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Post by Teachndad on Jun 21, 2024 7:02:58 GMT -8
Has anyone compiled factory specs to build a trailer from scratch? Would be cool to have the factory specs for some 50’s Shastas. We have an outfit in town that could weld a frame together. I would just would need specs for the walls. For me the problem would be to build the cabinetry, finding the right windows and trim etc. I would probably have to find a a basket case trailer then use all of the parts. John Palmer's scratch built trailer is that and more. As he mentioned, it was designed around his sons dimensions, but in keeping with the canned ham shape. It's an amazing piece of workmanship. That trailer has been at California rallies and I have been in it. It looks like it came off the assembly line in 1957. You can't really tell it's wider and taller than any canned ham of the period. If anyone has the woodworking skills, they can build a trailer from the skins backwards. It adds new meaning to the concept of backwards planning. There is hope for that rotted old trailer in the back 40 that has been sitting out for 40 years. You just have to figure out how to get it home. That would be a donor trailer for parts. As far as settling for 70's and 80s toaster models, I can handle the early 70s stuff. To me, at least the avocodo green and orange/brown interiors can still be appealing to me as it was a period I remember and lived through. You get to the 80s and everything looks the same and the character has been lost as it does as you move forward in time. Any trip down the interstate during the summer and all you see is cookie cutter offwhite trailers raised up with black graphics. Does it provide a place to camp and enjoy the outdoors? Sure, but maybe some people don't care and go for the camping experience. Cheers, Rod
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Jun 21, 2024 9:09:11 GMT -8
Has anyone compiled factory specs to build a trailer from scratch? Would be cool to have the factory specs for some 50’s Shastas. We have an outfit in town that could weld a frame together. I would just would need specs for the walls. For me the problem would be to build the cabinetry, finding the right windows and trim etc. I would probably have to find a a basket case trailer then use all of the parts. I've done and worked on so many Shastas that's the last trailer I would scratch build. Besides, when you restore a Shasta you end up replacing jus about all of the framework and paneling. LOL.... You won't find any "factory specs" on these trailers that I know of. About the best you can do is to get a floor plan from an old brochure but remember that in many cases, those images are usually not to scale. Windows? I've been looking for a 18"w x 14"h HEHR Push Out for 4 years now with no luck. I need it to finish the 54 Jewel.
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Jun 21, 2024 9:53:38 GMT -8
Anyone that wants to see what a Scratch Built, Home Built vintage trailer looks like can view it on You Tube. FATHER AND SON BUILD VINTAGE BUT NEW ALJO TRAILER. This video was posted by one of my son's van conversion buddies. John Palmer Beautiful as usual John. What a great project. All the innovations are really cool too. You wouldn't happen to have a 14 x 18w inch HEHR pushout you would like to sell would you? lol.. Been looking now for 4 years with no luck. John did you use the shiny aluminum from Hemet Valley? And if so did you give it a clear coat? I'm doing the 54 Jewel in that stuff and am going to do a clear coat or two on it. I remember what happened with the Mallard streaking from dew running down the sides. Were you ever able to fix that?
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John Palmer
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Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
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Post by John Palmer on Jun 21, 2024 13:36:05 GMT -8
Anyone that wants to see what a Scratch Built, Home Built vintage trailer looks like can view it on You Tube. FATHER AND SON BUILD VINTAGE BUT NEW ALJO TRAILER. This video was posted by one of my son's van conversion buddies. John Palmer Beautiful as usual John. What a great project. All the innovations are really cool too. You wouldn't happen to have a 14 x 18w inch HEHR pushout you would like to sell would you? lol.. Been looking now for 4 years with no luck. John did you use the shiny aluminum from Hemet Valley? And if so did you give it a clear coat? I'm doing the 54 Jewel in that stuff and am going to do a clear coat or two on it. I remember what happened with the Mallard streaking from dew running down the sides. Were you ever able to fix that? I would agree that a Shasta, or any trailer with a 3/4" thick wall would be the last trailer in the world that I would try to replicate. In my view, it just makes more structural strength to turn the 1 by 2 widthwise and gain the wall strength with a 1 1/2" thick wall frame. More room for insulation, room to mount wiring, and receptacle boxes inside the wall. But, I don't need to sell you on this concept as you are well aware of the benefits. You really need to shop around for some used sheet metal equipment. It's out there and buying used is the best route to go. You need a 4' shear, and a 4' finger, sometimes it's called a "box brake". With these two tools, or better yet just have access to them, you can make your own Hehr Standard windows any size you want. The hardest part to make is the interlocking hinge, but I do mine on a cheap imported 4' Box Brake. In a perfect world, save every Hehr window you can find for parts, especially the hinges and push out hardware. You can easily make the side frame material and cut it to size. Another tool you want to source is a Greenlee Knock Out punch set. This is a common electrician's tool. This is what you're going to use to cut out the four rounded inside corners in the awning window frame. The best size aluminum sheet to use for window fabrication is .032", if you get up to .040" it gets too hard to bend the edge back 180 degrees. It's much easier to use a DA and sand all of your material stock to 400 grit and polish it before you lay it out and do your bending. I easier to sand out and polish your new scratches after it's all fabricated. Yes, my sons Aljo has Steve's Hemet Valley polished aluminum, some of which we premiered and painted. In fact, I currently have three polished aluminum trailers. None are coated with anything. I see no reason or advantage to coat the aluminum skin. My trailers are parked outside 365 days each year, and due to oxidation, they require a re-polish about every three years. My largest problem is birds, and the acidic "bird poop" which burns (etches) the polished aluminum. If the aluminum was coated, it would make it much more difficult to make any polish repairs. I use only Zepher Polishing Supplies, they are available at my local industrial hardware store, or their headquarters is in Ontario, CA. They sell professional polishing supplies. I do not use the $70/per pound Nuvite stuff. I have never seen an "old Airstream" which are coated, that did not look cloudy, and had to be stripped with an aircraft stripper before it could be polished. If you leave it "uncoated" at least you can re-polish it in three years without removing the coating. The 1958 Mallard was repolished and touched up several times. It's gone through a couple of owners and now lives near Reno, NV the last I heard. I have another 1957 Deville in Zepher Cove near Stateline in Soth Lake Tahoe. John Palmer
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idaho211
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Post by idaho211 on Jun 21, 2024 21:21:06 GMT -8
I agree about lack of structure. I do like the overall look of them in terms of their style.
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aslmx
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Post by aslmx on Jun 22, 2024 12:11:20 GMT -8
Anyone that wants to see what a Scratch Built, Home Built vintage trailer looks like can view it on You Tube. FATHER AND SON BUILD VINTAGE BUT NEW ALJO TRAILER. This video was posted by one of my son's van conversion buddies. John Palmer is this the one? That is a beautiful, quality build. youtu.be/loCVsXL3eZ4?si=cm1oUJUXXBHHVdyF
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John Palmer
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Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
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Post by John Palmer on Jun 22, 2024 14:01:53 GMT -8
Anyone that wants to see what a Scratch Built, Home Built vintage trailer looks like can view it on You Tube. FATHER AND SON BUILD VINTAGE BUT NEW ALJO TRAILER. This video was posted by one of my son's van conversion buddies. John Palmer That is the trailer we are talking about, it's a few years old now, and has been camping in Baja Mexico several times. John Palmer
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