prettywoman0172
Active Member
Posts: 207 
Likes: 35
1967 Frolic ,
Currently Offline
|
Post by prettywoman0172 on Mar 17, 2016 15:03:15 GMT -8
When you do a frame off restoration what happens to the propane lines, the plumbing and the electric? Do you just start over from scratch?
I may or may not be considering bringing what's left of that trashed trailer home with me. When I'm done with it all that will be left is the aluminum siding/skin and the metal frame. A friend of mine did that to his Shasta. All he had left was the aluminum shell and the steel frame. He is rebuilding from scratch.
|
|
|
|
Post by danrhodes on Mar 17, 2016 15:05:15 GMT -8
If you have room, you keep everything. As you rebuild, you can use the old, or if you deem it broken or unsafe, use it for a template.
|
|
prettywoman0172
Active Member
Posts: 207
Likes: 35
1967 Frolic ,
Currently Offline
|
Post by prettywoman0172 on Mar 17, 2016 15:17:03 GMT -8
Much of it is so rotted it is falling apart in my hands. There might be one wall I can keep to copy as well as the front. I keep going back and forth about it. I get home, think about it and then when I get back there in the morning, I'll be like, nope. I really like the shape and the size and the way it was laid out. I'm not sure I can even save the siding or the roof - tree got it. But what if I could...
What if I could bring it home piece by piece and what if it could be rebuilt with salvaged materials? I have a big fenced in yard and lots of tools and lots of time. Practice run...
|
|
|
|
Post by danrhodes on Mar 17, 2016 15:40:29 GMT -8
Much of it is so rotted it is falling apart in my hands. There might be one wall I can keep to copy as well as the front. I keep going back and forth about it. I get home, think about it and then when I get back there in the morning, I'll be like, nope. I really like the shape and the size and the way it was laid out. I'm not sure I can even save the siding or the roof - tree got it. But what if I could... What if I could bring it home piece by piece and what if it could be rebuilt with salvaged materials? I have a big fenced in yard and lots of tools and lots of time. Practice run... To me, the skin is one of the more valuable parts. You can relatively cheaply rebuild walls, but if the tree ruined the skin in more than a panel or two, it's probably not worth saving sawdust. |
|
prettywoman0172
Active Member
Posts: 207
Likes: 35
1967 Frolic ,
Currently Offline
|
Post by prettywoman0172 on Mar 17, 2016 15:58:29 GMT -8
I will look at it more tomorrow. The roof is definitely caved in, and one side. I need to get a lot more trash and crap out of it I'll re-assess.
|
|
Ten
3K Member
Posts: 3,432
Likes: 1,467
70 Shasta 16SC + 1964 Airflyte
Currently Offline
|
Post by Ten on Mar 17, 2016 16:43:39 GMT -8
Let this one go. It is a unique time and model style, but the fact that it is mush to start with means you will only end up with a pile of nothingness blowing around the yard and have the task of taking time out to dispose of it later. One other set of parts I always check for in my visits is paperwork. Check the drawers and the cupboards for thinks like keys to the locks, "specialty" tools, and especially dealer-information from the time of the manufacture. If you can find identifying plates with model numbers and serial numbers, take photos. Then you can always begin a search for the actual model. Take some photos of the details for your own reference. Build your own reference files in your computer archives for future possibilities that you may run across someone looking for info on it.
You are correct, the skin is going to be totally mis-shapen by the tree-hit. Thus you end up with even less of anything valuable. You have started taking a cache of parts out already, stay with that path. You don't want this one in the way when your next find comes along.
|
|
prettywoman0172
Active Member
Posts: 207
Likes: 35
1967 Frolic ,
Currently Offline
|
Post by prettywoman0172 on Mar 17, 2016 17:53:22 GMT -8
I am working with the original owners, and they have all of the paperwork for the camper. Like I said, I always think about bringing the rest of it home after I've been home for a while, then I go back the next day and I'm like NOPE. I'll just keep working on it and see what happens. I will tell you, I wanted to leave the stove that was in it, but because Vikx said it was worth saving I braved this dead nasty mice and I cleaned it out and pulled it out and dragged it home very reluctantly. I used dollar tree oven cleaner and steel wool on it today before I brought it inside and I cannot believe I considered leaving it behind.
|
|
prettywoman0172
Active Member
Posts: 207
Likes: 35
1967 Frolic ,
Currently Offline
|
Post by prettywoman0172 on Mar 17, 2016 18:01:31 GMT -8
My *real* camper, the Frolic, is sitting in my yard probably wishing I'd leave the other one alone and pay some attention to her. I noticed two areas under the skin that are rotted out today. I am going to rebuild her and then replace the frame. But I'm scared I'll hurt her. I'm practicing on the other one first.
