Ventura reno

[Patricia D.]

I have done a lengthy introduction, asked numerous questions and received lots of valuable feedback from generous members but several members have asked for pictures of my redo of a 1975 Ventura trailer so I am starting a thread on which I can give probably irregular updates of my progress.
I have had the trailer for about 3 weeks, I think, and have been working on it for about 2 weeks for a few hours at a time. I am proceeding slowly but most of my waking hours are consumed with everything trailer- planning, researching, looking for materials, ideas, daydreaming about trips , you get the idea.
For me the whole process is fun and fascinating and not to be rushed, or at least until my feet begin to get itchy.

The first pictures are of the trailer as it was as new to me. Then the progress over the next days of removing the contents. The last 4 were taken today, I have 2 or 3 hours to put in removing staples, bits of insulation, slivers of subfloor etc but basically I am now ready to begin repairing holes, rebuilding the framework that was removed because it had rotted, laying down a clean new subfloor, insulating and on and on.

But before I get to far on the the inside I need to make it watertight by doing the windows and sealing around the middle under the band. I just need a week or so without rain.

[Patricia D.]

The last pic shows some of the damage to the framework- all the corner framing was black and falling apart.

[Patricia D.]

Basically finished the deconstruction. included a pic of my work site. I have save any of the old fittings that may serve as templates or that I can reuse.

[Patricia D.]

Sorry the pics wer not finished loading.

[Patricia D.]

I am beginning to prepare and patch the fiberglass holes etc. I am stumped by holes like this that have a reason to be there but may let water in. These are the wires that run from the front of the trailer to the hitch.

[Patricia D.]

What have I done? is the sentiment of the day.
I have not posted for a while but I have been plugging along with removing the door and frame and all the windows along with many other small jobs. I am fiberglassing holes and cracks etc. and I have to say it is getting really old. I can only do an hour or so a day using the resin because I am quite sensitive to chemicals so it has been about 5 days so far with lots left to do, including the belly band.
Having done many home renovations, I know that this happens at some point in every project but the slow progress of the rebuild is becoming discouraging and the amount of work yet to be done feels overwhelming.
Maybe it is time for a break or a change of focus. Maybe I will start making the new door or polish up the window frames.

[TheWanderers]

Hi Patricia, thanks for posting your pics and progress. It is overwhelming but you are doing a great job. I can related to your burnout. Hope you take a nice break and get back to it when it feels good.

Laura (not Bill)

[Patricia D.]

Thanks Laura.
I was reminded yesterday that daily to do lists are the secret, as long as they are realistic. Finished everything on my list yesterday and am now ready to start putting the new wood floor down.

[Sheepdog]

i know the feeling... I started my project off thinking "Ill have it done in 2-3weeks tops!" 3 months later im still working at it!

[Patricia D.]

I started off thinking that "It is a small trailer, how hard can it be?"
It is not necessarily hard work per se (except for removing the floor) but much more fiddly than in a house where a wall can be taken down or put up in short order and you can see progress.
For myself, I actually attribute it in part to all the great advice on the forums. After learning the best ways to do the work from those who have experience and much more skill than I do, the perfectionist in me will not let me do a quick and dirty job.
Where are you at now? Please tell me that you starting to put the interior back in by now, just to give me hope!

[shaggydoink]

Wow, you've definitely got a project on your hands!! You've made great progress thus far, I'm looking forward to following along!

Jonathan

[Patricia D.]

Finally finished the fiberglass repairs inside and put the new plywood floor in the first section of the trailer (see pic)
The fg floor had dips in it so I put boards underneath held up by jacks to gently push the floor up and make sure that the shell made contact with the plywood so the resin that I spread on the fg could adhere the two together. Also put rocks on the top to add weight for the same reason. It will hopefully be firm with limited bounce.
The edges of the plywood and the whole area by the door where treated with resin to increase water resistance.
Also experimented with removing paint from the top half of the trailer, using a "gentle" paint remover and found that patching had been done with filler by a PO so it looks like the whole trailer will have to be painted.
As well, I began grinding the belly band area with a flapper disk in preparation for doing fg repairs on the outside (and inside again at the belly area).
Over the last few days I have been polishing the window frames and door frame with a product called Never Dull. It is doing a fairly good job of removing the residue from the butyl tape and shining up the aluminum. There is some pitting but basically the frames are in surprisingly good shape. I do not have the tools to polish and buff the frames to make them perfect but I am happy with the result.
I have ordered replacement hardware for the jalousie windows (Side Mount Torque Operators) online from Vintage Campers that should replace the worn out opening mechanisms. It was interesting to take one of the windows apart to see how they actually work but I think I can do the replacements without dismantling the windows.
I have actually purchased materials online from about 6 different businesses in the US so will be going down to Grand Forks next week and camping (in the Eurovan not the trailer) so I will be able to bring everything back under the healthy 48 hour exception.
Lots going on but nothing dramatic to show for my time yet. As soon as I get the rest of the floor down, I can start working on restoring the curve to the ceiling by adding metal supports to the roof framing and replacing the parts of the wall framing that I removed because it had rotted. Then I can move onto insulation and installing the ceiling and the interior walls. That will feel like a major milestone.

[Cheyanna83]

Been there gutting mine it took forever heck I'm still working on mine lol

I do like your door lol (that's not a original door but nice!) I'm trying to find a replcment or figure how tonstop bloody window leaking on mine gah

[Patricia D.]

Yes the door looks good from a distance but it is too thick and does not close properly, not watertight, I am sure. I do like the screen door though, it is cute and I want to keep it if possible.