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Post by vikx on Jul 30, 2014 21:49:54 GMT -8
Hi All,
Thought I would start a thread on Mistakes and Lessons Learned. Recently, I've gone thru several...
Learned: The roof won't always "roll" on a 66 Loliner or similar shaped trailer. (LoFlyte, Land Commander, etc) There is tape on the underside of the metal keeping the curve going around the trailer. It absolutely won't roll, even if the tape is snipped.
Learned: Do NOT paint vents and add-ons before priming. The paint will peel, especially if you use Fusion.
Mistake: If a jalousie "hangs up" don't force it. You will break a pane.
Please post anything you've learned or mistakes made that may help the rest of us. Little things, big things, doesn't matter.
Thanks!
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John Palmer
Senior Member
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 Jul 30, 2014 22:10:11 GMT -8
One of my shop mechanics once told me the difference between a good mechanic, and a dumb one!
The good mechanic always knows how to hide his mistakes.
Snicker, Snicker
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Post by bigbill on Jul 31, 2014 5:14:47 GMT -8
The biggest mistake that I can think of is getting involved with classic cars and campers in the first place.  You don't have to be crazy but it helps. |
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jewlgurl
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Late 40's/early 50's Canned Ham
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Post by jewlgurl on Jul 31, 2014 5:40:26 GMT -8
Make sure you know where your wiring is - before you hammer nails into the wall! If it doesn't fit the first time - it's not going to fit the second or third time. Just fix it after the first try. It always costs more than you think it's going to....!  |
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Post by bigbill on Jul 31, 2014 6:07:27 GMT -8
Trying to be serious for a moment the absolute biggest mistake is going ahead with out stopping to think of the end result of your action. Stopping to think can save you time and money in the long run.
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Jul 31, 2014 6:10:21 GMT -8
Lesson learned the hard way: No matter how bad something looks, or how much restoration / rebuilding you plan to do, never throw anything away until you have completed the part you are working on.
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coloradoan
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1959 Shasta Airflyte 16
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Post by coloradoan on Jul 31, 2014 8:37:27 GMT -8
Biggest mistake turned into a lesson from my restoration (so far): Aluminum does not bend in more than one direction at once. DO NOT put a "crown" in roof rafters (arcing from side to side) and expect to get a roof that is smooth. It will buckle and you will have to remove the new roof and replace the roof rafters.
Everything costs at least twice as much and takes at least twice as much time as you think (even after doubling your first estimates because you've learned this lesson before). Ha!
It is very satisfying to go to bed at night knowing you did the very best you could do. Maybe not perfect, but you took the time to make it right. These old trailers are in dwindling supply and deserve our very best efforts to preserve them for ourselves and future families to enjoy.
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portajohn
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Post by portajohn on Jul 31, 2014 14:37:35 GMT -8
I have learned to slow down, take my time, and truly enjoy the process of working on these campers. Even if you only finish a little bit, (or run into problems and don't finish anything!), you have strengthened your relationship with that camper. Because to me, it's much more satisfying to sit in a finished trailer and truly know all the work and care it took, because you lived it, than to have a trailer restored by someone else. I should say though, (and is what I have learned for sure!) that the only way you will ever be able to do it yourself well at all is to learn. Read everything you can.. ask questions, be engaged. That's why I love this site.. we all care about these old castoffs. This of course assumes that you physically able to do the work. That and measure twice; cut once! |
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mobiltec
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I make mistakes so you don't have to...
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1954 Jewel In Progress...
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Post by mobiltec on Jul 31, 2014 15:42:14 GMT -8
Biggest mistake turned into a lesson from my restoration (so far): Aluminum does not bend in more than one direction at once. DO NOT put a "crown" in roof rafters (arcing from side to side) and expect to get a roof that is smooth. It will buckle and you will have to remove the new roof and replace the roof rafters. Everything costs at least twice as much and takes at least twice as much time as you think (even after doubling your first estimates because you've learned this lesson before). Ha! It is very satisfying to go to bed at night knowing you did the very best you could do. Maybe not perfect, but you took the time to make it right. These old trailers are in dwindling supply and deserve our very best efforts to preserve them for ourselves and future families to enjoy. Well..... Let me break this down a little better.... You should always use a crown on the top vent but if it's too close to the side it will make the top skin buckle even more than it does when it is in the middle. So keep the height of the crown down to a minimum and be ready to deal with a little buckling. I show how to do that in my 57 Westerner Roof Job series. But as coloradoan says, never ever crown the roof rafters themselves. That just won't work. You need a flat roof or that metal will buckle. As far as mistakes made and lessons learned are concerned, I've made far too many to list here but they are all shown in my videos. I make mistakes so you don't have to. |
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portajohn
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Post by portajohn on Jul 31, 2014 16:03:58 GMT -8
THIS is what I am talkin about!
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