rcaerobat
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1968 Scotty Hilander
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Post by rcaerobat on Sept 7, 2020 9:24:21 GMT -8
Hey Everyone! So I travelled four hours yesterday to go see a camper that I just love the lines and shape. It reminds me a lot of a Holiday House. The seller is giving me a couple of days to decide if I want it. I would like it, but I am undecided. I did not drive it home for a couple of reasons. It had original or at least very old tires. They looked good, but I didn’t feel like it was worth the gamble. Also, I think the front wall was pretty rotted (definitely at the corners) and I have seen the pictures of campers that have self destructed on the road. I believe this will be a from the frame up restoration and after looking at the camper, I just felt very overwhelmed with the amount of work. If I had a garage or workshop I could just put it in, I think I’d feel less anxious about it. So, I wonder if I need to just let this go? I can see myself both regretting letting it go and possibly regretting buying it. I don’t know if I am being unrealistic thinking I can find something that may just need a bit less work, or if this is just the norm for someone wanting a vintage camper? Anyway, here are some pictures for your enjoyment. Also, any advice or opinions are appreciated. Thanks!  77C129BE-6EFF-476C-B207-E531946DF7A9 by Emory Schroeter, on Flickr  71318C00-8D6A-4700-958F-F86BB803ABC6 by Emory Schroeter, on Flickr  1258B862-1328-4258-90D3-F6F0BC336185 by Emory Schroeter, on Flickr  B784C1D8-A253-4CB2-A847-63FF8796D205 by Emory Schroeter, on Flickr  9E582CD9-10A1-4D43-ACD7-CB9D03847DC2 by Emory Schroeter, on Flickr  7F5173D7-439A-4404-BF49-D26A4D933503 by Emory Schroeter, on Flickr  F5105E6E-9F2C-4104-AC6A-538AA0591D81 by Emory Schroeter, on Flickr |
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Post by vikx on Sept 7, 2020 9:57:21 GMT -8
What are you going to pay? Price makes a huge difference! If the seller is asking 5K, I would hesitate big time. If 2500, then I like it. It's more than I would pay, but then I'm a jaded ol' trailerite...
I like this trailer. It's got nice lines (you're right there) and lots of savable interior panels. I'd say a 5 on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being good condition. The metal isn't sagging over the tongue which means less rot than some. Wheels and tires may be difficult to mount because of the closed in wheel wells, ask the seller. What does the roof look like? If it is heavily gooped, it may need new metal.This is definitely a complete build but you may not have to take it all the way down to the frame.
All in all, I don't think you will find a much better candidate for rebuilding. It's really better than most. It should hold together on the road as long as the body isn't loose from the frame. (push on the body to see if the frame moves with it)
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Ten
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70 Shasta 16SC + 1964 Airflyte
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Post by Ten on Sept 7, 2020 11:15:11 GMT -8
Just my opinion for what it's worth... It looks like a really good candidate for a rebuild, and I know I would be kicking myself if I were in the position of having let it go. I am positive that you would find some surprises as you dig into it, and it could become overwhelming if you look at it all at once. If you go into it knowing you won't be camping in it for a couple years, it dulls the surprises a bit...  I would suggest looking into having it trailered home, rather than towing it. But that is just an option, I have seen a lot of them towed long distances that didn't seem like they would stand the trip. The tires shouldn't be trusted for the road, but you might be able to slip a pair of spare rims and tires on from another trailer for the trip. That means checking/greasing wheel bearings as well. The closed wheel wells however may indicate that it was fitted with a very narrow tire, so a common trailer tire may not go on at all...contact the seller for the tire sizes and bolt pattern on it before making that plan. Another point is the blue tape. Probably, the corner framing is rotted enough that the screws and staples have nothing left to hold onto, and it is a risk of blowing the skin off in transport, so pack some Gorilla Tape. This doesn't necessarily mean it would collapse however, the shake-test is a better indicator of that. I love the shape and it does remind me of the Holiday House front...I can't for the life of me recall the brand that I have seen like this. I would be really tempted to nickname it the "Holiday Shack" or the "Holiday Hut"....  |
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rcaerobat
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1968 Scotty Hilander
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Post by rcaerobat on Sept 7, 2020 11:37:19 GMT -8
The asking price is $4500. The roof will most likely need new metal as there is probably an inch of goop on it. Where the blue tape was is completely rotted out as are the pieces that stick out above the top and bottom of the window. I do think if I pulled the trigger, this likely would be a two year project.
