Taking the Plunge My First Fiberglass

[John Truitt]

Hi, I'm enjoying this forum.

I've taken the plunge and am buying a Compact Jr. 1972.

I have a few questions...

1) What am I in for? LOL
2) What's the difference between the Jr. and II?
3) This compact has a stone guard on the frontwindow. Hardware is present for stoneguards? over the 2 side windows. Are these available? or Home Made?
4) Replacing the Canvas - I've been reading that folks have "had it done". Is there a specific vendor you are using? Material Source.. I'm already thinking if it needs replaced I'd like to use a clear material... (I Like Light!) Your advice?
5) Thanks for your pictures.. I think this is going to be fun... What items would have come with the unit? I see microwaves and fridges - were these added?
6) If I'm looking at the pictures of mine correctly there's vented panels on the side about a half way up. But there is no fridge in my mine.
7) There is no heater - would a heater have come with it? (propane? under the sofa?
8) Links to cleaning, polishing, painting (if needed tips?)
9) Attached Awnings? Rail?

Thank you for this forum and your help...looking forward to going to tiny trailer camping...
Happy trails -
John

[Frederick L. Simson]

Since I used to own a Compact Jr., I take a stab at some of your questions. Others may have better answers...

2) What's the difference between the Jr. and II?
3) This compact has a stone guard on the frontwindow. Hardware is present for stoneguards? over the 2 side windows. Are these available? or Home Made?
5) What items would have come with the unit? I see microwaves and fridges - were these added?
7) There is no heater - would a heater have come with it? (propane? under the sofa?)

2) The Junior version of anything is usually smaller... The Compact Jr. I had was less than 6' wide, so we could only sleep for-to-aft. Most Compact II's I've seen are wider, and you sleep side-to-side. The vast majority of "Jr.s" were equipped with Ice Boxes, not refrigerators. The "Jr.s" were also plainer, the "IIs" had more body styling built into the molds. The "Jr.s" had a full length pop-top while the "IIs" had a smaller one over the rear half only. In the "IIs", by turning the bed sideways, there was more room in the back. Many "IIs" have a flush toilet in the right rear corner.
3) The side windows might have had little roll-up window awnings.
5) Microwaves weren't available from the factory. Standard equipment was an Ice Box, a 3-burner stove top, and a sink with a hand pump.
7) a heater would have been an option that the original owner would have paid extra for. It would be below the stove in the kitchen (see how the lower shell angles inward from the faux "belly-band" except for a flat square bump-out? The exterior heater vent would have been there) Standard units would have left out the heater, and the "bump-out" would remain blank.