ohio
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Post by ohio on Jun 14, 2024 9:51:07 GMT -8
Hi all, I just picked up a 1966 Kenskill 17' travel trailer. I have zero experience with campers, trailers or RVs but you got to start somewhere and this seemed too good to be true - I'm sure i'll find out soon why it wasn't. Chassis had just surface rust (which I prefer to fresh paint... means I know what the metal looks like), the frame studs I could see through access holes all looked clean and free of rot or staining, interior has def been refurbed, but all of the fixtures were original. Exterior has what seems to be a sketchy paint job, but the aluminum was all quite straight and the hardware (door handles, locks, windows) were all original or at least OE replacements. Digging in this weekend to test water, elec (driving and interior), propane, and brakes. I'm sure i'll be back here with a ton of surprises and questions. Right now I only have an exterior pic. Will post more over the weekend. ![](https://photos.app.goo.gl/rwZUMTp2S7rfXYMk7) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczPrU2uH-BD_q1qcyK36HTExo3lk7zY3Dh8eUgiWq1R0yByCmtgOqY5JXcZtSdp4eoretIbySAUcMLDLadSOZc9wIla60CQc8tVLCUHX59nGWOtf-mchqRKRKw7Mnko9I6uy-Jq2WilZ0QIUnSWb-lMeaQ=w1834-h2446-s-no-gm?authuser=0) edit: adding a few pics of the overall camper ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczP_X6CyvXiJouZiZjoTSSX2WZQwYFcQJ1eVDvNaPQn2GGFu3NyuI2w4_4x3E5k2Gk5AywVEmK8-CVDpFHfjBwcg6EuC3P7HZz3sRWW1JDjyvH-OXAWPrfy5U1lsAUHombNXR6GYZI9dCbNU1l3Cseo2MfJjWrE01vYgeq7Z_ojDBVtjCnIJOpzFA3XKQ1CdSk_DACK0J1QWf70jq3pX7uG7wLlOVtnYi9eyCkz0u8F_nb1gKRop5I3ExSY7AmWs38BpbjeQ98hlmOwDUOqJ5SPHaGpFG-tnb9ZuOlpYovG8X7fPl6b2CZ0NPt5yGDo_64dWXl9Zeo6N45AYQbjY-nchLtBSp4GXYZIoFfUipMbpqHgdATHrsymLMRHaWlaKq4hz3-rTSZ0IG0cN-q95lKOrjuBdt0s65U_SJyVDH2OxXZadOGbNkLUvr02xNzC_ghuhN6XUSWUeUgB8SogVz9DJx72kcuvSkyNgbbUQx6H2WfSTtjK2_9BzFKFdk-G9VMcySUsjRZ2yVWifcpnOnfUu2IkM9ENXtjTX8d7wcNlrDqJ9cnwcmlTMlT8Cjc8-sYzJJuNg8OmvQagehUngggBBtCfULw54NHTWr5I85EKUdQPHnxd-cVMXc4xvCQh-N25OZpPDzBq-hapNL8ZLKMCYjObhVJI1D0rOuRBiUMo_LGBDvgrN0axF3k2mG2MTA6D_zCtloz0e0MGJd2P6TDJPlUeYAQTOzH5W2ai8iD1bNXxXIDS-F_YLVu0i12MXuiD-AzGroioMB3D2VhDGx_zmPD7l50TfIW_XP0FlCzIuz6VLdoDB6l6xnmmhNx2pwp-zdTwIqgruqh_zSImcfsQTi7vkcG-sweTSqnf4R2xiNL8kmO5W_A3TAXr0T7mMjQ0mTfWObwZNZwTOO0e6SaR66VFFXtTS1XOATwXUoINbzZ_xoe0pxjwRFopCBaPnRQ7lIG4DN0rSEu6kSJ6AwCcK8IlddkUZCQ=w1506-h2008-s-no-gm?authuser=0) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczNcVFKzUH4o8JGtX82skJKliywRgJlxnQFy1i9btp6WS2pzMEG6HSlvtMH95aP_dqVB1fRsLdg34ESUJ0GqzCwsjNcLNNsLhyWjngKk4df5yT5RUlChyIa7LurZz7FXBJwRavubOyqrZEVePPJngThsSG2ffUJpEAxTf0zlqhBYraMmcszloYixZQtOr1w_16DXNC1a-1bG4Ah37dwjkDPiSvC7ebYbvIYIDYIU3afJBkTvCZBtdUGLBuuESsrJSozHK7RfYta1agI3J6A2dxHc1jU370li0u75xjhcIDGobPsO7yNqhyZFaodmR_YzLVcOjC2D_GgWwkrnVKQpz7rXGPXUycEgRtI6bfeDj_OIdOwpk1O9PQLUlyS6zai4QSo96u03O7yhlgvMt1JtxErguDLBu2yG0o2yMCzQmQTSFTuOpmVE7-_EXYwOElg7YfQRuUP-cjRZk7qv7XeRMlWH9Zt11PR157jhVB_OkdIOA86vDAf0v9OAzknCcAEFuLvg2Lsp-H6wJjyUtcvflX9Sn1PoqJTLTjFgmYOWCktMitH1hphw-I3naupZjv9-sQTcpHWIYIAQjY7ZoAm9Qlx2456W0unBCBx9I9jvachA-2Q2X4nB75VZpW4kspj-2--yjIf1MnieosraiXpq7EhDn7tHGQqo7Dk6eWQN6DkydXVNrRx7wBs1eFSN25q3j6qc-ysSpAqy9Bp1sRfFO0s9sUoGbn0iTNfbm_8RJ2OWNnlXDV0FhkSPHnV5ePtxTThwTjZHcE6wUueikTstfd00Zy0dWPyi5MntK4InERBEcmNj8up5IUimRkxhf9hOypLpyEZ4z6G5-nCC9ggs7BgFuWq7cXcpOUF9nb0O6JeXKKnd9jVah4L5ZCx71BWuB4hjmBqjXPczIJRWqwy3qBAw8KOBT_6ys4wOpSYJqbWVZkUtCiN_lnhE7abBL64hLeY9Zu2MWRVbx7QYv2_B19WZHXqGU14LCA=w1506-h2008-s-no-gm?authuser=0) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczPvdzkc54elpIUrqhLrrA3H3h2Y4fGXbJtC44q6UDxJs60n83v6nlT4yDr6hlEzCHNr_jmx7gCk61RrPh8wyOn9-jcVVs9Pk0YtLDMJu60nFlz5-_VzWuASYYogsDgg7zMyGdK50yVkoY7IHC6vbdlbXA=w1506-h2008-s-no-gm?authuser=0) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczO4NcF1DiIgg1LSE2HKQLqhrqRigj6A26or8ymkAdUCibr6p5FiKaDQWFiXEc1r4dFR1Y_G7L1KacvUwkh9CIeuL7HXGQZCes5Qo58iuGhBsX9AOiggLbyvjpDvxIwdcM_x83PoyPRTUYfkbN6iZ1HWCw=w1506-h2008-s-no-gm?authuser=0) ![](https://photos.app.goo.gl/rwZUMTp2S7rfXYMk7)
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Post by vikx on Jun 14, 2024 10:53:51 GMT -8
Welcome. Lots of green... cool looking trailer.
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Jun 14, 2024 16:10:11 GMT -8
Welcome!
Enjoy your new/old camper.
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ohio
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Post by ohio on Jun 15, 2024 11:11:09 GMT -8
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idaho211
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Post by idaho211 on Jun 16, 2024 8:06:51 GMT -8
Welcome to the site. Great people here with a ton of knowledge. Nice trailer.
I also have a 66 Kenskill same floor plan. They are cute trailers but I suggest looking closer at the wood structure. Mine looked perfect until I bought it and started looking at it at home.
They are prone to rot in the front corners under the windows and the trunk corners. You can pull the front bed out and check for rot in the interior panels by the water tank and below the windows. I had significant rot on both sides.
The floor silll frame had significant rot all around the bottom.
Once I took the skins off I found out the framing is dimensional lumber 2x4’s and 2x2’s and all stapled together a real pain to restore. I found out the walls were assembled then added to the floor and they stapled both sides by the floor sill so a real pain to remove. Will send some pics.
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idaho211
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Post by idaho211 on Jun 16, 2024 8:38:05 GMT -8
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idaho211
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Post by idaho211 on Jun 16, 2024 8:54:55 GMT -8
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Post by vikx on Jun 16, 2024 12:10:00 GMT -8
Thanks for the great pix.
