RJ
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Post by RJ on Nov 12, 2014 17:55:43 GMT -8
Wasn't sure where to put this topic so I started it here (mods, feel free to move to more appropriate board if you think it fits better elsewhere).
Sooo, at what point in the process do you (or did you) say "ok, let's just shoot the moon and rebuild this whole thing"? I'm kind of bouncing back and forth on a VT teeter totter right now. I'm pretty sure that I can work through the winter and repair the needed portions on our Shasta to make her seaworthy (so to speak), having the old gal ready for some camping next spring but something is tugging on us......Perhaps, just perhaps, we should do this cat up right and fix her up... from the ground up (complete disassembly, frame cleaned up/painted, wiring, cabinents, floor/new tile, paneling, etc., etc.......).
I'm interested in hearing how you folks who have chosen the "shoot the moon" path came to that particular decision, and, do you regret the time committment at all? Thanks. Rory |
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chametzoo
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1960 Mobile Scout
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Post by chametzoo on Nov 12, 2014 18:11:14 GMT -8
Wasn't sure where to put this topic so I started it here (mods, feel free to move to more appropriate board if you think it fits better elsewhere).
Sooo, at what point in the process do you (or did you) say "ok, let's just shoot the moon and rebuild this whole thing"? I'm kind of bouncing back and forth on a VT teeter totter right now. I'm pretty sure that I can work through the winter and repair the needed portions on our Shasta to make her seaworthy (so to speak), having the old gal ready for some camping next spring but something is tugging on us......Perhaps, just perhaps, we should do this cat up right and fix her up... from the ground up (complete disassembly, frame cleaned up/painted, wiring, cabinents, floor/new tile, paneling, etc., etc.......).
I'm interested in hearing how you folks who have chosen the "shoot the moon" path came to that particular decision, and, do you regret the time committment at all? Thanks. Rory I'll beat everyone to the punch and ask for pictures… so that we can help you better.  Curious to see what your rig looks like… approximate condition, etc. Mine is a work in progress, but came with a lot of original material in really good shape (1960 Mobile Scout), but it needed some mechanical repairs and now I'm dealing with some 'under the skin' issues… leaks etc. But I'm trying to keep it very original. It's not an 'all or nothing' kind of pursuit and yours may be a hybrid approach too. |
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RJ
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Post by RJ on Nov 12, 2014 18:18:11 GMT -8
Zoo, there's some pics in the restoration board. 72 Winged Shasta Compact  |
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turbodaddy
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17' 1965 Fan "Sunseeker"
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Post by turbodaddy on Nov 12, 2014 19:04:22 GMT -8
Rory,
I had similar reservations with our '65 FAN. There were obvious signs that previous owners (I think 3 of them) had done some significant work. Some good, some not so good. When I got to the point of removing all of the windows, j-rails,etc. I was able to pull the skin enough to see the framing and determined that most everything was in good condition with a few exceptions which were not too hard to fix. I like Chametzoo's Hybrid approach...I subscribe to the "Don't fix it if it ain't broke" school of thought. Works for me.
It really depends on the condition of the trailer overall. I'm interested primarily in safe, clean, comfortable and ready for "dry camping or boondocking". I have been happily working on it for 7 months (literally every bit of "free" time available) which translates into hundreds of hours. At this point it is finally coming together in an awesome way. All worthwhile for sure!
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Post by vintagebruce on Nov 12, 2014 19:09:30 GMT -8
My initial response to you is. Define RESTORATION. Define Rebuild.
There are many vintage camper enthusiasts like classic car enthusiasts who believe a true Restoration brings the camper/vehicle back to the condition it was when it rolled off the show room floor...ie...everything that was on it should be on it again even if NOS or salvaged from another camper/vehicle.
Many vintage camper buffs will try to rebuild their camper, yes some even from the ground up, trying to keep it original in appearance and era, but may not end up with a camper as original as when sold new.
There is NO SHAME or Negativity attached to a nicely restored vs nicely rebuilt camper. On a rebuild, if it ain't broke don't fix it. Problem as I perceive it, and this is a personal perception only, is when someone claims they Restored their camper, and the purists have just been given a green light to nit-pic why it is in fact not a complete restoration.
Some of the most beautiful campers I have seen advertised for top dollar are excellent rebuilds and that is how they are advertised. The Best Rebuilders in the Country are held in very high esteem, sometimes because of their honesty.
