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Post by sheriesiyah on Sept 13, 2015 19:42:06 GMT -8
Hi all, I am new to the forums. My husband and I are looking to purchase a vintage travel trailer which we would ideally take on local family camping trips. My husband is pretty handy and has lots of renovation experiences with... houses. We both have zero experience with vintage travel trailers, however.
On our local craigslist we have the opportunity to buy a 1970 Aristocrat Lo Liner. We saw it in person tonight and loved it but we noticed significant wood rot. We are guessing it needs a total framing rehab.
Is this even worth the $400 for the trailer? The siding is in good condition as is most of the interior. We were able to tell though that it has had significant water damage through the years.
Thanks for any advice you might have. We'd really like to redo a vintage trailer but don't want to end up in over our heads.
- Sherie
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Post by sheriesiyah on Sept 13, 2015 20:02:04 GMT -8
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Post by Teachndad on Sept 13, 2015 21:39:10 GMT -8
Hi and welcome!
I will offer my 2 cents. You might get some differing advice, but that's what a forum is.
That Lo Liner will be a lot of work, like any other trailer. However, it's beat up. I would rather go after something that has been sitting for a while and didn't
have any one living in it.
Also, if you can afford more, like a grand more, you will start to see some trailers that are in better shape and they become a better starter.
When you start looking, the first ones you see, you think they are workable. You need to go out and see some in your price range to be educated. I would skip the lo liner.
Cheers,
Rod
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Post by vikx on Sept 13, 2015 22:17:21 GMT -8
NO TITLE= Big Red Flag! Especially in Cali. The trailer looks rough but anything can be fixed. Here is a link to my most recent Loliner, the good, the bad and the UGLY: 65loliner.shutterfly.com/ The street side wall was falling off, lotsa rotsa. I like Loliners and Loflytes! Very cool trailers. Do some research here before jumping on the first one. |
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Post by vintagebruce on Sept 14, 2015 6:58:51 GMT -8
 to VTT. I suggest that you pass on this camper. Many newcomers to the "hobby" go for an inexpensive "second gen" boxy, mid to late 60's/early '70's camper only to find as they immerse themselves into info gathering about the required repairs, (and any $400 camper is going to take mucho money and hours to repair properly), that they really like the canned ham shaped campers better. Patience is a virtue. Cali is brutal on charges to reinstate a camper with 6 years lapsed registration. You will pay way more than the whole asking price just to make this one legal again. Lo-Liners can be cool, but they will never retain the value a comparable canned ham will once it is rebuilt. Teachndad had a good idea...consider adding about a grand to what you are looking to spend on this first purchase, and I'll bet you can buy a small canned ham that will not require any more time and possibly a bit less money to rebuild than this Lo-Liner. Although this one also does not have a title, if it is not in the system and no back fees are required, it might be a cute candidate for a first time buyer not afraid of some serious rebuilding. One like this could show up in your neighborhood/area. losangeles.craigslist.org/ant/rvs/5208692264.html
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Post by sheriesiyah on Sept 14, 2015 9:16:12 GMT -8
NO TITLE= Big Red Flag! Especially in Cali. The trailer looks rough but anything can be fixed. Here is a link to my most recent Loliner, the good, the bad and the UGLY: 65loliner.shutterfly.com/ The street side wall was falling off, lotsa rotsa. I like Loliners and Loflytes! Very cool trailers. Do some research here before jumping on the first one. Thanks so much! LOVED your shutterfly with all the photos. So when wanting to repair an old trailer with significant rot, you pretty much have to take off the metal shell of the trailer? I guess what I'm trying to ask, but don't know the right terminology.. is that it isn't feasible then to repair from the inside? We'd have to completely take it apart on the outside to do the repairs? I appreciate the responses I've gotten. While alluring, I think the reality of this particular trailer is beyond the scope of what we have the time and know-how to manage. |
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Ten
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Post by Ten on Sept 14, 2015 18:01:51 GMT -8
I appreciate the responses I've gotten. While alluring, I think the reality of this particular trailer is beyond the scope of what we have the time and know-how to manage. That is profound...many of us never quite figure out where that line actually is...  I have to agree with the other opinions about this one. It is a viable candidate for a restoration....however there is the very very large budget and high level of skills involved to do it right. The "proper" way to repair is opposite the way that they were put together. Thus, outside-in is really the easiest in the long run for a large number of reasons. It is possible on some of these ole bugs to work from the inside, but the layers really do start from the outside. There have been many that have been successfully done from the inside. It is a longer process because of the way that certain parts are anchored. |
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Post by vikx on Sept 14, 2015 21:15:07 GMT -8
Yes, I agree on lifting the skins. There's really no way to get to the bottom skirt boards without doing that. With a Loliner's particular issues, it's extremely important to make sure the structure is sound.
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to VTT. I suggest that you pass on this camper. Many newcomers to the "hobby" go for an inexpensive "second gen" boxy, mid to late 60's/early '70's camper only to find as they immerse themselves into info gathering about the required repairs, (and any $400 camper is going to take mucho money and hours to repair properly), that they really like the canned ham shaped campers better. Patience is a virtue. Cali is brutal on charges to reinstate a camper with 6 years lapsed registration. You will pay way more than the whole asking price just to make this one legal again.
