"My Compact II history" - Page 2 - Fiberglass RV
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Old 05-19-2003, 05:36 PM   #21
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Hi again.

I had to do a little reviewing to see where I left off on my history but I think I have it in order. I may repeat myself on some things so please be patient as I will edit it if it does not make sense after I post it.

Now I replaced the gravity water fill fixture. The old one ;had a larger mounting base but I could not find a match. I made an aluminum plate the same size as the old water fill and mounted my new fill to and mounted them both to the origional fill location. You can tell it has been changed but it blends in all right. The city water fill was not broken but was corroded pretty bad so I replaced it with an aluminum and brass fixture that is visually much more appitizing.

My next major task was to change the seating bases. I The original seats were set in a u shape arrangement. It was not a convenient layout for sitting so I changed it to paralell seating. The original seat bases were set back about one inch from the cabinet mounting location. This created a little corner on each side which collected dirt and litter and was hard to sweep. I moved the new seat bases to align with the cabinets so I now have a straight smooth sweep line.

I wanted the seats to be more virsitle so I split the area into two sections on each side with storage/ access hatches for each area, I also built the covers out of 3/4 finish grade plywood to better support weight. I built a cross over panel at the front of the trailer to add support to the base and to hide the wiring and lines going to each side of the trailer.

I had two cushions made for each side to fit the seating space. The back rests were made to allow them to fill in between the cushions when they were made into a bed. To support the cushions while in a bed lauyout, I purchased an second hand oak table from a thrift store for ten dollars and cut it down into two table top units. I had priced tables through the camper suppliers and could not find one for less than forty dollars each. I still would have to cut them down to fit. I felt the thrift store table looks better is stronger and was very much worth the price I paid.
This allows me change the layout to make a large full size bed between the seats or just one bed with sitting area as well. Or a u shaped sitting area with one table, in addition to the paralell seating with full two table accomodations.

I had the cushions upholstered with a gray vinyl on one side and ends and had a multihue earthtone geometric pattern upholstry fabric on one side and edge. This allows me to have the cloth side up or the vinyl up in case of accidental spills.

For the flooring material I selected a remnant roll vinyl flooring in varigated gray colors and cut it to fit between the seating and cabinets for the length of the trailer. I have enough vinyl left to fit into the bottoms of the storage areas and underneath the seats.


My side windows are angeled at the ends which creates a proplem with mounting the curtains wide enough to cover them. The front window is rectangular shaped so it is no problem. To fix the side window problem I installed aluminum curtain mounting plates to the windows top and bottom and each side. I have selected a medium blue gray denim fabric with white backing for the curtains. My wife is making the curtains for me to install using an elastic shock cording material attached top and bottom in order to minimize curtain movement and possible head injury.

I have now brought my history up to date.

From this point I will fill in my progress in word and pictures as I complete the trailer for it's christening voyage in June.



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Old 05-25-2003, 06:57 PM   #22
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Hunter II (1975) fiberlass 15'

