Ricardo
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1973 Rancho El Rae
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Post by Ricardo on Jun 20, 2015 6:41:36 GMT -8
Have started a remodel, or revamp, and have decided to work on the fridge first. Have it leveled and plugged in now for several hours. I hear a humming when I put my ear up to the side. I have not been able to find a service manual for this model; every model but this one are available. The knobs do not turn, like they are stuck so I don't want to force them. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks, Rick Also need help figuring how to add photos. I'll check other forums as I'm sure help is available.
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Post by vikx on Jun 20, 2015 22:01:55 GMT -8
Welcome Rick!
What model of fridge do you have? Is it propane, electric or??
Every category here has a photo tutorial at the top...
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Ricardo
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1973 Rancho El Rae
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Post by Ricardo on Jun 21, 2015 14:09:09 GMT -8
![]() It's a Dometic rm 45a, electric and propane. After 4 hours I checked it and it was getting cold, so I unplugged it. Haven't checked out the propane. That part can wait. as I want to do some other things. I only have a few hours to work on it a day as it's been close to 108° down here in So. Utah. I've tried to find anything on other 1973 Ranch El Rae's, but only found a photo of the exterior.  I know it was manufactured in Salt Lake City, Utah. Thanks for any advice on finding an owners manual. Rick |
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Post by vikx on Jun 21, 2015 23:24:48 GMT -8
If it's getting cold, you are way ahead of the rest of us! When the cooling units on the back fail, there's no fixing it. Unfortunately, new companies don't know we exist and need parts. Most old trailers didn't really have an owner's manual... The appliance manuals are about what people received when new. But a few of us already know how to work some appliances. LOL. That's kinda how it goes... Here's a thread at Repairing Yesterday's Trailers on an El Rancho: repairingyesterdaystrailers.yuku.com/topic/1425/68-Rancho-El-Rae-renovationAmazing thread and fun to see. Enjoy. |
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Ricardo
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1973 Rancho El Rae
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Post by Ricardo on Jun 22, 2015 5:12:53 GMT -8
vikx, thank you so much for the info. I have the fridge door off now as I'm dealing with the rust spots. I'm not sure I want to even mess with trying to check out the gas part at this point. I might mess up the whole thing!!
Still trying to decide if this project is a little beyond me at this time of my life. But what can I say? Onward and upward and peck at it a little at a time!
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Ricardo
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1973 Rancho El Rae
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Post by Ricardo on Jun 22, 2015 5:25:59 GMT -8
vikx,
Just checked out your link. All I can say is WOW! Now I'm sure I'm going to try to address the things I can do to make it livable and look good. I appreciate your help and will post more as I get to it. The wife has been doing most of the work, so I give her credit for all her help and willingness. I've been adding photos to photobucket with what I hope is the correct link. Thanks again, Rick
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Ricardo
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1973 Rancho El Rae
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Post by Ricardo on Jun 22, 2015 8:44:06 GMT -8
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Post by vikx on Jun 22, 2015 22:25:03 GMT -8
Rick, thanks for the kudos, but the El Rancho is not mine. It's a fellow vintage trailer addict's baby...
On the "bumper", take it to a local hardware store. I'm thnking a grommet would work, white or any other color.
By the way, the gas part of the fridge is pretty easy. There are a few concerns, mainly cleaning the chimney and being sure the burner chamber is debris free. If it lights, it will get cold.
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Ricardo
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1973 Rancho El Rae
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Post by Ricardo on Jun 23, 2015 6:24:47 GMT -8
vikx, you're welcome! I'll check out Ace, as it's only about 5 miles from here. It was 109° here yesterday so didn't do much. My wife, Karen, is getting the fridge all sanded down, masked, primed, and ready to paint. The door is wood tone and she'd like to change the insert to the aqua color to match the stove, etc. I think if we could find a plastic type material, it would look great. Karen's had the door off, disassembled, cleaned and now ready to put back on once she's done painting. There was a fair amount of rust that had to be addressed. Wish I'd taken some photos of the fridge before she started. Off to Ace. Thanks so much for all your advice. It sure helps! Rick
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jljanowitz
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Post by jljanowitz on Jul 8, 2015 9:43:12 GMT -8
Ricardo- I recently purchased a 12' 1971 Rancho El Rae and am not having any success finding info on it. I looked at your pictures you have posted. What is yours about 16'? Mine is quite similar, no bathroom.
