cee
New Member
Posts: 14
Likes: 6
'58 Aljo
Currently Offline
|
Post by cee on Jul 2, 2021 21:09:54 GMT -8
And so it begins, this whale of a tale! Grateful to find this community. Have been reading through! This ’58 ? Aljo recently joined our family. Has been parked under decent shelter since ’66 on the original owner’s property here in the pacific northwest. Folk-style house paint mural paint job complete with orca and sea life reflects its seaside perch, but will eventually be changed. Though missing appliances, interior is very stock and in largely salvageable condition. Floor and sticks seem quite good though some rot expected. Axle/hub has come off with notably little trouble.
Any info/recommended leads on replacing/refurbishing parts for Hadco axle assembly 412N, electric brakes would be helpful.
|
|
aslmx
1K Member
Posts: 1,051 
Likes: 364
Currently Offline
|
Post by aslmx on Jul 3, 2021 3:42:26 GMT -8
Cool
Looking project. Why did you remove the axle?
|
|
cee
New Member
Posts: 14
Likes: 6
'58 Aljo
Currently Offline
|
Post by cee on Jul 3, 2021 7:20:17 GMT -8
want to repack bearings and check out brakes + wiring, hopefully avoid some surprises towing it out. Course need needs tires too. Sitting for 50 + years and not easy to access. The press board floor looks pretty good from underneath. Solid and dry. Imagine the perimeter won't be.
|
|
|
|
Post by vikx on Jul 3, 2021 8:33:58 GMT -8
Now that I see it closer, it very well could be 16 1/2 feet total...
A couple of Aljo tidbits: the frames are pretty thin and light. We added an angle iron cross piece to ours just in front of the door. A previous owner had hung tons of aluminum I beam under and across the trailer; he sold parts and tools to loggers. That poor little Aljo must have had some trips thru the mountains!
I suggest a new modern axle; parts are easy and close by if you ever break down on the road.
|
|
aslmx
1K Member
Posts: 1,051
Likes: 364
Currently Offline
|
Post by aslmx on Jul 3, 2021 11:46:21 GMT -8
If you have at least a 1/2 ton truck the brakes are not a big deal. If it’s been sitting 50 years I wouldn’t think the bearings have a lot of miles on them. The 60 I just towed home sat in the same spot for 30 years. The bearings were tight and made zero noise. I’ll repack them eventually but the ones in my 65 were the same. I was going to put new bearings but after taking them apart and cleaning them, the old made in the USA bearings were better quality so I packed them and stuck them back in. I don’t use the brakes so I just removed all of that stuff.
|
|
|
|
Post by Teachndad on Jul 4, 2021 6:01:18 GMT -8
Hello and Welcome,
Quite the find. You are so lucky to find this with a cover over it.
I really like the interior layout in these trailers. The dinette is off to the left when you come in and the galley is in the back. Lots of glass. Does yours have the Valiant propane water heater in the rear streetside corner of the trailer?
Since this was near the ocean, are you concerned with the rust on the axle and springs?
Care to share the back story on this? How you found it and anything else?
Cheers,
Rod
|
|
cee
New Member
Posts: 14
Likes: 6
'58 Aljo
Currently Offline
|
Post by cee on Jul 17, 2021 19:43:10 GMT -8
Now that I see it closer, it very well could be 16 1/2 feet total... A couple of Aljo tidbits: the frames are pretty thin and light. We added an angle iron cross piece to ours just in front of the door. A previous owner had hung tons of aluminum I beam under and across the trailer; he sold parts and tools to loggers. That poor little Aljo must have had some trips thru the mountains! I suggest a new modern axle; parts are easy and close by if you ever break down on the road. There's rebar reinforcements that have be added to the tongue, pic below.
Still undecided about the axle - it seems to be in very good shape so far.
|
|
cee
New Member
Posts: 14
Likes: 6
'58 Aljo
Currently Offline
|
Post by cee on Jul 17, 2021 19:55:27 GMT -8
If you have at least a 1/2 ton truck the brakes are not a big deal. If it’s been sitting 50 years I wouldn’t think the bearings have a lot of miles on them. The 60 I just towed home sat in the same spot for 30 years. The bearings were tight and made zero noise. I’ll repack them eventually but the ones in my 65 were the same. I was going to put new bearings but after taking them apart and cleaning them, the old made in the USA bearings were better quality so I packed them and stuck them back in. I don’t use the brakes so I just removed all of that stuff. good to hear your perspective, thanks. agreed, not too worried about the brakes here. The wheels were gone enough that it made sense to check out, esp as this is a pretty involved extraction. did you put your brakes back in?
