1975 Compact II upgrades

[Kayakgramma]

A stone guard, hu? OK, well I don't really have to have one.

Sounds like I better leave my little trailer with no interior coverings. I have a commercial sewing shop so do all the work myself. That cuts the cost way down but materials are still expensive.
I'm in the process of replacing all the cushions and curtains; even purchasing through my outlets it's going to run some where around $400. The foam is expensive.

[SouthwestOregon201]

I just finished reading the questions/answers that have developed about my build and others. My Compact II was a very stable unit with accessories the Compact I did not include. The front stone guard was a plus and protects the glass from water splashed up on the front of the trailer. The side window awnings will be a challenge to make them become functional again. The awning material won't be a problem, but the support arms and securing those will be a project.

This '75 unit also has an awning channel across the back, over the door, and a set of supports on the tips of the rear bumper. I'll show these features for others to observe.

The Dometic refrigerator was a real plus and one of the features that really attracted me to this unit. The 14" wheels and installed brakes convinced me that I could improve my camping trips. However, I'll miss my alloy wheels on the '74.

Tomorrow, I plan to get my photos of the progress with the cabinetry. I hope that boxing in the cabinets and hiding the wiring doesn't cause me trouble down the road. Using 5mm plywood, 1/2" ply and 3/4" clear pine will probably add about 200 extra pounds to the trailer. The extended cabinetry will necessitate the bed to shrink as well as the interior battery box taking up more of the bed storage box.

Ok Bob, here is your question: What should I ask for my Compact I at the Bandon Rally? I have been debating about selling the Compact I since I started to work on the CII.

Dave Heffner
Roseburg, OR

[SouthwestOregon201]

My order for some LED reading lights arrived and I installed one over the curbside bench.


The traditional RV LED light was placed over the new counter area.


Now for the rear awning channel. I have not seen this awning location used on the few Compact II's or Jr. units that I've seen.


A previous owner must have mounted the rear awning poles to these special bases on the end of the rear bumper. He also mounted his Bal stabilizers to the bumper.


The right and left bench areas are underway. The right bench required the addition of a battery box as well. The left bench is framed but not finished.




The kitchen area is underway as well. Each of the compartments/closet will be closed in, as to cover up the wiring and that 70's linoleum.








All the white patches are spackled over staples. I like to paint the cabinetry a two tone, so the cabinet doors will receive the darker color.

This is where I am today.
Dave Heffner
Roseburg, OR

[SouthwestOregon201]

The interior cabinets are boxed in and painted now. The closet and small storage areas are painted the darker of the green colors. The outside of the cabinets will become the light green.




The outside wall of the closet is primed and the color coat will go on tomorrow. When that wall is complete, I'll put on the other LED reading light.

Most of my time lately has involved the work with the two boxes/bed and storage areas. The water tank has been removed, so that area will house the new breaker box and the propane line. The final walls are secured and will get painted soon.



Before I built the cabinets I had removed the pop top to replace the rusty bolts (32 of those), The diamond pattern material was slightly damaged from the lift mechanism and I decided to replace that with a marine headliner material. The trim surround was stiff and broken and also had to be replaced.

While I had the top off, I decided to put 6 coats of Dep on it. Today I placed the top on the lift mechanism arms and will anchor the bolts soon as well.





Our temperature today reached 98 degrees which slowed down the work by early afternoon. I heard on the radio that Portland reached similar temps. I can't wait to get over to Bandon and get some coast weather.

Dave Heffner
Roseburg, OR

[francene]

Nice work, Dave. Brings back memories of my Compact II project. Yours looks like it was in pretty good shape when you got it, with no floor rot, etc. Keep the photos coming.

Fran
1974 Compact II

[SouthwestOregon201]

Thanks Fran, I was hoping you might look in on this build. The design of the dual closet space came from your build. I would have liked to have a nice floor like yours, but just didn't want to go that far.

Dave Heffner
Roseburg, OR

[francene]

Glad to share ideas, Dave. That's the great thing about this group, we can all see what others have done, plus help each other figure out the head scratchers.

