jan
New Member
Posts: 12
Likes: 2
1954 Terry Cub
Currently Offline
|
Post by jan on Oct 23, 2017 20:43:40 GMT -8
Thanks for the welcome. I bought a 1954 Terry Cub in Montana, put on new tires, named her Lillian, and towed her home to Kirkland, WA. I've ending up (very carefully) taking out most of the kitchen and propane. I want to convert to solar power & LED lights and am trying to reduce weight as much as possible. I have a RAV4 hybrid (towing capacity 1750) and having just read that I shouldn't try to do more than half that, I'm a little scared. It was a bit of a strain going over the continental divide, but did pretty well once I switched to premium gas. My dream is to make her into a travelling puppet theatre (back window will be a perfect stage). (I'm a retired children's librarian) Other than the above, I'm trying to respect the vintage integrity as much as possible. I did start out just buying a can of KILZ for touch ups, and after 3 more cans, I am now half-way throough a gallon of brush-on, because I want to clean up the areas under the bed, the cabinets, etc. (The hay and straw was the nicest stuff I found!) I'm getting a lot of advice to have the undercarriage sprayed with Line-X; any experience/opinions about that. Western WA is such a damp climate, it seems like a good idea, but don't know if this is straying into the "no goop" zone? I'm trying to insert .
|
|
|
Post by vikx on Oct 23, 2017 21:05:06 GMT -8
Welcome Jan.
I have a 54 Terry as well. (Registered as a Terco here in Wa) Very cute little trailers.
First of all, please do not gut your trailer. They are repaired from the outside in and removing cabinetry will compromise the integrity of the structure. There are lots of posts at VTT on how to properly repair a trailer. We will help you.
We do approve of goop for the underbelly of a trailer. I would not worry about that yet because it will make repairs difficult. You have to fix the rot before coating the belly. Also, a simple product like Tractor Supply's Black Fence Paint will be sufficient. Line-X is way over kill and very permanent.
Your hybrid is not going to like hills. It really isn't made to tow a camp trailer. I would definitely do some heavy research on exactly what the tow capacity is and how the engine will behave without damage.
So hang with us and do some studying. V
|
|
|
Post by Teachndad on Oct 24, 2017 9:24:42 GMT -8
Hi Jan,
I would highly recommend you get a tranny cooler for your RAV4. You are pushing up against the weight max and I would be concerned especially if you are towing in hilly terrain.
I started 10 years ago towing a pop up trailer with a 4 cylinder first generation Honda Odyssey. I had a similar max tow weight. The Honda came with a simple transmission cooler. It's worth the investment to insure you don't burn up your transmission, IMHO. If you throw in another person into the mix, you have already dropped your tow max by at least 250 lbs. I's a small margin.
At the very least, you should have your tranny fluid changed after the pull back home.
I will echo Vikx comment on removing cabinetry. Saving weight at the price of overall rigidity is not recommended.
Cheers,
Rod
|
|
aslmx
1K Member
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 360
Currently Offline
|
Post by aslmx on Nov 6, 2017 17:59:52 GMT -8
Hi Jan, I would highly recommend you get a tranny cooler for your RAV4. You are pushing up against the weight max and I would be concerned especially if you are towing in hilly terrain. I started 10 years ago towing a pop up trailer with a 4 cylinder first generation Honda Odyssey. I had a similar max tow weight. The Honda came with a simple transmission cooler. It's worth the investment to insure you don't burn up your transmission, IMHO. If you throw in another person into the mix, you have already dropped your tow max by at least 250 lbs. I's a small margin. At the very least, you should have your tranny fluid changed after the pull back home.I will echo Vikx comment on removing cabinetry. Saving weight at the price of overall rigidity is not recommended. Cheers, Rod this is an excellent recommendation. My wife has a pathfinder and the radiator screwed up pushing antifreeze in the transmission and boom $5000 gone. Transmission guy said an external transmission cooler would have prevented it.
|
|
misty77
New Member
Posts: 7
77 Coachman Cadet
Currently Offline
|
Post by misty77 on Dec 22, 2017 17:17:05 GMT -8
Hello! I am new to this forum site. I just recently got myself a vintage coachman and so excited about fixing it up to personalize it like I want. I have some questions about things before I can even start so I need some help on navigating this site and making sure it goes to the right area. I will be posting pix later on as I just got started here today. Looking forward to meeting some vintage campers novice and experts on this adventure. If you have any tips or suggestions, feel free to message me.
|
|
|
Post by Ross on Dec 23, 2017 5:40:22 GMT -8
misty77 WELCOME!! The site can be a bit overwhelming, at times, but take your time and enjoy exploring it. It is packed full of experienced people, willing to share their knowledge and you will get several answers to your questions. The only thing that we stress is , please take your time and do the repairs correctly. This will ensure that you will have a travel safe and enjoyable camper. Can't wait to see some pictures!!
|
|
mrmarty51
Leading Member
Posts: 1,787
Likes: 423
1972 HOMEMADE
Currently Offline
|
Post by mrmarty51 on Dec 23, 2017 11:35:38 GMT -8
Welcome to the forum Misty77. Follow what the nice people in here advise, You will not go wrong.
|
|
Jolene
Active Member
Posts: 145
Likes: 46
1964 Aristocrat Li'l Loafer
Currently Offline
|
Post by Jolene on Jan 30, 2018 7:59:27 GMT -8
Hello all - I just bought a 1964 Aristocrat Li’l Loafer and am so glad I read a million blogs, articles, and watched YouTube for how to buy and what to look for good/bad, deal breakers, etc. I did not take an ice pick but I did check for rot/water damage (#1 deal breaker from what I read). I feel I got a good deal on my purchase. “Jolene” is sound as is and any upgrades (solar, etc) I know I can/am willing to do. I have some experience in renovation (with an old crappy vanagon - lessons learned there), so that helps. As I work on this baby I’m sure this site will be invaluable.
|
|
mobiltec
5K Member
I make mistakes so you don't have to...
