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Post by wisconsinjoe on Mar 13, 2016 11:01:05 GMT -8
 I'm restoring a camper frame to be used in a scratch built camper. I want to get it sandblasted and painted, so looking for advice. Worried about damaging electric brakes including the protruding wiring. I haven't yet worked on the brakes, but feel confident my mechanic can help me with that. Can those wires be replaced from inside the brake assembly? Problems with sand and paint around those drums? Also wondering about best paint choices, including primer if appropriate. |
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Paul B
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Friendship Vacationaire
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Post by Paul B on Mar 17, 2016 17:29:04 GMT -8
You could remove the brakes till you're finished sandblasting and painting. I would replace all the brake parts and wheel bearings with new unless they are in really good condition. This is also a good time to make sure you can get replacement parts. It is hard to find parts for some older trailers. If you can't get parts. You can replace the hub assembly. Much easer to do with bare frame. The wires are for the brake magnet. Best, Paul B  |
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Post by wisconsinjoe on Mar 18, 2016 6:24:48 GMT -8
Thanks for the advice Paul. Do you know where I can start looking for the brake parts? Would I replace the entire wheel hub assembly and start over with new wheels, keeping the axel and springs? This trailer has those cool Dexter style wheels, but they need sandblasting and painting too.
BTW, historical info on Friendship Vacationaire is coming to you in mail. This new camper will be modeled on our '63 Friendship Vacationaire and be renamed "Primrose Vacationaire" after our Township location in Wisconsin.
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RinTin
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Post by RinTin on Mar 18, 2016 6:40:15 GMT -8
If you want to do it right, you should remove and eventually replace all the wiring, remove the wheels, drum, hub, brake assembly, axle, springs, basically completely dismantle the entire frame, and rebuild from there. Check out my thread starting on page 3 here where I did all of this. vintagetrailertalk.freeforums.net/thread/4148/1965-aloha-project?page=3 |
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Post by wisconsinjoe on Mar 18, 2016 19:17:47 GMT -8
RinTin, I just spent the last few hours reading your amazing story. Exhausting and inspiring. Not sure if I'm up for all the frame work myself, but I will have a grease monkey guy take a close look at the axle,springs,brakes, etc. I'm more of a carpenter/cabinet maker guy looking forward to design and build a vintage camper from scratch. I have excellent salvaged windows and door and a full woodshop. Somehow, I bet this summer project may take a little longer. So, did you ever finish yours?
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RinTin
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Post by RinTin on Mar 19, 2016 4:26:04 GMT -8
RinTin, I just spent the last few hours reading your amazing story. Exhausting and inspiring. Not sure if I'm up for all the frame work myself, but I will have a grease monkey guy take a close look at the axle,springs,brakes, etc. I'm more of a carpenter/cabinet maker guy looking forward to design and build a vintage camper from scratch. I have excellent salvaged windows and door and a full woodshop. Somehow, I bet this summer project may take a little longer. So, did you ever finish yours? Joe, if you can do carpentry work, you can do the mechanical work your trailer frame needs. Like the foundation of a home, your trailer will only be as good as the frame it sits on. Not a place to cut corners in my opinion, but to each his own. At least have it inspected for cracks and such by someone who knows what they are looking at. I live fairly close to the greater Seattle area and there are several trailer specific repair shops around here. I appreciate the kudos in regards to my project. Mine has progressed well past my last thread update, which I will be updating soon, but still has a ways to go before finishing. Hope to have it done this summer if not sooner, we'll see. BTW, I too have a frame that I'm considering for a scratch build, which is another reason why I'm interested in your project, but I may just turn it into a mobile chicken coop. |
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Post by wisconsinjoe on Mar 19, 2016 12:38:00 GMT -8
Greg,
My main motivation is to create a new camper that fixes all the problems I see in these old trailers, namely some of the poor engineering, ergonomics, and materials. Having said that, I'm impressed with much of the original designs, layout, and use of lightweight materials. For instance, normally my cabinetry would be much more beefy, but I can see how lightening up can work just as well. But one thing I just have to fix are those terrible 1x3 flat roof rafters. And I'll increase the height a few inches, make sure the upholstery cushions don't sit higher than the window cranks, add a new 2-way fridge, new and better LED 12 volt lights, USB built-in chargers, fantastic fan, etc. This way I don't have to worry about fixing rot or making sure my old skins fit back on properly. New skins are easy. I'll post stuff when I get to the fun stages. Meanwhile I'll take to heart you suggestion to have that frame carefully checked out.
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iamvoldemort
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Post by iamvoldemort on Jun 22, 2017 14:03:38 GMT -8
Greg, My main motivation is to create a new camper that fixes all the problems I see in these old trailers, namely some of the poor engineering, ergonomics, and materials. Having said that, I'm impressed with much of the original designs, layout, and use of lightweight materials. For instance, normally my cabinetry would be much more beefy, but I can see how lightening up can work just as well. But one thing I just have to fix are those terrible 1x3 flat roof rafters. And I'll increase the height a few inches, make sure the upholstery cushions don't sit higher than the window cranks, add a new 2-way fridge, new and better LED 12 volt lights, USB built-in chargers, fantastic fan, etc. This way I don't have to worry about fixing rot or making sure my old skins fit back on properly. New skins are easy. I'll post stuff when I get to the fun stages. Meanwhile I'll take to heart you suggestion to have that frame carefully checked out. Hey Wisconsinjoe! (I'm in Green Bay! Where are you?) Just ran across your post and I am in the stages myself on a re-build with the same intentions in mind with my trailer. I am down to the frame at the moment, staring at the wheels/breaks etc wondering where to go. Any great info you found please share! Especially for replacement parts. Thanks! |
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Post by wisconsinjoe on Jun 22, 2017 14:47:27 GMT -8
I'm located just west of Madison and South of Mt Horeb. Although I got delayed on the project, I did get the frame sandblasted and painted. I also fixed the coupler (with great advice from this forum), replaced the jack, replaced the entire wheel hubs with new brakes and new aluminum wheels and radial trailer tires. The wheels are not vintage style, but they are simple and classic looking. I'm going for low maintenance here. I also had new galvanized wheel wells made from a sheet metal fabrication shop that cost $75 each. I'm busy with some carpentry work now but hope to get this thing dried in before autumn. Haven't been into the forum for some time, but once I get back to the project I will.
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iamvoldemort
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Post by iamvoldemort on Jun 22, 2017 15:34:45 GMT -8
I'm located just west of Madison and South of Mt Horeb. Although I got delayed on the project, I did get the frame sandblasted and painted. I also fixed the coupler (with great advice from this forum), replaced the jack, replaced the entire wheel hubs with new brakes and new aluminum wheels and radial trailer tires. The wheels are not vintage style, but they are simple and classic looking. I'm going for low maintenance here. I also had new galvanized wheel wells made from a sheet metal fabrication shop that cost $75 each. I'm busy with some carpentry work now but hope to get this thing dried in before autumn. Haven't been into the forum for some time, but once I get back to the project I will. Cool! I grew up in Boscobel, so I was down around that area. would love to see photos of your project! |
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Post by wisconsinjoe on Jun 22, 2017 16:53:02 GMT -8
Sooner or later when I get back to the project, I'll start posting again.
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