smccusk
Active Member
63 SC Restoration in progress
Posts: 202
Likes: 41
1963 Shasta SC
Currently Offline
|
Post by smccusk on Jul 2, 2013 14:37:44 GMT -8
|
|
smccusk
Active Member
63 SC Restoration in progress
Posts: 202
Likes: 41
1963 Shasta SC
Currently Offline
|
Post by smccusk on Jul 7, 2013 13:36:58 GMT -8
One of the goals I set before starting the Shasta restore was to keep the original charm of the trailer yet make all the systems modern. This included installing 30 amp service and a 12v converter to run the lights, fan, and pump. It also included replacing the old tanks and installing a modern RV plumping system…actually the fresh water tank was already MIA. This is the new system, all the plumbing was done with Pex…which is super easy to work with. I used all quick connects, which allowed me to throw the plumbing together in no time. I installed a new 16 gallon fresh water tank under the curbside dinette seat along with a 12v pump. For the waste-water part of the system I install an 8 Gallon black tank and an 8 gallon grey. Both tanks pumb to their own blade valve and out a common RV drain (same as a modern RV). Both tanks vent to a common vent pipe in the rear. The new system worked perfectly upon testing…no leaks, even the 50 year old faucet didn’t leak. My plan is to fill up the fresh, black and grey water tanks to the top and go for a long ride to make sure there are no leaks prior to use. Switch on the right of the dinette frame is for the pump. I sealed all the plumbing (and the rest of the trailer) really well in hopes it will be mouse proof...they will likely prove me wrong.
|
|
gonekayaking
Active Member
enjoying using my camper and not working on it anymore!
Posts: 410
Likes: 75
1956 Shasta 1500
Currently Offline
|
Post by gonekayaking on Jul 7, 2013 18:51:19 GMT -8
I know you are just catching up to doing posts from your thread from the old forum but wondering if you can tell us all more about the use of the PVC vs the kerfed plywood?
|
|
smccusk
Active Member
63 SC Restoration in progress
Posts: 202
Likes: 41
1963 Shasta SC
Currently Offline
|
Post by smccusk on Jul 9, 2013 13:42:12 GMT -8
KG, Absolutely…I couldn’t find my original post on the other forum. BTW: everything I post at this point is new, my restoration was still in progress when VSTF went under. As you may know, many vintage trailers used a kerfed plywood band around the top of the framing. This plywood is used to hold the screws from the awning rail, J-rail and overlapping metal. I believe kerfed plywood was used because it was the best and cheapest material available at the time for bending around the radiuses on vintage trailers. It was flexible enough to bend yet could still hold screws. Anyone who has pull the skin from the corners also know that the kerfed plywood band is prone to rot and often needs to be replace. Here’s what I did: Rather than ripping down plywood and gluing strips together like it was done in the past, I decided to buy a piece of trim PVC and rip it down on a table saw to ¾” square strips. The strips were then screwed into place with galvanized 1 ¾ drywall screws. The trim board is very easy to work with, it’s flexible, holds screws very well, and best of all, will not rot. I actually did a test prior to committing to its use (very unscientific). I mounted a piece of the PVC to the top of my framing and also mounted a solid piece of kerfed plywood. I then screwed some 1/8” birch into both strips. When I tried to pull the birch away from the strips the PVC ended up holding it better than the plywood. I’m happy I used the PVC, There were no problems fastening the skin and rails to the strips…everything pulled tight. I saved a lot of time on installation as compared to gluing plywood and molding it to the radiuses. Overall, I believe PVC material is very well suited for this purpose and I I’d bet if it were available in the 50s and 60s Shasta would have used it to. I also used PVC for the wheel well radiuses when I was reframing my trailer…would NOT recommend using it for any structural framing other than that. This is what I used to make the strips...purchased at Home Depot. The core of this board is not hard PVC , it has a slightly softer core so it's not brittle like plastic/PVC can be. This is what it looked like on my framing.
|
|
Hamlet
2K Member
Posts: 2,816
Likes: 924
Currently Offline
|
Post by Hamlet on Jul 9, 2013 16:50:55 GMT -8
Nice work!
