papamike95
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1954 Terry - 16'
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Post by papamike95 on Sept 25, 2017 20:46:41 GMT -8
This is where, by the grace of God, I hope to document what I know will be the project of projects for me. In 2014, I bought a 16' 1954 Terry trailer I dubbed my "mobile meth-lab". While I did not actually find any evidence of drugs inside, I can't help but think that's what this thing was used for. Untitled by Mike Estrada, on Flickr It was sorely neglected, and my wife was the one who saw the potential - not only in the trailer, but in my abilities to rehabilitate her as well! I pray she did not make a grave mistake. Here are a few more pics of the condition in which she came to me: Untitled by Mike Estrada, on Flickr Untitled by Mike Estrada, on Flickr Untitled by Mike Estrada, on Flickr Untitled by Mike Estrada, on Flickr Untitled by Mike Estrada, on Flickr Untitled by Mike Estrada, on Flickr As you can see, my wife has more faith in me than I do! I must give credit to coldham, another member on VTT, who gave me the inspiration with the posts of his 1954 Terry Rebuild to tackle this. I only wish his photos were still available as a resource as I begin... Tear down began about three weeks ago, and you can see from these pics the water damage/rot that was there: Untitled by Mike Estrada, on Flickr Untitled by Mike Estrada, on Flickr Untitled by Mike Estrada, on Flickr Untitled by Mike Estrada, on Flickr Untitled by Mike Estrada, on Flickr Untitled by Mike Estrada, on Flickr I hope I didn't bite off more than I can chew!
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Post by vikx on Sept 25, 2017 22:10:10 GMT -8
Looks better than my 54 Terry, er "Terco"...
With all of our help, you can do this. Don't give up and ask if you get to spinnin' your wheels.
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shastatom
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I can chase women or fix campers, I choose to fix what I understand........... campers.
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Shasta 54,57 1500 58 Airflyte
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Post by shastatom on Sept 26, 2017 17:32:22 GMT -8
Hang in there. If I can do a total rebuild I bet you can too. Take your time and think it out.
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mrmarty51
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1972 HOMEMADE
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Post by mrmarty51 on Sept 26, 2017 19:11:32 GMT -8
That is going to be a very nice camper when You get it finished. Do not get overwhelmed, just one stick, nail or screw at a time and it will be good, fun too.
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papamike95
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1954 Terry - 16'
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Post by papamike95 on Oct 1, 2017 17:36:06 GMT -8
Made some good progress Saturday... I built the deck. The original did not have any insulation in the floor, and it had a cut-out for a floor propane heater, which was missing when I bought it. Here is the underside of the original: Untitled by Mike Estrada, on Flickr I am not putting a propane heater back in... too much opportunity for water problems. I used pressure treated 2x4's that I cut down to 1 5/16", and used 1/2" marine A/B exterior plywood for the top floor, and 1/2" pressure treated ply for the bottom. Untitled by Mike Estrada, on Flickr Untitled by Mike Estrada, on Flickr Untitled by Mike Estrada, on Flickr And here it is all buttoned up. Untitled by Mike Estrada, on Flickr I will do a black and white checker VCT floor, but before I tackle that, I need to order a new axle/leaf springs/electric brakes kit to replace the original (at the advice of a good welder-friend of mine, I don't want to take the chance of one of the leaf springs being cracked). Then, I need to wire-wheel the entire frame and epoxy paint it.
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papamike95
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1954 Terry - 16'
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Post by papamike95 on Oct 1, 2017 17:43:13 GMT -8
I will likely also add a bit more steel to the framing in the rear so that I can add a receiver to the back to allow for hooking on a basket or bike rack. It is good to know a great welder! I won't put the VCT on until the frame is all done and I can set the floor onto the frame. It already weighs a ton and that VCT is not light! I'd like to tile it in place. I'll also have to work on the wheels as well and get new tires... likely before tiling the floor.
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nccamper
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1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
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Post by nccamper on Oct 1, 2017 18:37:56 GMT -8
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papamike95
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1954 Terry - 16'
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Post by papamike95 on Oct 1, 2017 18:49:02 GMT -8
That is good to know. I bought special exterior screws, and I plan to use some sort of waterproof barrier between the frame and the plywood, so hopefully there won't be any direct contact there.
Does anyone have any thoughts on what to use for the underbelly? I know coldham used bituthene, so I was thinking of that. I'm also concerned about road vibration wearing through that... perhaps laying some rubber strips along the top of the frame before putting that down? Interested in all comments here. Thanks!
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Post by Teachndad on Oct 1, 2017 19:24:17 GMT -8
Hey Mike,
Welcome!
