Beachcomber B-15 - Fiberglass RV
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Old 06-02-2019, 09:15 PM   #1
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Name: Joshua
Trailer: Beachcomber
Saskatchewan
Posts: 33
Beachcomber B-15

Hi all this is a new to me 1976 Beachcomber B-15. i was lucky enough to find this sitting in a backyard in my city. i picked it up for $200. I plan on a complete tear down and rebuild from the frame up. will post build images as well as links to youtube videos(since there is only one guy with beachcomber vids on there). Im hoping to get some help and ideas with my build especially regarding frame/axle modifications and upgrades. ive read through pretty much every thread on here and see there is lots of experienced builders. please feel free to give me any pointers or mods you wish you would have done to yours.
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Old 06-03-2019, 01:12 AM   #2
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Name: Dave
Trailer: Casita SD17 2006 "Missing Link"
California
Posts: 3,738
Welcome to the forum Josh...did you have to outrun the police on the way home for stealing that for $200.00 ?
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Old 06-03-2019, 07:06 PM   #3
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Name: Alysia
Trailer: Beachcomber
Saskatchewan
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We are working on one too

Hey! My husband and I just got a beachcomber too over the weekend and payed soooooo much more than you. We paid $4500. Just discovered all the water damage the day after we got it so now we are gutting it and starting from scratch. We are in SK too.
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Old 06-03-2019, 08:58 PM   #4
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Name: Joshua
Trailer: Beachcomber
Saskatchewan
Posts: 33
Was that the one out at regina beach by any chance? I've been looking for a fiberglass camper for a while and couldn't justify spending the $4-5k people were asking for un restored units. I'm in regina. I ended up driving up and down every ally in north central regina looking. I was lucky enough to come across this one and for dirt cheap. Its actually in really good condition(for one that's been sitting since 2011). The only water damage is from the windows leaking. I still plan on a complete gut and rebuild. My biggest issue is the frame(from what I can tell from on here they are a poor/weak design). My plan is to gut everything, put in a new floor and the wood frameing then remove it from the frame and work on the frame.if you're in regina and want to have a look as I progress let me know.
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Old 06-03-2019, 10:57 PM   #5
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Name: Caitlin
Trailer: '74 Beachcomber B15
Alberta
Posts: 32
What a great deal you got! It is nice to see more people buying Beachcombers, there has been a few lately between here and one of the Facebook groups. I have a Beachcomber as well that I am currently renovating. If you use Instagram, check out my Beachcomber project account @beachcomber.trailer
What does the inside of your trailer look like?
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Old 06-08-2019, 07:08 PM   #6
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Name: Joshua
Trailer: Beachcomber
Saskatchewan
Posts: 33
Demolition day

Gutted the interior. Very little water damage
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Old 06-09-2019, 10:20 PM   #7
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Name: Caitlin
Trailer: '74 Beachcomber B15
Alberta
Posts: 32
Looks great! Mine definitely had a lot more water coming in at the windows and corners. What are your plans for the trailer?
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Old 06-09-2019, 11:16 PM   #8
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Name: Joshua
Trailer: Beachcomber
Saskatchewan
Posts: 33
tomorrow i plan on removing the shell from the frame, and add supports. mine was leaning to the left a little. it turned out to be the front drivers side mount has cracked and bent. it has damaged the shell mount(thicker part). there is not enough support for the front where the water tank, fridge/range are located. the yellow lines indicate where i plan on adding supports. the yellow circle shows the cracked bent mount and the fix the previous owner tried. i will hopefully post some pics of the frame upgrade in the next few days
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Old 06-09-2019, 11:23 PM   #9
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Name: Caitlin
Trailer: '74 Beachcomber B15
Alberta
Posts: 32
A pair of vice grips will be your best friend when trying to remove all of the bolts and self tapping screws that secure the shell to the frame. Other then that, I found it wasnt too bad removing the frame, just time and patience. Good luck!
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Old 06-16-2019, 10:37 PM   #10
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Name: Joshua
Trailer: Beachcomber
Saskatchewan
Posts: 33
Update. New floor is in, and door surround. Had to replace some of the wood behind the belly band. Tomorrow I hope to install the supports in front and behind the door then install the door.
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Old 06-17-2019, 08:44 PM   #11
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Name: Joshua
Trailer: Beachcomber
Saskatchewan
Posts: 33
new door side wall braces. next thing i need to do is source new door hinges,then start wiring interior.
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Old 07-14-2019, 11:00 PM   #12
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Name: Joshua
Trailer: Beachcomber
Saskatchewan
Posts: 33
Ceiling and new door pin with bushings

