If you had it to do over again

[Frederick L. Simson]

Hi everyone! [b]If you had your remodel to do over again or you could add one more thing to your little fiberglass RV, what would it be? (besides a bathroom) I'm talking about a 13 foot trailer.

When I rebuilt my Gutted-out Compact Junior, my focus was Simplicity, and Cost Effectiveness. From my perspective at that time, it was quite a leap in infrastructure investment to have anything more than a "hard-sided tent".

This whole trailer thing has been such an education for me! Looking back from my present station in life, it amazes me to realize how what I had, at the time I had it, was exactly what I needed! And, I learned as I went, which necessitated making changes along the way. I don't think I would value what I have now as much as I do, if I didn't go through all the "mistakes" along the way.

Nothing (not even diamonds) are forever!

[Ken James]

Roger, we recently added that outside door to our Tril, it works real well. And, most make light of the shower we added, but, if you have a small trailer I highly recommend you look into what we did to the Trillium. All of this is shown on our web site in the Trillium album.

[Don Meyer]

2 items everyone fails to think of is Fiberglass awnings over the windows to help keep the rain from the windows & a one pc. countertop that extends to the front wall,thus giving a perfect place for the tv.

[Pat R]

I purchased mine new. I wish I would have have two more lights installed. Location in the bottom of the overhead cabinet at the rear of the trailer, in the corners. That would put them over the dinnet. Or at least had wire run into that cabinet.

I guess if I was starting with a clean slate I'd make sure I had 12volts wired to every corner of the trailer and on sperate circuits.

You know... If you have a Scamp, adding 12 volt wiring and lights is really easy to do. I bought my trailer and added plenty of 12 volt lights throughout the trailer as well as a porch light...

[Byron Kinnaman]

You know... If you have a Scamp, adding 12 volt wiring and lights is really easy to do. I bought my trailer and added plenty of 12 volt lights throughout the trailer as well as a porch light...

Wiring is easy, routing the wires is a bit more difficult. Let's cut through rat fur and refletix, pull away from fiberglass run wire. Attempt to reglue refletix and rat fur and not have seam show. Hummmm Me thinks it's pretty hard to do. Even Scamp wouldn't do it after that stuff was glued to the walls. That's why I would like to have had 12Volts run into each overhead cabinet before the rat fur was glued on. Wouldn't have needed to have it connect to anything, just there.

I don't know about the ensolite lined Scamps. I would imagine that you could remove the seam tape, put the wire in the seam, and retape.

I'm sure that if I look at thing long enough I'll figure out a way to run some wire and hide it.

[Jan Adams]

I don't like having something between me and the toilet that I have to climb over. So, in my opinion, a bed in the middle, even if it isn't set up all the time, would be a big pain in the butt.

[Bonnie and Roger in WA]

Roger, we recently added that outside door to our Tril, it works real well. And, most make light of the shower we added, but, if you have a small trailer I highly recommend you look into what we did to the Trillium. All of this is shown on our web site in the Trillium album.

We are doing something similar to this. We converted the couch to a small dinette. It is now slightly off center towards the door. This made room behind the driver side seat, so we made a storage compartment behind the seat. The top will be counter top height with a lift out lid. The battery will be in the bottom of this compartment, with access through the top AND through the seat compartment. Then there will be a false bottom so it isn't just one deep hole and we will probably use plastic file boxes with top handles for easy lift out storage. The shelf will be wide enough for a small microwave. Now if I could find one with the hinges on the right side it would be easier to use. Bonnie and Roger

[Bonnie and Roger in WA]

You know... If you have a Scamp, adding 12 volt wiring and lights is really easy to do. I bought my trailer and added plenty of 12 volt lights throughout the trailer as well as a porch light...

Roger has spent the last two weeks totally rewiring and adding outlets and lights. It sounds incredible that we have 5 outlets in a 13 foot trailer. One is outside, one in the closet, as I use a C-pap machine to sleep. It will be on the bottom shelf of the closet and we'll cut a hole for the breathing tube to come through. Another outlet will be in the cabinet under the sink to plug in an instant hot water dispenser. There was already an outlet on the front of the kitchen cabinet and he put one in the back cabinet over the bed. There will be three 12 volt lights and a converter under the refrigerator. We have a couple more blocks to install for a new shelf, then we are ready to start applying the wall covering. R n'B in WA

[Pat R]

Roger has spent the last two weeks totally rewiring and adding outlets and lights. It sounds incredible that we have 5 outlets in a 13 foot trailer. One is outside, one in the closet, as I use a C-pap machine to sleep. It will be on the bottom shelf of the closet and we'll cut a hole for the breathing tube to come through. Another outlet will be in the cabinet under the sink to plug in an instant hot water dispenser. There was already an outlet on the front of the kitchen cabinet and he put one in the back cabinet over the bed. There will be three 12 volt lights and a converter under the refrigerator. We have a couple more blocks to install for a new shelf, then we are ready to start applying the wall covering. R n'B in WA

Great job. All it takes is a little elbow grease and time and viola it is done and really makes a difference in the trailer. I know that it did for me in my trailer. Have a good one. Pat

[jim munson]

We just bought a small one with a lock off E-Bay last week. It has to be pretty small to fit the curve of the trailer. I think there were still about 40 available. (Item # 4614813362) It does have a gap around the door opening which will need a seal of some sort. It was $10 plus shipping of $7 I think.