Very early in the morning, I've blown coffee out of my mouth and yes (yeech) out of my nose on occasion, when I have opened a new CL ad for a Fully RESTORED camper, and even the lipstick was obviously smeared on the pig.
Sink too much time and money into the wrong vintage trailer and it becomes like a boat...the two happiest days in the owner's life is the day they bought it and the day they sold it.
Thanks for reading my short response.
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RJ
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Post by RJ on Nov 12, 2014 20:22:09 GMT -8
I'm listening. Good copy on the boat analogy..... Sold mine two years ago to pay for the restoration on my old chevelle. I understand the semantics now between restore and rebuild. I'm pretty sure even if I go all in by our measure that it would be a rebuild, labor of love as it were. Safe, functional, and comfortable (as comfortable as two folks and a dog or more can be on a compact....lol). Just wondering if there was a perceptible switch with some of you fine folks that triggered the move to go ahead with more than just the repairing of the broken or weak parts on your trailers. Thanks for chiming in.
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Post by vintagebruce on Nov 12, 2014 21:29:12 GMT -8
rj, I think the tipping point comes as you get into the first camper and do the repairs I believe you indicated you would like to do, while camping, as well as participate in a forum such as this. You get exposed to so many campers, discussions about present and future value as well as an opportunity to decide if you might want an additional camper and if you are enjoying the repair/rebuild process enough that you see that you might be able to sell the current one and come out with enough to dive into one from a previous era. The canned hams when repaired/rebuilt/restored appear to hold value better and depending on the skill of the craftsperson doing the repairs can in some cases return more than the investment...minus person hours invested...that can be written off as the cost of very wholesome and for the most part satisfying entertainment.
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RJ
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Post by RJ on Nov 13, 2014 8:08:35 GMT -8
rj, I think the tipping point comes as you get into the first camper and do the repairs I believe you indicated you would like to do, while camping, as well as participate in a forum such as this. You get exposed to so many campers, discussions about present and future value as well as an opportunity to decide if you might want an additional camper and if you are enjoying the repair/rebuild process enough that you see that you might be able to sell the current one and come out with enough to dive into one from a previous era. The canned hams when repaired/rebuilt/restored appear to hold value better and depending on the skill of the craftsperson doing the repairs can in some cases return more than the investment...minus person hours invested...that can be written off as the cost of very wholesome and for the most part satisfying entertainment. Very insightful buddy....... thanks for those thoughts. We're pretty excited about working on our winged football on wheels (grin). My neighbor is coming over tonight to help hang a propane heater in my pole barn/shop and once the tank gets delivered next Friday, we'll have a warm place to work. For now, we'll continue the process of ID'ing what "needs" repaired and work from there. |
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ladywendolyn
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1964 Golden Falcon
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Post by ladywendolyn on Nov 13, 2014 13:00:36 GMT -8
I was just going to restore.. then realized that the perfectionist in me would end up giving way too much of my thought life to what was going on under everything I didn't tear apart. So for me, taking it down to the frame and rebuilding from the ground up, gives me peace of mind that I will not be having to go back to re-do what I should have done the first time. I learned to upholster years ago. The second piece I worked on needed rolled arms added. I didn't really know how to do them properly at that time, so although they look o.k. there are really actually kind of weak. I'm too lazy to rip it all apart and do it properly, so now my life revolves around guarding those weak spots and telling people not to sit on them when ever we have a party.... I's such a good life lesson. We grew up saying "don't get dad mad" because he had a weak spot in his temper he had never dealt with... so the moral is.. put in the time now doing it right... or put in the time later, guarding all the weak spots you never worked on... You asked how bee came to our decision... thats it |
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Post by danrhodes on Nov 13, 2014 14:36:31 GMT -8
I have a pretty low budget and a not very desirable camper and I'm still oscillating wildly between just painting the bad paneling and making a Pinterest pin out of it, and replacing everything to get that old glow back. Wife wants a glamper and I want a resto, so we just kind of stare at it each day until I get time to see what's under the skins.
