Maintenance & Restoration

Legacy Posts · 04-28-2003, 07:53 PM

I know it may be a bit of a stretch, but has anyone tried anything modern like this when renovating? This is a very small class C italian job BTW (Laika). Reminds me of Aircraft Interiors (corporate jets).

But may be achievable provided one is handy with carpentry.

<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3eadda803cab7Ev61_interno1_grande.jpg/>

<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3eadda8ed459bEv61_interno2_grande.jpg/>

Legacy Posts · 04-28-2003, 08:30 PM

Pretty Slick:)

Legacy Posts · 04-28-2003, 09:02 PM

Impressive...... the Casita looks utilitarian by comparison, and it even outclasses a Bigfoot on style:quiet (ducking now!!) I have been likewise amazed at the finish work and apparent quality that goes into the european caravans Lex has offered us. Seems that even the most pedestrian micro trailers have style, and form to follow function.

Phil

Legacy Posts · 04-28-2003, 09:43 PM

I can recall only one redo with Euro style cabinetry. It was on an Eriba Puck that was being restored. Probably not what you had in mind since it originally had Euro styled cabinetry that was being rehabilitated after years of wear and tear.

http://www.lbin.com/puck/restore/restore.html

Legacy Posts · 04-28-2003, 10:48 PM

What seems ironic is the Euro cabinetry is stylish without being excessively weighty.

These English teardrops offer a selection of cabinet finishes and styles. http://www.podcaravans.com (You have to use the scroll bar on the site.) Yet they still can be pulled by a mini and look good.

<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3eadf693eece0podinside.gif/> <img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3eadfbf100001poddog.jpg/>

Even the smallest Eriba (Patriot 13 ft sized or smaller) have style

<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3eadf660b7b7dpuck.jpg/> <img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3eadfe9788354bunkinnen.jpg/>
The larger ones have even more
<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3eadf70f7f306innen.jpg/>
http://www.hymer.com/_2003_produkte/_caravans/

Legacy Posts · 04-28-2003, 11:06 PM

More here,

http://www.laika.it/english/index.htm

Legacy Posts · 04-29-2003, 01:21 AM

I think the whole approach to caravan crafting and woodwork is different in Europe -- influenced of course by fine quality wood (e.g. Finnish Birch)/soft-leather/cloth upholstery etc. and the much appreciated and paid-for work of craftsmen in those craft areas. Coupled of course with the progressive design work of modernist movements from architects like Bauhaus, De Stijl and Le Corbusier. Minimalism and 'honesty' of materials is ingrained in the workmanship and very much a 'given' in European craftsmanship of higher order luxury goods like caravans.

In the U.S. Architects haven't touched RV's except with the Airstream, whose interior/exterior design of course is unparalelled in Europe even.

IMHO what Casita and Scamp should do is get some good ergonomics and interior design consultation from the firm who designed the Airstream interior.

It is the next step in their design evolution.

This step in fact could save them mfg. costs and definitely would bring younger style-conscious buyers to the fold.

BTW -- gorgeous pictures in the last post... :)

Legacy Posts · 04-29-2003, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Orginally posted by Bill M.
IMHO what Casita and Scamp should do is get some good ergonomics and interior design consultation from the firm who designed the Airstream interior.

It is the next step in their design evolution.

This step in fact could save them mfg. costs and definitely would bring younger style-conscious buyers to the fold.

May explain the Airstream look. But this still doesn't explain Airstream's weight and why a small Airstream costs more than twice what other US FG trailers cost. Being cost effective and small is something Casita, Scamp and the Europeans' may have a handle on. That's definitely not Airstream's specialty.

Legacy Posts · 04-29-2003, 09:20 AM

I'm speachless (almost) :L Fab - all of them

Legacy Posts · 04-29-2003, 02:02 PM

What is the extent of customization that Casita or Scamp will do on a new 17'/16'?

Are Custom upholstered pads / Birch veneer a possibility?

Have they done any? Anyone know?

Legacy Posts · 04-29-2003, 02:41 PM

These are very beautiful. Weight and cost are very important. I looked at the new architect designed airstreams and was very impressed. In love even. But I can't afford one, nor haul it. The thing I liked about small fiberglass was their longevity and the possibility of artfully restoring one. These pics are inspirational.

