Post by podmo on Aug 6, 2013 13:47:36 GMT -8
Hi, all:
I am the (now) happy owner of a 1971 Shasta Compact. Bought it off of eBay, sight unseen except for the pictures on the ad. These pictures had the veracity of a fashion magazine cover...it was in rough shape. I initially intended to only do cosmetic work on the inside - just enough to make it comfortable, but once I removed the rear couch structure I encountered astonishing rot. Once I started, I couldn't stop, and ended up gutting everything from the door, back. Since I had no garage to work in, I rebuilt it from the inside out, jacking up the roof about 6", then tore out all the inside paneling and the framing.
The Kreg pocket joint tool and a Harbor Freight drill are now my new best friends. The construction went well, and she is now structurally sound, leak free, and ready to camp. I left the outside homely, but inside is quite nice with a platform couch/bed that pulls out to 54" wide. I removed one of the closets in favor of more bench space. Left the kitchen as was except for cleaning, paint, an aluminum backsplash on the stove, and PEX plumbing.
I have had one shakedown trip last October, but my portable heater fell off the shelf during the drive and bent the fan housing. As such, I spent a cold night (43 degrees inside by dawn), but a happy one. Now I'm just waiting for the weather in Ohio to cool somewhat, then I will hit the road.
The Vintage Shasta Trailer Forum was an invaluable aid in refurbishing the camper. Alas, it is no more. Hopefully, this site will provide the same service to those hardy souls who are willing to resurrect campers that are neglected and past their prime. I am so much happier that I did the work, rather than just buying a new camper. Now, nothing scares me...if something breaks, I just fix it.
Best wishes to all. I will post pictures in the near future.
Podmo
I am the (now) happy owner of a 1971 Shasta Compact. Bought it off of eBay, sight unseen except for the pictures on the ad. These pictures had the veracity of a fashion magazine cover...it was in rough shape. I initially intended to only do cosmetic work on the inside - just enough to make it comfortable, but once I removed the rear couch structure I encountered astonishing rot. Once I started, I couldn't stop, and ended up gutting everything from the door, back. Since I had no garage to work in, I rebuilt it from the inside out, jacking up the roof about 6", then tore out all the inside paneling and the framing.
The Kreg pocket joint tool and a Harbor Freight drill are now my new best friends. The construction went well, and she is now structurally sound, leak free, and ready to camp. I left the outside homely, but inside is quite nice with a platform couch/bed that pulls out to 54" wide. I removed one of the closets in favor of more bench space. Left the kitchen as was except for cleaning, paint, an aluminum backsplash on the stove, and PEX plumbing.
I have had one shakedown trip last October, but my portable heater fell off the shelf during the drive and bent the fan housing. As such, I spent a cold night (43 degrees inside by dawn), but a happy one. Now I'm just waiting for the weather in Ohio to cool somewhat, then I will hit the road.
The Vintage Shasta Trailer Forum was an invaluable aid in refurbishing the camper. Alas, it is no more. Hopefully, this site will provide the same service to those hardy souls who are willing to resurrect campers that are neglected and past their prime. I am so much happier that I did the work, rather than just buying a new camper. Now, nothing scares me...if something breaks, I just fix it.
Best wishes to all. I will post pictures in the near future.
Podmo
