Beachcomber Bowed - Fiberglass RV
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Old 05-28-2019, 06:08 PM   #1
Junior Member
 
Name: J+S
Trailer: Beachcomber
Ontario
Posts: 1
Beachcomber Bowed

Hi All,

We bought our refinished (not by us) Beachcomber in fall of 2018 with the plan of driving it down the West Coast in the spring. We are back from our amazing adventure, 8000km later but unfortunately our camper (fondly named Lola) has not faired so well.

In the middle of Yellowstone National Park we noticed that the door was now longer a tight fit - a gap on the top and bottom of the door about 2 inches on either. We also noticed that all the cupboards on the inside had pulled away from the walls.

We made it home in one piece but then realized that Lola has a clear lean to the left side and that the fibreglass has been punctured.

We are lost and heart broken about how to fix her, with hopes of many more camping adventures this summer. I've attached photos.

*Our guess at whats wrong - we have lost the springs on the left side which has dropped it to the left and pulled those cupboards from the wall.
The cupboard beside the door was holding the side of the door in and when the screws pulled out it bowed the whole side.**

Does anyone have any advice?
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Old 06-06-2019, 08:19 PM   #2
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Name: Joshua
Trailer: Beachcomber
Saskatchewan
Posts: 33
I have a similar issue with the unit i just picked up. i will post some images tomorrow of what the problem is on mine.
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Old 06-08-2019, 07:05 PM   #3
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Name: Joshua
Trailer: Beachcomber
Saskatchewan
Posts: 33
I would check the front drivers side mounts. One of mine is cracked and the shell has also cracked and is causing that side of the camper to lean
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Old 06-09-2019, 10:28 PM   #4
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Name: Caitlin
Trailer: '74 Beachcomber B15
Alberta
Posts: 32
Lola, do you have more pictures of the interior? I noticed where the counter is next to the door, that used to be a closet that gave extra support to the trailer since it went from floor to ceiling. Do you have the door support on the other side of the door? On my Beachcomber I noticed that the weakest spot is the wall with the door on it and with out the extra floor to ceiling support I can understand why this would happen. If you look at my post history, I recently posted pictures with measurements to make the door supports.
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Old 06-09-2019, 11:20 PM   #5
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Name: Joshua
Trailer: Beachcomber
Saskatchewan
Posts: 33
I had a closet at the rear of the door and the support at the front. i plan on removing the closet and replacing it with another support similar to the one infront of the door.
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Old 06-16-2019, 12:07 PM   #6
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Name: Richard
Trailer: Beachcomber
Saskatchewan
Posts: 18
I just purchased a 1980 beachcomber and am worried that I will be having the same problem as the door frame seams to be put together by someone who was blindfolded. Is it possible for someone to maybe post pics of a beachcomber with the original interior so anyone who would like to restore one (like myself) or having these issues with one they bought could see where there were “support” from closets or other furniture? I think that would really help me out. I’ll post a pic of what I’m talking about if I can I figure out how. Thanks.
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Old 06-16-2019, 12:20 PM   #7
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Name: Caitlin
Trailer: '74 Beachcomber B15
Alberta
Posts: 32
Hi Richard,
The areas where support is located in Beachcombers are at the door and probably the kitchenette. The kitchen counter sits above the belly band line which would tie the two halves together. The closet would be another one because it goes from the floor all the way up to the ceiling. The other location would be to the right of the door there is a support that runs from the floor to ceiling. I feel like all of the other parts like the dinette, sofa and upper cabinets are important to holding the shape and would prevent the trailer from twisting as it was being pulled down the highway.
There are quite a few pictures of Beachcombers is you search through the forms. It just takes some digging to get to them all. I am documenting my Beachcomber rebuild on Instagram: Beachcomber.trailer
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Old 06-16-2019, 12:24 PM   #8
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Name: Richard
Trailer: Beachcomber
Saskatchewan
Posts: 18
Thanks. I wish I could figure out how to upload the picture I have. This one has a support on either side of the door made of metal and I’m guess they are homemade
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Old 06-16-2019, 12:36 PM   #9
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Name: Caitlin
Trailer: '74 Beachcomber B15
Alberta
Posts: 32
If you are on the computer, click go advanced on the reply and then you should see a paperclip icon. Click that then a manage attachment window will open up and then you can upload photos from your computer.
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Old 06-16-2019, 12:49 PM   #10
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Name: Caitlin
Trailer: '74 Beachcomber B15
Alberta
Posts: 32
Also, someone else on this form from a few years back had metal supports for their trailer as well. It could have been an upgrade option for the trailers.
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Old 06-16-2019, 02:19 PM   #11
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Name: Richard
Trailer: Beachcomber
Saskatchewan
Posts: 18
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Old 06-16-2019, 06:53 PM   #12
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Name: Caitlin
Trailer: '74 Beachcomber B15
Alberta
Posts: 32
My trailer has the same problem in the same place but mine looks worse. I wonder if your trailer pulled away at that point due to the grab bar? You could remove take apart that wall and see what is happening behind the panel. The wood studs may have delaminated from the shell therefore the metal support isn't attached to the shell anymore.
Is your trailer a B-15 or TM-15?
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Old 06-16-2019, 06:56 PM   #13
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Name: Richard
Trailer: Beachcomber
Saskatchewan
Posts: 18
Tm-15
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Old 06-16-2019, 06:59 PM   #14
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Name: Richard
Trailer: Beachcomber
Saskatchewan
Posts: 18
And now that I realize that these trailers are so popular, are there any available parts for these things? Catalogues or anything?
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Old 06-16-2019, 07:09 PM   #15
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Name: Caitlin
Trailer: '74 Beachcomber B15
Alberta
Posts: 32
I haven't come across many parts. There is an American website called Vintage Trailer Supply https://www.vintagetrailersupply.com/ and they have a variety of parts. The other one that I am aware of is camping treasures, they are out of Canada https://www.campingtreasures.com/. If you are in Canada, Princess Auto has quite the selection of trailer lights.
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