Darrel Smith. I have had a Hunter II since 1975. I purchased it new in Reno, Nevada for the lofty price of $1,625.00. I bought it because I wanted a light trailer in which to take my two children to ski races all over the West. It was beautifully designed. I installed a good furnace which has worked perfectly ever since. I've had it burried in 5 feet of snow and needed someone to dig me out at Mammoth Mt., Calif. The lowest temperature that I can remember was -30 degrees F at Big Sky, Montana and I could actually have made it uncomfortably warm by turning the furnace higher. When my boys left for college, I took up Masters ski racing and used it for many years chasing my own races. In the summer, I windsurf and use it to travel to great windsurfing spots from the tip of Baja to the Columbia River Gorge. Two summers ago I even wet to Brownsville, Texas to windsurf. On my way there, in southern Texas, I saw a Hunter II in similar shape as you found yours, barely visible from the highway, sitting in an old barn. I turned around to go in and look at it and a lady hanging clothes to dry said her husband dragged it home a few years ago to fix up. (Yea sure!). It was a mess, but the basics were there. The only other one I've ever seen in all these years, was one waiting on a detour in an arroya about 100 miles North of the tip of Baja, Mexico. (Another windsurfing trip.) This was about 13 years ago. My Hunter II has had the frame strengthened and the insides have been completely redone in a light white, pickeled paneling. Inside the only thing that is original is the stove and the furnace. The material around the pop-up top has been replaced by an auto upholsterer with a very tough and heavy, white material. My Hunter II did not come with the electrical refridgerator or the bathroom. I still find a built-in ice box adequate.The fiberglass exterior is the original gel coat off white, and is in like new condition. To prevent rocks from chiping the front, I originally coated the lower front with a spray-on rubbery layer that rocks bounce off of before they get a chance to do damage. I re-apply this when needed. The door has been replaced with one that opens and closes like a vault. A little expensive, but it has been well worth it. A sloppy door drives me nuts! The quilted, light yellow, wall naugahide has stood the test of time. Its like new, and has provided just enough insulation in the heat and cold. The windows have light yellow, metal venetion blinds and the formica counters are white. The pickeled white paneling is offset by dark blue fabric cushions. (very nautical) The serged carpet is light tan. The interrior is very plush with a totally different floor pattern than the one with which it came. The interior is a joy to come home to after a hard day skiing, windsurfing or mt. biking. A stereo and tv has been permanetly installed. The electrical has all been replaced with sturdy wiring, securily afixed. Insulation was installed in all the storage areas not covered with the naugahide. As I sit here and look at it, ready to go for the summer, I have to say I'm emotionally attached to it.(Oh man, did I really say that?) I can say truthfully that I've camped in it for more than a year of my life, and it has given me the freedom to move around with a minimal amount of stress with all my sporting gear.The main reason it is still with me in the condition it is, is because I spared no expense in maintaining it, and I took it to the best, not the cheapest, people to do the work on it. You just can't spend too much money on something this small! The people who made the Hunter II (Calif.) only made them for a couple of years. I think they were just too expensive to build for what people would pay for them. My camper was nicknamed "The Port-a-pottie". Everyone who knows me refers to it by that name. Twenty-five years ago a girl in a ski shop ask me where I was going in the port-a-pottie? The name just stuck. Anyway, thats my story; I hope I didn't bore you. Lynn Johnson



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Old 05-25-2003, 09:24 PM   #23
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Hi Lynn
It was really good to see your message on my thread. For a while I thought I was one of the only ones with this great looking little trailer. Several Compact Jr. trailers have been posted and one other 72 CII was posted by Bob Nolan in the Care and Feeding area under a thread called Hunter I Compact II. I really enjoyed your history and glad to hear you are the original owner. I think I am the third owner. The second one I bought mine from had only used it only one time in 20 years. It had sat 10 years in california and then 10 years after he had moved here to Las Vegas.
My roots are in Idaho, I graduated from Mackay High School just over the mountain from Sun Valley. I have been there lots of times.

I was very impressed with your history. It is a rare thing to have an original owner of one of these 28 year old trailers. I think they stopped making them in the mid to late 70s. Mine is a 73 and I think Bob said his was a 72. Some older Compact Jr. trailers have been posted so I think our units were a later and maybe last units built. The company may not have survived the Stagflation of the late 70 and early 80s. It sounds like your Port-a-potti is also well traveled. I plan to install a heater in my trailer also. The small 12,000 btu Everest heater looks like it will fit in well. What kind of heater is in yours and where did you install it. I would like to see pictures if you can.

I am very anxious to get my Dog House on the road and start logging some trips. I am setting mine up for off road adventures so I will try to get pictures of the excursions I take it on.

Well Lynn I hope you will give some more anventures you and your Compact II have been on. Post often and keep in touch. I may be coming to Idaho in the fall if I can arrange work so would like to meet up if possible.
Happing Camping!



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Old 05-26-2003, 02:47 PM   #24
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:wave
Darrell:
You mentioned cutting glass to fit and installing it yourself. How did you deal with getting the glass tempered? Or did you use plexiglas? Just wondering.



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Old 05-26-2003, 08:05 PM   #25
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Hi Pat and Dale

Yes I did cut the glass. The glass on my Compact II was originally flat double strength glass, not tempered. This glass is available at Home depot, Lowes or other hardware or glass stores. My biggest concern was to cut the rounded corners on most of my panels and angled pieces on my side glass. After searching the internet I found several sites on glass cutting. These sites delt in cut glass windows and cut glass art decorating processes. The process is pretty much the same. The main tool used was a High Quality glass cutter. With those in hand I cut seven panels which were broken when I got the trailer. I only had to recut one panel so felt pretty good being my first attempt at glass cutting.
Thank You for your inquiry I hope I have been of Help to you. Let me know If I can help more.