Bonnie

I just installed one of those locker doors from ebay. Not too hard to do. I put the hinge on the underside so it stays open while I'm in it. There is a gap to fill at each side. I cut some "camper tape" foam to fit. I used rubbber tape and pop rivets.
The only problem is I can't remove the blue felt pen lines I made for sawing. Acetone got most but not all.

[Bonnie and Roger in WA]

I just installed one of those locker doors from ebay. Not too hard to do. I put the hinge on the underside so it stays open while I'm in it. There is a gap to fill at each side. I cut some "camper tape" foam to fit. I used rubbber tape and pop rivets.
The only problem is I can't remove the blue felt pen lines I made for sawing. Acetone got most but not all.

Here are some things I have used to remove Sharpie marks in the past. Pam cooking spray, WD-40, Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, and aerosol hairspray, have all worked on different surfaces. There is also a product called "Goof Off" that might work. Good luck. Bonnie

[Byron Kinnaman]

We've found that good old isopropol alchol (rubbing alchol) works pretty darn good at removing 'Sharpie" marks.

[David Schroeder]

MEK will eradicate any trace of the sharpie in most cases. Use with caution. It can also harm some surfaces so try on some hidden spot first.

[Penny Taylor]

Now--if I could just figure out how to squeeze in a shower and flush toilet
Bonnie and Roger in WA

Roger, you don't say what kind of trailer you are working on. It says you have "none".
As for the shower, there are many that have rigged up poles, and shower curtains, on closet pole holders, and made a removable shower in the middle of the floor, with a large plastic storage container for the water, I am sure you are aware of that. I did that, scooted it up to the door, and dumped the water outside. I know, a no no.
But the reason for my posting is to say, that if you have a flush toilet, then you are going to have to fool with sewer hoses, , instead of an old garden hose for the gray water. That is why I took my flush toilet out, and use a porta potti. To each his own !! Penny

[Kurt & Ann K.]

A trick I've used many times is to center masking tape so the "cut line" marks were on the tape. The saw or Roto-Zip "blades" cut right through the tape and the tape eliminated the erasure problem. It works on fiberglass, drywall, painted surfaces, plywood and fine finished surfaces.
To prevent scratches caused by the metal foot of the tool, cover the foot with masking tape.
Works for me.
Kurt & Ann K.

[Donna D.]

I use a wide carpenters pencil, really nothing more than a #2 pencil, only fatter. Nothing that would permanently mark the gel coat. An art gum eraser removes all traces of the lead.

[Benny K]

A trick I've used many times is to center masking tape so the "cut line" marks were on the tape. The saw or Roto-Zip "blades" cut right through the tape and the tape eliminated the erasure problem. It works on fiberglass, drywall, painted surfaces, plywood and fine finished surfaces.
To prevent scratches caused by the metal foot of the tool, cover the foot with masking tape.
Works for me.
Kurt & Ann K.

Remember to remove the masking tape off the saw foot after use....a year later it becomes a chore...just ask me! ... ...Benny

[Bonnie and Roger in WA]

Roger, you don't say what kind of trailer you are working on. It says you have "none".
As for the shower, there are many that have rigged up poles, and shower curtains, on closet pole holders, and made a removable shower in the middle of the floor, with a large plastic storage container for the water, I am sure you are aware of that. I did that, scooted it up to the door, and dumped the water outside. I know, a no no.
But the reason for my posting is to say, that if you have a flush toilet, then you are going to have to fool with sewer hoses, , instead of an old garden hose for the gray water. That is why I took my flush toilet out, and use a porta potti. To each his own !! Penny

Really I was joking about the shower. We very seldom boondock, so there are usually showers available at the camp grounds.

I think somewhere in past posts, it says that we are redoing a 13 foot Lil Bigfoot. It's coming along. The wall covering is done, windows back in, lino on the floor and the upper cabinets are refaced and hanging on the wall. A couple more days and I'll have all the lower units and closet covered with Formica and they will be ready to re-install. There is still plenty to do. Everything has to be reconnected. The new counter top is yet to be designed and the appliances reinstalled. My wife will do the upholstery and curtains.

[Terry G.]

If i had to do it over again, i'd get "two" U-Hauls, 1 to build the wifes way she wants it and 1 my way ( mine is strickly for fishing), hers is for usless stuff like sleeping and eating...
heheheh .

[Gina D.]

I just put all my mods to the test.

In the back of my mind when doing most of them, it was a "what if I have to live in this thing?" scene.

Well, I just did for 3 weeks and I really didn't see anything I could change to make a major improvement. I was comfortable, and the layout worked for me with the front dinette mod.

Since I was in a full ammenities park, city water would have been nice, but filling the tank was not that big a deal.

The bed, however, will need some work. It is cozy and comfortable for a couple nites, but it is a bit hard on my old bones for long periods of time. I sleep on an air mattress at home, I am wondering if I could find a place that will custom shape one for the trailer?