Re-post: My Fiber Stream Story - Fiberglass RV
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 12-24-2005, 10:27 PM   #1
Moderator
 
Frederick L. Simson's Avatar
 
Trailer: Fiber Stream 1978 / Honda Odyssey LX 2003
Posts: 8,222
Registry
Send a message via AIM to Frederick L. Simson
Talking

This is my 1978 Fiber Stream, taken shortly after I bought it, July 12, 2004. I found it parked at the curb on an industrial street in Chula Vista, California with a "For Sale" sign on it. It took me 3 weeks of calling the owner's cell phone (He lived in Tijuana, Mexico and worked in Chula Vista, California) to make contact, make an offer, and buy the trailer.
Attached Thumbnails
FBSTfront2.jpg  
__________________
Frederick - The Scaleman
Frederick L. Simson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2005, 10:29 PM   #2
Moderator
 
Frederick L. Simson's Avatar
 
Trailer: Fiber Stream 1978 / Honda Odyssey LX 2003
Posts: 8,222
Registry
Send a message via AIM to Frederick L. Simson
Talking

Here is the streetside, front, taken the same day. It is parked next to my Compact Junior, that I have since sold.
Attached Thumbnails
FBSTfront1.jpg   FBST_012.jpg  

__________________
Frederick - The Scaleman
Frederick L. Simson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2005, 10:37 PM   #3
Moderator
 
Frederick L. Simson's Avatar
 
Trailer: Fiber Stream 1978 / Honda Odyssey LX 2003
Posts: 8,222
Registry
Send a message via AIM to Frederick L. Simson
Talking

Here is a shot showing the 2 x 4 wood bumper, and "extra" tail lights, as best as I could. To the right is a fence at the edge of a drop-off. If you look closely, you can see the "ghosts" of the center stripe and Logos, especially on the back of the trailer.
Attached Thumbnails
FBSTextaft.jpg  
__________________
Frederick - The Scaleman
Frederick L. Simson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-25-2005, 12:12 PM   #4
Moderator
 
Frederick L. Simson's Avatar
 
Trailer: Fiber Stream 1978 / Honda Odyssey LX 2003
Posts: 8,222
Registry
Send a message via AIM to Frederick L. Simson
Talking

The first mod was to replace the tail lights (all 4 of them!), of which only one functioned, and none matched. I only installed 2 new tail lights, and used FiberglassRV.com stickers to cover the patched damage the additional tail lights caused to the shell.

I had to replace the pig-tail connection to the tow vehicle. While I was at it, I ran the additional wire for activating the back-up lights in the new fixtures. The origonal tail lights did not have back-up lights.

I also made a 4" bumper/stinky-slinky storage (I love that name.) out of a hollow vinyl fence post I found at LOWE'S. It made a good location for the trailer's name.

I found the CAUTION sign, a bumper-sticker decal, at a truck parts store. The new red stripe near the base is reflective 2" wide safety tape, found at an industrial hardware store.

The replacement reflectors, mounted high, came from WALMART. There were "ghosts" in those spots indicating previous reflectors.
Attached Thumbnails
I_Can__t_See.jpg   CMEN_009.jpg  

Attached Images
  
__________________
Frederick - The Scaleman
Frederick L. Simson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-25-2005, 01:15 PM   #5
Moderator
 
Frederick L. Simson's Avatar
 
Trailer: Fiber Stream 1978 / Honda Odyssey LX 2003
Posts: 8,222
Registry
Send a message via AIM to Frederick L. Simson
Talking

I then painted over the Fiber Stream logos with red enamal paint; they were origonally green but had completely faded in the sun. WEST MARINE was the source of the stripes around the middle. After installing the bumper slinky storage, I removed the short cylinder up front.
Attached Thumbnails
FBSTstripe_003.jpg  
__________________
Frederick - The Scaleman
Frederick L. Simson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-25-2005, 01:35 PM   #6
Moderator
 
Frederick L. Simson's Avatar
 
Trailer: Fiber Stream 1978 / Honda Odyssey LX 2003
Posts: 8,222
Registry
Send a message via AIM to Frederick L. Simson
Talking

After selling the Compact Junior, I had enough money to afford a Carefree Fiesta Awning. I removed the RV 12 volt swamp cooler (not air conditioner) and replaced it with a Fantastic-Fan. This brought the height down to 8' 6".
Attached Thumbnails
FBSTawn_004.jpg  
Attached Images
 
__________________
Frederick - The Scaleman
Frederick L. Simson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-25-2005, 02:06 PM   #7
Moderator
 
