Post by rskipper on Feb 27, 2022 12:19:59 GMT -8
Hi everyone! I’m very thankful for you all since I'm new to the trailer world.
We purchased a 1976 Skipper (mfg in Alberta - Skipper is the sister version of a Scamper). We are the third owners. The previous owner only held the trailer for a year and did a ton of work on it. More than he, of course, expected. Things he did to the trailer included the following:
1. He opened up the trailer in the front and back to expose the dry rot, reframed, insulated, added a vapour barrier.
2. Turned the leaf springs, so it lifted the trailer 6”
3. New tires and brakes
4. New flooring
5. New ceiling in sections
6. New wiring
7. Painted the roof with a sealant
And of course provided some “lipstick” to the interior
But since this was his first fixer - upper (he was not after a proper re-store but wanted a functioning back country trailer) he did not do a few things that I’ve come to realize is essential.
Since his “rebuild” there are indications that water has found its way in onto the interior back of the trailer. I feel like it’s because he did not replace the j-rail with a butyl taped backing but just caulked it with cheap regular caulking (DAP) and did not remove all the windows to do the same (Some have new caulking around it, others, its just the original seal which is disintegrating) . There are some holes on the front and back skins that need to be repaired. So it seems there are multiple ways moisture can get in. I will post pictures of what he did, and the current exterior. Just wanted to add however, the trailer, the frame and the floor appear extremely sturdy.
What I would really appreciate from the wisdom of this forum is what you think I should do next and what my plan of attack should be to get this trailer 1. WATERPROOF 2. USABLE FOR OUR FAMILY FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS. I am not in a position to do a complete overhaul. In fact, we are holding off on a purchase of a vehicle capable of towing it until we make a final decision whether to keep it or to pass it along.
My plan of attack so far:
1. Remove the windows (Order new gaskets and seals from vintagetrailergasket.com)
2. Reinstall the windows with butyl tape and then PRORVFLEX sealant on the outside
3. Fill small holes with JB WELD EPOXY PUTTY
4. Fill larges holes with EVERCOAT FIBERGLASS REINFORCED FILLER
5. Remove existing silicone and cover with aluminum squares with butyl tape backing
6. BIG QUESTION HERE - should I remove the existing J-RAIL with all the new caulking to put new butyl tape behind it and new sealant on the edges??? I anticipate a ton of caulking removal here.
7. Fill gaps between the J-rail that seems to leak water.
SHOULD I GET NEW J-RAIL?
8. Sand, prime and paint
ONCE the exterior has been taken care of, there seems little that would change in the interior other than adding a bunk bed above the existing bed for our kids. Other than the furnace (which the pilot-light lights but doesn't start), the stove and fridge seem functional.
Please evaluate freely my plan. Tell me any steps I'm missing. Feel free to even tell me to move on if its not worth salvaging. I have no emotional ties or commitment to this trailer yet.
I will attach as many photos as I can to help paint the larger picture.
Here is a link to the images on IMGUR
imgur.com/a/YcdVlHi
I believe you just copy the link and it will open up the page that I loaded. (Please instruct me otherwise if theres a better way)
Thank you to one and all for your help. And apologies for the long thread.
We purchased a 1976 Skipper (mfg in Alberta - Skipper is the sister version of a Scamper). We are the third owners. The previous owner only held the trailer for a year and did a ton of work on it. More than he, of course, expected. Things he did to the trailer included the following:
1. He opened up the trailer in the front and back to expose the dry rot, reframed, insulated, added a vapour barrier.
2. Turned the leaf springs, so it lifted the trailer 6”
3. New tires and brakes
4. New flooring
5. New ceiling in sections
6. New wiring
7. Painted the roof with a sealant
And of course provided some “lipstick” to the interior
But since this was his first fixer - upper (he was not after a proper re-store but wanted a functioning back country trailer) he did not do a few things that I’ve come to realize is essential.
Since his “rebuild” there are indications that water has found its way in onto the interior back of the trailer. I feel like it’s because he did not replace the j-rail with a butyl taped backing but just caulked it with cheap regular caulking (DAP) and did not remove all the windows to do the same (Some have new caulking around it, others, its just the original seal which is disintegrating) . There are some holes on the front and back skins that need to be repaired. So it seems there are multiple ways moisture can get in. I will post pictures of what he did, and the current exterior. Just wanted to add however, the trailer, the frame and the floor appear extremely sturdy.
What I would really appreciate from the wisdom of this forum is what you think I should do next and what my plan of attack should be to get this trailer 1. WATERPROOF 2. USABLE FOR OUR FAMILY FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS. I am not in a position to do a complete overhaul. In fact, we are holding off on a purchase of a vehicle capable of towing it until we make a final decision whether to keep it or to pass it along.
My plan of attack so far:
1. Remove the windows (Order new gaskets and seals from vintagetrailergasket.com)
2. Reinstall the windows with butyl tape and then PRORVFLEX sealant on the outside
3. Fill small holes with JB WELD EPOXY PUTTY
4. Fill larges holes with EVERCOAT FIBERGLASS REINFORCED FILLER
5. Remove existing silicone and cover with aluminum squares with butyl tape backing
6. BIG QUESTION HERE - should I remove the existing J-RAIL with all the new caulking to put new butyl tape behind it and new sealant on the edges??? I anticipate a ton of caulking removal here.
7. Fill gaps between the J-rail that seems to leak water.
SHOULD I GET NEW J-RAIL?
8. Sand, prime and paint
ONCE the exterior has been taken care of, there seems little that would change in the interior other than adding a bunk bed above the existing bed for our kids. Other than the furnace (which the pilot-light lights but doesn't start), the stove and fridge seem functional.
Please evaluate freely my plan. Tell me any steps I'm missing. Feel free to even tell me to move on if its not worth salvaging. I have no emotional ties or commitment to this trailer yet.
I will attach as many photos as I can to help paint the larger picture.
Here is a link to the images on IMGUR
imgur.com/a/YcdVlHi
I believe you just copy the link and it will open up the page that I loaded. (Please instruct me otherwise if theres a better way)
Thank you to one and all for your help. And apologies for the long thread.
