My New Distraction

[dlbristol]

How many of you recall the commercial where the gy could not say Baracuda and said " Ba-ca-ru-da"? I have not idea why I remember that. Cool project both Dusty.

[robinson46176]

This may well not sound logical but that is the way it has worked out and for us it is logical. Long story, has nothing to do with wood working just the way us old people think.

That story may not have much to do with woodworking but you can bet your bippie that the restoration job on that trailer will...


.

[baysidebob]

Dusty, I think your trailer project is a great one. Don"t understand why, but for the past several months I have been keeping an eye out for an older style trailer. I think they just had a simple classis look. Would love to fine an older Shasta Unit. They had what sort of looked like fins on the sides pointing back. Not really sure what has tickled my interest in something like this, guess it would just be fun to do. I like older classis things...

[dusty]

I have not even seen the trailer yet, after several years of it be remotely located but I already know that I have some structural issues. The framing is made of materials that are approximately 1"x2" and I have been told that there is some dry root.

This probably means that some structural members will need to be cut out and replaced. I want to do this without removing the external skin.

Half laps, dowels and biscuits are likely not an option.

Has anyone had experience using construction adhesive and thin metal to reinforce something like a butt joint?

This sketch depicts what I think I am contemplating. Does construction adhesive adhere to a metallic surface?

[ATTACH]21126[/ATTACH]

Any and all comments will be greatly appreciated.

[TheBigE]

Have you thought about pocket screws? The portable unit would fit and if you can't clamp it there is a whole in the middle to temperarily screw the jig so you can drill the holes. The screws self tap and pull the joint tight.

-Erich-

[dusty]

Have you thought about pocket screws? The portable unit would fit and if you can't clamp it there is a whole in the middle to temperarily screw the jig so you can drill the holes. The screws self tap and pull the joint tight.

-Erich-

Thank you for that thought. I have that Kreg devise and have used it a couple times but not regularly. Before I start working on the rig I will give the Kreg a test.

PS: It will work. Thanks for the idea. I have never used the Freg Pocket Screw without being able to clamp. It pays to know how to use your tools.

[ATTACH]21130[/ATTACH]

The odd screw hole is where the capture screw was used.

[frank81]

Congrats on the new distraction! I've been keeping my eye out for a vintage air stream to take out West but prices on those defy logic. That and I need to finish the project I already have.

Here is a thought. If you are going to be removing internal supports, have you considered removing the superstructure from the trailer deck and placing it in a custom-built cradle? That's the procedure for replacing stringers in a boat, and skipping that step leads to a skewed hull that's hard to spot in the shop. Plus you can restore the trailer and deck a whole lot easier.

[robinson46176]

Don't be afraid to remove sections of outer skin. It is all very mechanical and obvious. It is also often a lot easier to access structural members from the outside than the inside. This one is nothing like an Airstream, no rivets... Inside you often have wall pieces and cabinetry in the way. From the outside once you are in, you are in....
Fiber-glass cloth or mat and resin can work wonders on intact but weak joints.
In addition to the roof edges much of where you will find problems are at the corners. Many campers only had about 1/4" of coverage over the side sheets by the corner trim. If you are not super serious about keeping it all original consider using some of the new corner trim materials that cover each way a couple of inches.
I see that you have a Camping World in Tuscon. They are one of the better places to find small items. I believe they have more little stuff on their website than in the store.
I figure that you already know all of this but if you are like me sometimes a memory jog can help.
Have fun.

[dusty]

Don't be afraid to remove sections of outer skin. It is all very mechanical and obvious. It is also often a lot easier to access structural members from the outside than the inside. This one is nothing like an Airstream, no rivets... Inside you often have wall pieces and cabinetry in the way. From the outside once you are in, you are in....
Fiber-glass cloth or mat and resin can work wonders on intact but weak joints.
In addition to the roof edges much of where you will find problems are at the corners. Many campers only had about 1/4" of coverage over the side sheets by the corner trim. If you are not super serious about keeping it all original consider using some of the new corner trim materials that cover each way a couple of inches.
I see that you have a Camping World in Tuscon. They are one of the better places to find small items. I believe they have more little stuff on their website than in the store.
I figure that you already know all of this but if you are like me sometimes a memory jog can help.
Have fun.

We are not entering into a "restoration" project but rather a "resurrection" project. I hope to be able to use the refrigerator, the stove top and the oven but mostly for financial reasons and because they fit without structural change.

On the flip side, we will replace the furnace and the air conditioner. I don't trust the furnace and the air conditioner should never have been installed in the ceiling. The super structure is inadequate and this is evidenced by the sagging ceiling.

I just hope that the floor is solid.

I can hardly wait to get it here where I can inspect all of these things to determine whether or not this is a viable project.

Patience Grasshopper.

Yes. There is a great new Camping World facility here. They just reopened in a new and larger facility this year.

[kalynzoo]

You may find internet help from two of my favorite RV forums:
http://www.iRV2.net and http://www.RV.net, a third forum RVforum.net is pretty good too, but I use it less often. Good places to communicate with RVers who have used, fixed, replaced, or modified just about everything in the RV.
Years ago, Grandpa Vic, my woodworking mentor, purchased an old Winnebago in really poor shape. He rebuilt it, basiclly made it into a tank with a protected underbelly, grill, and utility interior, then he took it and his family for a trip on the "old" Alaskan Highway. Made it there and back.
Your gonna have fun.
Gary