In an effort to downsize in fuel expenses and
weight, we downsized from a
Boler 1700 to a
Ventura Monarch 1976, a sweet little trailer after the
Boler was written off in an accident.
We decided we didn't want a big reno job, one that was "done" but maybe could use a facelift.
We found one in Calgary, $5500 and seemed clean and nice. Maybe not so much,....
The
fridge was a residential bar
fridge, it's been tossed, but the
furnace is in working order. Details are still undecided, but I think I want a
fridge and a
furnace in there.
This winter we had some serious leaking, and the poorly installed ceiling (pine panelling running front to back) buckled and pulled the roof down.
Cheap bead board stapled over original paneling was soggy and gross from the
leaks,.... not quality stuff, that's for sure.
I'm not exactly sure where the
leaks are or how to go about fixing them (inside or outside?) and I wonder how much was condensation,... There is some rotten frame needing to be replaced, but not much, mostly around the
windows, which makes sense, but doesn't explain the ceiling. However, I just need a good rainstorm to happen and I will start getting an idea.
All the wall paneling has been removed and insulation too, so everything is quite visible. I saved the frames for the all the bench seats, furnace/cupboard and galley in case I want to reuse them.
The ceiling is pretty soft and flexible, I am not sure how I will support it but I don't think it needs much. I would love to just bend some cedar panelling in an arch holding the ceiling up with a natural flex,...
The
windows,... I love them but one doesn't shut properly (one of the smaller), it's a jalousie window, passenger side. On the opposite side is a McGuyver'd window using an original jalousie frame, but it has a sheet of plexiglass glued/siliconed into place.
I think they all leaked at one point or another,.... I think it's probably a good time to repair the seals and
windows or replace them entirely. I don't want one new window really and these
jalousie windows are so awesome, I hate to part with them, BUT,... new windows all around would be really nice too. Going to have an estimate for that next week, now's the time with the camper gutter.
And it needs a new door. I found a great link from someone who DIY'd a door:
RV.Net Open Roads Forum: Built A New Entry Door For My Truck Camper!
He did a great job. I'm really curious to know what the stuff is called that goes around the edge of the door,... I have to know the words to know what to ask for! I am hoping to build a new door too and it all looks good up to there, a mention of it in this person's post is missing.
Lots to do! I think I'm bouncing between excited and overwhelmed. I was rooting for a DIY job in the
fall, so I guess I got what I was asking for! I just want to have a teeny, nice, warm home on wheels with a little elbow grease. I think I should manage.
I'll post some pics as I go along,...