My roof was sagging pretty bad. Removed the 1x2 strapping and replaced with 2@ 2x4 , 2@ 2x3,and the ends with 2@2×2. Roof is solid enough person could walk up there if need be. I'm planning on mounting solar panels, and maybe a kayak rack up there. My door was also sagging. The longer part of the hinge was worn. I tried finding roll pins big enough, but couldn't find any that would work. I ended up drilling the holes to accept automotive door pins with bushings. The pins need to be shortened but the door no longer sags, feels very solid , and if it wears out all I need to do is replace bushings.
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Old 07-24-2019, 08:00 PM   #13
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Name: Caitlin
Trailer: '74 Beachcomber B15
Alberta
Posts: 32
Looking great so far! Any tips on how to determine the radius of the arc for the ceiling? Or was it more trial and error?
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Old 07-25-2019, 12:42 PM   #14
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Name: Joshua
Trailer: Beachcomber
Saskatchewan
Posts: 33
I think each camper will be a little different. i started by removing all the 1x2 strapping on the roof. Next i jacked and braced the roof as high as i could get it without hearing any cracking. Once i was happy with the curve/radius i used lumber i had to get as close as possible.It worked out pretty well using 2x4,2x3,and 2x2.
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Old 08-15-2020, 08:29 PM   #15
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Name: Joshua
Trailer: Beachcomber
Saskatchewan
Posts: 33
Update time

So i will try to break this down in a few posts. first step was to do fiberglass repair. there were a few holes in the roof as well as large cracks front and rear where the walls meet the roof. there was also a large crack on the front wall near the floor. This part really sucked and i would say took about 20-30hrs. I am lucky to have worked in the autobody trade so i had experience doing this type of repair. if you plan on doing something like this remeber to use proper PPE (respirator, eye protection, and cover as much skin as possible)
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Old 08-15-2020, 08:36 PM   #16
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Name: Joshua
Trailer: Beachcomber
Saskatchewan
Posts: 33
Update time 2

Next came sealing the roof i found a great product called Dicor Fiberglass RV coatings. it was expensive, and I cant tell you how it works over a long period of time, but it went on easy and filled small holes and cracks in the gel coat.
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Old 08-15-2020, 08:44 PM   #17
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Name: Joshua
Trailer: Beachcomber
Saskatchewan
Posts: 33
Update time 3

This is just a quick update about the roof bracing seen above. my wife was able to move around up there without any issue. i weight 260lbs an was able to be up there laying down(weight spread out) to do repairs and sanding.
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Old 08-15-2020, 08:48 PM   #18
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Name: Joshua
Trailer: Beachcomber
Saskatchewan
Posts: 33
Update time 4

belly band came off, windows out, final sanding of the whole shell before taking it in to the shop for paint.
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Old 08-15-2020, 08:52 PM   #19
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Name: Joshua
Trailer: Beachcomber
Saskatchewan
Posts: 33
Update time 5

I am lucky and use to work in an autobody shop. i was able to get into the booth to do some paint. Paint turned out great."grass green" on the bottom and "trailer white" on top.
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Old 08-15-2020, 08:54 PM   #20
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Name: Joshua
Trailer: Beachcomber
Saskatchewan
Posts: 33
Update time 5.1

on the way home. looking good more updates coming soon
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