rjj19047
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Post by rjj19047 on Jan 17, 2014 16:10:31 GMT -8
Hello Everyone, After missing out on a pretty good 54 Imperial Manor for $500. I just broke all the rules and purchased an unknown trailer without a title, estate sale and I cant find a vin number on it. Its probably has been in this field for decades. I am going to have a time moving out from where it is because it is so wet. The owner says we can wait to it dries or a hard freeze. I have a few rv projects already but my better half kept showing me these "cute canned hammers". So if anyone can help with the id that would be a good start. I know that I am going to have to do a frame up restoration but my first priority is getting it moved with a bent tireless back rim. Also I would like to store it someplace close to where it is now because a two campgrounds are only 2 miles away. I am going to have it moved by a flatbed. It is a 28 footer. It has Colonial written on the suicide door handles. I think that it is a late 40's model because of the windows and no evidence of a bathroom. It also has a 40's model Kelvinator refrigerator in it. s779.photobucket.com/user/r_jones_19047/library/Mobile%20Uploads?sort=3&page=1Thanks, RJ |
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dawn
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Post by dawn on Jan 17, 2014 19:08:32 GMT -8
Wow! That thing is big. It's amazing! I actually have no idea what it is but I was curious to see it because I don't know what mine is either, and that was my very first query on the forum as well. I have learned here that the VIN should be on the tongue, on the curbside, near the weld and it is hard to see. You might already know that. We haven't been able to find ours yet either, mostly because of the cold weather but also because so far it just doesn't seem to be there.
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Jan 17, 2014 19:15:32 GMT -8
Welcome to the forum RJ... Go to this website and email this guy the link to your photos. He knows all the older larger park model trailers which is what your's is. He may even have a CD with all the floor plans and options from the time. www.allmanufacturedhomes.com/ |
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rjj19047
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Post by rjj19047 on Jan 17, 2014 19:56:40 GMT -8
Mobiltec I didn't think to email the guy at the website. I have been visiting that site and going over all the ads and pictures for about a week now. That's why I think its a Colonial. I found the TCMA badge on one of the walls. I just guessed that it was a Colonial from the door handle. From the ads on the net I only see Colonial listed as a TCMA member from 47-48. In 49 it was Sportsman-Colonial. I could be totally wrong. Also it doesn't appear to ever have had a bathroom and that predates 1950.
I have used a small wire brush on the drill about two inches from the passenger side tongue and didn't find a vin. I will keep trying but its 37 miles from my home. I stayed up hrs watching your videos. I also cringed about buying because it doesn't have a title. Several of the places I wanted to store it will not let you unless you have proof of ownership. I called Pa dmv and they told me about getting a title through abandon trailer avenue. I need to find the vin number to do anything.
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rjj19047
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Post by rjj19047 on Jan 17, 2014 20:06:31 GMT -8
Dawn thanks I do not know what happened to my first reply to your message. I am excited about the new trailer. We need the space because of the boys. We have a large motorhome but we also have a small 78 Minnie Winnie which could pull a smaller trailer.
The thing with the larger motorhome is that we have to take a car with us to go anywhere outside of the campground. She has been showing me all the wonderful smaller trailers lately and they seem fantastic. This one now is currently only two miles from the campgrounds that we go to the most. Would like to keep this one at a seasonal site. This site is great and I am definitely going to need encouragement so thanks.
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Jan 17, 2014 20:39:25 GMT -8
Jurgen is a really nice guy and always eager to help. Give him a try. Your trailer may not even have a VIN but it's always good to find out first. |
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Post by kto17 on Jan 18, 2014 5:52:11 GMT -8
RJ, sorry I can't help with an id. Just wanted to ask you to put some pics of the Cabriolet up in tow vehicles. Always liked those. I would live to find a diesel 4x4 but those are super rare.
We have a 1995 Centurion Classic 350 (four door bronco). It's my daily driver and tow vehicle.
