Womanator
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1977 Wilderness Travel Trailer
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Post by Womanator on Sept 7, 2013 19:29:32 GMT -8
Hi. Thought I'd introduce myself and my project.  I won't really get rolling on this until winter when I have less outdoor stuff to do, but thought I'd say hi now. Some background: My husband and I just sold our 2012 Aspen trail that spent more time in the shop getting fixed than being taken camping. It's very frustrating to buy a brand new camper, only to have multiple things go wrong with it before I think they should. (After all...we didn't go off-roading with it!) I should have known better when I pulled off the lot with our brand new purchase and left a trail of water down the street from a broken pipe underneath. We only camped in it for 14 days total and yet the bathroom fan was twisted out of place, the sink twisted out of place...showing a cm gap on the side, the furnace refused to shut off, and the condensation from the fridge rotted the framing of the cupboard below the fridge, as well as the linoleum below the fridge being loose and puckering. There were other things too...but I digress. So we "inherited" a $1 camper that has seen better days. It hasn't been taken care of and there is a lot of water damage. However, my labor is cheap and I can't make it any worse than it is! I'm no expert, but thanks to my Dad I can manage tools and love to research and fiddle around with building stuff. (My husband has called me Womanator for years now). I figure I can at least learn a lot about how campers go together by taking this one apart and starting over! I've read quite a few posts on here and it looks like a friendly crowd. I look forward to any advice and comments on this hair-brained scheme of mine. I definitely will be asking questions on the plumbing and electrical down the road. youtu.be/lPHtvNAsvFo |
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Post by vikx on Sept 7, 2013 21:50:22 GMT -8
Welcome Womanator!
I used to check in new rigs for an RV company. The junk the factories sent was unbelievable... Have fun with your *new* project, built better back when. The thing is, this is an addiction... you WILL have more than one. LOL.
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hoosierpoet
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Post by hoosierpoet on Sept 8, 2013 2:48:33 GMT -8
Welcome! Lots of strong, capable women here, you will definitely fit in!  |
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swirlygirls
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Post by swirlygirls on Sept 8, 2013 4:18:14 GMT -8
Welcome! Yup, new in trailers and houses can be enticing but things aren't made with the quality of the past. You'll be able to make this your own and know it's done well.
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skipnwendy
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Post by skipnwendy on Sept 12, 2013 5:43:34 GMT -8
Hey Womanator! I read a thread awhile back that is amazing of how a guy redid his 1978 Nomad trailer that is extremely similar (if not built by the same people they are so alike) and I went and got a link to it for you to see, This is an awesome display of old trailer repair and he did it himself, Grab a cup of coffee and settle in for a great read and dozens of photo's. www.irv2.com/forums/f65/1978-nomad-trailer-restoration-project-from-rot-to-not-115833.html |
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Post by bigbill on Sept 12, 2013 7:09:27 GMT -8
skipnwendy That was very interesting thanks for posting it.
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Womanator
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1977 Wilderness Travel Trailer
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Post by Womanator on Sept 13, 2013 8:20:54 GMT -8
Wow...that is a great post (and find!). Thanks skipnwendy for finding this! The pictures do give me an idea what I'm in for. I'm a bit worried about taking mine apart and fixing the framing. I have read "start from the outside in" but with mine being practically a total gut of the back end....I do think I'm going to have to take it down all the way inside and out. I'm just not sure whether to take a section at a time down and repair (ex: back half then front half) or to just take the whole thing apart and put it back together. I'm sure some of it will be determined when I actually crack into it.
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mobiltec
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1954 Jewel In Progress...
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Post by mobiltec on Sept 13, 2013 8:53:28 GMT -8
Wow...that is a great post (and find!). Thanks skipnwendy for finding this! The pictures do give me an idea what I'm in for. I'm a bit worried about taking mine apart and fixing the framing. I have read "start from the outside in" but with mine being practically a total gut of the back end....I do think I'm going to have to take it down all the way inside and out. I'm just not sure whether to take a section at a time down and repair (ex: back half then front half) or to just take the whole thing apart and put it back together. I'm sure some of it will be determined when I actually crack into it. No matter the problems involved you un-build it in the opposite order that it was built. So if it's built from the inside out, then you start by removing the outside first. Here are some tips on video of how to go through this process... www.cannedhamtrailers.com |
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Womanator
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1977 Wilderness Travel Trailer
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Post by Womanator on Sept 13, 2013 11:15:03 GMT -8
That makes sense. I've looked at a lot of your videos and they are very helpful!
Dumb question...but how do you know?
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tiajannet
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Post by tiajannet on Sept 13, 2013 11:52:12 GMT -8
Greetings Womanator, I love my little Shasta thankfully I only have to find leaks and decorate. But it is fun and an adventure. Folks on this site are helpful. and no question is a dumb one. I know I've asked them.
Welcome !!! I too grew up with my daddy wrench in my hand and learned how to use many tools. If you don't have a oscillating saw yet get one it's so cooooooool. and handy.
Have fun look forward to hearing more about your adventure.
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mobiltec
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1954 Jewel In Progress...
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Post by mobiltec on Sept 13, 2013 12:15:36 GMT -8
That makes sense. I've looked at a lot of your videos and they are very helpful! Dumb question...but how do you know? For one thing there will be Welting or Gimp all along the walls and ceiling where they meet up. Same with front and rear. Yours is a much newer trailer than I am used to dealing with but I think you will find that this one is also built from the inside out. Instead of J Rail you have Cap Railing which means the sides of the top, front and rear metal do not fold over the edges of the walls. You pull those cap rails off first and then you can see how it all comes apart. |
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skipnwendy
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Post by skipnwendy on Sept 19, 2013 3:18:50 GMT -8
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Sept 20, 2013 19:59:11 GMT -8
It's going to take a lot of work and a pretty good chunk of change. Sounds like a frame up rebuild to me. |
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I won't really get rolling on this until winter when I have less outdoor stuff to do, but thought I'd say hi now.
