Hello from PA!

[pgrnfarm]

Just purchased this 1971 Compact Jr yesterday. Now what? Where do we start? The previous owner did all the demo but saved it all for patterns and such. Would like to sandblast frame, maybe reinforce the frame, then start on the interior. Any good source for the canvas pop top part? So many things swirling in my head at the moment!!

[Dan-NS27]

Looks like a nice find. Congrats.
Good luck with making it your own.
Welcome to the group.

[Kai in Seattle]

I agree so much, welcome and have fun! You can totally reconstruct it as was, or do whatever YOU most like with it. Most parts are findable, makable, or substitutable, may you have great good luck finding just what you hope for or at least what you need.

Looks like a very nice project! So lucky the PO saved the patterns!!!!!

BEST redoing and happy trails down the road!

Kathleen/Kai in Seattle/"K"

[thrifty bill]

Top on my list would be: window reseal (butyl tape), body to frame bolts, wheel bearings, and frame. If tires are old (they will have date codes on them) replace them too. Trailer tires are relatively cheap. Not worth the risk of trying to get another year out of them. I'd replace the leaf springs too.

When I bought my Trillium last year, the tires were either 24 or 34 years old! (Tire date codes were not as clear back then). Fortunately I had brought a set of replacement tires on wheels with me for the trip home.

Interior walls, particularly the vertical ones, are part of the structural strength of the trailer. Some of the horizontal cabinets provide structure too. Consider how thin the fiberglass is.

[Kai in Seattle]

thrifty bill: right on the mark. Totally agree, astounded at the age of the original tires, but not entirely surprised. People often reckon more by mileage than rubber age...we were lucky we made it home at all; only 1 1/2 bolts were holding us to the frame, the others rusted completely away, and the tires--not that old, but we had no spare, and ours were threadbare. Didn't know yet to check. Great advice.

"K"