diymom
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enthralled with my 1969 Terry, problem is it keeps me awake at night planning
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1969 terry 18'
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Post by diymom on May 27, 2014 13:49:52 GMT -8
Ok, I am brand new to vintage trailers-I've been a classic car nut for decades-2 decades-it all started when I was 8. I went from being able to tell tri five chevys apart to rebuilding my 59 chevy-to being able to id just about every kind of part and make of vehicle post 40 & pre 70 within a year of its manufacture at a quick glance. That took a long time...a lot of car shows, a lot of books, a lot of hands on experience & too much time with my very cranky dad who hates lots of questions.
anyway, having just purchased a trailer and having already been to one-I think the biggest- vintage trailer meetup in california (pismo)-I need to know how else to pick peoples brains intensely- I don't think I can handle posting ALL my questions-i just want everyone to come to my house for a few days with their trailers-you know...
What I want to know is------is there some intensive course for newbies-some actually informative guide or book that isn't just a coffee table pictoral ensemble or video of trailers with throwback music and bad editing? I see restoration guides and things online-but I don't want to drop money on watching somebody's quick fixes or get a video of general and obvious info...what will be helpful other than this VERY helpful forum...
I'm a little hyped up and in a panic because I KNOW i way overspent for a "flipped" trailer (flipped like house flipping, not as in wrecked)...but I still want to know everything there is to know and fast so I make the best decisions. There is a shop down the road from me that restores trailers-but the guys there "just work on them" the person who runs it and knows things is really not available and probably wouldn't be too keen on my asking him questions all the time without giving him a ton of business of which he can't take currently anyway-overbooked-and I can't really afford-I'm into DIY anyway.
The next bigger meetup around here as far as I know is in Lodi, ca about 4 hours away or more and its all the way in OCTOBER!!! besides, from talking to a handful of "trailer owners" at pismo, I figure, many people have a lot of work done for them and they mainly decorate and polish their "babies"...a lot like classic cars-many are outsourced/bought finished. I asked a few questions that the owners I spoke with couldn't answer. I guess I WAS talking to more women-who typically aren't the chief restorers of their trailers...not to knock women-its just more average that the men go through the building, maintenance and repair process and the wives/girlfriends sew curtains, shop for accessories and pick out matching canopy's and dishes,-AND socialize with strangers more...which I will be doing as well-'cause I'm a chick and I'm much better at decorating/socializing with strangers than my husband.
Is there any small group of trailer owners that get together (and KNOW what they're doing/experience 1st hand) around southern california that I can irritate? My husband and kid will go nuts if I spend my life on forums/the computer asking all my questions. how best can I get a bunch of info soon and who can I bother?
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SusieQ
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'62 Shasta Compact
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Post by SusieQ on May 27, 2014 14:40:51 GMT -8
(wlcm)You've already come to the right place. Hang out here. Watch Mobiltec's videos. They are the real deal.
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ladywendolyn
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Post by ladywendolyn on May 27, 2014 15:29:10 GMT -8
I messages you about a course you may like..
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diymom
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enthralled with my 1969 Terry, problem is it keeps me awake at night planning
Posts: 323
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1969 terry 18'
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Post by diymom on May 27, 2014 15:41:40 GMT -8
(wlcm)You've already come to the right place. Hang out here. Watch Mobiltec's videos. They are the real deal. I am watching his videos right now...thanks for the heads up... great that he is in socal too! am finding out about more local meetups through his website. |
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Post by bigbill on May 27, 2014 17:09:15 GMT -8
To everyone who uses and enjoys Mobiltec's Web site, he doesn't charge for his helpful info but he does except donations from those who can help out. He is retired and we all know the equipment to produce those videos is expensive plus the time it takes.
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pirateslife
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Post by pirateslife on May 27, 2014 19:57:41 GMT -8
welcome to the board and you can do it....one thing i learned about this board, if you have a question, post it and youll get some good answers very quickly. the best thing to remember is to post pics with your questions, and any other time you like
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Post by vikx on May 27, 2014 21:48:32 GMT -8
Well, I wrote a book. It's a PDF of an eBook; you could print it yourself. People like it. PM me for more information...