|
|
nccamper
Administrator 
Posts: 7,744 
Likes: 2,871
1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
Currently Offline
|
Post by nccamper on Mar 17, 2016 18:21:06 GMT -8
"...end up with a pile of nothingness blowing around the yard"
Once a year I take a good look at my stuff and toss everything that's superfluous. It usually fills up my truck. Ten is right, best not to bring it home. When you really get rolling on your Frolic the yard (and house) will be overflowing.
|
|
prettywoman0172
Active Member
Posts: 207
Likes: 35
1967 Frolic ,
Currently Offline
|
Post by prettywoman0172 on Mar 18, 2016 3:55:54 GMT -8
As a lifelong toy, doll, antique and oddities collector I have more stuff than you can even imagine. I'm purging that thinning those collections now to help pay for some of my trailer stuff (and it also buys me time so I don't have to get a 'real job' while I work on the trailer). I don't mind having stuff around. Big yard, and if I change my mind on the frame or the aluminum later on I don't think it will be hard to scrap. oh, and have I mentioned that I have the interiors from a Shasta compact and a slide in camper already living in my workshop area? Or that I might take home a lot of stray couch cushions (foam for camper cushions!) and vintage material (curtains, you know!) and other miscellaneous stuff that might be useful that someone carelessly threw in the trash  |
|
Ten
3K Member
Posts: 3,432
Likes: 1,467
70 Shasta 16SC + 1964 Airflyte
Currently Offline
|
Post by Ten on Mar 18, 2016 5:39:04 GMT -8
The scavenger-hunt aspect is really one of the most fun parts about this hobby alright, alright...ADDICTION...finding things that fit a time period or for repurposing.
|
|
prettywoman0172
Active Member
Posts: 207
Likes: 35
1967 Frolic ,
Currently Offline
|
Post by prettywoman0172 on Mar 18, 2016 6:46:42 GMT -8
I agree. Its like playing a game.
|
|
|
|
Post by vikx on Mar 18, 2016 20:30:49 GMT -8
Leave this one behind. Get what you can and LEAVE IT. It costs a lot of $$$ to get rid of the carcass....
|
|
prettywoman0172
Active Member
Posts: 207
Likes: 35
1967 Frolic ,
Currently Offline
|
Post by prettywoman0172 on Mar 19, 2016 3:49:32 GMT -8
Leave this one behind. Get what you can and LEAVE IT. It costs a lot of $$$ to get rid of the carcass.... Do you mean whats left of it or just the aliminum and frame? Because I have to dispose of the trailer regardless - that was the deal I made with the owners. That I would strip it of anything useable, throw away the trash inside (I bought contractor bags and trash pick up stickers) and then get rid of the frame and siding. This cannot be towed. It has to be scrapped if I dont keep the frame and the aluminum to make a new trailer. There is nothing left of the inside. The wood is rotted and I am pulling it down and bagging that up, too. But either way, I have to pay to get rid of what's left. Maybe I made a bad deal. I definitely do a lot of really stupid stuff. |
|
prettywoman0172
Active Member
Posts: 207
Likes: 35
1967 Frolic ,
Currently Offline
|
Post by prettywoman0172 on Mar 19, 2016 4:00:35 GMT -8
I will say, bad deal or not, I feel like it was/is worth it. I have been able to learn things and make mistakes on this trailer and I am definitely gaining confidence. I dont know how to do any of this stuff and I am very worried about taking my Frolic apart and messing it up/not being able to put it back together. This other trailer is definitely helping with that aspect.
The skin, windows, door, and frame are in much better condition than my Frolic. There are no walls, the roof is no good, and there is no interior left. My Frolic has a bad, bad frame, there is a lot of wood rot, you said the roof probably needs to be replaced, it needs new propane and plumbing, and the interior needs work. I dont see a lot of difference between the two. Both were free. (I refuse to scrap the Frolic for any reason- long story). I do not have the money to just throw what I have away and get something else. Around here the aluminum shell and frame seem to cost $500-1000 and whole trailers that need a decent amount of work are $2000-3000 and they go fast. I know rebuilding them costs money - but it can be done a little at a time and I have been pretty lucky with bartering and trades so far (have a plan to barter for the Frolic frame). I plan to take the next 1-2 yrs 'off' (altho really starting to miss school and might do a MPH while waiting to go to medical school) and I am having fun with this. I am in no hurry to take a trailer camping. I dont even own a tow vehcle.
|
|