Legacy Posts · 04-29-2003, 04:25 PM

re customization from Casita. You'll have to ask them, but I think I know the answer. None. You pretty much take what they have in stock and if it isn't "what they already do" then you're out of luck. They won't even put a set of 15" tires on a trailer for you. They have their way of doing things and are happy with it. Fortunately, most of us Casita owners feel the same way. I also think most Casita folks like to do it themselves!

Legacy Posts · 04-30-2003, 06:12 AM

Man, oh man, these pictures make my Scamp Deluxe interior look like a poor cousin! And I thought it looked luxurious compared to some..(sigh). Oh well, "love the one you're with."

Legacy Posts · 04-30-2003, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Orginally posted by Bill M.
What is the extent of customization that Casita or Scamp will do on a new 17'/16'?
Are Custom upholstered pads / Birch veneer a possibility?

If you are passionate about feathering your nest in your own special way, Scamp is probably the best way to go. Scamp will accept custom orders. They would probably leave off the doors and maybe help you determine limitations and requirements for retrofitting a trailer with your own cabinetry. They will of course give you a pep talk about their own cabinets. (One of their salesmen told me a while back that they have a production deal with a cabinet maker who is not into adventuresome fabrications.) You would have to acquire the more stylish cabinetry separately aftermarket.

Casita sticks to assesmbly line production as much as they can. They don't like to deviate into labor intensive special order projects.

Cushion deviations are also usually a customer after market choice. The folks who make Casita cushions have been known to use customer provided fabric in the past. (Don't know if they still do that though.) Casita doesn't get into facilitating this. You bring the cushions and Casita will put them in.

Legacy Posts · 04-30-2003, 12:47 PM

So I can gather from the answers here....then,

It'd probably be cheaper to get a used (post 90's vintage, if possible) Casita/Scamp//Burro/Boler/Trillium, then gut it completely and redo the cabinets/upholstery with better design/lighter weight/higher quality materials -- if I want a custom interior. Nice Three year project :). I'm stoked!

Interesting that the paper-covered fibreboard (MDF) used in the cabinetry of older Casitas/scamps are _WAY_ heavier than some newer materials used in the aircraft interiors industry (e.g. Honeycombed metalboard or High density foamboard with wood veneers). These advanced boards will probably reduce the GVWR by at least 150~200 Ibs. Even real wood will be a lot lighter than the MDF currently used.

Any gotchas when trying to match new RV appliances to older 'eggs'? I notice sometimes you can't match new hardware with older trailers.

Thanks for the input guys.

Legacy Posts · 04-30-2003, 01:50 PM

I've gutted my '87 Scamp 13 bath, and am redoing it in mostly solid white oak. As you say, the kiln dried hardwoods are much lighter than MDF or other junk, so I'm getting a custom oak interior, exactly as I want it, with lots of extra cabinets, for very little if any increase in weight. I'm not doing fancy stuff like pictured above, but it is still a bit unusual to have cabinets of this quality in a 13' camper. I'm pretty excited -- first campout in 5 weeks! And I still have a lot to do! Haven't even started on the hardwood floor yet! I'm building 17 doors for all the cabinets now.

Legacy Posts · 04-30-2003, 03:06 PM

You could import the Euro RV of your choice, get adaptors and/or swap out the metric fittings.

Its your time, your money, your tastes and your choice.

A chacun son gout.
Bon Sante.

Legacy Posts · 04-30-2003, 05:58 PM

It occurred to me today, after gawking open-mouthed at the interiors on the
euro trailers, that some of the same techniques used to build cedar-strip
canoes could be applied to build the light-weight curve-front wood cabinets.

Basically, wood strips are glued to each other on a curved mold, then sanded
smooth and fibre-glassed inside and out. With clear resin, the result appears
as varnished wood, or you could paint it if you desired.

This site gives the general idea.
http://www-db.research.bell-labs.com/user/pfps/canoe/

Judging by the photos of the work numerous people here display of their work,
strip-building with wood would be a piece of cake for them.

Legacy Posts · 05-01-2003, 04:00 PM

Thanks Rock for the link and ideas.

Strip-planking like the practice of canoe building is one way.

The other homegrown way is to take thin veneer sheet, wetting them then layering them (with casein wood glue like elmers) on the solid curved form. Three or five-ply depending on the strength one wants. That way the strips aren't needed. To each his own...

The production factories use a 10,000 KV electric curving process/machine to steam-bend wetted three ply (a lot quicker) but then it wouldn't fit in anyone's garage :)