Frederick L. Simson's Avatar
 
Trailer: Fiber Stream 1978 / Honda Odyssey LX 2003
Posts: 8,222
Registry
Send a message via AIM to Frederick L. Simson
Talking

The first mod inside was to install a folding range cover.
Attached Images
  
__________________
Frederick - The Scaleman
Frederick L. Simson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-25-2005, 04:46 PM   #8
Moderator
 
Frederick L. Simson's Avatar
 
Trailer: Fiber Stream 1978 / Honda Odyssey LX 2003
Posts: 8,222
Registry
Send a message via AIM to Frederick L. Simson
Talking

Here is the Dinette area showing the origonal (rotted) curtains. Above the window is the "child's" upper bunk.
Attached Thumbnails
FBSTintfwd.jpg  
__________________
Frederick - The Scaleman
Frederick L. Simson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-25-2005, 04:54 PM   #9
Moderator
 
Frederick L. Simson's Avatar
 
Trailer: Fiber Stream 1978 / Honda Odyssey LX 2003
Posts: 8,222
Registry
Send a message via AIM to Frederick L. Simson
Talking

Some better views of the factory installed "child's" upper bunk. We use it for storage. The "guard rail" and flourescent light fixture were added by a previous owner. I mounted the clock and frog doll. With a green interior, we have a "frog" theme.
Attached Thumbnails
FBSTbunk_001.jpg  
Attached Images
 
__________________
Frederick - The Scaleman
Frederick L. Simson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-25-2005, 07:45 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
Taylor Kissinger's Avatar
 
Trailer: 19 ft Scamp (Egg Salad Annie)
Posts: 272
Registry
Quote:
Some better views of the factory installed "child's" upper bunk. We use it for storage. The "guard rail" and flourescent light fixture were added by a previous owner. I mounted the clock and frog doll. With a green interior, we have a "frog" theme.
Fred I have a question? How do you like your awning, would you buy the same again. In Oregon I camp in the rain a lot and often we camp were I can put the awning when out a few feet from the fire, then I can spend more time outside even if raining. a good awning is needed . I want to be sure before I choice the awning I want to put it on my Scamp 5th wheel.
Taylor the Sailor
Taylor Kissinger is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-25-2005, 08:27 PM   #11
Moderator
 
Frederick L. Simson's Avatar
 
Trailer: Fiber Stream 1978 / Honda Odyssey LX 2003
Posts: 8,222
Registry
Send a message via AIM to Frederick L. Simson
Talking

Quote:
Fred I have a question? How do you like your awning, [b]would you buy the same again.
Taylor the Sailor
[b]In a New York minute! The local distributor for Carefree does nothing but awnings, and they were very good... but they did not ask a critical question about the height measurement when I ordered the awning. This delayed their installation 1 week while the correct (special order shorter legs) were ordered. (I had planned ahead, and was not in a hurry to have it installed.) Due to this oversight, they upgraded me from the Simplicity to the Fiesta at no extra charge. If I remember correctly, it was about $550 plus tax installed.

However I must caution you: My leg supports may not be appropriate for the curved sides of a Scamp trailer. The Fiber Stream has straight sides. I would recommend that you have your distributor come & measure your trailer so he could special order the proper curved legs for it, several shapes of which are available from Carefree.
Attached Thumbnails
FBSTawn_003.jpg  
__________________
Frederick - The Scaleman
Frederick L. Simson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-25-2005, 08:56 PM   #12
Moderator
 
Frederick L. Simson's Avatar
 
Trailer: Fiber Stream 1978 / Honda Odyssey LX 2003
Posts: 8,222
Registry
Send a message via AIM to Frederick L. Simson
Talking

The entry door for the Fiber Stream is 60" (5'0") tall. Robert took a "foam" pool noodle, cut it to the 24" door width, made a sleeve out of material to match the curtains, ran a 3/4" dowel thru the center, and mounted it at the door frame as a forehead bumper.
Attached Thumbnails
FBSTdoor1.jpg   FBSTdoor2.jpg  

__________________
Frederick - The Scaleman
Frederick L. Simson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-25-2005, 09:20 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
Taylor Kissinger's Avatar
 
Trailer: 19 ft Scamp (Egg Salad Annie)
Posts: 272
Registry
Thank you Fred I would love to find a RV dealer I really trust. I talked to Camper world, they are a bit spendy I belive . I am in no hurry I will keep researching while it pours rain up here.
Thanks Taylor
Taylor Kissinger is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-25-2005, 09:34 PM   #14
Moderator
 
Frederick L. Simson's Avatar
 
Trailer: Fiber Stream 1978 / Honda Odyssey LX 2003
Posts: 8,222
Registry
Send a message via AIM to Frederick L. Simson
Talking