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diymom
Active Member
enthralled with my 1969 Terry, problem is it keeps me awake at night planning
Posts: 323
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1969 terry 18'
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Post by diymom on May 28, 2014 11:53:09 GMT -8
Yes I saw the donation link...once we get underway and have registered this thing, I fully expect to contribute if I watch a bunch of his stuff... I am really grateful for the info you guys let me know about-planning on watching a video series this weekend and reading a book & manual too. Apparently there is a couple down the road from my cousin who have a restored vintage camper and they practically live in the mid century-down to their house, furniture, cars and dichondra lawn...I think I am going to need to summon the courage to introduce myself--see if they are willing to talk trailers... I am picking through the forums every chance I get, too bad we are in the middle of un landscaping our entire property-between that and our oxidized dumpy looking trailer in the driveway, our neighbors are really freaking out-we've had more "visits" from neighbors since we got this trailer last week and ripped up our lawn this weekend than in the last year+. We saw two walk by point at our lawn and trailer and throw their hands up in the air... oh well...we have unique tastes and a different set of priorities-who wants grass and new campers anyway!!!  |
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Post by bigbill on May 28, 2014 16:34:57 GMT -8
As you gather books and other information be careful their are many out there that will steer you wrong and it will cost you dearly down the road. Make sure that you have eliminated all the rot and decay in the frame work it really isn't hard to open one of these up and gain access to everything. This is why Mobiltec made videos for people to watch. He and others that you find on this web site are not here for any other reason but to help you bring your trailer back to a safe dependable condition that won't fall apart as you are towing it down the road. You will find people here that restore their trailer back to better than factory original, then you will find people that make it safe and clean then dress it up as their budget will stand it. Some of us love a shellac finish others prefer paint, it is your trailer so you make it look to suit you. The unit that I am redoing right now for just my wife and my use is going to be totally different inside than any factory built Shasta that was ever built. It will only sleep two adults, have no propane, will have A/C & heat (electric), microwave,and a toaster even. Plus we are maximizing the floor space to make it more Handicap accessible. the neat thing about this board is if someone makes a statement that isn't quite right some one else will normally correct it. Most of the things on here people have learned the hard way over the last half century or so and they are just trying to keep you from making the same mistakes. If you had the time to read every post on here you would see a lot of posts about mistakes we made and what the result was, we tell the good , the bad, and the ugly.  |
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Post by vikx on May 28, 2014 22:08:59 GMT -8
Big Bill is correct, there is at least one "manual" out there that tells you how to cover and hide mold rot and damage. Electrical is a joke and dangerous. He claims to have been in business for many years. Riiiight... Goes by Velcro Strip.
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lakewoodgirl
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1954 Lakewood
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Post by lakewoodgirl on Jun 4, 2014 19:18:30 GMT -8
I'll be in Lodi with any luck. I'm already paid so I'd better be!
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diymom
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enthralled with my 1969 Terry, problem is it keeps me awake at night planning
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1969 terry 18'
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Post by diymom on Jun 5, 2014 9:06:52 GMT -8
I'll be in Lodi with any luck. I'm already paid so I'd better be! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Goooood-I will need to pick your brain there when I am not feeding my 2 month old baby-yeah- I really hope everything goes smoothly enough so I can make it- Its baby #2 so I'm betting I can roll with the punches this time around. I'll be making every effort in any case-it"ll be so much easier to travel with a camper trailer too. Yes- I have seen the guy who seems to be more interested in teaching you how to gloss over serious issues in order to "flip" or trick people. Like colorizing the water damage... I just thought that would be a lot of work invested to never actually address and fix the issue. I grew up having to "do it right the first time" I cannot fathom wasting my time doctoring up something to look good instead of just fixing the problem. I wouldn't buy a trailer from him. I'll be working on the trailer today-installing locks and cleaning- husband just set up the propane tanks yesterday- we have to hook up and test the stove today. |
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lakewoodgirl
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Post by lakewoodgirl on Jun 5, 2014 14:44:53 GMT -8
I'll introduce you to my DIY friend who just had her second baby too! She'll be there with her trailer too! We're supposed to be next to each other.
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diymom
Active Member
enthralled with my 1969 Terry, problem is it keeps me awake at night planning
Posts: 323
Likes: 51
1969 terry 18'
Currently Offline
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Post by diymom on Jun 5, 2014 15:27:23 GMT -8
oooOOOOooo, that sounds perfect! I love finding other like-minded moms!
worked on the trailer-so much of it needs total replacement and all of it needs tweaking in some way or another!---and new parts are so horribly crappy (door lock cylinder total junk! may as well be plastic or plaster!).
After the month is out I think I'll name our trailer Improviser...
watching some repair videos now...
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lakewoodgirl
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Post by lakewoodgirl on Jun 5, 2014 16:59:08 GMT -8
oooOOOOooo, that sounds perfect! I love finding other like-minded moms! worked on the trailer-so much of it needs total replacement and all of it needs tweaking in some way or another!---and new parts are so horribly crappy (door lock cylinder total junk! may as well be plastic or plaster!). After the month is out I think I'll name our trailer Improviser... watching some repair videos now... Larry's videos are great confidence boosters! If your facing a problem, he's already been there done that and got it on film! I think I'm on my third or fourth idea of how to fix the back end of my trailer and keep referring back to his videos. While the shape is the same, the original construction is just different enough to keep me scratching my head but I think I finally have it figure out! My husband and 6 year old boy are growing very impatient with me and my "what of we did it this way". LOL Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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