Keep up the good work!


Fran

[SouthwestOregon201]

After the last couple of months of work and no work. I am very close to the finish. All that remains now are the curtains.

One of the last things to build was the mechanism to mount the side window awnings to.


Here are the pictures of the interior with everything finished, minus those curtains. There will also be a curtain covering up the porta potty and waste basket cabinet.








The BAL stabilizers, new 7 pin connector, and the tongue box finish off the front of the trailer.
When I get the awnings completed, I'll get an outside set of photos produced.

Thanks for watching.
Dave Heffner
Roseburg Oregon

[Borrego Dave]

Looking good Dave, I really like your doors.

[francene]

Wow, it's beautiful, Dave. The bead board doors are especially nice; the interior
was well done from floor to ceiling. Good color choices, fabrics... and love the bear pillow.

Great job!


Fran

[Donna D.]

Very, very nice Dave

[SouthwestOregon201]

I want to ask the gallery about what to put on for awnings. First, here is the only picture of a trailer with window awnings and my source, other than that small photo of a Compact on the original brochure.


What would everyone think if I had some scallops added to the end of the window awning?
I had to adapt my design mechanism to the already mounted brackets which places the base brackets lower than the original brochure shows.



Now for that rear awning. Notice that I have a 'C' channel across the back of the trailer, above the door. I think I will have a 6' by 5' awning made with two poles and ropes to the ground. I assume that if I put scallops on the side window that the back awning will also have them. I'm not really a glamper but what does everyone think?


Dave Heffner
Roseburg, OR

[Lora]

Wow!
I like the idea of scallops (they are so yummy!). Don't know what you're thinking or if you've already made up your mind, but here is a good website that shows different shapes for scallops.
Fabric edge scallop designs & binding for awnings & canopies
I'm sure whatever you do it will look as professional as what you've done already. Can't wait to see the results.

[SouthwestOregon201]

Finally got the new awnings installed. Plus, the interior curtains are now installed.





Within the rear awning are sectioned fiberglass rods which push up the awning, giving it a domed effect. The interior curtain at the floor covers up the porta-potty and waste basket.



Now I need to update my albums.

Thanks for watching this build.
Dave Heffner
Roseburg, OR

[deryk]

Looks Awesome! Great Job! I like the look with the fiberglass poles...should shed the rain nicely!

[francene]

Nice work, Dave! Really finished off well.
Enjoy camping in it!

Fran

[kootenaigirl]

Looks magnificent, love it!

[TomK]

Looks great and adds function. Win-Win!!

Tom

[SouthwestOregon201]

It has been awhile since I posted the build. Things are always in the works.


I use the trailer for weekend trips, mostly to fairgrounds where I measure big game heads for the state record book. Sometimes I have a power pole to use and most of the times I don't. Since I removed the water tank I have occasionally used my portable grey tank for the sink drain. That is easy and not much of a bother. The bathrooms are open in the fairground building we work in, as well as food. However, the porta potty is there for backup and it is cheaper to eat at least two meals in the trailer.


I did contact my awning gal and have her make me a matching awning for the front stone guard. When all the awnings are on the trailer I guess I'm glamping, but I get a lot of lookers.


One day this winter I found a 1979 Scamp, not an Acorn, so I would like to know that history. This trailer is a 16 foot model and needed a complete rebuild. I have more to do on the Compact, new axle and springs plus I want to install the alloy wheels again, and rebuild the door. The Scamp will have everything new and that may be more desireable when I finish it. So, I'll face that hurdle some day, I don't need the two trailers.


I'm saving video evidence of the Scamp rebuild in case there is an interested future owner. All rebuilds are fun and challenging, and I never started this to be a 'trailer flipper' but want to find something that helps to improve my camping. Wow, is that Scamp door a challenge.


Dave Heffner
Roseburg, OR

[Bob Miller]

I think that Acorn was a short lived name whilst there was a disagreement with Scamper Campers about names. The total hx on a 1979 Scamp, other than owners, might be "It's a 1979 Scamp"