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SusieQ
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Post by SusieQ on Nov 13, 2014 15:00:31 GMT -8
OK, I'm going to weigh in on this one. Having seen your pics, unless your floor is rotted, your rot looks replaceable without a ground up rebuild. It takes a lot of time to replace "pieces" and make things fit. Sometimes I feel like it would have been easier to take the walls completely off, rebuild and put then back. It also depends on whether you have a space to do the work. If your floor has massive rot, or massive sections of rot elsewhere, then go for a total frame off. I think there are advantages to pulling out rot and replacing it section by section. And what is still solid and sturdy and has been for 50 years will probably last another 50 years.
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Post by vikx on Nov 13, 2014 21:58:58 GMT -8
I agree with many above. The later models are really easy to rebuild/repair compared to an old ham... The skins have Pittsburg seams, easy to remove. Skirt board repair (and sometimes sills) is almost always necessary but can be done in sections.
As Bruce said, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". They ALL don't need to go all the way down.
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Post by Teachndad on Nov 19, 2014 22:27:21 GMT -8
Hi,
Restore or rebuild? I think that answer may come over a span of time, as it did for me.
My decision to "restore" was an evolution of ideas. Originally, I got enamored of the cute trailer photos I saw online when I happened upon some images on some irrelevant search during the early part of this past summer.
Initially, I thought that I could just buy a vintage trailer that was old and worn and lipstick the pig with it. But, over time, I realized that it wouldn’t be that easy and it wasn’t going to make me a quick buck, nor would I be happy with such a quick fix. It's not how I roll. I gained some experience by fixing up my 1985 tent trailer. It just needed some minor repairs and some new paint in places. It looks great now and functions well, and I am proud of what I have done. It never needed any serious repairs. That experience was my benchmark, but the more I learned and read about the vintage trailer world, the more it intrigued me. VT’s aren’t complicated creatures, but they do need coddling and some patience and understanding to see them through from a land of neglect to a more complete and new beginning.
The concept of a quick buck metamorphosed over time into a project idea and something just for myself. I am nearly 53 years old and I needed a hobby. I needed a journey. I have always liked working with my hands and improving and fixing up things.
Money was also part of the evolution. I scraped up a few hundred dollars and borrowed $800 from my parents as seed money and started my search. This lasted several months and countless hours reading and searching Craigslist ads. I was hooked! Half the fun was searching out looking for the ONE. I enjoyed meeting people from all over So Cal and their trailers. Pictures don’t tell the whole story and once you look at the trailer in person, it’s not the same. You will read that - a lot!
It took me a while to figure out what I wanted – not just any trailer, but one with windows, good looks, and character. Then I found Andy. Pulled him from a grassy field where he had sat for 6 years and God knows where else. Once in my possession, I got to put on my problem solving hat. Layer that with a tight budget, and the challenges started rolling in. A vision started to take place. Communication with other forum members followed suit. I would sit in my trailer and just walk around Andy trying to figure out where to start. I got my journey and it’s just barely started.
Restore or Rebuild? It's all about just making it your own style within your abilities, creativity, budget and drive and to feel pride in what you have done.
Don’t ask me to ever sell my trailer Andy, he’s mine and will stay that way for a very long time.
Now, I have found my place in the Vintage Trailer Universe.
Roll on,
Rod Wylie
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Post by vikx on Nov 20, 2014 20:52:39 GMT -8
I've quit using the word "restored" when it comes to my builds. I like to keep them as original as possible but they aren't restored to perfection. Rather, I make what's there work. The trailers are as road and camp worthy as possible and I hope have that vintage look...
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Post by bigbill on Nov 21, 2014 6:05:10 GMT -8
I've quit using the word "restored" when it comes to my builds. I like to keep them as original as possible but they aren't restored to perfection. Rather, I make what's there work. The trailers are as road and camp worthy as possible and I hope have that vintage look... This is a very wise person I also don't like the word restored because in my opinion that means that something is repaired/rebuilt exactly as it was originally. Exact same materials, finishes, everything with nothing changed or added. I like to look at an old trailer as a blank canvas on which I can do my own thing with while winding up with a comfortable, safe, dependable, totally usable trailer that still looks vintage. |
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Curious to see what your rig looks like… approximate condition, etc. Mine is a work in progress, but came with a lot of original material in really good shape (1960 Mobile Scout), but it needed some mechanical repairs and now I'm dealing with some 'under the skin' issues… leaks etc. But I'm trying to keep it very original. It's not an 'all or nothing' kind of pursuit and yours may be a hybrid approach too.