Quote:
Thank you Fred I would love to find a RV dealer I really trust. I talked to Camper world, they are a bit spendy I belive . I am in no hurry I will keep researching while it pours rain up here.
Thanks Taylor
Without the President's Club discount, Camping World can be expensive. They also stock A&E brand awning products, which is higher priced than Carefree, in my experience. They also price out installation a-la-carte, as most all-in-one RV stores do. I would recommend that you try Carefree of Colorado.com and ask for a distributor/installer near you. Good luck!
__________________
Frederick - The Scaleman
Frederick L. Simson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-25-2005, 09:39 PM   #15
Senior Member
 
Taylor Kissinger's Avatar
 
Trailer: 19 ft Scamp (Egg Salad Annie)
Posts: 272
Registry
I will do that tommorrow. Thanks Fred.
Taylor Kissinger is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-25-2005, 09:48 PM   #16
Moderator
 
Frederick L. Simson's Avatar
 
Trailer: Fiber Stream 1978 / Honda Odyssey LX 2003
Posts: 8,222
Registry
Send a message via AIM to Frederick L. Simson
Talking

Since I already owned a 13" TV/VCR, I shopped eBay for a ceiling mount to install on the underside of the upper bunk. I wired up the TV coax cable under the lower bunk to the electric cord hatch, and put a connector box in there. In a campground, I can connect to cable TV if available. When boondocking, I use a separate battery with a 300 watt inverter to watch tapes. I watch DVD's on the laptop computer.
Attached Images
 
__________________
Frederick - The Scaleman
Frederick L. Simson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-25-2005, 10:02 PM   #17
Moderator
 
Frederick L. Simson's Avatar
 
Trailer: Fiber Stream 1978 / Honda Odyssey LX 2003
Posts: 8,222
Registry
Send a message via AIM to Frederick L. Simson
Talking

As an example of one mod leading to another, remember that I removed the short cylinder (for storing the sewer hose) from the front of the trailer? This left 4 holes through the shell that needed plugging. After awhile, I discovered a need for a shelf for small items on the front wall. In the spirit of 2 birds with 1 stone, I designed this shelf that re-used those holes for mounting.
Attached Images
  
__________________
Frederick - The Scaleman
Frederick L. Simson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-25-2005, 10:12 PM   #18
Moderator
 
Frederick L. Simson's Avatar
 
Trailer: Fiber Stream 1978 / Honda Odyssey LX 2003
Posts: 8,222
Registry
Send a message via AIM to Frederick L. Simson
Talking

1. The Dinette Table slides under the shelf, out of the way, during most of the day.
2. During meals, it pulls out into the center of the space. I love port-a-legs!
3. At bedtime, the table disassembles and stores on the floor, under the bed. The shelf becomes a nice little nite stand/bedside table.
Attached Images
   
__________________
Frederick - The Scaleman
Frederick L. Simson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-25-2005, 10:23 PM   #19
Moderator
 
Frederick L. Simson's Avatar
 
Trailer: Fiber Stream 1978 / Honda Odyssey LX 2003
Posts: 8,222
Registry
Send a message via AIM to Frederick L. Simson
Talking

This table came with the Fiber Stream when I bought it. The old laminated formica map top is cool, even though it is circa 1968.
Attached Images
 
__________________
Frederick - The Scaleman
Frederick L. Simson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-25-2005, 10:36 PM   #20
Moderator
 
Frederick L. Simson's Avatar
 
Trailer: Fiber Stream 1978 / Honda Odyssey LX 2003
Posts: 8,222
Registry
Send a message via AIM to Frederick L. Simson
Talking

Some "newer" Fiber Streams have an arched pass-through in the wall between the stove and the street-side bunk, with a flip-up counter extension. My 1978 does not. It also has sliding doors in the upper kitchen cabinets. Newer units have upward-opening hinged doors.
Attached Images
 
__________________
Frederick - The Scaleman
Frederick L. Simson is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
fiber stream


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Re-Post: Fiber Stream Interior Mod John Lawrence Modifications, Alterations and Updates 8 05-02-2012 08:53 PM
Fiber Stream Tom Bernardino Problem Solving | Owners Helping Owners 8 10-12-2008 05:59 PM
79' Fiber Stream Robert N. General Chat 2 09-11-2008 07:23 AM
13' Fiber Stream Roddy D Care and Feeding of Molded Fiberglass Trailers 6 06-05-2008 10:56 PM
79' Fiber Stream Robert N. Modifications, Alterations and Updates 0 01-01-1970 12:00 AM

» Upcoming Events
No events scheduled in
the next 465 days.
» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:55 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.