theresa
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from Northern Maine ~ Proud new owner of Lola, a 1960 Shasta Airflyte and Pearl, a 1962 Mobile Scout
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Post by theresa on May 28, 2015 12:51:56 GMT -8
Already having three vintages in my possession, it's clear that I'm addicted. And I was just sitting here this afternoon daydreaming about what my "vintage camper bucket list" would be comprised of. I'd like to have an Airstream, just because. I'd like to have an Ace, because they were Made in Maine. I'd like to have a Teardrop, or even make one. But I'd also like to have one that was the best quality, the sturdiest made, the one that would withstand anything.... and there have been SO many brands represented by this forum, and probably the majority of the "full-timers" have owned/renovated several. So, in your humble opinion (mobiltec, vikx, johnpalmer) and anyone else I'm forgetting, what would get your vote for the best trailer, in terms of build quality?
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lovnvintage
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Post by lovnvintage on May 28, 2015 16:33:07 GMT -8
I have 3, a fan, a Shasta and a Lakewood. From working on these the fan is built much sturdier for sure in my opinion.
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Paul B
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Friendship Vacationaire
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Post by Paul B on May 28, 2015 17:15:46 GMT -8
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chametzoo
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1960 Mobile Scout
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Post by chametzoo on May 28, 2015 17:40:20 GMT -8
Theresa… if you consider the "building system" that most of these canned hams subscribe to (a thin panel system of framing/plywood/sheet metal, with secondary support from bulkhead and cabinetry, hung on a steel trailer frame, you can make the case that they're all "well built" with a few exceptions. But the durability has more to do with "methods of construction", which makes most of these classics not well built at all. When you find virtually unprotected underbellies, staples holding framing together, etc. etc…. you realize that it's the "system" that's holding things together and not the individual choices made in "methods of construction". The "system" on most of these trailers is very sound and intelligent. This is why most restorers obey the original building system, but do a lot better in terms of methods of construction. For instance, "pocket hole" connections between framing members instead of staples… galvanized sheet metal barrier as first layer on the trailer frame, instead of oil soaked creosote board. So… it is possible you will not find your "holy grail" of best made trailer. The ones that are in the best condition now, are the ones that were stored indoors and protected from the elements for 50 years!… not the best built. If you peak under the covers, you'll find all the cost saving methods the manufacturer used to make the margin as high as possible. This may not answer your question, but it's at least worth 2 cents!
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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 May 28, 2015 18:56:59 GMT -8
Nothing lasts forever. It's how well a trailer is maintained and stored. Not how well it's built. Cham is right on a lot of points. The best built trailer in the world will fall apart eventually if it is left to the elements and not maintained well. I pretty much force people who obtain trailers from me to have a metal cover built before delivery. That's a great start. I believe a trailer should get a complete re-seal after 15 years if not earlier depending upon the elements it is stored in. Keeping the windows and doors closed when not in use is a must. Especially top vents. Good tires with proper inflation and well greased bearings plays a huge roll in how well the trailer holds up during use.
Airstreams are sealed tubes like aircraft hulls. But they have windows and vents and will leak just like any other trailer if not taken care of properly. Same with any other riveted trailer. Boles, Silver Streak and Spartans will all suffer the same problems when abused and not maintained properly. In my opinion Shastas were the worst built trailer in history but look at how many of them are still on the road. It's not surprising really when you consider that there were 800 trillion of them built.... I love it when someone posts one for sale and claims that it is "Rare"... LOL.
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Ten
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70 Shasta 16SC + 1964 Airflyte
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Post by Ten on May 28, 2015 19:40:28 GMT -8
Already having three vintages in my possession, it's clear that I'm addicted. And I was just sitting here this afternoon daydreaming about what my "vintage camper bucket list" would be comprised of. I'd like to have an Airstream, just because. I'd like to have an Ace, because they were Made in Maine. I'd like to have a Teardrop, or even make one. But I'd also like to have one that was the best quality, the sturdiest made, the one that would withstand anything.... and there have been SO many brands represented by this forum, and probably the majority of the "full-timers" have owned/renovated several. So, in your humble opinion (mobiltec, vikx, johnpalmer) and anyone else I'm forgetting, what would get your vote for the best trailer, in terms of build quality? I just "like"ed this because you are gutsy enough to admit to the addiction....