|
|
|
|
Post by vikx on Jul 17, 2021 19:56:10 GMT -8
Have a welder look at the frame to see if he could make improvements over rebar. I think s/he could make it stronger as well. If your axle and hubs good, keep them. If it ain't broke...
|
|
cee
New Member
Posts: 14
Likes: 6
'58 Aljo
Currently Offline
|
Post by cee on Jul 17, 2021 20:12:46 GMT -8
Hello and Welcome, Quite the find. You are so lucky to find this with a cover over it. I really like the interior layout in these trailers. The dinette is off to the left when you come in and the galley is in the back. Lots of glass. Does yours have the Valiant propane water heater in the rear streetside corner of the trailer? Since this was near the ocean, are you concerned with the rust on the axle and springs? Care to share the back story on this? How you found it and anything else? Cheers, thanks for the welcome, Rod! Neat you know the trailer layout. Heater is unfortunately gone, but yes, that's where it was, streetside rear. the lines and original fixtures are still in place. agreed the cover on this on was a very major deciding factor. Aljo seems to have been spared harsh outcomes from seaside location. Back story soon! |
|
|
|
Post by Teachndad on Jul 17, 2021 20:20:05 GMT -8
Have a welder look at the frame to see if he could make improvements over rebar. I think s/he could make it stronger as well. If your axle and hubs good, keep them. If it ain't broke... I second the motion. Early on on my efforts to correct frame issues on my Westerner, I initially found a welder who had only a little experience welding on trailers. I threw away $100 on that one. He didn't really know what he was doing. I have since found someone who has done a lot of work welding trailers. It's a mobile trailer repair service in my area. I would recommend someone like this with experience. Btw, I belonged to the rebar fix club, too... Cheers, Rod |
|
aslmx
1K Member
Posts: 1,051
Likes: 364
Currently Offline
|
Post by aslmx on Jul 18, 2021 8:47:13 GMT -8
If you have at least a 1/2 ton truck the brakes are not a big deal. If it’s been sitting 50 years I wouldn’t think the bearings have a lot of miles on them. The 60 I just towed home sat in the same spot for 30 years. The bearings were tight and made zero noise. I’ll repack them eventually but the ones in my 65 were the same. I was going to put new bearings but after taking them apart and cleaning them, the old made in the USA bearings were better quality so I packed them and stuck them back in. I don’t use the brakes so I just removed all of that stuff. good to hear your perspective, thanks. agreed, not too worried about the brakes here. The wheels were gone enough that it made sense to check out, esp as this is a pretty involved extraction. did you put your brakes back in?
No. I reused the drums because the hubs are built in but did not put the actual brakes back. It will require a new axle for that. I haven’t had any problems pulling or stopping with my truck. It’s an 06 z71 with 35” tires. |
|
aslmx
1K Member
Posts: 1,051
Likes: 364
Currently Offline
|
Post by aslmx on Jul 18, 2021 8:51:24 GMT -8
Now that I see it closer, it very well could be 16 1/2 feet total... A couple of Aljo tidbits: the frames are pretty thin and light. We added an angle iron cross piece to ours just in front of the door. A previous owner had hung tons of aluminum I beam under and across the trailer; he sold parts and tools to loggers. That poor little Aljo must have had some trips thru the mountains! I suggest a new modern axle; parts are easy and close by if you ever break down on the road. There's rebar reinforcements that have be added to the tongue, pic below.
Still undecided about the axle - it seems to be in very good shape so far.
can you get a pic of the underside of the trailer. I have no clue what the rebar would be for unless it’s some kind of Jack leg ant sway bar. I wouldn’t think the trailer would be in that bad of shape. |
|
cee
New Member
Posts: 14
Likes: 6
'58 Aljo
Currently Offline
|
Post by cee on Jul 29, 2021 23:03:18 GMT -8
There's rebar reinforcements that have be added to the tongue, pic below.
Still undecided about the axle - it seems to be in very good shape so far.
can you get a pic of the underside of the trailer. I have no clue what the rebar would be for unless it’s some kind of Jack leg ant sway bar. I wouldn’t think the trailer would be in that bad of shape. |
|
cee
New Member
Posts: 14
Likes: 6
'58 Aljo
Currently Offline
|
Post by cee on Jul 29, 2021 23:08:33 GMT -8
can you get a pic of the underside of the trailer. I have no clue what the rebar would be for unless it’s some kind of Jack leg ant sway bar. I wouldn’t think the trailer would be in that bad of shape. yeah the rebar, added in. . . maybe early 60's. .. is still a mystery.
Original frame in ok shape. surface rust.
hmm.
|
|
