Post by turnrighthereleft on Feb 7, 2023 9:11:36 GMT -8
Hi, my name is Ryan, I'm 25 years old, and this is my very first restoration.
I have acquired the trailer of my dreams, It is a 36ft 1954 Redman New Moon Travel Trailer, it is the same exact model that is featured in the Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz flim "The Long Long Trailer" It has been a dream of mine to own and live in this exact trailer ever since I first saw the movie when I was a small child. Also my late partner and I planned to find this exact trailer and restore it ourselves together. Tragically he passed unexpectedly before we could find one. Unfortunately I won't be able to restore it with him, It's his in honor that I'm tackling this massive project. I towed the trailer over 960 miles from California to where I live in southern Arizona. Had a few mishaps along the way lost a few aluminum exterior side panels along the way, plus a window pane fell out of it's frame and smashed on the road when I was driving it through Sacramento. Then at the first gas station, I accidently ripped the back metal panel off on a gas pump. (Luckily I was able to recover and reattach the panel) I believe now that when Desi Arnaz first drives the trailer in the movie, he didn't to act nervous I believe he was genuinely nervous pulling that beast. I know the first few hundred miles I definitely was nervous. Anyway I'm here looking for advice, tips, guides, and resources on restoring this gorgeous piece of classic American craftsmanship. I understand it's going to be a lot of work. My plan is to keep it as original, by original I mean same layout/style as it is, but new materials and reusing/refurbishing fixtures and appliances. When I'm finished I want it to look as close as possible to the day it rolled out of the factory. I'm also looking for a good resource for parts, vintage parts, new old stock, or reproductions of original parts, and used parts, If anyone knows about that please let me know. I've prattled on long enough, I'm happy to have found this site and thanks for allowing me to introduce myself and my beautiful trailer!
I have acquired the trailer of my dreams, It is a 36ft 1954 Redman New Moon Travel Trailer, it is the same exact model that is featured in the Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz flim "The Long Long Trailer" It has been a dream of mine to own and live in this exact trailer ever since I first saw the movie when I was a small child. Also my late partner and I planned to find this exact trailer and restore it ourselves together. Tragically he passed unexpectedly before we could find one. Unfortunately I won't be able to restore it with him, It's his in honor that I'm tackling this massive project. I towed the trailer over 960 miles from California to where I live in southern Arizona. Had a few mishaps along the way lost a few aluminum exterior side panels along the way, plus a window pane fell out of it's frame and smashed on the road when I was driving it through Sacramento. Then at the first gas station, I accidently ripped the back metal panel off on a gas pump. (Luckily I was able to recover and reattach the panel) I believe now that when Desi Arnaz first drives the trailer in the movie, he didn't to act nervous I believe he was genuinely nervous pulling that beast. I know the first few hundred miles I definitely was nervous. Anyway I'm here looking for advice, tips, guides, and resources on restoring this gorgeous piece of classic American craftsmanship. I understand it's going to be a lot of work. My plan is to keep it as original, by original I mean same layout/style as it is, but new materials and reusing/refurbishing fixtures and appliances. When I'm finished I want it to look as close as possible to the day it rolled out of the factory. I'm also looking for a good resource for parts, vintage parts, new old stock, or reproductions of original parts, and used parts, If anyone knows about that please let me know. I've prattled on long enough, I'm happy to have found this site and thanks for allowing me to introduce myself and my beautiful trailer!