5talents
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Post by 5talents on Apr 13, 2017 11:10:18 GMT -8
Hi all. I'm a newbie here and to vintage trailers in general. We just sold our 34' behemoth with 2 slides. We want to downsize. I love the look of the vintage Shastas, but I'm not sure if my husband will fit in one. Any suggestions on which model to look at for a 6'3" husband? Thanks!
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Apr 13, 2017 16:30:03 GMT -8
Welcome!
6'3" is a stretch in a Shasta. One member built the walls higher during a restoration of a Shasta Compact. I've owned a 62 Compact, a 64 Shasta 1500 and a 59 Shasta Airflyte all of which would be too short. Others may chime in about other models/years.
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mrmarty51
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Post by mrmarty51 on Apr 13, 2017 18:29:03 GMT -8
Welcome to the forum 5talents. Find a Shasta that needs a total rebuild but has all operational appliances that You desire. Strip it down to the frame. Extend the floor gussets of the trailer frame six inches and build up from there. My home made camper is just 6`3" on the inside walls. I am 6`1" and the 6-3 sometimes seems a little cramped. LOL As long as the outside width is 8` or under, it is legal.
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Post by vikx on Apr 13, 2017 20:06:37 GMT -8
I think you will have to "raise the roof" but it's not difficult since most trailers need a full build anyway...
My tallest trailer is 76" ceiling height, most are 75". That's any/all brands. You might be able to lift a dome a little higher, not sure.
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5talents
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Post by 5talents on Apr 15, 2017 2:02:02 GMT -8
Thanks for the advice! We talked to a man yesterday that can do a total rebuild on a 1959 Airflyte for us. He is going to extend the walls so hubby doesn't have to hunch over to go camping. So excited!
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azshastanut
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Post by azshastanut on Apr 15, 2017 13:13:52 GMT -8
You might also consider looking for a Kenskill. They are a very well built trailer and have an interior height of about 6'4" or 5". they are also 8' wide. Hard to find in the shorter overall lengths.
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mrmarty51
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Post by mrmarty51 on Apr 16, 2017 11:25:58 GMT -8
Thanks for the advice! We talked to a man yesterday that can do a total rebuild on a 1959 Airflyte for us. He is going to extend the walls so hubby doesn't have to hunch over to go camping. So excited! Will He be able to widen the frame to make the walls extend out just a little bit more ? azshastanutThat sounds like a real nice camper/trailer.
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5talents
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Post by 5talents on Apr 16, 2017 11:38:31 GMT -8
Thanks for the advice! We talked to a man yesterday that can do a total rebuild on a 1959 Airflyte for us. He is going to extend the walls so hubby doesn't have to hunch over to go camping. So excited! Will He be able to widen the frame to make the walls extend out just a little bit more ? azshastanutThat sounds like a real nice camper/trailer. Possibly. We are limited by the frame width, but we may be able to squeeze out an extra few inches.
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mrmarty51
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Post by mrmarty51 on Apr 16, 2017 11:52:42 GMT -8
Will He be able to widen the frame to make the walls extend out just a little bit more ? azshastanut That sounds like a real nice camper/trailer. Possibly. We are limited by the frame width, but we may be able to squeeze out an extra few inches. The gussets going out the sides can be extended to make for a wider floor, spacing the side walls farther apart. If the gussets that are currently on the trailer dont seem like that would be heavy duty enough then they can be replaced with new heavier gussets, or, the existing gussets could be beefed up to handle the extra leverage from the floor and walls. A good welder will be able to look at it and tell You if they can be beefed up or if they should have new heavy duty ones installed. just a thought, trying to get You comfortable. I have slept in beds that are too short, it is not a fun ordeal, especially if it goes on for a few months. In Alaska, I go to My sons, There is a bunk bed for the boychild, I get the upper bunk, besides the bed being a bit short, it is another ordeal getting up in the very wee hours of the morning with out shaking the bunk and awakening the child. LOLOLOL
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azshastanut
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Post by azshastanut on Apr 17, 2017 9:55:28 GMT -8
For what it's worth, my advice to you is to find a trailer that has the inside height that will accomodate your husbands height. You are talking about spending an awfully lot of money and I'm afraid that you will end up with a literal money pit. All of the elements of increasing the height will involve: framing, cabinet and shelving modification, wiring modification, new roof sheetmetal, new upper siding, new J rail, new ceiling and wall paneling, and who knows what else. Should you desire to widen the frame to 8 feet it is a complete tear down and will require cutting and modifing the floor, new flooring, and also a wider axle. I have not addressed some of the other minor details involved in what you are considering, but there are a few more. This would not be a quick turn around project even if done by a vintage trailer facility. Those of us who do trailer restoration as a hobby and not a business know what it will take time and dollar wise to do what you are suggesting. Labor is not cheap and you will probably have far more invested in this project then the trailer will ever be worth when and if it is completed. Just my 2 cents worth, for free. Gary
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Apr 17, 2017 15:26:56 GMT -8
We were the ones who raised the roof on our Compact. The it was not at all difficult since we needed to replace that part of the framing anyway, and the birch inside needed replacing, too. It works well with the ham style trailers, because the only place you really need to stand up straight is in the front where the business end is, kitchen, table, etc. You really don't need the full height in the rear where it's the bed/gaucho. We raised the roof three inches at the highest point of the trailer and tapered it rapidly at the front and more gradually to back of the wheel well. You will have to order additional siding for the extension, but that wasn't difficult either. You will need to adjust the cupboards on the upper sides as well. Easy in a Compact, but a little trickier in an Airflyte. The neat thing is that unless you know exactly what it looked like coming off the assembly line, you'd never know the difference. Except when you're inside and not hitting the ceiling!
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Apr 17, 2017 16:17:27 GMT -8
We were the ones who raised the roof on our Compact. ... The neat thing is that unless you know exactly what it looked like coming off the assembly line, you'd never know the difference. Do you have a photo of the outside to share?
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Apr 18, 2017 18:36:41 GMT -8
You can get a good idea of what it looks like if you google "Hamlet 1959 Shasta Compact." Hamlet is the blue and white one, and the pic that comes up next to it is an unadulterated white one. One of the pictures shows the extra height and it looks almost exaggerated, the other photo is a little more like it really looks. And it's not too easy to see much of a decision.
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Post by rogerthedodger on Apr 19, 2017 7:23:29 GMT -8
Buy a vintage airstream.
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azshastanut
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Post by azshastanut on Apr 19, 2017 13:34:30 GMT -8
There is a nice Kenskill listed for sale on craigslist in Albuquerque. It is 19'X 8' X 5'6"interior. It is a 1964 and appears to be in nice condition. The asking price is $3600. It has a toilet and a shower, 4 burner stove, refrigerator, microwave, water heater, front window cover. This would be far less costly to make very nice for far less money then rebuilding from ground up, and you would be able to camp this summer.
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