Post by astrozombie on Jan 13, 2014 12:12:38 GMT -8
Hello Ladies and Gents of the VTT board! Thank you for creating such a wealth of information for guys like me that have stepped in way too deep to ever be the same again!
First, a bit about myself: I am originally from Pennsylvania, now living in California, transplanted by the Navy which was my life for the past 13 years. My job was an Aviation Structural Mechanic on F/A-18 Hornets and Super Hornets where I got to play around on the flight deck of some of the USA's most fearsome aircraft carriers. A job and a life that I look back on with great memories. I was medically retired a few months ago because I had destroyed my back while doing Uncle Sam's work. Two surgeries, a few screws and rods later, the Gov't decided my run was over and they were pushing me out to the "real world." Now, at 33 years old I am a retiree and spend the days never catching up on my wife's honey do list, and tending to our 3 year old daughter and 8 year old stepdaughter. I have a horrible addiction to all things vintage... Traditional hot rods are still my comfort food in the vintage lifestyle but I needed a supplement. A parallel addiction of mine is Jeeps, off roading, and camping. I have always lusted after vintage campers, but always had "other things to spend my cash on." Well after selling my commuter (No job, don't need a third vehicle anymore!) I made off with this 1969 Scotsman and a chunk of restoration funds to get it comfortable for myself and my family.
I bought her out of Bakersfield where the previous owner was an auto upholsterer and redid the interior to more of a "Champagne room" style! Leopard print carpet, table top, and curtains, red walls, black spray painted appliances. YUCK! We did see gobs of potential in her though and drug her home. I wanted a camper that even if the interior was ugly, I could pull to the mountains and camp in right away. My wife, wants to immediately make it her own.... So, now I'm doing a full restore before I can drag it along on the next Jeep trip!
It seems the more things I stir up with the remodel, the more problems I am finding and it just won't do with my OCD and attention to detail ways. I'm trying to restrain myself with the thought that "It's just a camper" but it doesn't seem to be working! We love the original layout, but the red paint, black paint over the beautiful avocado appliances, and definitely the leopard print have got to go! Here are a few photos of what we've done and where we are now (Still in a teardown, head shaking, what have I gotten myself into state)
First day home was spent repacking the bearings and hubs. Trailer has brand new tires, but the previous owner had installed Porto-walls, fake whitewalls which are dumb even on a classic car. They will soon be removed and have their place in the trash. Anyway, the axle, hubs, and bearings were all in beautiful shape and after a good regrease were reassembled.
Curb side:
Many layers of pain!:
Rear berthing view:
Gaslamp intact, and lots of wasted space which will be opened up in the remodel:
After removing the steel counter top and appliances:
New counter top ply in place and luan front and sides to replace the horrible red paint. Will be stained Rustoleum "Mineral Green":
Rotten door frame:
Rear view:
Even while teardown is in progress, you gotta stop to enjoy lunch!:
Although she appears reluctant, my wife joined in after work one day!:
First, a bit about myself: I am originally from Pennsylvania, now living in California, transplanted by the Navy which was my life for the past 13 years. My job was an Aviation Structural Mechanic on F/A-18 Hornets and Super Hornets where I got to play around on the flight deck of some of the USA's most fearsome aircraft carriers. A job and a life that I look back on with great memories. I was medically retired a few months ago because I had destroyed my back while doing Uncle Sam's work. Two surgeries, a few screws and rods later, the Gov't decided my run was over and they were pushing me out to the "real world." Now, at 33 years old I am a retiree and spend the days never catching up on my wife's honey do list, and tending to our 3 year old daughter and 8 year old stepdaughter. I have a horrible addiction to all things vintage... Traditional hot rods are still my comfort food in the vintage lifestyle but I needed a supplement. A parallel addiction of mine is Jeeps, off roading, and camping. I have always lusted after vintage campers, but always had "other things to spend my cash on." Well after selling my commuter (No job, don't need a third vehicle anymore!) I made off with this 1969 Scotsman and a chunk of restoration funds to get it comfortable for myself and my family.
I bought her out of Bakersfield where the previous owner was an auto upholsterer and redid the interior to more of a "Champagne room" style! Leopard print carpet, table top, and curtains, red walls, black spray painted appliances. YUCK! We did see gobs of potential in her though and drug her home. I wanted a camper that even if the interior was ugly, I could pull to the mountains and camp in right away. My wife, wants to immediately make it her own.... So, now I'm doing a full restore before I can drag it along on the next Jeep trip!
It seems the more things I stir up with the remodel, the more problems I am finding and it just won't do with my OCD and attention to detail ways. I'm trying to restrain myself with the thought that "It's just a camper" but it doesn't seem to be working! We love the original layout, but the red paint, black paint over the beautiful avocado appliances, and definitely the leopard print have got to go! Here are a few photos of what we've done and where we are now (Still in a teardown, head shaking, what have I gotten myself into state)
First day home was spent repacking the bearings and hubs. Trailer has brand new tires, but the previous owner had installed Porto-walls, fake whitewalls which are dumb even on a classic car. They will soon be removed and have their place in the trash. Anyway, the axle, hubs, and bearings were all in beautiful shape and after a good regrease were reassembled.
Curb side:
Many layers of pain!:
Rear berthing view:
Gaslamp intact, and lots of wasted space which will be opened up in the remodel:
After removing the steel counter top and appliances:
New counter top ply in place and luan front and sides to replace the horrible red paint. Will be stained Rustoleum "Mineral Green":
Rotten door frame:
Rear view:
Even while teardown is in progress, you gotta stop to enjoy lunch!:
Although she appears reluctant, my wife joined in after work one day!:
, Great trailer! I'm glad you are giving it the attention it deserves and bringing back its dignity. Thanks for sharing your story and your pics. 
thank you for your service! And thank your wife for me as well. I'm not a military wife but my husband is away working on a Navy ship, the new LHD 6, right now. I'm attempting to restore a 62 Shasta Compact, mostly by myself. 
It needs to go to a nice jungle theme home instead of a mobile la boîte à bonbons.