Has anyone rebuilt a Travel Trailer?

[Power Wagon]

I'm curious about what kind of time and money it took, as well as what tools and knowledge. I have an old one i'd like to restify (restore and modify). I love the trailer and how solid it is, but it's layout stinks, as well as some of it being just outdated and poorly planned.



Oh, yeah, and it needs it cosmetically. The panelling is peeling, carpet's faded, other things are in poor shape. Of course, it's 32 years old...

 

[wrward]

PW

I am redoing a 1951 15' Airstream. Turning it into something else on the interior.

My brother and I are rebirthing a 1986 18' class C on a Dodge chasis. A power change is considered priority.

What do you want to know?

Start with the floor and work down first.

unfortunatly this requires the complete gutting of the interrior.

Find a salvage yard.

If your near Eugene, there is a pretty good one on I-5 just south of the Harley store.

 

[Papa Joe]

It's a lot of time-consuming work and some of the gadgets you may want to purchase (pumps, tanks, toilets, refrigerators, etc) are pricy. But if you do it right, you can save (compared to buying a new RV). I bought a used 20-year old trailer and made a great hunting rig out of it.

The only caution I have is to be certain the basic unit is in good shape and worth the effort. Hope this helps. Joe

 

[Power Wagon]

Everything works. The basic trailer is very solid.



However, I would need to replace the toilet and tanks and relocate them. All the tanks are too far back, and if you fill them, it's too light on the hitch.



At most, I need a freshwater tank (second one), and 2 waste tanks (greywater and blackwater) since it's all one right now.

I also need a new toilet and bathroom sink.



The people who built this t railer were great builders... it's solid and sturdy and light... but they were NOT good designers.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Ever hear that line "Sometimes a great notion"? That was me when I bought a 78' Dodge 23' C. Ex and I had gotten tired of camping in a VW Van. Found this beast cheap enough and bought it even though I could see a few "rough spots". Roof leaked, ended up stripping numerous layer of tar off and putting down an elastomeric coating. Vents leaked, replaced. Front window over bunk leaked. Replaced with Lexan after I broke the dam thing sealing it. Ripped up carpet to replace, found rotten floor from water leak. Went over entire water system till I was done. On and on. Spent that year's vacation working on the beast. Finally got it out for a trip, ex bailed shortly after.



To finish this story up. Careful buying used when you don't know nothing about RV's. By all means go for it if your trying to dump the other half.

 

[Power Wagon]

I already own this trailer. We bought it real cheap, and it's perfectly serviceable for 2-4 people to camp or travel in. But, it could be really good.

 

[wrward]

what QRTRHRS said

Yeah, what QRTRHRS said just about scratches the surface!

Good luck, Locate a RV salvage yard.

 

[Bob Beauchaine]

I rebuilt the passangers side corner on an old Micro-mini on a Toyota chassie then repaneled the interior roof. It was a lot of work and a lot of fun.

I also took a '79 Dodge heavy half ton extended van and converted the interior for camping. It was a delivery van that was 3 years old and was already on it's 3 rd transmission. I was happy with the results and drove until Dodge got the bugs worked out it's first gen trucks. I sold it when I bought my '93. It had a sink, fresh water system, porta-potti / closet, plenty of storage, a sofa bed, carpeted, and I pulled the 318 in favor of a 360, added air and went with a 3. 54 rear end. It carryed us across country twice. It was a great-fun project. I really enjoyed that project. Good Luck - if I can be of any help let me know.

Happy trails