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ohio
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Post by ohio on Jun 22, 2024 10:12:58 GMT -8
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ohio
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Post by ohio on Jun 22, 2024 10:17:59 GMT -8
Welcome to the site. Great people here with a ton of knowledge. Nice trailer. I also have a 66 Kenskill same floor plan. They are cute trailers but I suggest looking closer at the wood structure. Mine looked perfect until I bought it and started looking at it at home. They are prone to rot in the front corners under the windows and the trunk corners. You can pull the front bed out and check for rot in the interior panels by the water tank and below the windows. I had significant rot on both sides. The floor silll frame had significant rot all around the bottom. Once I took the skins off I found out the framing is dimensional lumber 2x4’s and 2x2’s and all stapled together a real pain to restore. I found out the walls were assembled then added to the floor and they stapled both sides by the floor sill so a real pain to remove. Will send some pics. Thanks for the pics! Yup, that's pretty much what I found although the outer frame rails seemed to be 2"x1.5" vs the 2x2 nominal (1.5x1.5) of the studs and floor joists. I replaced those with 3x2 nominal (2.5x1.5) and just didn't run the 0.5" flooring on top of them (i.e. inside the walls). With those areas above repaired, I felt good enough to move it. Between the rattle can paint job, and some other spots that appear to have (milder) water damage, I will have to reskin it at some point and inspect the rest of the frame, but I'm waiting to do that until after I do a solar backup/generator install and know where all of those components will be placed. I don't want to punch extra holes or have to tear off brand new siding.
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ohio
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Post by ohio on Jun 22, 2024 10:22:34 GMT -8
This is especially helpful, thanks a ton! Anyone know a good supplier in Northern California for replacement siding? Did a search, but the closest I found was all the way down in Socal, and I don't have a long bed truck to haul 96" siding panels that far. Currently storing the trailer in the Sacramento area...
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Post by Teachndad on Jun 22, 2024 12:23:08 GMT -8
This is a great thread! Kenskil trailers are one of my favorite trailers from the 60's. I love all the glass in them. It's great that both you Kenskil owners found each other and are able to help each other. Wonderful!
I live in So Cal and Hemet RV in Hemet is pretty much your closest bet to the Bay Area and Sacramento areas for new skins. It's really is expensive. Are you sure you want to replace the skins?
What about renting a trailer long enough to accept the skins and driving down to fetch it? Is that cheaper?
Cheers,
Rod
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ohio
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Post by ohio on Jun 22, 2024 17:47:31 GMT -8
This is a great thread! Kenskil trailers are one of my favorite trailers from the 60's. I love all the glass in them. It's great that both you Kenskil owners found each other and are able to help each other. Wonderful! I live in So Cal and Hemet RV in Hemet is pretty much your closest bet to the Bay Area and Sacramento areas for new skins. It's really is expensive. Are you sure you want to replace the skins? What about renting a trailer long enough to accept the skins and driving down to fetch it? Is that cheaper? Cheers, Rod The siding/skins on my trailer are pretty straight, so maybe not. But the current paint job is awful and as think about the time, effort and cost of stripping and repainting, plus how fragile the aluminum is to repeated stapling, it seemed easier and maybe even cheaper to just start fresh once I get to the point of stripping them off? I don’t plan to do that until I’m ready to remove the rooftop A/C and replace it with a mini split, so would have to patch the roof anyway. By the way, when I got under the j channel the original color looked like a beautiful emerald green anodizing. I don’t know if folks were anodizing the siding or if it was just a green tinted clear coat but I bet it was stunning off the lot!
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Post by nccamper on Jun 23, 2024 19:39:01 GMT -8
I’ve stripped off paint before and you’re wise to consider new skin. You’ll save yourself and your yard from being soaked in toxic chemicals.
I have bought new skin from Hemet valley RV several times and I have always been happy. Consider their thicker skin.
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ohio
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Post by ohio on Jun 25, 2024 13:13:16 GMT -8
I’ve stripped off paint before and you’re wise to consider new skin. You’ll save yourself and your yard from being soaked in toxic chemicals. I have bought new skin from Hemet valley RV several times and I have always been happy. Consider their thicker skin. (Bump, because I think I inserted the images above properly this time) Good suggestion on thicker skin. Do you know what the original thickness spec was, or what was typical from that era? RV Parts Nation has siding at 0.24" 0.30," and 0.50". 0.50 would be 60% heavier... maybe best for the lower panels, but stick with the 0.30 for the upper? FYI, my siding appears to be a Deluxe 4" Mesa Pattern except for the front lower, which may have been a repair/replacement.
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