Posts: 9,817
Likes: 3,737
1954 Jewel In Progress...
Currently Offline
|
Post by mobiltec on Jan 30, 2018 12:05:35 GMT -8
Hello all - I just bought a 1964 Aristocrat Li’l Loafer and am so glad I read a million blogs, articles, and watched YouTube for how to buy and what to look for good/bad, deal breakers, etc. I did not take an ice pick but I did check for rot/water damage (#1 deal breaker from what I read). I feel I got a good deal on my purchase. “Jolene” is sound as is and any upgrades (solar, etc) I know I can/am willing to do. I have some experience in renovation (with an old crappy vanagon - lessons learned there), so that helps. As I work on this baby I’m sure this site will be invaluable. We need PHOTOS! Kinda mandatory here for all us voyeurs.
|
|
Jolene
Active Member
Posts: 145
Likes: 46
1964 Aristocrat Li'l Loafer
Currently Offline
|
Post by Jolene on Jan 30, 2018 16:01:29 GMT -8
Mobiltec - I’ve watched a few of your videos already and visited your site. You can bet you’ll be laughing and/or answering questions soon enough. I saw your pics of the Lil Loafer - so sweet. It’ll be me and my kiddo. We looked at many new ones (what IS it with the tiny trailers these days....and their 20-30G price tags?) But when I found the Loafers I was like.....hold up....here’s the tiny trailer gold standard all these new maker’s have pulled from. (I’m sure there are many other tiny vintage models too, just what I thought in the moment.)
BW - I know....and I know. Pics to come. I’ll try to find some of “Evangeline” too. She’s gone but what I learned from her....has made me who I am today lol. She was like that one boyfriend (or girlfriend) that taught you all you know now about what you’re willing to work on, tolerate, absolutely must have, compromise, totally don’t need, and run screaming from. I loved the work but cult following or not, unless you drop 30-50Gs (at once, over time...) in you can’t really rely on them (or weeks and years of work and tools and blah blah). The same could be said for cult trailers but there again....what you’re willing to work on.
For now - photosuckit is out. I’ll do a Flickr when I have a sec and actually have pics to post. I haven’t posted in a forum since my daughter was a baby and I was on a momwtfishappeningserenitynow forum. Sit tight, I’m on it. And thanks!
|
|
mobiltec
5K Member
I make mistakes so you don't have to...
Posts: 9,817
Likes: 3,737
1954 Jewel In Progress...
Currently Offline
|
Post by mobiltec on Jan 30, 2018 16:37:10 GMT -8
Well you hang on to that Loafer. They will do nothing but go up in value and I if I ever find a goo deal on another one I'm going for it. There's a Field and Stream about the same size with a Murphy Bed that I would also be interested in if I ever find one untouched.
|
|
desertphile
New Member
Posts: 18
Likes: 12
Currently Offline
|
Post by desertphile on Mar 14, 2018 16:14:30 GMT -8
Hi Folks, My name is Larry and I restore vintage trailers. If you have already found your dream trailer and are getting ready to start work on it, I just wanted you to know that you will probably find more water damage than you ever thought was possible once you open it up. Gosh. My message seems to have vanished, or is awaiting moderator approval. Hi, Larry! Guess who! Looks like I must first build a roof over the Westerner to keep what little rain we get off while I work on the restore.
|
|
mobiltec
5K Member
I make mistakes so you don't have to...
Posts: 9,817
Likes: 3,737
1954 Jewel In Progress...
Currently Offline
|
Post by mobiltec on Mar 14, 2018 16:54:38 GMT -8
Hi Folks, My name is Larry and I restore vintage trailers. If you have already found your dream trailer and are getting ready to start work on it, I just wanted you to know that you will probably find more water damage than you ever thought was possible once you open it up. Gosh. My message seems to have vanished, or is awaiting moderator approval. Hi, Larry! Guess who! Looks like I must first build a roof over the Westerner to keep what little rain we get off while I work on the restore. Very good idea David. Welcome to the forum...
|
|
|
Post by vikx on Mar 15, 2018 20:46:46 GMT -8
Welcome David/desertphile! I don't think it was deleted, but I do edit out doubles of photos when a post is "quoted". Maybe it was me. So sorry.
People, PLEASE don't quote posts with photos. We don't need several of the same photo in a thread... Thanks.
|
|
desertphile
New Member
Posts: 18
Likes: 12
Currently Offline
|
Post by desertphile on Mar 19, 2018 10:29:35 GMT -8
Thank you, Admin and Larry. I see there is a "quick reply"option, so I need not use the "quote" option.
I have been looking over the 1957 Westerner, and I'm already exhausted at the work that needs done. :-)
|
|