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Post by danrhodes on Oct 1, 2014 12:26:56 GMT -8
The layout in mine is a little weird, and I've been planning on taking out some cabinet sections to make the kitchen area more usable. Does anyone think the framing around the icebox (which would get moved), or the completely wasted space on the right side (took the panel off to find it empty) are needed to support the front edges? Most models have a dinette here and just an upper cabinet, so it makes sense to me  |
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nanat
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Post by nanat on Oct 1, 2014 16:55:14 GMT -8
Hi Darn
I can't imagine that this set up is original. There is just no way they would manufacture a trailer and waste all this space.
If you take the fridge out, and remove both boxes, you can make a top set of cupboards that would structurally support the front if secured on all sides (left, right, top and back), and free up a whole lot of counter. Just my opinion.
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Post by danrhodes on Oct 1, 2014 18:01:30 GMT -8
Hi Darn I can't imagine that this set up is original. There is just no way they would manufacture a trailer and waste all this space. If you take the fridge out, and remove both boxes, you can make a top set of cupboards that would structurally support the front if secured on all sides (left, right, top and back), and free up a whole lot of counter. Just my opinion. It all looks original to me. The finishes match and the areas behind the empty cabinet are unfinished. I would love to swap the kitchen and dinette, but the window heights won't allow it. I wonder if this model wasn't a kit or a semi custom. There a hole cut in the counter under the empty box, so maybe it was meant to house some appliance? I was planning on leaving the overhead cabinet and moving the icebox down low, but removing the right side empty box. Are you suggesting I need some side cabinets to support the walls and hold up the upper? |
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nanat
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Post by nanat on Oct 2, 2014 16:19:16 GMT -8
No Dan, I was thinking they could both go as long as the top cabinet (the one shown or a new one ) was well secured.
And you have lots of structural support with the lowers. My opinion.
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Post by bigbill on Oct 2, 2014 17:56:12 GMT -8
I know nothing about this trailer but it appears to have been redone with plywood, if so it all depends on how and with what materials it was done. I can tell you that most trailers require cabinets and walls/closets to add strength to the sides or they will collapse.
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Post by danrhodes on Oct 2, 2014 18:59:39 GMT -8
I know nothing about this trailer but it appears to have been redone with plywood, if so it all depends on how and with what materials it was done. I can tell you that most trailers require cabinets and walls/closets to add strength to the sides or they will collapse. Hi Bill, I just went out with a flashlight and got a few more pics. The first is the unfinished back of the panel that covered the right dead space I'm trying to get rid of. The second is a shot of the bottom of the rear bunk. None of the cabinets appear to be anything but original and are all 1x1 or 1x2 framing with 1/4 (maybe 1/8) veneer construction. I always assumed it was just dark stained birch, but I guess I don't know my woods?   |
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Post by vikx on Oct 2, 2014 21:47:40 GMT -8
It almost looks like ash to me...
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SusieQ
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Post by SusieQ on Oct 2, 2014 22:51:31 GMT -8
I've been watching to see the discussion on this. It is a very odd configuration, very squarish. The grain in the wood does look like ash. If it was original, I would like to know the purpose in that empty cabinet. Very odd.
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SusieQ
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Post by SusieQ on Oct 2, 2014 23:10:27 GMT -8
Here's an interior pic of a '69 from FB Field & Stream page. And it's squarish, too. I think yours was rearranged.  |
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Post by bigbill on Oct 3, 2014 6:24:12 GMT -8
The counter edges don't look factory in the picture and they stop about an inch under the refrigerator. There are just a lot of little things that make it look modified to me. I guess you could remove the cabinets that you wish and see what happens. The things to consider are how is the top cupboard secured is the middle units holding it up, is the entire unit bracing that end of the trailer to keep the walls straight. It is possible to remove structural cabinets BUT you have to replace them with another suitable item. In my current project I have removed a complete closet and refrigerator unit that added structural strength to the right side wall so I had to design a new way of adding the strength back, but still giving me the open look that I desired. When I removed them you could flex the wall at least an inch with minor effort. Now it is solid, no flex and I still plan on adding a base cabinet.