No, you didn't make a mistake in saving this lil one. You are doing it, Man!
Your flying right along at a really good pace. In looking at the pix, it's really not all that bad. We have all seen worse. It looks like a Rot a fun. That rot's pretty standard. You got the original appliances and cabinets as well as the dinettes and the windows are intact. That's some really good stuff.
As far as the pressure treated wood. Keep it out of the walls specifically and anywhere it will contact the aluminum skin. Use the poplar for the wall studs (just my opinion), it's more pricey than pine, but it's stronger and less prone to knots in the wood. Good to use for the ceiling joists where it's less likely to sag. Look around for good plywood and paneling. Some of the cheap stuff is junk. Check for labels on it if it includes anything like formaldehyde.
Looking forward to your journalling.
Cheers,
Rod
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erica b
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1950 avalon
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Post by erica b on Oct 1, 2017 21:16:27 GMT -8
Oh my gosh! I feel like our trailers could be twinsies. I love your sense of humor and will be watching your rebuild closely. Great work and good luck!
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papamike95
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1954 Terry - 16'
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Post by papamike95 on Oct 2, 2017 17:09:08 GMT -8
Thanks Erica! It's a little nerve-racking knowing everyone here is watching. I know everyone is nice and all, but still...
For everyone else... I would still like any comments on what folks use as an underbelly protection. Also, any ideas on where I can get a 3,500 lb 62/47 drop axle with 5x4.5 bolt pattern, leaf springs, and electric breaks kit? The closest I have found is a straight axle with no breaks and a 5x5 bolt pattern.
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mrmarty51
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1972 HOMEMADE
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Post by mrmarty51 on Oct 2, 2017 19:49:29 GMT -8
For the underbelly on My camper, I used 3/8ths inch plywood and painted it with some mighty tough deck stain stuff that went on like some of the best paint I have ever used. it was an oil base stuff.
Look around in Your area for a trailer repair shop, they should have everything that You desire for axle, suspension and brakes.
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papamike95
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1954 Terry - 16'
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Post by papamike95 on Oct 28, 2017 19:38:07 GMT -8
It's almost been a month since my last post, but I haven't been idle! I have spent several weeks wire-wheeling the frame and taking apart and wire-wheeling the axle, brake drums, and springs. I decided to do a good clean up of what was there and look to see if there are any cracks in the springs. Finding none, I decided to try to use what I could, rather than buy a whole new axle/brake/spring set. When I opened up my wheels, the passenger side was missing the guts of the electric brakes, so I had to order a new set. Probably better anyway. Here is a close up of the rust on the frame, and my axle: Untitled by Mike Estrada, on Flickr Untitled by Mike Estrada, on Flickr After wire-wheeling, I used a product called "Must for Rust", and sprayed that all over the frame. It is acidic, and creates a protective coating. Be careful, as drips onto concrete start to eat into it. I found that out the hard way, and created permanent splotching on my nice shop floor. Here are the latest pics from today's repaint. I used an epoxy that can be used as the final coat, but I will painting my color on the front triangle, jack, propane rack, and tanks. Untitled by Mike Estrada, on Flickr Untitled by Mike Estrada, on Flickr Now, I'm just waiting for my brakes to come, and then I can get everything put back together... though I still need to do my wheels. That will be later, though.
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shastatom
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I can chase women or fix campers, I choose to fix what I understand........... campers.
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Shasta 54,57 1500 58 Airflyte
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Post by shastatom on Oct 29, 2017 5:16:15 GMT -8
Nice work. You have a great foundation and that will make all the difference in the end.
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RinTin
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Post by RinTin on Oct 29, 2017 7:35:46 GMT -8
Great project! I'm envious of the wood stove in your shop. Have you found a solution for the PT plywood to frame connection? Peel and stick bituminous flashing would be as good a choice as anything else IMHO. Combine that with an asphalt sealer or paint on the underside of the plywood, plus the painted trailer chassis and galvanized or ceramic coated fasteners and you should get by.
That being said you must now realize that PT lumber is not advised for use on these trailers due to the metal corrosion issues it presents. If it were mine, for peace of mind I would build a new floor and take the small loss. It won't be the last mistake you'll make. But that's just me.
As long as they aren't defective there is no reason not to re-use the old axle, hubs and wheel bearings. Be sure to use new inner seals and U-bolts. The spring bushings may need replacing as well. Take the spring packs apart clean them up and check for defects. If all looks good I would re-assemble them with a thin coat of grease between each leaf, a new centering pin and new capture hardware. After the trailer is back on the road you will be able to better assess the springs and determine if they are too spongy and need replacing.
You're doing great!
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