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rjj19047
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Post by rjj19047 on Jan 18, 2014 18:37:13 GMT -8
I will post some pictures as soon as I go by my storage. There is a person from the UK who restored and converted his to a diesel on the four door bronco site. I love that truck. The four door broncos and cabriolets are truly unique and great haulers. Could you imagine how much they would cost today if they were put back into production.
I took Mobiltec's advice and email Juergen and he will send me floor plans and a complete archive of the Colonial trailers to see if I can find a match. This site is special. Hope I contribute one day as so many of you have already for me.
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Post by kto17 on Jan 19, 2014 16:05:01 GMT -8
I will post some pictures as soon as I go by my storage. There is a person from the UK who restored and converted his to a diesel on the four door bronco site. I love that truck. The four door broncos and cabriolets are truly unique and great haulers. Could you imagine how much they would cost today if they were put back into production. I took Mobiltec's advice and email Juergen and he will send me floor plans and a complete archive of the Colonial trailers to see if I can find a match. This site is special. Hope I contribute one day as so many of you have already for me. I know the one. I'm on there too! I'm kto17 there also. |
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rjj19047
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Post by rjj19047 on Feb 4, 2014 19:21:01 GMT -8
I have finally id my trailer I think. It's a 1949 Colonial Manor Tandem 29'. Mobiltec thanks for sending my to Juergen. From his archives I was able to narrow it down to 1949 or 1950. The 1950 model is 30' and mine is 29' which is the 1949 Manor length. I do not know what exact floor plan it is but from the specs its 5300lbs. Does anyone have a 1949 trailer catalog to check and make sure. Its probably under Sportsman in catalog.
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Feb 4, 2014 19:27:32 GMT -8
Glad it worked out for you rj. I kinda figured Juergen could help you out. Congrats...  |
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rjj19047
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Post by rjj19047 on Feb 4, 2014 22:22:45 GMT -8
I have no idea how I am going to recover the trailer. The ground is hard now but I just learned he got 13 inches of snow. I live 30 miles away we got about 7. Any good tip for removing wheel nuts from an old trailer what would you use to take them off. I am going to store it about 5 miles from where it is now but the guy originally was going to use a flat bed but his trailer is only about 24' long. Now he wants to just pull it which means that I got to go out and get tires. One of the rims is missing a tire and has a large dent at the bottom.(It doesn't spin either)
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Feb 5, 2014 7:24:45 GMT -8
This is the problem with very old trailers found in fields. You may wish to really inspect the underside of this trailer before you make any more decisions. This "free" trailer could get real expensive real quick and you had better make sure you want to invest time and money into it. You are going to have to get this trailer up on jacks so you can work on the wheels. You will need to get all the wheels off and pull the drums and change all the bearings. Then you will need to most likely get new rims for it because the old ones are probably split rims. New tires are a must so you may as well get them now. So right there you are looking at around a thousand dollars if it is twin axle. Are you sure you want this trailer?
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rjj19047
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Post by rjj19047 on Feb 5, 2014 18:07:48 GMT -8
The trailer currently is up on blocks with all four tires off the ground. I am actually going to replace the rims and tires. The original specs listed 6.5 x 15 with 6 ply tires. Any suggestion for tires and rims. I was at Sams Club and looked at their Greenball ST225x75x15 8 ply radials for $107. They had ST205x75x15 6ply radials for $83.00. The specs list the weight as 5300lb. The 6 ply I recall is only about 1850lb vs 2500lb for the 8 ply.
I have a buddy who says that thinks I can use old Chevy 6 lug truck rims. The good thing about the trailer is that it up high and I can get under it and poke around. I havent done any wheel bearings since high school and doing it in this weather is going to be fun.
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Feb 5, 2014 18:11:25 GMT -8
Oh good it sounds like you have a handle on it then. I have rescued a few large trailers so I know what you are going through LOL.
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