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John Palmer
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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 May 28, 2015 19:41:28 GMT -8
Airstreams, Silver Streaks, Boles Aero, Streamliner, are well built trailers, but they all have their bodywork screwed with #8 screws to the same piece of 5/8" plywood flooring that is very susceptible to wood rot when it gets wet.
On a Spartan trailer the riveted aluminum body is attached to the steel frame. You can remove the plywood flooring, and the bodywork is still attached.
I have yet to see any trailer built as well as a Spartan trailer. I have "picked" several 35 footer's out of the high desert, and I'm amazed at how well they have lasted for sixty years with no maintenance.
They sold for about the price of a new house originally after the war, so they were marketed to the wealthy.
Parts are pricy to rebuild these trailers. I need over $110 in just small parts to rebuild my two door lock assemblies. Clearance lights like the KD-540 are close to $100 each, without any internal light parts or gaskets. All the light lens are real glass and they get broken in time.
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mobiltec
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1954 Jewel In Progress...
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Post by mobiltec on May 28, 2015 19:51:32 GMT -8
Airstreams, Silver Streaks, Boles Aero, Streamliner, are well built trailers, but they all have their bodywork screwed with #8 screws to the same piece of 5/8" plywood flooring that is very susceptible to wood rot when it gets wet. On a Spartan trailer the riveted aluminum body is attached to the steel frame. You can remove the plywood flooring, and the bodywork is still attached. I have yet to see any trailer built as well as a Spartan trailer. I have "picked" several 35 footer's out of the high desert, and I'm amazed at how well they have lasted for sixty years with no maintenance. They sold for about the price of a new house originally after the war, so they were marketed to the wealthy. Parts are pricy to rebuild these trailers. I need over $110 in just small parts to rebuild my two door lock assemblies. Clearance lights like the KD-540 are close to $100 each, without any internal light parts or gaskets. All the light lens are real glass and they get broken in time. Yep but the windows still leak LOL. I've flipped two and they both had de-laminated paneling under the windows and around the vents. But yes they are very well made. I wouldn't mind owning one myself. I think I would go for the Manor. It was my favorite. The Spartanette is a little too low and crowded for my liking. The Mansion is a bit much. But the Manor is just about perfect for me. Which one do you have John?
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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 May 28, 2015 20:46:57 GMT -8
Airstreams, Silver Streaks, Boles Aero, Streamliner, are well built trailers, but they all have their bodywork screwed with #8 screws to the same piece of 5/8" plywood flooring that is very susceptible to wood rot when it gets wet. On a Spartan trailer the riveted aluminum body is attached to the steel frame. You can remove the plywood flooring, and the bodywork is still attached. I have yet to see any trailer built as well as a Spartan trailer. I have "picked" several 35 footer's out of the high desert, and I'm amazed at how well they have lasted for sixty years with no maintenance. They sold for about the price of a new house originally after the war, so they were marketed to the wealthy. Parts are pricy to rebuild these trailers. I need over $110 in just small parts to rebuild my two door lock assemblies. Clearance lights like the KD-540 are close to $100 each, without any internal light parts or gaskets. All the light lens are real glass and they get broken in time. Yep but the windows still leak LOL. I've flipped two and they both had de-laminated paneling under the windows and around the vents. But yes they are very well made. I wouldn't mind owning one myself. I think I would go for the Manor. It was my favorite. The Spartanette is a little too low and crowded for my liking. The Mansion is a bit much. But the Manor is just about perfect for me. Which one do you have John? Larry, There's a huge space difference between the Spartan Manor, and their Spartanette models. The Spartanette has a door that's about four to five inches taller, and the head room is about six inches taller than a Manor model. Combine that with the fact that the Manor looses interior storage space because of the curved roof to wall seam, and also at each curved corner, the Spartanette has a more roomy interior.