My refrigerator doesnt work on the propane or electricity. I know nothing about trying to fix it and have been looking at abused one to replace it.
My oven doesn't work either. Stove top does. The RV place I took it to for inspection said the oven is too old to be repaired. Hopefully taking her out for a little overnighter this weekend.
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Post by vikx on Jul 8, 2015 10:17:14 GMT -8
Welcome jljanowitz!
Please be careful buying a used propane fridge. They are often ready to fail or already have. The cooling units on the back lose the coolant and can not be re-charged. They must be "rebuilt" instead. I haven't found a company that rebuilds the older (smaller) units in the last several years.
A new RV fridge is around $800 plus shipping, expensive to say the least, but they do come with a warranty. Check out the Norcold 300n.
Many of our ovens don't work. There are several parts that may have failed, which is why the RV shop said "too old". It is possible to find parts in a working vintage stove of the same brand. Worth looking if you want a working oven...
Enjoy the board.
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Ricardo
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1973 Rancho El Rae
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Post by Ricardo on Jul 9, 2015 0:43:56 GMT -8
jljanowitz, Thanks for the questions. This is Karen, Rick's wife. I've taken over the work on the trailer. Vikx gave you much more info then either of us have at this point. Yes, I believe we are about 16-18. Doesn't say on the title. I have also search for info on the Rancho El Rae. I do know they were made in Salt Lake City, Utah. They seem to be a rare find. I wasn't with Rick when he bought the trailer. It seems the more I get into cleaning it, the more I find wrong. I do know the fridge works on electric, but haven't tried gas yet. Haven't done much except get the fridge to paint. Had to deal with the rust, but now wonder if I really should have started that project. It's been in the low to middle 100's and working on the trailer is very limited. Found lots of wood rot and a bad repair at trying to fix the leak in the roof. Until it cools off though, I only get about half an hour, maybe, a day. I'll continue to add photos as I pick away at repairs. I am not in the least prepared to do a restoration!! Nope, not me. So, I'll just find ways to make it usable, clean, and comfortable. Karen
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jljanowitz
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Post by jljanowitz on Jan 9, 2016 15:51:26 GMT -8
Karen....and Rick! Thanks for responding. Sorry it has taken me so long to reply. Well I have good news. I became reacquainted with a friend from HS and her father used to build camp trailers! WOW So he did a once I've on my little Rancho el Rae and he was able to get the fridge working on propane, electric and battery! He even built me a little door for the freezer compartment within the fridge! Now that I have read about the dangers of the propane usage I will talk to him and see if he can educate me a little more.
My oven....OK so this is my first trailer. I have zero knowledge of towing or the functioning of the thing, but it's cute as can be and I am learning. OK so it seems that to get the gas to flow to the oven the valve to the oven must be opened. My stove and oven works perfectly! He also patched the leak I had in the ceiling and raised that area (as it dipped a bit) and secured it with a wooden beam in the ceiling. I just need to repaint the small area he had to cut into to make the repairs. He checked my heater....no problem. Water pump..good to go. I want to make the closet back as it was originally, with about a two foot extension and a door. Then I will feel more comfortable if I ever need to use it as a bathroom. (Bought a porta potty) I also want to do some other minor things like reinforce the folding bunk above the bench seat, and same with the table...Some body work on the seams and eventually paint it to my liking....but I am so excited for the weather to warm up.
How is your trailer coming along? I would love to see pictures.
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Ricardo
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Posts: 8
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1973 Rancho El Rae
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Post by Ricardo on Jan 20, 2016 16:19:26 GMT -8
jljanowitz, It will be nice when the weather warms up. Rick had surgery on Dec 15th and came home on Christmas Eve day. I've not done much on the trailer lately, so no photos to share. Still not sure where I'll start when I can get to it. I lost interest when it became too hot to work outside (108) and I saw just how much water damage there was under the back end! But with spring, I may get back busy. Thanks for asking, and do you have any photos? Karen
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