustler 205L
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Post by johnvosh on Aug 29, 2020 10:43:19 GMT -8
Welcome! thanks for all the photos. It’s always fun seeing a camper that’s new to me. Thanks! And your welcome I've got lots more photo's to post as I have been going thru reno's and repairs. I feel the same. Always like seeing inside photo's of old campers
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johnvosh
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1978 Travelaire Rustler 205L
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Post by johnvosh on Aug 29, 2020 10:46:53 GMT -8
The copper lines have swollen thru the freeze/thaw cycle. Use rubber hose and clamps to connect. I went thru that several years ago, trying to tell the hardware person my lines were a weird size. Finally, the head guy says, they are swollen, no fittings for them. Isn't there a fitting that connects different tubings? Sharkbite? Or do they all have to be the exact size? So I'm guessing they probably were 3/8" at one time then. Right now I have a 1/2" pex tee connected in the main lines. Would I be able to just use hose clamps and hose to connect onto the pex fitting without leaking and to the copper line?
I think they have to be the size they are meant to be. I checked with a couple different places and ya, no one has fittings for these pipes. The only copper that is left in my trailer is coming from the shower tap since I'd have to remove the 3-way fridge to access the back of it.
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Post by vikx on Aug 29, 2020 10:51:53 GMT -8
You may have to use a Pex to barb for the hose.
I would check out the sizes of hoses sold at your store. I would say a snug fit onto the copper and secure with a radiator clamp. Since trailers should use a regulator to limit water pressure to 45 PSI, the patches should hold well. I've used regular black automotive hose but there is probably something better at your store. Heat helps when slipping the hose on.
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johnvosh
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1978 Travelaire Rustler 205L
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Post by johnvosh on Aug 29, 2020 11:33:31 GMT -8
Here's some pics of the back of the 3-way fridge. I need to clean this out as it is pretty dirty. I also want to do the fan mod and install a couple 12v fans to make the fridge work better.
The next sets of pictures of from the repair's and reno's I've done over the past 1/5 months
Here are some pics of the gravity furnace taken apart to clean out the debris that was in it. I was finally able to test it today and I can say that the pilot light stays lit and the burner works good and it produces some decent heat. I am not sure if the thermostat actually works or not as I didn't let it stay running that long. I think the little fan only comes on when the furnace gets to hot as the therm-o-disc is for 90c.
Took and installed new pigtails from the propane regulator to the tanks. These new ones are much better, safer than the old ones that were probably the original ones.
Got the city water connection replaced as the old one was past its prime!
New roof vent lid. The old one basically disintegrated in my hands when I was removing it
Replaced the main living 12v lights with dual bulb ones I got from Princess auto for $10 each
Replaced the clear lens on the outside light with an amber one to help keep the bugs away
And here are some pictures after I took and replaced all the upper marker lights since the original ones didn't work (only 2 did) and most were missing lenses, and replaced the four lower reflectors. My brother also took and washed the front window awning cover. I would like to paint it, but not sure what type of paint to use or if it would work.... I also have plans to take the trailer to a truck wash so that I can give it a good soap bath and make it shine again I want to take and repair & paint the cover for the range hood too as it is all rusted and looks ugly.
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johnvosh
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1978 Travelaire Rustler 205L
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Post by johnvosh on Aug 30, 2020 13:04:31 GMT -8
Started the repairs in July after I had got the trailer. I don't really have a place to work on it, so me and my brother did it on the street by his house. Here, you can see where I started pulling the wood paneling off the wall to see how bad the water damage was. The right side was far worse then the left. I was actually able to just pull it apart with my hands. It must have been leaking for a very long time. I started on the driver side because the I could see daylight between the wall and the floor.
Actually when I replaced all my marker lights, the two front side ones had no caulking or sealant around them at all so were letting water in. The wood that was behind them was soaked when I replaced them. I would of just started pulling all the metal off, but I don't think bylaw would of liked that.
Doing a google search for the name on the plywood comes up with nothing. When I am able to do the full rebuild, it would of been nice to use similar paneling, but now I have to find some other type of thin plywood to use.
Here are some shots of the front lower part of the trailer torn apart. I was so in the moment when we rebuilt the front, that I forgot to take pictures before putting the metal back on. But I did take a picture of the inside. I used spray foam to fill some gaps and add some rigidity.
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johnvosh
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1978 Travelaire Rustler 205L
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Post by johnvosh on Aug 30, 2020 13:11:54 GMT -8
Here is a pic from the back left corner, under the window in the bathroom. It is a lot better than I thought it would be. I plan on removing the interior paneling to the nearest studs, then I will add some extra 2x2's to the wood that is already there to make it stronger.  20200718_125515 by Johnathan V, on Flickr |
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johnvosh
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1978 Travelaire Rustler 205L
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Post by johnvosh on Sept 12, 2020 16:20:18 GMT -8
Sorry about the delay in the pictures and such, have been quite busy. Most of the work I did back in August.
The main wall framing replaced at the front of the trailer. I used some expanding foam to fill some gaps for now until I can eventually remove all the outer skin and do a full rebuild. I tore out all the old seat/bed base as well and rebuilt it out of 2x2 to make it stronger. I also raised it to be a little higher, make the area with the water tank wider and made my storage area on the right side bigger as well. You can see the original floor covering, which I honestly don't mind. I want to take out the laminate flooring as it is quite heavy and it holds moisture under it, but keeping it for now.
Here is the finished bed and seating area. Everything will be screwed down except for the one piece on the right side by the dinette, which I will be putting a finger hole into it and a single screw. I don't want to cut into the hardboard and make access doors and I think this will give a cleaner look. And by just lifting the board up, gives me way better access to the storage area!
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Post by vikx on Sept 12, 2020 18:23:10 GMT -8
You're almost ready to camp...
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