|
|
|
Post by 62shastacrazymom on Jul 9, 2013 21:03:50 GMT -8
omg this is a dream...I am so impressed...it looks amazing. Good work! Please keep up with the pics! I am in the middle of a 16 sc (a 62) rebuild....love the shellac...did you do the amber and how many coats? It just shines! The icebox looks wonderful too..boy I could go on and on...
|
|
soup
1K Member
"I hate cold Soup"
Posts: 1,237
Likes: 204
Currently Offline
|
Post by soup on Jul 10, 2013 3:39:55 GMT -8
OMG WOW! It's so nice I wouldn't want to camp in it anywhere but my own property! Dang, love the counter tops too. Awesome.
|
|
smccusk
Active Member
63 SC Restoration in progress
Posts: 202
Likes: 41
1963 Shasta SC
Currently Offline
|
Post by smccusk on Jul 10, 2013 11:52:14 GMT -8
|
|
smccusk
Active Member
63 SC Restoration in progress
Posts: 202
Likes: 41
1963 Shasta SC
Currently Offline
|
Post by smccusk on Jul 10, 2013 12:05:20 GMT -8
Today’s project was to complete the 12V system by installing an AGM battery and doing final connections. Here are some pictures of my final electrical system. I moved the breaker box out of the overhead cabinets and into the street side dinette storage area. The shore power is now 30 amp, all the lights, fan, and water pump run off a 12v converter/AGM battery. Works just like a modern camper…the battery even charges when I’m driving. I moved the breaker box and 12v fuse box forward for easier access Charge Wizard
|
|
1955aloha
Member
Posts: 29
Likes: 2
Currently Offline
|
Post by 1955aloha on Jul 14, 2013 19:00:37 GMT -8
was wondering what do you think your into this restoration for , I have a 11 foot aloha I'm having restored about the same way looking at 10 grand but to me well whorth it. Dont have very good carpentry skills. Your trailer is awesome you have a lot of talent great job. Hope too have her done next sping found a very good restortions shop in california. this trailer will be gavine too my older daughter some day.
|
|
smccusk
Active Member
63 SC Restoration in progress
Posts: 202
Likes: 41
1963 Shasta SC
Currently Offline
|
Post by smccusk on Jul 15, 2013 4:12:31 GMT -8
1955aloha,
I haven't added up the receipts yet but my guess is about 8-9k including the cost of the trailer. I built her to keep and use...hopefully pass it along to my kids someday. I guess if you look at from that perspective, it's worth it.
|
|
|
Post by bigbill on Jul 15, 2013 4:54:19 GMT -8
Any thing is worth to you what ever you want to spend on it. If you are doing for a profit then you are in a whole new ball game but as a keeper to be proud of the only limit is your pocketbook.
|
|
Hamlet
2K Member
Posts: 2,816
Likes: 924
Currently Offline
|
Post by Hamlet on Jul 15, 2013 5:36:11 GMT -8
We look at is as a hobby we can use for many, many years. It's one that we can look at with pride and provides a neat way to meet people we wouldn't have otherwise had the chance to meet. Aloha 55, we salute you for making sure the resto is done correctly. It's good to know that one more bit of mid=century culture is being preserved for another generation.
|
|
1955aloha
Member
Posts: 29
Likes: 2
Currently Offline
|
Post by 1955aloha on Jul 15, 2013 15:27:43 GMT -8
Thanks for kind words, I really like this forum people on here are so cool. My aloha is going too stay in the family but I'm going too enjoy this for a log time befor give to my kids. My oldest told me she would treasure her and hand her done to her kids some day,
|
|
smccusk
Active Member
63 SC Restoration in progress
Posts: 202
Likes: 41
1963 Shasta SC
Currently Offline
|
Post by smccusk on Jul 15, 2013 16:22:00 GMT -8
Today I installed my new propane regulator, checked all the connections, and tested the system. Upon testing I found there were a couple of compression fittings that needed to be tightened a bit further, but once that was done the system held pressure perfectly. I cranked up the 50 year old Morphy/Richards, It’s getting colder but seems to be taking a long time to get there…the freezer plate is cold so I know there is refrigerant…if there was a leak it wouldn’t get cold at all. Does anyone have experience with these old Astrals…Do they just take a while to cool off? Other than that, everything worked great and best of all, my trailer didn’t go up in flames. This is what old school boon docking looked like…gas lantern used for interior light.
|
|