Tire size is a G78-15. The tire did not seem narrow. I had some trailer tires that were a five bolt pattern but mine are 4 1/2” and the ones on the camper are 4 3/4”. He packed the bearings 7 years ago when he brought it home, but has since decided not to spend the time rebuilding the camper.
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Post by Teachndad on Sept 7, 2020 13:18:54 GMT -8
Hi again,
Glad to see you are still on the hunt. I remember your earlier posts.
Pacer made longer trailers and appear to be well built. Some of these Holiday House like trailers are really rare. You don't see them very often. I like the covered wheel wells. You might need to deflate the tires to squeeze a new tire on to the hub. There are some trailers where people have to do that with. Just tossing that technique out if you end up moving forward.
I am in agreement with everyone as to the condition. The interior photos show very little water intrusion. This is a plus. It doesn't mean it's not there, its just that your interior looks in nice shape which should indicate better wood in those areas once the skins are lifted. I see a little rippling in the WC rear wall and above the streetside front corner window. That whole corner is going to be messed up. Does the seller have the J-Rail trim for that front corner or did he buy it with it missing?
BTW, did he do any suspension work on it? It sits high as it should, and that would make changing the tires easier than if the springs had sagged which so often happens. What year is this?
I am going to guess that the trailer wood frame is well attached to the trailer chassis because there seems to be so little rot. I am sure it’s not attached in that front corner though. Can you can get pix from the seller showing the mounting bolts that are visible underneath? He will be visible underneath the side walls. If you can get some pix of the underside from the seller and share back with us, we can help you make the call. The wood framed trailer body is attached to the chassis with at least one bolt at the end of each outrigger. There would be a minimum of 8 under both side walls (4 on each side) and then some down the middle. If the nut on many of the bolts is no longer snug or about 1/4" below the wood floor joist, then I would be cautious on towing it back.
Definitely tape up the corner for towing. Get the (Gorilla)tape off as soon as you get it home., though you don’t want duct tape on the trailer skin for very long. The threads can leave markings when it stays on too long. Replace it with blue painters tape. Blue tape is your friend. I use it for so many things and it’s somewhat water resistant. Skin surface should be cleaned well before adhering the tape.
$4500 is too high for this trailer, I speculate, he will take lower. He probably wants to get his money out of it from his original purchase. At $2500 it's a definite go as Vikx had mentioned. It is a good candidate. Believe me, all 4 of the trailers I have owned all were in worse shape than this one. Look at my sig line taken from another member...
I would be happier with $3500.I f you really like it, and it talks to you, then see if you can get it no higher than $3700. But, I wouldn’t go at it at all at $4500. You need to know what your cap is. You will put money into this trailer above any sales price.
"The Metric equivalent of the G78-15 load range C trailer tire is a 205/75-15 tire which is designed to fit up to a 6-1/2 inch wide rim." I got that from etrailer.
And here is my final word and I will be quiet, LOL. You can pick up something for $2500 and it might be in as good a shape, but lets say that it wasn't. It will cost you more time and money to bring it back to what it needs to be. Sometimes it's good to pay a little more up front than pay more later in materials, time and energy. Time becomes your greatest commodity on restoring these trailers. It doesn’t have to be a show piece, but you want it sound and safe.
Cheers
Rod
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nccamper
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1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
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Post by nccamper on Sept 7, 2020 16:29:47 GMT -8
Good advice above.
Did you talk him down to $4500 or is that a starting price?
Ultimately comes down to how bad you want it. If you’re hoping to restore it and have it worth more than you invest in it, that’s one thing. If you’re buying it to make a huge profit, that’s another thing. If you want it as a camper to keep for many years to come, that’s a different thing altogether.
