ladywendolyn
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1964 Golden Falcon
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Post by ladywendolyn on Mar 19, 2014 15:17:28 GMT -8
As the vintage trailer frenzy seems to be spreading, I am witnessing people with almost no Reno experience pulling REALLY destroyed trailers out of dark places and telling people online that they are going to totally restore them. I find my self shuddering thinking about what they are getting themselves into. My husband and I have done a lot of Reno work, and helped restore one other camper and a boat and I know how much we have to do to properly fix the frame and interior...
So anyway these people are buying these trashed trailers and then they pop onto the Facebook vintage trailer site and say... "So I think it might need a little work.. Can someone please tell me what to do"
Which makes me want to say... Yes.. Take it back...
But anyway, this got me to wondering, because some of you have extensive experience in restoring old trailers... What is the point at which you say..NO WAY... Are there certain things that are deal breakers for you when it comes to restoration work?
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pirateslife
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1969 Shasta Compact
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Post by pirateslife on Mar 19, 2014 15:28:11 GMT -8
Yes definitely. Just read mobiles signature like.lol
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txoil
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1960 Shasta Deluxe 19
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Post by txoil on Mar 19, 2014 15:41:40 GMT -8
It all depends...If someone is looking for a long term project, no time pressures to get finished and wants to learn the process as they go, then a trashed junker might not be bad.
If looking for an easy restore, and ready to camp in within a few weeks, then definitely avoid the cheapo 'total' trailer project. I feel badly that a LOT of well meaning people are getting suckered into paying too much for too little, and they will probably give up on their project after sinking a lot of their own time and money and still being far off from a completion.
As for our trailer, we knew before purchasing that skins off, full rewire/plumbing/propane/paneling/paint/chrome would be our goal, so we waited until we found a suitable unmolested original. Perhaps later we will take on a total new rebuild project, but as a first trailer, we had to reject many before we found the one.
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pirateslife
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Post by pirateslife on Mar 19, 2014 15:53:00 GMT -8
Most would have said mine was too far gone just being a shell. No cabinets no fixtures. The thing is I wasn't looking and have a good background in things like this Plus it was free which got me hooked
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Post by bigbill on Mar 19, 2014 15:53:59 GMT -8
I have built complete campers from scratch so no there is no such thing as a trailer to far gone to redo, BUT there is such a thing as a trailer to far gone to be practical about redoing. The biggest problem I see is a person getting into this with no place to work , no knowledge of what they are doing and the thought that a few hundred dollars and a couple of weekends of hard work will fix it. My suggestion for the novice is decide that you are willing to spend a year or two plus lots more money than you think once you buy tools and materials to complete your project. Most people think they can fix a 60 year old trailer up for about what they will find the foam for new cushions cost. Then they start looking at paneling at 40 or 50 bucks as sheet only to discover they need 10 or 20 sheets. This also has to be a project both spouses are interested in or it will be for sale half done for a tenth of what they invested.
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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 Mar 19, 2014 19:06:22 GMT -8
I would agree that no trailer is "too tough" to rebuild. But the experienced builder will be thinking about "how hard will it be to sell", before they purchase it.
1950's, 1960's and 1970's trailer's all cost about the same to rebuild for trailer's "with like amenities". The framing wood, the paneling, the electrical, the plumbing, the upholstery, the flooring, the paint and graphics all cost about the same to purchase, no matter the trailer year. However, when it comes time to sell the trailer the 1950's era models will command a much higher resale value. It's the same reason a car guy will focus on a 1955 Chevy two door hard top, a convertible, a two door wagon like a Nomad over a common 1955 Chevy four door sedan. They all cost about the same for body work, and paint. But you will not even get half your investment back on a four door sedan.
The deal breaker's for me on what trailer's I will pass up are THE ONES WITH no TITLE or a new ASSIGNED TITLE because I like to have a Y.O.M (Year Of Manufacture) license plate, no painted INTERIORS, not missing APPLIANCES, not missing the hard to find special (read expensive to replace) parts like screen door hinges, lights, door grab handles, door latches, windows, etc.
I'm fine with a completely rotten trailer as long as it's complete and is a year and small enough size that will be easy to sell when it's completed. |
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Post by schweetcruisers on Mar 19, 2014 19:40:02 GMT -8
The trailers are never to far gone, the owners/purchasers however seem to be long gone. I just did a quote for a lady who purchased a "restored" trailer, I'm guessing she spent somewhere around $10-15k for this thing. The electrical system is a fire waiting to happen not to mention you could get seriousouly shocked by the exposed wiring. I quoted her $600 parts and materials and she felt it was too much money, on the other hand she had someone come look at repairing her heater and paid him $200 just to look at it, without fixing anything.
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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 Mar 19, 2014 20:30:47 GMT -8
The trailers are never to far gone, the owners/purchasers however seem to be long gone. I just did a quote for a lady who purchased a "restored" trailer, I'm guessing she spent somewhere around $10-15k for this thing. The electrical system is a fire waiting to happen not to mention you could get seriousouly shocked by the exposed wiring. I quoted her $600 parts and materials and she felt it was too much money, on the other hand she had someone come look at repairing her heater and paid him $200 just to look at it, without fixing anything. Yup, Exactly!
It's about how everyone has a different definition of the word RESTORED.
I'm not sure who is more at fault. The "buyers" who do not take the time to check out the trailer they are buying. Or "the sellers" who completely misrepresent the product they are selling, fully knowing it was just patched together, and not fully restored.
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Post by vikx on Mar 19, 2014 21:11:28 GMT -8
Almost any trailer is restorable. Recently, I've had a hard time finding anything decent to repair and the main problem is the skin and roof. I've got two of them sitting here right now needing all new skin plus roofs. The 58 Cardinal is well worth the almost 2K it will cost but the Little Dipper is a 65 and won't bring the money the Cardinal will. Same cost on the metal.
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ladywendolyn
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Post by ladywendolyn on Mar 20, 2014 7:34:37 GMT -8
Its interesting what you say about the price difference between 1950's and 1960's trailers. Vintage trailers are so rare in my area (except bolers, which were invented and designed here), that if it's properly restored people will want it period. There is just not that much knowledge of the history or differences in the trailers here. It will be interesting to see if I can get an idea of value once mine is finished. Not much to compare to...
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Post by vikx on Mar 20, 2014 21:18:50 GMT -8
It's not entirely the year of the trailer that brings a higher price. Canned hams with real wood interior are the most sought after. People like the front dinette/rear bed configuration as well. So, if a trailer has the more rounded shape and golden glow interior it is more likely to bring a higher price.
I'm certainly not knocking the retro trailers. My favorites are the LoFlytes and Land Commanders...even with the funky paneling, they have that oh so cool body.
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CorvettCrzy
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Post by CorvettCrzy on Mar 21, 2014 6:41:36 GMT -8
There will always be people with "money to burn" (at least in their minds) that are going to purchase a trailer on a whim, realize the time or cost, and sell it at a loss. Those of us who
are on a budget, usually think through their purchases/decisions beforehand, out of necessity.
Spending vs. Investing
Intended use, importance of investment value and personal taste results in
repairing vs. restoring
The shame of it is when those "money to burn people" ruin a piece of history that could be enjoyed by others who would really appreciate it. No one benefits and the garbage pile just gets bigger.
I'm a firm believer that anyone can do whatever they set their minds to, provided they are willing to learn what they don't know. Any trailer, car, house... can be repaired, whether they should do it depends on all these things.
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cowcharge
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Post by cowcharge on Mar 21, 2014 7:51:25 GMT -8
I'd say this one is close...
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