trailersailor
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"If we weren't all crazy, we would go insane..." - Jimmy Buffett
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Post by trailersailor on Jul 19, 2013 17:24:33 GMT -8
Hello there. I just wanted to introduce myself and my new project. My name is John and I live near Richmond VA. I have a weakness for old trailers and sailboats, hence the user name. I purchased a project Airstream (31') a few years ago to take my daughters camping with, and it has been a blast. I've enjoyed it so much that I wanted something smaller and simpler to go on "quick" trips without the kids. My criteria was: single axle, as small and light as possible, a closet big enough for a porta-potti, 1950's or early 60's vintage, and preferably a birch interior. I ended up with the Cardinal, a 1963 Lovebird 13'. It's light enough to move around by hand, has a nice (mostly) birch interior, and the price was right. The ceiling vent and back window leaked (of course) and ruined two ceiling panels and the lower rear panel, but other than that the interior seems solid. The po started renovations and never finished. (Bet you never heard that before, eh?) Unfortunately, he removed the whole top to replace the butyl tape, and put it back together without replacing the damaged birch panels. In the process some of the skin was bent improperly. Hopefully it will still be flexible enough for me to remove it again. I am not looking forward to that part, and I'm sure I will be back here for moral support as I begin to dissect it.  Here is a link to my pics: s69.photobucket.com/user/sailpwr/library/1963%20Cardinal%2013I've already started stripping the paint.  |
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Post by vikx on Jul 19, 2013 20:47:30 GMT -8
Welcome! Yours is just like my Birdie: 1964cardinal.shutterfly.com/ Birdie came with walls missing, and holes in the floor, yep. Very cute little trailers. If you need any Cardinal hands on advice, drop me a PM. Vikx |
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trailersailor
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Post by trailersailor on Jul 20, 2013 6:09:59 GMT -8
WOW! Thanks for posting that photo link! I have no doubt I will be referring to it many times over the coming months. I am very jealous of that covered storage space. My trailer is about 4" too high to fit in my garage, even without tires.  P.S. - I am really enjoying the new forum! |
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Jul 20, 2013 7:03:54 GMT -8
You need to remove the top metal skin to replace the panels inside. You might want to consult some of the how-to videos I have put up on that subject. www.cannedhamtrailers.comWelcomie to the board and have fun with your project. |
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Jul 20, 2013 8:01:48 GMT -8
trailersailor - Congrats on your beautiful little Cardinal. The layout is so much like the early Compacts, but we love the window in the door that the Compact lacks. You said you were looking for one that had a closet big enough for a porta potty. If you want, you can do even better than that. We put a tankless water heater and a hand held shower head (comes with the heater) with the porta potty in our closet. You can see how we reconfigured the too long benches to remediate the loss of the closet. This has worked so well that I have spent the past 6 weeks living in our little Hamlet during the week (home on weekends) while I work 130 miles from home. Your trailer is going to be beautiful! Here's the link: www.howiseelife.com/blog/2011/06/20/trailer/ |
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Jul 20, 2013 8:10:23 GMT -8
That's a great use of your space Hamlet... I'd like to feature your blog on my website if that's ok with you.
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trailersailor
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Post by trailersailor on Jul 20, 2013 8:57:11 GMT -8
You need to remove the top metal skin to replace the panels inside. You might want to consult some of the how-to videos I have put up on that subject. www.cannedhamtrailers.comWelcomie to the board and have fun with your project. Ha! I've already consulted those AWESOME videos! Great stuff and beautiful work. |
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trailersailor
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Post by trailersailor on Jul 20, 2013 9:04:55 GMT -8
Hamlet, that is without a doubt the best use of space I've seen in a compact. Funny you mention the layout, the Cardinal is almost identical to the compacts and is one of the things that drew me to it. I really like the kitchen up front, as opposed to in the middle if the beds. Feels more functional to me, as I DO cook inside the trailer. I really like the way you have configured the bed and wow- a shower! I didn't think it was possible. Could you give me some details on your water heater? How is the drain configured? Did you add a gray water tank, or use a portable?
I hope to get this one to a usable point this year to see what I like and don't like, then do it right next year when I have a better idea of what I want. Hopefully I can secure some sort of barn or structure to use in the meantime.
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boandsusan
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Post by boandsusan on Jul 22, 2013 18:28:45 GMT -8
Real cute. Welcome to the forum.
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Jul 23, 2013 14:20:34 GMT -8
That's a great use of your space Hamlet... I'd like to feature your blog on my website if that's ok with you. Feel free! We are only quasi-purists. I think the thing we liked most about the Compact was that closet. It opened up possibilities that would have been a lot more difficult in a trailer with a different floor plan. I have now finished almost six weeks living in Hamlet during the week. I'm at a really nice RV park that has all the amenities, (and I'm really close to the bathrooms), but I still find it more convenient to use Hamlet's facilities. It'll be another five months of this, so it'll be interesting to see how both Hamlet and I hold up to the constant use. |
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