Maintenance & Restoration

Thomas G. · 05-31-2012, 11:16 AM

I got my CT in December 2011 and have been working away at it since then. Having finally finished the fridge installation, I'm calling it compete. So, I thought I'd post some pictures as thought starters to others and an opportunity for comments on better ways of doing things.

First some outside shots. In these shots you can see that I uncovered the side UHaul lettering and added new lettering to the rear. I also installed a rear tire mount and a 60 watt solar collector, and a front storage rack, which are detailed in previous threads. Finish is Red Max floor wax.

Thomas G. · 05-31-2012, 11:36 AM

My final effort was to install a Norcold 323 three way refrigerator where the ice box was. When I bought it I thought that it would fit in flush to the counter but realized that the Dometic style inset vent takes up an inch or more on the inside and the curvature of the trailer steals an inch or so at the bottom. The net result was the fridge sticks out 1 1/2 inches from the counter. The trim was made from a plastic rain gutter and painted with plastic paint, like the outside vents.

To mount the fridge I made stand offs from plastic pipe which are bolted through the floor by inserting wooden discs into the bottoms then screws into the side of the pipe. This is repeated at the top to mount the 1/4" plywood. I topped the plywood with two layers of 1 1/2" styrene to make it flush with the opening and to add extra insulation.

The sides of the refrigerator opening are also styrene covered with foil on the outside. In the vicinity of the flame the foam is covered with thicker aluminum. This seals the compartment and adds additional insulation to the sides and top of the fridge.

On the back of the fridge I made an aluminum baffle to make sure that all air coming in from the lower vent must pass over the heat exchanger coils before passing out the top vent. I also added a computer fan on top and inside to add additional ventilation in really hot conditions.

Thomas G. · 05-31-2012, 11:45 AM

A few shots of the inside.

Here you can see the removable insert that I made for the under sink cabinet which I described in an earlier post.

Up front I took out the bunk and used the foam to make three cushions for a dinette set up. The table is 1/2" plywood with on iron on veneer edge finished with polyurethane and wet sanded. I rounded one edge and offset the pedestal 1 inch to improve access to the left seating position.

I removed the manual pump and used a single handle high rise faucet with a Flojet on demand pump to provide water. One can also hook up to city water with a 3 way valve I installed under the sink. Stove was rusty chrome so I painted it with high temperature black paint. Vent fan was replaced with a computer fan and LED panel lights were added to vent and other two lights, as well.

Thomas G. · 05-31-2012, 11:50 AM

Lastly, I upgraded the wiring so I could use the amber turn signals on the trailer and also charge from my hybrid tow vehicle. The electronic adapter for the lights and all the connections live in a piece of 4" PVC which is capped to keep it weather proof. The charging wiring is augmented with an Anderson connector (the red thing) to accommodate the 4 gauge wire I used. It is not necessary for the current flow, with it makes connecting the big wires easier.

I also added a break away switch to activate the electric brakes that I added (detailed in a separate thread).

Kevin A · 05-31-2012, 12:20 PM

Great work, Tom. This is almost too beautiful to use! You will turn a lot of heads pulling this little guy down the road. I envy your skills at doing all this yourself. I've done lots of stuff on our VT, but not to the level of detail you have. Thanks for sharing all your upgrades, too.

Thomas G. · 05-31-2012, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin A

Great work, Tom. This is almost too beautiful to use! You will turn a lot of heads pulling this little guy down the road. I envy your skills at doing all this yourself. I've done lots of stuff on our VT, but not to the level of detail you have. Thanks for sharing all your upgrades, too.

Thanks. It helps to be retired.

CindyL · 05-31-2012, 05:34 PM

And Tom, why are you posting and not camping in that beauty?

Great job! And thanks for the REALLY helpful posts. It is a beauty!

CindyL

Thomas G. · 05-31-2012, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CindyL

And Tom, why are you posting and not camping in that beauty?

Great job! And thanks for the REALLY helpful posts. It is a beauty!

CindyL

Thanks. DW is an elementary school teacher, so I'm waiting for her to finish the school year. Next hurdle; convince our greyhound that it is a good idea.

Paul Chet · 05-31-2012, 05:56 PM

Wow ... real craftsmanship on that mod Thomas!

Donna D. · 05-31-2012, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Chet

Wow ... real craftsmanship on that mod Thomas!

I AGREE!!!

CindyL · 05-31-2012, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thomas G.

Thanks. DW is an elementary school teacher, so I'm waiting for her to finish the school year. Next hurdle; convince our greyhound that it is a good idea.

I hear you. I train teachers. My semester finished earlier.

CindyL

Mouse · 05-31-2012, 09:09 PM

Great job Thomas!

I hope we cross paths sometime.

Paul Chet · 05-31-2012, 09:50 PM

Hey Thomas,
Right now we have "Master Po" - our sweet little Aussie Cattle Dog, but back in my Florida days we rescued four sweet greyhounds from the tracks. They were quite skittish at first, but as you probably already know - they are big couch potatoes and once they find a spot they like its theirs! Hopefully your dear friend will warm up to that sweet CT 13!

djtriceflt · 05-31-2012, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thomas G.

Thanks. DW is an elementary school teacher, so I'm waiting for her to finish the school year. Next hurdle; convince our greyhound that it is a good idea.

Tom,
Looking GREAT, nicely done!!!

I wish you and yours (including the greyhound) to be HAPPY CAMPERS wherever you pull your UHaul!