nccamper
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Post by nccamper on May 11, 2014 22:42:20 GMT -8
I picked up our 1962 Shasta compact in Utah a couple of days ago. The ash wall panel is nailed to the inside bench. It has separated (long ago) and I was wondering if it matters. The wood at the bottom passed the ice pick test and the next cross support (solid wood) seems to be just below the window. There does not seem to be any board behind where the nails came loose. I re-watched the Shasta Mobitec videos with the Shasta rear wall open. There is nothing where these nails came loose to anchor them. Does anybody have Compact rear wall photos (rear skin off) so I can see if there is something there to nail a temp support to? Or is it not an issue?
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bmxovich
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Post by bmxovich on May 12, 2014 4:17:21 GMT -8
Here's a pic I saved of some original early compact rear framing. I have a couple more pics that show rebuilt trailers with the same exact framework. And a couple that were beefed up. This is probly as close as it will get. It really wouldn't bother me to tow it that way, if it's fastened well below. But others may chime in. Enjoy the trip!
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SusieQ
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Post by SusieQ on May 12, 2014 5:42:46 GMT -8
I remember mine being that way, too, with a gap. I remember because it had stuff in it, lol. When I replaced it, I put it back without the gap and added welting. I think I might have a pic of my back end open.
There is a board, at the bottom that the panel is nailed to, and it is also nailed to the bench.
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SusieQ
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Post by SusieQ on May 12, 2014 6:07:02 GMT -8
I should say the bench supports.
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on May 12, 2014 8:21:17 GMT -8
Here's a pic I saved of some original early compact rear framing. I have a couple more pics that show rebuilt trailers with the same exact framework. And a couple that were beefed up. This is probly as close as it will get. It really wouldn't bother me to tow it that way, if it's fastened well below. But others may chime in. Enjoy the trip! That photo helps a lot. As I suspected, there is nothing from the wood below the window to the floor. Any other framing photos on the compact would be really appriciated.
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SusieQ
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Post by SusieQ on May 12, 2014 8:45:23 GMT -8
If you look closely, you can see where it is nailed at the bottom and to the bench frame. There was a space where the new welting runs between the benches. [/url]
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SusieQ
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Post by SusieQ on May 12, 2014 8:53:35 GMT -8
But it should fit snugly against the benches. You should not have a gap here: Here's a view from under the bench of the back wall looking through the baggage compartment. Oops, see where my nail missed?
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on May 12, 2014 9:50:50 GMT -8
But it should fit snugly against the benches. You should not have a gap here: Here's a view from under the bench of the back wall looking through the baggage compartment. Oops, see where my nail missed? Mine fits tight at the bottom but has bowed at the top of the bench. The nails came through the ash panel. The wood below the window seems solid but bowed. I'm considering running a sister board across (the board under the window but above the bench) for support. Suggestion?
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SusieQ
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Post by SusieQ on May 12, 2014 10:07:44 GMT -8
NC, if the panel is secure at the bottom, (mine was rotted), and everywhere else, I think you should be OK. It has the framing board under the window and one more below it and one at the bottom that is holding the panel in and holding the sides together. I would be more concerned about the framing, skirting and curbing being solid. If those framing boards running horizontal across the back panel aren't nailed into something solid, then you have a problem.
Look in the baggage compartment and under the bench on the other side and see if the panel is secure.
I know I don't think like everybody else, but if I did anything, I'd run a temporary board across the benches. The inside is what holds the outside together.
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on May 12, 2014 11:54:01 GMT -8
NC, if the panel is secure at the bottom, (mine was rotted), and everywhere else, I think you should be OK. It has the framing board under the window and one more below it and one at the bottom that is holding the panel in and holding the sides together. I would be more concerned about the framing, skirting and curbing being solid. If those framing boards running horizontal across the back panel aren't nailed into something solid, then you have a problem. Look in the baggage compartment and under the bench on the other side and see if the panel is secure. I know I don't think like everybody else, but if I did anything, I'd run a temporary board across the benches. The inside is what holds the outside together. The framing along the bottom seems solid. The board across the bottom inside the luggage compartment is solid (photo). The odd thing is the bow seem only in the middle between the supports. The bottom board and the one below the window appear straight and solid but you can see the small bow between from the outside. It's almost like a child may have kicked the wall under the table. I think your idea of a board running across the top of the benches seems smart. You would go straight across the top from side to side? Before I left NC I cut a 2x4 angled with my table saw for just such a support to take into account the angle. I also ripped a couple of 2x4s (down to 3 inch) for extra support for the frame if needed, but those seem fine. My truck looks loaded by a madman for any issues that might come up.
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SusieQ
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Post by SusieQ on May 12, 2014 18:00:59 GMT -8
You may be right, with the moisture and table weight, it could have just warped and come loose or been kicked, or popped loose from being leaned on. Looks like you are going to see some water damage in the back corners. That 1x3 under the frame (yes, mine's a 1x3 not 2x4) has a potential for rot at the wheel well where it is bolted to the frame and in the back corner where it is has a big screw/bolt.. it's not a carriage bolt through the frame, but it goes the frame and is screwed into the wood on the end; it does not go all the way through the floor. The floor is also nailed to it, so even if it's rotted in the corner, you should be OK if the rest of the board is solid. This board is what the skirting is attached to that holds the wall up! So be sure you ice pick and look at it from under the trailer.
Honestly, it's not hard to take that back panel off. I'd take it of and see what's back there and make sure that bottom board and the corners aren't rotted out. You could temporarily repair it if it is.
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SusieQ
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Post by SusieQ on May 12, 2014 18:01:01 GMT -8
You may be right, with the moisture and table weight, it could have just warped and come loose or been kicked, or popped loose from being leaned on. Looks like you are going to see some water damage in the back corners. That 1x3 under the frame (yes, mine's a 1x3 not 2x4) has a potential for rot at the wheel well where it is bolted to the frame and in the back corner where it is has a big screw/bolt.. it's not a carriage bolt through the frame, but it goes the frame and is screwed into the wood on the end; it does not go all the way through the floor. The floor is also nailed to it, so even if it's rotted in the corner, you should be OK if the rest of the board is solid. This board is what the skirting is attached to that holds the wall up! So be sure you ice pick and look at it from under the trailer.
Honestly, it's not hard to take that back panel off. I'd take it of and see what's back there and make sure that bottom board and the corners aren't rotted out. You could temporarily repair it if it is.
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bmxovich
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Post by bmxovich on May 12, 2014 18:39:36 GMT -8
May 12, 2014 12:54:01 GMT -7 nccamper said: " My truck looks loaded by a madman for any issues that might come up. " I love this, I know the feeling, but still manage to forget things....
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on May 12, 2014 19:25:56 GMT -8
Taking the back skin off may be a good idea. I may be able to just loosen it at the bottom and along the jrail and see up there. It seems odd that the wall is so straight other than the middle. I took an ice pick to the 1x? along the bottom from underneath and it seems sold.
One area in front of the door has a 2 1/2 foot section of the skirt the wall rests on rotted up about an inch.Other than that it passes the ice pick test all around. How wide is that skirt board?
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on May 12, 2014 19:28:18 GMT -8
May 12, 2014 12:54:01 GMT -7 nccamper said: " My truck looks loaded by a madman for any issues that might come up. " I love this, I know the feeling, but still manage to forget things.... I didn't know a True Value would be 1 mile from the campground. I booked this place for 5 days of prep time. The other campers here think I'm nuts. My pick up looks like the opening scene in the Beverly Hillbillies.
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