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Post by danrhodes on Oct 3, 2014 6:24:59 GMT -8
Here's an interior pic of a '69 from FB Field & Stream page. And it's squarish, too. I think yours was rearranged. They would have had to move the windows, because the dinette window is lower than the counter. If it wasn't, I would consider rebuilding it to a more traditional layout  . |
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Post by danrhodes on Oct 3, 2014 7:41:25 GMT -8
I've been watching to see the discussion on this. It is a very odd configuration, very squarish. The grain in the wood does look like ash. If it was original, I would like to know the purpose in that empty cabinet. Very odd. Ash?!!! It does look a bit like the Louisville slugger I keep near my nightstand. What is the consensus of mixing ash and birch? I have a roof panel to replace and some water damaged rear panels I'm not sure I can bleach out enough. AFAIK, I can only get birch panels locally. The counter edges don't look factory in the picture and they stop about an inch under the refrigerator. There are just a lot of little things that make it look modified to me. I guess you could remove the cabinets that you wish and see what happens. The things to consider are how is the top cupboard secured is the middle units holding it up, is the entire unit bracing that end of the trailer to keep the walls straight. It is possible to remove structural cabinets BUT you have to replace them with another suitable item. In my current project I have removed a complete closet and refrigerator unit that added structural strength to the right side wall so I had to design a new way of adding the strength back, but still giving me the open look that I desired. When I removed them you could flex the wall at least an inch with minor effort. Now it is solid, no flex and I still plan on adding a base cabinet. Bill, I'd love to see your closet solution. Do you keep photoblogs of your rebuilds? |
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SusieQ
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Post by SusieQ on Oct 3, 2014 7:55:31 GMT -8
I've been watching to see the discussion on this. It is a very odd configuration, very squarish. The grain in the wood does look like ash. If it was original, I would like to know the purpose in that empty cabinet. Very odd. Ash?!!! It does look a bit like the Louisville slugger I keep near my nightstand. What is the consensus of mixing ash and birch? I have a roof panel to replace and some water damaged rear panels I'm not sure I can bleach out enough. AFAIK, I can only get birch panels locally. Ash is unavailable due to the ash boring beetle. I, as others here, have mixed ash and birch. It's just about the only solution, other than replacing everything with birch or another wood. |
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Post by danrhodes on Oct 3, 2014 8:08:13 GMT -8
Ash?!!! It does look a bit like the Louisville slugger I keep near my nightstand. What is the consensus of mixing ash and birch? I have a roof panel to replace and some water damaged rear panels I'm not sure I can bleach out enough. AFAIK, I can only get birch panels locally. Ash is unavailable due to the ash boring beetle. I, as others here, have mixed ash and birch. It's just about the only solution, other than replacing everything with birch or another wood. Thanks guys. This site is great. As I've mentioned before, I've never seen a trailer with this exact appearance, inside or out, in the months I've been researching. Found a couple large ornamental boxes of drawers full of asian herbs hidden deep within the cabinets (the whole thing still smells of it) so there's always some mystery when you dig a bit. It's been sitting in a field on my morning walk to work since the 90s, as a grandkid's playhouse, and I grabbed it as there are very few opportunities around here. Oh well, we like it! |
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Post by bigbill on Oct 3, 2014 8:35:23 GMT -8
I have several pictures of my current project but I don't blog. One of these days I plan on sorting them into an understandable pile and posting access to all, as I have done many changes to this project. After it is completely finished and weighed to see if it is heavier, lighter, or about the same weight and balance as original. I am working on a 1968 Shasta 1500 that originally was paneled with ugly paneling, when finished it will be total electric, including A/C, microwave, toaster oven, and heat. The interior will be birch. I also plan to list the complete cost of materials to rebuild including everything from roof to tires. The only thing that won't show will be the 2 million dollars worth of labor that I have in it at fifty cents an hour. The labor on this project would be way way beyond what it is going to be worth, but I hope to use it for myself and my wife to enjoy. If we don't like it then someone will get a fantastic deal. I possibly will write a book about it if it seems that it would be a project of interest to someone else. I have a very well equipped shop but I am doing this project with simple affordable tools that most people could afford to acquire in order to DIY their trailer.
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