My Spartanette is the smallest trailer they ever made, its a single axle 24' with the early 1948 round glass door windows in both doors. I think they made this small size Spartanette for only a few years, maybe 1947 to 1950? With 80 inches of head room, you can hang an air conditioner on the roof and not hit your head on the duct hanging down inside the trailer. The weight is posted at 3980 gross (no bathroom). I towed it 400 miles back from Arizona over Thanksgiving with my F150, and did not know it was behind me. I used a weight distribution hitch, but no sway controls coming through windy Indio, and Cabazon.
I have not started the restoration yet. I have just been collecting parts. Found a nice center dinette booth (with grey crushed Ice Formica) out of a 1951 35 foot Spartanette Royal Mansion. Bought a nice Panel Ray heater at Pismo Beach Rally. Bought several missing interior Spartan cabinets, drawers, and a double sink from Chris (aka Trailer Trasher). We will be changing the floor plan to include a bathroom like Craig Dorsey did on two 24 footers he restored, and the same as the floor plan that Flyte Camp did on their recent 24 footer restoration.
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Post by vikx on May 28, 2015 21:20:21 GMT -8
I specialize in 50s canned hams under 16 feet.The best built is my 54 Bellwood. Very sturdy frame, nice wood framing and extra wide edge trim/J rail. That being said, I saw another 54 that did not have the 1" edge trim. The metal is very good quality, but a lot of trailers from that era had aircraft aluminum....
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ladywendolyn
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1964 Golden Falcon
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Post by ladywendolyn on May 28, 2015 23:00:57 GMT -8
Hmmm. the most sturdy, well built trailers are the ones finished by the members on this site... just saying
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nccamper
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1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
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Post by nccamper on May 29, 2015 4:10:16 GMT -8
Of the small canned Hams, I like the Forester. Everything is twice as heavy as a Shasta. The walls are ripped 2x. 1 1/2" walls make a huge difference. Because of the weight, the frame had to be very beefy. The cabinets are solid wood, none of this 1/8 birch like our Compact. Another nice thing about our Forester, the box is 13 feet long. An odd size. The extra foot is great. And they were behind the times so they kept the canned ham shape and birch paneling later than other camper companies. End result: 2500 pounds. With that said, our Shasta spent 50 years in the desert out west. I'd highly recommend anything from the desert no matter what brand. What other small campers had 1 1/2 walls? I think Oasis.
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Post by vintagebruce on May 29, 2015 4:25:29 GMT -8
I'm guessing the worst built campers by any manufacturer came off the assembly line on Friday afternoon...
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theresa
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from Northern Maine ~ Proud new owner of Lola, a 1960 Shasta Airflyte and Pearl, a 1962 Mobile Scout
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Post by theresa on May 29, 2015 5:31:18 GMT -8
See, that's the type of information I wanted to know. I knew that some company had to have used better parts, sturdier build, nicer finishes, to market to a higher-class clientele. That doesn't mean they could withstand 50+ years of abuse, but in their day, they were THE best. Obviously ones that were the best taken care of are the ones that NOW would be the best campers, but I meant "in its day". I guess I should have clarified. But I love this discussion. It's so interesting to see everyone's opinions and experiences.
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Post by bigbill on May 29, 2015 5:38:38 GMT -8
Let us face facts Trailers are only good for one thing in general and that is they give us something to occupy our minds and keep us from sitting and watching TV all day. Everybody needs something of interest to do or they would just sit around and let their mind and body deteriorate. The very best trailer out there for you is the one you can afford to restore and have fun with. Everyone's idea of best is different because we all have value different things.
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