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Old 07-01-2003, 05:54 PM   #26
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:wave
Hello again
I've been away for a while but thought I would catch up a little on my history as I count down to my maiden voyage later this month. We are planning to spend a week in the Mountains around Zion and Bryce canyon national parks in Southern Utah later this month so I need to get the Dog House ready.
To bring my History up to date I have been working on getting the little details finished up. I replaced the rusted out screws holding the middle molding with stainless steel screws and purchased new rubber trim insert to install. Most vinyl molding I looked at was precut and too short. I probably paid a little more for the rubber but I hope it will last longer than the vinyl that I pulled off which was brittle and spliting everywhere. I also installed new curtain brackets so I could replace the curtains with a more functional system. I am using shock cord for the rods top and bottom. I think this will keep the curtains out of the way and will close better. My wife is sewing new curtains for the front side and door windows and also a curtain for the closet and a sleeping privacy divider curtain.
I Installed a small room air conditioner so It can be cooled when plugged in. It only runs on 500 WATT which will allow me to use inverter power if needed.
I am installing a 1000 WATT inverter to operate 110 volt conveniences
I am installing dual 115 AH deep cycle batteries so I should have plenty of power between charges. I am also installing a solar charger which will keep the batteries topped off and fresh while not in use. I will be using a Honda 1000 watt generator to recharge the batteries as needed.



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Old 07-01-2003, 08:35 PM   #27
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:wave Hi, Darrell! Welcome back! We missed you...

:sunny



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Old 07-02-2003, 12:56 AM   #28
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Quote:
Orginally posted by Darrel Smith
I Installed a small room air conditioner so It can be cooled when plugged in. It only runs on 500 amp which will allow me to use inverter power if needed.
I am installing a 1000 amp inverter to operate 110 volt conveniences
Hi Darrel,
Watt is an amp? ;) :wave



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Old 07-02-2003, 07:49 AM   #29
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:lol Watt is an amp?
Was that a real question? or more like watt ever you want to be. <img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3e6d3e472ab9droflol.gif/>



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Old 07-02-2003, 07:52 AM   #30
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Nope. Watt is an amp x volt.



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Old 07-02-2003, 09:06 AM   #31
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Quote:
Orginally posted by Thomas and Janifer
Watt is an amp?
Was that a real question? or more like watt ever you want to be.
No. It was ment to be a word joke.
I suppose Darrel means 'Watt' where he writes 'Amp'.
I promise I never try again ;) ;) ;) ;) ;)



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Old 07-02-2003, 09:12 AM   #32
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new page error

Going to a new page doesn't always work smoothly



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Old 07-02-2003, 01:46 PM   #33
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Well don't quit on my account, Lex, I liked it. I was trying to show acknowledgement of the joke. but I didn't want to laugh too loud if you were serious. <img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3ed9ac0f36d72kugel.gif/> throw a smiley in there if you want, for further clarification. :lol BUT then again if you were going for correction then maybe not. <img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3e6d1ad1410e0footmouth.GIF/>



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Old 07-08-2003, 12:38 PM   #34
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OK OK I STAND CORRECTED.:red
Watts in a name its still an inverter just the same.
I'll be good next time and check all my facts or have someone edit my submittal. Thanks for the correction.:)



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Old 07-09-2003, 05:34 PM   #35
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All is well no offence taken about the humor at my expense. I can take it.
Well I have had a little setback on my trailer project. I will still take it for its maiden trip but may not have everything completed. I have to use my free time to do some engine repair to my tow rig. I hope to have it on two wheels this weekend so I can get regristration details taken care of. I will get pictures when it is on the road.
thanks again for all your encouragement.



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Old 07-09-2003, 09:43 PM   #36
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:wave Hey, Darrel. Have a great trip. If you had it all finished, you'd just have to think of something else to do...

:wink



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Old 07-11-2003, 04:24 PM   #37
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Well I did it
I decided on a name for my classie glassie. I call her "Bedroll" Kinda goes along with my draft Bronco "Old Blue" don't you think.



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Old 07-11-2003, 09:22 PM   #38
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>>I call her ''Bedroll'' Kinda goes along with my draft Bronco ''Old Blue'' don't you think

:yep I think it's a good match.

Actually, the more I think about it the cooler it gets! :chin Bedroll. Yep, I like it a lot!



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Old 07-14-2003, 08:14 PM   #39
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Horray it took its first step to the DMV today:banana
This is a picture of my bedrolls first time out on its own wheels showing the lift with the new tires, axle and new frame. I am using a narrow 3500# streight axle which gives a good lift with 15 inch tires. I have a little bit of forward slope to the trailer but that will be corrected as soon as I install a new towing bumper which I am having built. <img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3f13637e13896Old Blue and Bedroll.jpg/>
The tongue looks a little long in this picture but as soon as I add the Propane tanks and spare tire rack it should fill up. However my turning radious is good. It's turn diameter is less than the overall length of the rig.



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Old 07-14-2003, 08:27 PM   #40
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I like it--Good looking combo:wave



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