The skin is finally back on!

I really really wanted to keep the original skin. I love the vintage, shabby look. I would not at all like new shiny panels. This task took the longest and was by far the most difficult so far. I'm convinced the original trailer was not perfectly squared up. It is now, believe me I've checked it 20 times. I left the skin laying and did not change the edge crimp at all, yet the top and front and back panels would not line up at the end. I ended up having to flatten out the panels and recrimp the edges. It was like rolling up a nylon sleeping bag. You start at one side and by the time you are near the end it is all wacked out.

View through front window

Here is the view through the front window. I have a ton to do still but it is nice to have the windows routed out. I waited to route the windows until the skin was back on; just in case the windows and door did not line up.

Lots of work ahead

More than I expected but no biggie. I kept all the peices and layed them out to make as exact copies as possible so I would have no surprises when I go to put the windows and siding on.

floor board repair

Several spots near the back and the entry needed the floor to be replaced. I used the same materials 2x2 pine. It lasted 55+ years so it will give the grandkids something to do. I should leave a note under the floor like a time capsule.

Here it shows what a huge mess I'm making. I'm picking up more than repairing. Everthing just keeps getting layers and layers deeper. Everyday this last week has been over 100 degrees.

I decided to make the repairs to the frame without removing the walls completely. It was easy enough to remove any piece I needed to. I added several more frame pieces for the paneling to adhere to later.

This video shows this weeks progress

Like all worthy projects, this one just keeps getting layers and layers deeper. The things I learned this week that I should pass on to those of you taking on a project like this:

Buy a small neumatic cutter (grinder) - It will save you hours trying to fight screws that are full of paint or rusted over. Cut right down the middle of the head of the screws and use a fat flat screwdriver to back them out.

Figure how much time each section of your project will take and write it down. Now throw it out, it is useless. So many things will unexpectedly show up that need doing. You will have to decide what level of repair you want to achieve and it always seems to end up " Well you've gone this far, why not do it right". Which translates into - trips to the hardware store, more planning and usually several new projects.

Next, the top step of the ladder is "not a step" - believe it.

Save all the material you are removing and label it. That will help you when you are fabricating the new pieces. I don't know how many times I have looked at a piece of wood and wondered where that came from.

Mark all the pieces that fit together. For example: draw an x that covers all the sections of a multiple junction before you separate them so you will know how they go back together later.

Use a lawn chair. This is critical. You must sit and think through the steps ahead of time. You don't want to make things harder than they have to be.

Get current on your tetanus shots.

The work begins

I'm in the process of removing all the dry rot and new additions. This is going to be a complete overhaul. I've removed the paneling from the areas it was damaged and buckling. Some of the framing will need to be replaced. I'm trying to determine wether to remove all the painted over paneling and replace with birch. I'm thinking not. Just because I'm not trying to restore this trailer to original and that would add substantial expense and time.

I don't expect to make my mind up on this issue until the structural rebuild is completed.

Just keeps getting better

Here is the front side view after the house paint was removed.

The first step

After towing it home, I immediately began to take inventory of the scope of the project. The floor was solid except for a small section at the entry and in one of the rear corners, minor leaks in several spots. The wood was painted over and the back seating/sleeping area had been customized to become a permanent bed.

The little kitchen cabinet was iffy, there was some dry rot and shabby repairs. There was obvious water damage behind the cabinet. I decided to remove and discard the cabinet entirely and make a complete rebuild ( I regret that now. I should have salvaged what I could - Always save everything until there is no doubt you should won't reuse it).

I removed all the new construction for the back bed, tore out the old carpet and the damaged paneling.

After that I knew I needed something for inspiration so I pressure washed the old latex off the exterior and I was thrilled with what was under it (always use caution with a pressure washer. You don't want to damaged the thin aluminum and/or force water in the trailer).

How it all got started.

I found this trailer for sale in the classifieds while searching for a small trailer I could use for hunting. This trailer was listed for $600 obo. When I found it, it was in a side yard and obviously had not moved for many many years. It was covered in mold and had been painted with an old latex type house paint. I could not even see the original design on the side.

It was full of clutter and had flat tires. The side yard was fenced in and trees and rose bushes had been planted between it and the road.

I was able to talk the guy down to $300 and he changed the tire for me, moved his wood pile, took down his fence, cut back trees and removed rose bushes so I could extract it.

When I first saw the trailer, although it was rough for sure, I was very very excited and had a hard time keeping my composure. I'd been looking for a classic trailer like this for a very long time.