Shasta Ace questions

Hello Liz and welcome to VTT. Theresa is correct that your trailer isn't a Shasta, but an Ace. You can tell that it isn't a Shasta by the shape, Shasta's of that era are more boxy looking and don't have the indenting to the front like yours does (if the picture your using as an avatar is the trailer).

Here's a great thread explaining how to upload pictures to Flickr and then post them to the forum: vintagetrailertalk.freeforums.net/thread/7276/add-photos-hosted-flickr-tutorial

Also, there are some things that you are going to want to do before you go too far with the inside. First your going to want to take the skins off, or loosen them, along the bottom so you can check for water damage and rot. You said some panels have been replaced and restained which is a big red flag meaning there was water damage, but did they repair any of the affected framing, or just slap up some panels to hide it? Also you'll want to check the skirt and sill boards that attach the body to the frame and make sure there is no rot in them.

Trailers have to be repaired from the OUTSIDE in, otherwise you'll never get it correct. There are a couple of resources you should really check out. They are very helpful and full of all the information you could ask for about repairing or restoring these wonderful vintage trailers.

The first resource is mobiltec. He makes videos and posts them on YouTube of his work sharing how to do everything on a trailer from start to finish. His website is: www.cannedhamtrailers.com and I recommend you watch this video first so you better understand why these things have to be repaired from the outside in: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDdpZgSD1JM . He does all these videos for free to help others who are interested in vintage trailers, he does accept donations from his website if you find his information as important as I have and are so inclined to help.

Next is a wonderful repair manual put together by another long time member who restores trailers, it's a husband and wife team and their forum name is vikx : vintagetrailerrepairmanual.weebly.com
My husband doesn't do computers so this manual has become very important to him as we work to do a frame off restoration of our 57 Westerner Deluxe travel trailer.

And of course this forum is full of not only tons of helpful information, but also great people willing and able to answer any questions you might have. You're on the right track since you joined this forum, together we can all make sure you get the cool, and most importantly, safe vintage trailer you want.

OH MY GOSH!!!!  No wonder I couldn't find information!!!  This was so helpful!  The ad on Craigslist said "Shasta" so that's what I've been going off of!!!!  Now I see that ACE Traveler Co is what the signs say, nowhere does it say Shasta!!!  Now to go back to Google!

The water damage was contained from the outside in by the previous owner.  He took out the water tanks, the toilet was already removed.  We are really looking for a camping vehicle to take to campgrounds that have water and toilet facilities, so we don't want to add the hassle of pipes again.  He also used it as a fishing shanty so he took the outsides off and insulated it then replaced the outside paneling.  The refrigerator kicked the bucket so he had to do the wood around the new (smaller) replacement, I think that's what he needed to add wood.  The rest was cosmetic -- stripping and restaining the existing wood paneling.   He had to replace flooring, but I want to redo it again with something cuter.

Thanks for all your tips on working on the trailer.  We think it's basically all cosmetic now -- he did a great job with the "bones" and we just want it to look CUTE!  I can't wait to be able to add posts about our project.  Thank you again so very much!!!!

I'll use Flickr to add the photos so you guys can see!

Thanks again!!!!