Post by Bow_Tied on Jun 22, 2013 7:12:07 GMT -8
Greetings all!
Some of you may recognize me from VSTF where I was member for over 3 years with 500+ posts. I think I had 1 or 2 posts that were actually useful, maybe, lol. While I was sad to see VSTF close; I completely "get" why that happened, I have two kids myself. I think it better to close it, ditch the drama, and get a fresh start. Thanks to those who have made VTT happen.
My wife and I decided we were done camping "on the ground" a few years ago. We had borrowed my dad's pop-up a few times and while it was better, it was a pita dealing with set-up, wet canvas, and not a lot of storage. So I set out to shop for a hard body trailer. Initially it was disappointing - our meagre budget (considering we already had our daughter then) meant we were shopping for trailers that were older and usually junk. I was finding trailers that needed everything redone and still costing $2500. And they were brutes of the late 70s and early 80s that were heavy - I was afraid my mid sized suv would not be happy pulling these heavier ones. We looked at one 18' trailer that spec'd a class IV hitch. Yikes.
Then we came upon a '59 Airflyte for sale. I'd never even heard of a Shasta and so knew nothing of them. This one sported a terrible exterior paint job by some previous owner, ratty carpet and incorrect mattress/bench pads. The owner claimed the tires and bearings were new (only 9 years prior lol) and that his grandfather had towed it with a Pinto! It had no water tank but had the 120V wiring redone. There was no 12V system other than exterior lights. The original cabinets were there and the roof vent had been replaced. Some water damage had been repaired, some not. It did have electric brakes. All this for a cool $1000 asking price. Despite it needing everything, it was still cheaper than a lot of junk we saw and we fell in love with the wooden interior, screen door, and general shape. At the time, it had no wings and I didn't even know it was supposed to. I negotiated a price delivered to my door since I didn't have a 7 pin plug or brake controller yet.
I got new tires and bearings and dealt with the 12V exterior lighting. Then I looked on line for help in dealing with the trailer. All I could find were Yahoo groups for Shastas. There some good info there, found out about wings, but the yahoo interface was so awful I quit going there, couldn't stand the layout after having used real forums for years - so archaic. I was glad to find VSTF.
We have since replaced the flooring, fridge and a bunch of little things. Our trailer still needs a LOT of help, but it is just useable as is and this is our 5th year using it.
I'm not a good resource for restorations, there are many others that know this better than I. Where I think I can help this forum is with anything mechanical (I am a mechanical engineering technologist and formerly and industrial maintenance mechanic) as well as help with towing having had experience towing several trailers on road, farm environment, as well as studying the specifications and requirements of things like GVWR, GCWR, tongue load, and filtering that through my engineering training.
My latest news!!!! My wife and had our second child, a baby boy, just 11 days ago!
So advance apologies if I am not here a lot in the next little while.
Cheers!
Ron
Some of you may recognize me from VSTF where I was member for over 3 years with 500+ posts. I think I had 1 or 2 posts that were actually useful, maybe, lol. While I was sad to see VSTF close; I completely "get" why that happened, I have two kids myself. I think it better to close it, ditch the drama, and get a fresh start. Thanks to those who have made VTT happen.
My wife and I decided we were done camping "on the ground" a few years ago. We had borrowed my dad's pop-up a few times and while it was better, it was a pita dealing with set-up, wet canvas, and not a lot of storage. So I set out to shop for a hard body trailer. Initially it was disappointing - our meagre budget (considering we already had our daughter then) meant we were shopping for trailers that were older and usually junk. I was finding trailers that needed everything redone and still costing $2500. And they were brutes of the late 70s and early 80s that were heavy - I was afraid my mid sized suv would not be happy pulling these heavier ones. We looked at one 18' trailer that spec'd a class IV hitch. Yikes.
Then we came upon a '59 Airflyte for sale. I'd never even heard of a Shasta and so knew nothing of them. This one sported a terrible exterior paint job by some previous owner, ratty carpet and incorrect mattress/bench pads. The owner claimed the tires and bearings were new (only 9 years prior lol) and that his grandfather had towed it with a Pinto! It had no water tank but had the 120V wiring redone. There was no 12V system other than exterior lights. The original cabinets were there and the roof vent had been replaced. Some water damage had been repaired, some not. It did have electric brakes. All this for a cool $1000 asking price. Despite it needing everything, it was still cheaper than a lot of junk we saw and we fell in love with the wooden interior, screen door, and general shape. At the time, it had no wings and I didn't even know it was supposed to. I negotiated a price delivered to my door since I didn't have a 7 pin plug or brake controller yet.
I got new tires and bearings and dealt with the 12V exterior lighting. Then I looked on line for help in dealing with the trailer. All I could find were Yahoo groups for Shastas. There some good info there, found out about wings, but the yahoo interface was so awful I quit going there, couldn't stand the layout after having used real forums for years - so archaic. I was glad to find VSTF.
We have since replaced the flooring, fridge and a bunch of little things. Our trailer still needs a LOT of help, but it is just useable as is and this is our 5th year using it.
I'm not a good resource for restorations, there are many others that know this better than I. Where I think I can help this forum is with anything mechanical (I am a mechanical engineering technologist and formerly and industrial maintenance mechanic) as well as help with towing having had experience towing several trailers on road, farm environment, as well as studying the specifications and requirements of things like GVWR, GCWR, tongue load, and filtering that through my engineering training.
My latest news!!!! My wife and had our second child, a baby boy, just 11 days ago!
So advance apologies if I am not here a lot in the next little while.Cheers!
Ron