Working outside without cover can be a hassle but it’s done by many people on this forum.
A vintage camper in original condition but kept under cover needing only minor work is almost impossible to find. If you want to camp in something safe that’s been restored, the price will be between $10,000 and $12,000. so buying something for $4500 that needs $3000-$4000 put into it only makes sense if you enjoy the work.
Keep us posted.
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Post by vikx on Sept 7, 2020 19:17:21 GMT -8
Thanks for chiming in guys. I say 45 is too high for the condition it's in. Needs tires, has rot and the roof is a mess. If you really love it, go for it but you'll have as much in it as it will ever sell for... There's always unseen surprises lurking.
Keep us all in the loop!
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PT
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1964 Aloha & 1962 Holiday House
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Post by PT on Sept 7, 2020 19:49:57 GMT -8
I had a week of painful buyers remorse after buying my 1964 Aloha. I didn't know what I was getting into and overpaid by a lot. But in retrospect I couldn't care less. I enjoyed working on it and have camped the hell out of it.
I'm currently chin deep in rehabbing a Holiday House so this camper is very intriguing. There were a number of trailers made that resembled the HH and this is by far the closest I've seen. In some ways it looks to be a better design than the HH with regard to how the front end is put together.
Do a gut check on your level of dedication to working on the project. It will be hundreds of small/medium/large projects that you will need to compartmentalize and in the end you'll have an awesome rehabbed trailer. If you like it and KNOW you're up for the challenge then go for it!
Cool trailer and a unique opportunity :-)
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Sept 8, 2020 9:02:37 GMT -8
Since Hamlet’s people are suckers for things that need “a little” love (three homes, a trailer, a boat, several bicycles, etc.), we would not want to encourage you one way or another. But if you enjoy tinkering, turning something back into a piece of mid century moving art, and don’t mind spending a bunch of time and some money, go for it.
Oops, didn’t I just say that we wouldn’t suggest?
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rcaerobat
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1968 Scotty Hilander
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Post by rcaerobat on Sept 13, 2020 17:44:22 GMT -8
Alright, just to to let everyone know, I decided to pass on this camper. I really liked it but I will feel more comfortable at a lower price point considering the money that will go into any restoration. But the good news is I made a new friend during this process.
The funny thing is that after showing me the camper, his wife decided that she really likes the camper and so it is no longer for sale. So, hopefully it will get restored in the near future!
Thanks for the advice! On another good note is I pulled the trigger this weekend and bought a 1968 Scotty Hilander. When I get a chance, I will start a build thread and will probably have many, many questions
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Post by vikx on Sept 13, 2020 19:31:45 GMT -8
Congrats on the Scotty! They are a little different to build as they have plywood walls. I like the Hilander roof line.
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Sept 14, 2020 9:45:55 GMT -8
Was the Scotty a good deal or in better shape?
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rcaerobat
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Post by rcaerobat on Sept 15, 2020 16:58:27 GMT -8
Hey, it was definitely not in better shape but the price was much more in the comfortable range for me. It has been deconstructed already. I have a few hundred photos, all the skins and old wood as well as the windows and door. It had been a hunting shelter for a while so sadly did not have all the cabinetry. On the good side, the frame has been stripped down and painted, it has a floor and it has new tires, bearings, races and seals. I will start a build thread soon. One question... should I keep all my questions about the build under this thread or make separate threads in the appropriate place (like electrical, plumbing, frame etc...)? Thanks again.  8235C9E9-FB4D-4AAB-A5CD-F8C9D9BC9403 by Emory Schroeter, on Flickr |
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Sept 15, 2020 17:33:39 GMT -8
Start a new thread.
Enjoy your new project.
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Post by vikx on Sept 15, 2020 19:21:15 GMT -8
Wow. That's a project for sure. I don't envy your build. All of your questions should be put in appropriate categories, yes. Thanks for asking. If you want to start a build thread, that should be in our Restoration section. A photo story of what you did first, then next, etc.
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