New 54 Shasta owner here

Sept 11, 2014 6:32:33 GMT -8 crabbcat said:

Hello all! i'm a newby here. My name is John and i'm from Benton, Ky. Glad to be a part of this forum. 

 Great information you all are putting out there.   I've got a question for you and I might need some advice. I'm currently restoring a mostly all original 1954 Shasta 1400 for myself to use in my upcoming retirement. History is its first owners bought it off the lot in California. it made its way to Kentucky by way of their grandson 10 yrs ago and then on to us. I'm doing as much of a complete restoration as i can. No short cuts. Has title. Undercarriage is great, has the typical paneling issues corner rot, roof vent panel rot etc. I've got all that under control due to watching mobiletecs vids and I'm a very good carpenter and can handle all that. I'll get some pics up soon.
I have a couple questions. Mine has the large cake style taillights, one looks old the other looks aftermarket. But i've see other photos showing the real small lights? Is it possible that they put the large ones on the later model 54's or are these not correct?
It has the original seats but they have been redone in a puke green fabric. Does anybody know what the correct seat cover color combinations are and are they different for a blue/white exterior colored 54?
On the door entry side of the front seat frame only it seems to have maroon vinyl upholstered there?  Could that be a clue?  Thanks for any advice.  John

Welcome John, I'm not the person that should be giving you advice on what's "vintage correct" for a Shasta. But you can find nice replacement lights and lens online at VTS (Vintage Trailer Supply).  They make high quality reproduction parts, and have many items that you just cannot find through other sources. 

Sounds like you "plan to actually use" your restored trailer.  In my opinion you need to give lighting safety and nighttime visibility a "hard consideration".  The stock lighting on most all early trailers was marginal at best!  You can upgrade the lighting, while still keeping a nice vintage look. 

Some options are,

*Paint the light mounting base bright silver, or install aluminum foil as a reflector behind the bulb (but still inside the lens) to increase reflectivity of the tail light bulbs.

*Use LED bulbs for maximum brightness, but be aware that LED's are directional and very bright in just a few degrees of angle.  They might not be best for some side marker lights, which need a wide angle?

*Use the new VTS backing plates which are stainless steel, which can be "further polished" to a chrome like finish.

*Use "as large of a tail light" as possible, that still has the vintage look you desire.

*Use red (rear) side marker lights, and amber (front) side marker lights.  Many trailers did not have both, so you might need to run some extra wiring while you have the trailer apart.

*Make sure the tail lights are mounted at a point that makes the lens 90 degrees to the ground.  The lens are fluted, and the idea is to have maximum reflectivity directed "to the drunk closing in on you at high speed".

*Make sure you run a white 14ga ground wire to every light bulb base, do not expect a good result using the skin for a ground.

*Replace every bulb with a new bulb, and one of the correct wattage for maximum brightness.

*Make sure the trailer can be seen "when the lights are off", by adding quality reflectors.  IMO, the minimum is red (rear) and amber (front) on each side, and two red on the back.  It's also good to run a piece of DOT trucker's trailer reflective tape across the bottom at the rear.  A good place is where the frame cross member hangs down below the skin, as it's 90 degrees to the ground which offer maximum reflectivity.  

*Think "outside the box", The hot rod stores have some nice 1950 Pontiac, or 1946-48 Ford LED reproduction tail lights.  They are priced reasonable, and very bright.  They have a cool vintage look and size.  The only down side is they will need some extra depth for proper mounting.

The hard part is you need to think of everything you want or need to add before you remount the skin.

Remember, it's supposed to be fun!