Maintenance & Restoration

JamieC · 06-20-2012, 01:18 PM

Jamie. I just purchased what i think to be a real gem!! Sadly, i can find very little information on my trailer. I have an Apeco - Small World (the model can still be read where the long removed stickers left their mark) It is completely gutted and in need of some TLC. Does anyone know anything about my find?
i have attached the 2 pics i have found online and 4 outside pics of my baby.

Thomas G. · 06-20-2012, 01:37 PM

That is very cool! I hope you can successfully refurb it.

David Tilston · 06-20-2012, 01:42 PM

How long is your trailer? Looks like a toy hauler, but smaller.

JamieC · 06-20-2012, 01:55 PM

I think the trailer body is about 16' with the tounge, it is a lil over 20'. In the pic above, it has a fold down door on the back, meant to be a patio, but could be done up as a toy hauler.

**Mary F** · 06-20-2012, 01:56 PM

Hi, Jamie. Welcome! Interesting trailer you have there... It's seems it's been mentioned here before, but only briefly. I found a site online with some history of the Apeco company (which is redundant, since it stands for American Photocopy Equipment Company). Apeco-Comforce Corporation

Also found a classified ad in Watertown NY "Daily Times," circa Sept.1975:
"APECO TRAVEL TRAILERS at close out prices on 1975 models..." so that establishes an era for them... And, Bolerama also once had a link to something posted from the 1972 volume of Popular Mechanics.

Hopefully somebody who knows more about it will see this and post.

Thanks for the pics. Unusual lines!!

JamieC · 06-20-2012, 02:13 PM

Thank you Mary, i did read up on the Apeco Corporation, they have had a long and unusual history.

And the Popular Mechanics artical was a very interesting read. I will have to look into the classified ad. From what i have found they were in new in 1972 so that leaves a very small window for production.

Mike Magee · 06-20-2012, 02:33 PM

Interesting front shape similarity to the Star Trek shuttlecraft (even closer to that look than the Snoozy, thanks to the front window). This really is a good find; I bet it has loads of potential if it's basically sound.

I really like the look of the huge front window. Not certain how practical it is, but for looks and for looking out of... wow.

Roy in TO · 06-20-2012, 02:57 PM

Excellent find! Looking forward to pictures, specs and a wonderful restoration.

Lee Senn · 06-20-2012, 08:35 PM

Wow what a special find. That is truly an exceptional trailer. From some angles looks quite a lot like a boat !!. Please keep us updated on the refurb as you go along. Lee

dylanear · 06-20-2012, 09:21 PM

The Trek fan in me loves it!!!!

JamieC · 06-25-2012, 08:16 AM

Got her all cleaned up this weekend. Power-washed it inside and out. Removed the remainder of the floor, and reminants of baby blue on dark blue shag carpet and removed the rear door for repair. Next step, framing the inside and fiberglass repair. Interesting note, i sprayed the inside with mold/mildew remover, whatever the chemical in it was, it brought out some writing on the gray water tank. It said "Tank for Apeco Small World" wish there was a date.

David Tilston · 06-25-2012, 09:45 AM

That is just so cool! Any floor plan in mind? Kinda looks like a foot well, for a dinette, up front.

JamieC · 06-25-2012, 10:39 AM

I am throwing a few ideas around. i don't think there was a dinette up there, i think it was on the back door that folded down. If you look at my first set of pics, the one with the caption next to it says there was a "patio", my guess is the dining was there. IDK. I am not going to restore it to its original glory, cant find any inside pics to go off of anyway. I want it to be functional and convenient for me and my family.

Here is what i am thinking:
in the front, a full or queen bed. i will sort of seperate the bed from the back of the camper with a couple floor to ceiling shelves/cabinets for storage.
in the back on one side a twin over futon bed/sofa and on the other side a small countertop and built in microwave. with more cabinets for storage. on the fold down door i am going to attempt to use it as a screened in "patio" space.
I am definately open to ideas from anyone as this is my first go at fixing up a camper!

Byron Kinnaman · 06-25-2012, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamieC

I am throwing a few ideas around. i don't think there was a dinette up there, i think it was on the back door that folded down. If you look at my first set of pics, the one with the caption next to it says there was a "patio", my guess is the dining was there. IDK. I am not going to restore it to its original glory, cant find any inside pics to go off of anyway. I want it to be functional and convenient for me and my family.

Here is what i am thinking:
in the front, a full or queen bed. i will sort of seperate the bed from the back of the camper with a couple floor to ceiling shelves/cabinets for storage.
in the back on one side a twin over futon bed/sofa and on the other side a small countertop and built in microwave. with more cabinets for storage. on the fold down door i am going to attempt to use it as a screened in "patio" space.
I am definately open to ideas from anyone as this is my first go at fixing up a camper!

One word of caution, try to keep much of the heavy stuff over the axle. And balance is the key to safe travels. You need to carefully maintain side to side balance and tongue weight at 10% to 15% of total weight.
If you get too far out of balance uncontrolled sway will happen.
The chances of sway happening are reduced with most of the weight over the axle.
Sway will happen at some speed, the trick is to increase the speed at which sway will happen and reduce speed to stay well below that point.